Category Archives: Japanese

Izakaya Ida Mini Review

Posted on February 18, 2019 by

I originally tried Izakaya Ida a little while after it opened and at the time the only dumplings they had were Takoyaki, which were excellent.  I recently returned and discovered that they had added pork gyoza and shrimp shumai to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Izakaya, Japanese, Shumai | Leave a comment

Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya, San Francisco, Ca

Posted on February 11, 2019 by

Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya regularly gets mentioned as one of San Francisco’s top vegan restaurants and has a laudable mission statement, but I think this restaurant is completely over-rated.  First of all, it has a reservation and entry policy … Continue reading →

Posted in Frozen Dumpling Review, Gyoza, Japanese, Potsticker, San Francisco, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggie Dumplings | Leave a comment

Yokohama Ramen, Northampton, MA

Posted on January 21, 2019 by

This is the second of two back-to-back reviews of ramen bars, unfortunately we have moved from lackluster to bad.  After a long period of construction and renovation Yokohama Ramen recently opened in Northampton MA.  There seems to be some major … Continue reading →

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, Northampton, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

Zurutto Ramen and Gyoza Bar, New York NY

Posted on January 7, 2019 by

Despite it’s name, Zurutto Ramen and Gyoza Bar’s menu weighs a lot heavier on ramen than gyoza options, with only three types of gyoza available on the menu.  The original menu, which listed pork, cheese and radish gyoza, sounded a lot … Continue reading →

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

Sixth Anniversary

Posted on October 29, 2018 by

A few weeks belated, but after 349 posts and 54,625 visitors this is the sixth anniversary of Dumpling Hunter.  The very first post was was about my visit to Nan Xiang Xiolong Mantou in Shanghai.  My trip to that restaurant to … Continue reading →

Posted in Amherst, Best of, Chinese, Dim Sum, Frozen Dumpling Review, Girasoli, Japanese, Lamb, New York City, Shanghai, Soup Dumpling, Wontons, Xiao Long Bao | 1 Comment

Third try: Vegan Kimchi Takoyaki

Posted on October 22, 2018 by

After my first attempt to make Takoyaki which was an epic fail, I tried a second time which was a moderate fail and then a third time which was a modest success. On my third attempt I used 1.33 cups … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Takoyaki, Vegan, Vegetarian | Leave a comment

Mentoku Ramen, New York, NY

Posted on September 24, 2018 by

Mentoku Ramen specializes in Hakata style ramen, a regioanl style of ramen local to Fukuoka Prefecture.  Traditionally Hakata style ramen has a cloudy white pork bone broth and thin noodles and a minimalist approach to garnishing, just green onions and char siu pork.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, New York City, Takoyaki | 1 Comment

Ku Sushi and Izakaya, Seattle WA

Posted on August 27, 2018 by

Normally I avoid sushi restaurants advertising 50% of rolls, especially if there is a big cheesy looking banner hanging from the restaurant announcing this. To me this just screams low quality sushi. But Ku Sushi and Izakaya gets lots of … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Korean, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

Otafuku Okinomi Sauce

Posted on July 23, 2018 by

Japan’s Otafuku Sauce Co., Ltd.’s Okonomi sauce has become my go-to condiment for pretty much everything.  It is particularly good drizzled on pan-fried vegetable or pork gyoza and with this sauce on board you don’t need a dipping sauce. Okonomi sauce … Continue reading →

Posted in Dipping Sauce, Gyoza, Japanese, Pork, Recipe | Leave a comment

Izakaya Ida, New York NY

Posted on March 12, 2018 by

Izakaya Ida is a casual Japanese pub that opened about six months ago in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood.  I went in without checking the menu and it turned out that the only dumplings they serve are Takoyaki.  I tried a … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Takoyaki | Leave a comment