Category Archives: Japanese

Konbu StreetFood, Groningen, NL

Dumpling hunting in Amsterdam turned out to be a bust, the Dutch do not have indigenous dumpling form and overall the Asian restaurants I saw didn’t look that good.  But I do want to give a shout out to Onigiri … Continue reading

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, Korea, Pork, Takoyaki | Leave a comment

China Chilcano, Washington, DC

China Chilcano is part of celebrity chef Jose Andres’ ever expanding empire of restaurants.  Andres is credited with popularizing small plate tapas-style eating in the U.S. and, with the opening of the original and excellent Jaleo in 1993, transforming the Penn … Continue reading

Posted in Celebrity Chef, Chinese, D.C., Dim Sum, Gyoza, Japanese, Lamb, Pork, Potsticker, Shrimp, Shumai, Washington, Wontons | Leave a comment

Yasha Ramen, New York, NY

My recent attempt to hunt for dumplings on the Upper West Side of Manhattan turned out to be kind of a fail until I hit Yasha Ramen.  My first stop, La Salle Dumpling Room, was packed with families in town for the … Continue reading

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Izakaya Restaurant, New York, NY

Izakaya Restaurant, which basically translates into Restaurant Restaurant, is part of the expanding ecosystem of Japanese restaurants and bars in New York City’s East Village neighborhood. The Izakaya Restaurant is run by a young Japanese guy who came to our table … Continue reading

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Japanese Oriental Restaurant, Columbus, Ohio

I recently attended a conference at Ohio State University and imagined I would spend a pleasant evening drinking at a college pub, German Bier Hall or local sports bar near campus.  Instead I discovered that the strip of bars and … Continue reading

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, Korea, Mandoo, Pork | Leave a comment

Best of the Year: 2015

With 2015 coming to an end it is time look back at the best and worst dumplings of the year. Best Overall Dumpling:  The winner for the year is Nishida Sho Ten‘s pork gyoza which are served fried into a thin … Continue reading

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Naruto Ramen, New York, NY

After having been blown away by Nishida Sho-Ten, I decided to try all the ramen joints in the Ramen Joe family – Naruto with four locations, Terakawa Ramen and Nishida Sho-Ten.  The Naruto Ramen location on the Upper West Side … Continue reading

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, New York City, Pan Fried | 1 Comment

Nishida Sho-Ten, New York, NY

I recently had a work gig on the far east-side of Mid-Town, a neighborhood I thankfully rarely have to go to, and on the way I was lucky enough to stumble upon Nishida Sho-Ten. The food there was so good, … Continue reading

Posted in Gyoza, Japanese, Takoyaki | 2 Comments

Shavings of Bonito Dancing on Hot Takoyaki

Takoyaki are balled shaped Japanese dumplings made from a wheat flour batter filled with pieces of octopus.  They are served with a Worcestershire like takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise drizzled on top and sprinkles of dried seaweed flakes and shavings of dried … Continue reading

Posted in Japanese, Takoyaki | 1 Comment

Otafuku x Medetai, New York, NY

Otafuku x Medetai began life as a tiny nook selling Takoyaki through a window to customers standing on the street. You would see little knots of people huddled over paper boats filled with blazing hot balls of crispy fried dough … Continue reading

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