Author Archives: rundlea

Corey’s Crafty Vietnamese Cuisine, Philadelphia

Corey’s Crafty Vietnamese Cuisine has been criminally overlooked by the Philly food press. As of 9/4/2023 it has 100% five-star reviews (on 129 reviews) on Google, but no articles have been written about the restaurant by the local papers, online … Continue reading

Posted in Dipping Sauce, Pan Fried, Pork, Shrimp, Steamed, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vietnamese | Leave a comment

Soy Sauce Review

Shibanuma Koikuchi Pure Soy Sauce (far right), has the clearest and thinnest color of the four sauces but has a bold long-lasting taste. This sauce is crafted by a 330 year-old, soy sauce maker, that uses traditional production methods, with … Continue reading

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Dim Sum Garden, Philadelphia

The owner of Dim Sum Garden claims to be the 5th generation descendent of the Chef who invented Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings).  This is obviously hard to verify, but online reviews are consistent in praising the soup dumplings. When … Continue reading

Posted in Bao, Buns, Chinese, Dim Sum, Pan Fried, Philadelphia, Pork, Sheng Jian Bao, Shumai, Soup Dumpling, Sticky Rice, Xiao Long Bao | Leave a comment

Dan Dan, Philadelphia

The Philadelphia area mini-chain, Dan Dan, serves up Sichuan and Taiwanese dishes.  Dan Dan spun off from Han Dynasty’s University City location in 2015, with a first location in Rittenhouse Square and then locations in Ardmore and Wayne.  Dan Dan … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Philadelphia, Pork, Potsticker, Sichuan Dumplings, Wontons | Leave a comment

Pasta B Jinghua, Milan. Italy

Milan’s Pasta B Jinghua is the Italian outlet of Singapore’s well regarded Jing Hua Xiao Chi, which is known for its home-style Chinese cooking. Pasta B Jinghua’s first floor is dominated by an open kitchen that looks out onto the … Continue reading

Posted in Bao, Chinese, Chive, Crab, Gyoza, Italian, Noodles, Pan Fried, Pork, Potsticker, Shanghai, Shrimp, Soup Dumpling, Steamed, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggie Dumplings, Xiao Long Bao | Leave a comment

Dim Sum Palace, Korea Town, NYC

Dim Sum Palace is a New York City mini-chain of Cantonese dim sum houses with seven locations and a planned eight location in Chinatown that will seat 200 people and stay open to 4am.  Back in 2019 I tried the … Continue reading

Posted in Bao, Buns, New York City, Pan Fried, Sichuan Dumplings, Wontons | Leave a comment

Lays’ Takoyaki Flavored Crisps.

I saw these new “spring limited edition” Takoyaki flavored potato chips from Lays’ Chinese company at my local Asian mart and had to try them.  The flavoring components were listed as MSG in the middle of the ingredients and “Takoyaki … Continue reading

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Nom Wah, Philadelphia

I stopped by the Philadelphia outpost of New York’s venerable Nom Wah Tea House for a light snack and it was not a good experience. The salt and pepper shrimp I was served had a thick batter coating, were greasy … Continue reading

Posted in Dim Sum, Shrimp, Shumai | 1 Comment

Grand Palace Seafood Restaurant, Philadelphia

Grand Palace Restaurant is an old school dim sum palace that can seat 700 people across three dining rooms.  Dim sum is served from a fleet of roving push carts that patrol the dining rooms and when you request a … Continue reading

Posted in Buns, Chive, Crystal Shrimp, Dim Sum, How Gar, Pan Fried, Philadelphia, Pork, Shrimp, Shumai, Steamed | 1 Comment

Northern Cafe, University of Southern California, LA

Northern Cafe is an LA based mini-chain of Chinese restaurants that is expanding through Southern California.  Northern Cafes all appear to be counter service restaurants, where you order at a counter and are given a metal stand with a numbered … Continue reading

Posted in Bao, Boiled, Chinese, Fish, Los Angeles, Pan Fried, Pork, Shrimp, Soup Dumpling, Xiao Long Bao | Leave a comment