‘gyoza’


Japanese for Real at Hakata Ramen Shinsengumi

January 5th, 2010 Tweet Facebook Digg Stumble Reddit

Drunk or not, this looks awesome.

For too long have I been subjected to people who believe the beginning and end of Japanese food is sushi.  While living in Japan for half of a year, I believe I ate sushi once.  This was not because I was avoiding sushi, but because sushi just wasn’t as prevalent as we are led to believe.  Sure, you can find sushi if you are looking, but it is not as though every corner has a sushi place.  Rather, it is much more common to find ramen.  This isn’t your Cup O Noodle college hangover ramen, but a real, hearty bowl of broth with noodles, meat and more.  Recently, some coworkers of mine were heading out to “that ramen place” in Gardena for lunch and I joined them, fingers crossed that this place would be the true Japanese food I’ve been waiting for. Continue Reading»


An Unfortunate Meal at Mr. Hana

June 25th, 2009 Tweet Facebook Digg Stumble Reddit
There is just too much green for one plate to take.

There is just too much green for one plate to take.

I had heard a lot about the Century City food court, which really surprised me considering most food courts I’ve been to don’t get any fancier than S’barro.  As I was going there for a movie already, it was finally time to check out the food court.

I was actually very surprised with what I found.  This was no ordinary food court with Panda Express and McDonald’s.  Instead, it was filled with upscale places that made me feel like I entered an international marketplace with prepared foods.  After a long walk around and a little sampling, I decided to order from Mr. Hana, a Japanese place.  They had a great looking platter with spicy chicken, gyoza (dumplings), shrimp tempura and rice that I decided to get.  It also came with mixed vegetables, which I was sure to order without.  I also ordered a Japanese Melon Soda, which is one of the greatest drinks ever created.  No, seriously, next time you see it, you must get it, you can thank me later. Continue Reading»


Beer Me Some Breckenridge Agave Wheat

The taste of skiing?

Colorado is definitely a beer state, and not just because Coors comes from the Rocky Mountain State.  No, it is also home to New Belgium (of Fat Tire fame) and seemingly countless other micro and craft breweries.  While in Breckenridge for a ski weekend, I decided I had to at least try one of these, and because it turned out to be the only one available at dinner, my choice happened to come from the creatively named Breckenridge Brewery.  The brewery, by the way, is actually no longer in Breckenridge, having expanded and moved to Denver in 1992.

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