It's been a while since I've enjoyed yakitori-style dining, so when my We Heart Astoria colleagues, Meg, Mackenzi and I were asked to check out Honoo Grill & Noodle, I jumped at the chance. And while I do love me some sushi, I was excited to try something different as far as Japanese food is concerned - more specifically, something that reminded me of my not so distant trip to Japan.
Atmosphere:
Situated in a great location on Ditmars Blvd and 33rd Street, Honoo is subway friendly and receives great foot traffic, as it's in a bustling, commercial area. Hinomaru Ramen, no doubt a competitor is just a few doors down, and even though it also serves up Japanese cuisine, its feel is totally different.
The dining room at Honoo is long and narrow and the decor is very much focused on two colors - black and red. Together, it creates a soothing, sleek vibe and while it feels ultra modern, it's still comfortable and inviting. We sat at a nice four top with comfy booth seating, which aside from servicing groups of friends, can be a great place to sit when on a double date. I noticed the music that piped in through the speakers during the evening, and it was all modern pop, which I happen to dig. If you're an alternative head, beware - in case you'd find it annoying.
Food:
It was fun to share everything, including the apps and the yakitori. Since we had a veggie in our group, we mixed up our skewers between veggie and meat, which was fun. Even though I'm far from a vegetarian, I often enjoy veggie cuisine even more than meat, at times.
Veggie Spring Rolls - A classic way to start an Asian dinner, we chose these simple spring rolls, which were pretty satisfying. The interior boasted all the usual delicious suspects such as cabbage, carrots, bamboo shoots, etc and a nicely crisp, golden shell. They went down easily and we loved dipping them into the sweet chili sauce, served on the side as a condiment.
Beef Tacos - Mmmm...the minute I heard tacos, I was excited to find out what these would be like. I appreciated the mix of Latin American inspiration with Asian flavors, as the tacos were made of fried wonton shells. The execution was inventive, and I also loved the sweet/tangy flavor of the beef that was further glazed with a semi-sweet sauce and topped with sharp jalapenos and lemony scallions.
Yakitori - This was the most fun part of the meal, as we got to choose what felt like an infinite amount of skewers. We chose two meats, including the spicy cumin lamb and the beef short ribs. Out of those, the former appealed to me more, as it was juicy and flavorful, with the deep flavors of cumin that added a warmth and comfort that felt appropriate on a chilly winter night.
The veggie skewers including the Japanese eggplant and the shiitake mushrooms were really awesome, boasting a lot of flavor that didn't even need to be enhanced with sauce. While I enjoyed these very much, they didn't fill me up and for a complete veggie meal, I'd probably have to order another 1-2 skewer plates to satisfy my hunger.
Service and Cost:
The staff at Honoo treated us really well, where they were generous and accommodating but not pushy. Sometimes I felt that they respected our space a little too much, and I would've been happy with our plates being cleared a bit sooner. While they are still very new and ironing kinks out, I believe this will improve over time.
Costs are extremely wallet-friendly and include:
Small Eats & Apps - $2-$8
Skewers - $1-$7
Noodles - $8-$12
Entrees - $14-$20
Dessert - $6
2.5 Mmmms
Honoo Grill & Noodle - 33-06 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.606.0653
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
Now I promise I'll tone it down soon with the Japanese cuisine, but I just can't help but share with you the fabulous culinary adventures I had the pleasure to experience there. In this post, I'll keep things casual by telling you about a little snack Dan and I tried in Kyoto, on our way to the most magnificent landmark called Kiyomizu-Dera, an old Buddhist temple that dates back to 798 (no that's not a typo), with the most magnificent views of the city. Now that's history!
On our way to Kiyomizu, we passed by a narrow touristy street called Matsubara Dori (dori means street), and saw many tantalizing foods and snacks, such as soba, various types of teas, sweets and even these puffy dumplings with curry inside that you see above. It was lust at first sight and we decided to get one before reaching the temple, as our tummies were starting to grumble.
Fried Dumpling with Curry - Already tasting Japanese curry in Tokyo, I was excited to have it again here and was curious how it'd stack up. Generally, Japanese curry is milder than Thai or Indian curry that we're more used to here. I think it's also a bit thicker and substantial.
Well, needless the say, the fried dumpling and the creamy curry inside were the perfect food marriage. The outside was crispy and slightly sweet, while the inside had a hint of spice and tasted like a comforting stew. Although we only got one dumpling, it was pretty large and was a nice snack to enjoy with someone you're not shy to share cooties with. After finishing one, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want another, but we held back in anticipation of getting soba on the way back from Kiyomizu-dera. If you ever find yourself in Kyoto on this street, please grab one of these tasty fried treats, your tastebuds will love you for it.
Cost:
At about 300 Yen (or $3.80) a pop, these won't break the bank and will definitely do a good job of tiding you over before a big sight-seeing trip.
