Category Archives: Japanese

dancerobot, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on October 5, 2025 by rundlea

I did not completely get dancerobot’s concept, their web site describes it as “’80s-inflected Japanese izakaya” and the press articles running up to its opening describe it with variations of “Neon-lit ’80s Japanese izakaya”.  Other than the entranceway being papered in … Continue reading →

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, Pan Fried, Philadelphia, Shrimp, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

MoonNight, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on August 11, 2025 by rundlea

Philadelphia’s MoonNight serves Vietnamese and Japanese dishes, including Pho, Ramen, Chả Giò, Gyoza, Buns, Bánh Mì, Yakitori, Crispy Garlic Wings, and Fried Wontons. MoonNight serves several vegan options, including vegetarian spring rolls, spicy cucumber, vegie dumplings, a ramen, a Pho, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bao, Buns, Japanese, Philadelphia, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggie Dumplings | Leave a comment

Ramen Kuraku, New York, NY

Posted on August 17, 2024 by rundlea

Ramen Kuraku opened during the pandemic in a Columbia University building neat the 168th street medical center, making it one of the northern most ramen restaurants in Manhattan.  The restaurant offers shio black, miso and shoyu ramen broths, served spicy … Continue reading →

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, New York City, Pork, Potsticker, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

Udon Lab, New York, NY

Posted on August 1, 2022 by rundlea

Udon Lab is an Udon bar and Izakaya that makes its udon from scratch and prepares each bowl fresh.  They offer 11 hot udon dishes and 6 cold udon dishes, a selection of izakaya appetizers, some donburi dishes, a handful … Continue reading →

Posted in Izakaya, Japanese, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

Izakaya E.A.K., Hell’s Kitchen, NY

Posted on December 20, 2021 by rundlea

Izakaya E.A.K. is part of Japan’s E.A.K. Ramen chain of restaurants (in Japan known as the Machida Shoten chain), which specializes in IEKEI ramen. According to their website they have over 400 locations in Japan and a presence in Singapore, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bao, Gyoza, Izakaya, Japanese, New York City, Pan Fried, Pork, Potsticker, Ramen Bar, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

Manhattan Valley Dumpling Hunt: Pandemic Edition

Posted on August 23, 2020 by rundlea

I have been chronicling the growth of the excellent Chinese restaurant scene in the Manhattan Valley neighborhood, which is just south of Columbia University.  The University’s international students make up a large portion of the patrons at these restaurants, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Bao, Chinese, Izakaya, Japanese, Mandoo, New York City, News, Ramen Bar, Thai | 1 Comment

Making Pasties – Vegan Cornish Pasty and Vegan Japanese Curry Pasty

Posted on June 8, 2020 by rundlea

I have said it before, (and here) the Cornish Pasty counts as a form of dumpling.  As part of my COVID-19 stay-at-home cooking regime I made a large vegan traditional a Cornish Pasty and two smaller Japanese Vegan Curry Pasties.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Pasty, Recipe | 1 Comment

Ramen at Moshi Moshi, Northampton, MA

Posted on December 30, 2019 by rundlea

I have blogged about and ‘gram’d Moshi Moshi’s dumplings a lot, but now in response to the dearth for good ramen in the Pioneer Valley, Moshi Moshi has gotten into the ramen game.  I know that ramen is off brand … Continue reading →

Posted in Best of, Japanese, Ramen Bar, Soup | Leave a comment

Sake Bar Hagi 46, New York, NY

Posted on December 9, 2019 by rundlea

Sake Bar Hagi on 49th street in Mid-town New York City was one of my favorite Izakaya in the City and I was quite sad when it closed in early 2018.  Somehow it took me a long time to visit … Continue reading →

Posted in Gyoza, Izakaya, Japanese, New York City, Pork, Potsticker, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

Moonrise Izakaya, New York, NY

Posted on November 18, 2019 by rundlea

Moonrise Izakaya is a new “Japanese Pub” on the Upper-West Side that is trying too hard on the aesthetics and décor and not paying enough attention to the food.   The interior and exterior were painted in an anime style by … Continue reading →

Posted in Izakaya, Japanese, Korean, New York City, Potsticker, Shrimp, Shumai, Vegetarian, Veggie Dumplings | Leave a comment