Author Archives: rundlea
Lisa’s Dumplings, New York, NY
Lisa’s Dumplings is in the Turnstyle Underground Market, one of the NYC MTA’s attempts at an Asian style underground shopping arcade. Lisa’s has an open kitchen concept where the dumpling wrappers are rolled out on a counter in front of … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The search for the world's best dumplings 