Fried Dumpling Stand at Matsubara Dori, Kyoto, Japan
On the way to Kiyomizu-Dera (5 minute walk, right before big staircase)
Officially back from Japan, I'm about to bombard you with my experiences, and end this little content hiatus you've been seeing on the blog. There's so much amazingness that Dan and I experienced there culturally and gastronomically that I probably won't give it justice, but I will certainly try to cover the highlights.
One such peak of our trip is the stay at a traditional Japanese Inn or a Ryokan that I briefly mentioned in my previous post. So, what exactly is a Ryokan and how does it differ from a hotel? To say it in just a few words, a Ryokan is a comfortable place of respite where you'll feel completely relaxed and detached from the crazy, modern world. It's a place where you'll find yourself sleeping on tatami mats, hanging out in your yukata (traditional cotton Japanese kimono), taking hot spring baths and eating like true royalty.
Dan and I got to experience this awesomeness last week in the Lake Kawaguchiko region, just a short train ride from Tokyo. For those of you hard core Japan buffs, you'll also know that this region is famous for being in close proximity of Mt. Fuji (or Fuji-san as the Japanese refer to it) and it's absolutely breathtaking.
But now on about the complete experience...
Atmosphere:
Upon checking in to our Ryokan, we were told to report to the dining room at a given time for breakfast and dinner, which were both included in our stay. We knew this going in and were looking forward to seeing what we'd have, but we really didn't have a clear idea of what to expect. Upon arriving to the dining room floor, the most amazing experience unravelled before us.
At first, we were greeted by a friendly host who addressed us by name (last name + "san" is customary) and we were escorted to a special room where the guests of the ryokan were apparently having dinner. When we walked in, we couldn't believe our eyes - a mid-sized dining room before us full of low tables with mats and chairs that were set for couples or at most a party of four. We scanned the room quickly and saw that almost everyone was eating in their kimonos, and everyone had a designated table, including us! The table had our name on it, and was already set up with the most amazing spread of food that made our jaws drop.
Food:
Guys, when I say spread, I mean it - just take a look at the above, as our table included everything from fresh sashimi, to pickled veggies, miso soup, Japanese delicacies such as super salty seaweed, raw squid, snail and more. But the piece-de-resistance during each meal (not just this dinner) was the DIY aspect - in this case being the hot plate with beef and veggies that we were tasked with barbecuing. It had a hint of Korean essence to it (the steak dinner in particular), and we just loved having an activity throughout each meal.
Though you may think that dinner is expected to be impressive, breakfast was just as much, as we were offered a full table of food gifts yet again. This time, the interactive portion included a metal pot of water with a poached egg, carrots and dumplings inside. We politely asked our waitress to light the fire so we can watch the egg cook to perfection and not long after devour it with gusto.
One very interesting aspect about a Japanese breakfast is that it's not too distinct from dinner. A lot different than in Western culture, which embraces dairy products for breakfast, a Japanese breakfast consists of raw fish, pickled veggies, rice, miso soup and occasionally some fruit. Even though this may sound odd to you, I assure you that it was really delicious and since we were so used to eating this type of cuisine throughout our trip, we were actually craving it even for breakfast. When in Japan...
I have to take note of the quality of the food at the ryokan, which I found really good. All the fish tasted super fresh and the meat we ate was really tasty too. Nothing but the ripest fruits and veggies surrounded our table and overall, everything was interesting yet also simple - far surpassing our expectations of traditional hotel food.
Service:
Customary to Japanese hospitality we've been experiencing the entire time, the staff at the ryokan dining room was wonderful and gracious. Always on hand when we needed something like a refill on our drinks or rice, they were lovely and even explained to us what some of the more non-traditional food we were eating was. Although they spoke primarily Japanese, we figured out what the other was saying, using hand gestures, smiling and lots of patience.
3 Mmmms
Yamagishi Ryokan - 4030-1 Fonatsu, FujiKawaguchiko-machi, Minami-Tsuru-gun, Yamanishi
Fujikyu Rail Line - 8 Minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station
81-555-722218
Izakaya Dai Sui En - Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Japan
3405-5858
Yamanote Line to Harajuku
As you can guess by my very sporadic posts, I'm still on my travels in Japan. I have so many amazing food adventures to report back on, that it's hard to know where to start, as each region offers something unique and we've experienced some pretty neat things, from eating at top notch, high-end restaurants to being at a traditional style Japanese Ryokan (or Inn). In this post, I'm going going to switch to basics, as I tell you about our experience at a typical Japanese Izakaya or a casual drink and food establishment, not unlike a pub.
Atmosphere:
Located in the busy and exciting Harajuku neighborhood in between Shinjuku and Shibuya neighborhoods, there's always something going on here. In fact, you may have already heard about Harajuku from our very own pop culture icons, Gwen Stefani and Nicki Minaj, often sporting and openly supporting its funky fashions.
And with all the fashion, also comes interesting food and fun little specialty shops and restaurants that I couldn't help but admire. After walking around a bit, we stumbled upon Izakaya Dai Sui En on the popular Takeshita Street, which looked like a fun place to unwind after a long work week. And since Dan and I fell into this category, he arriving to Japan just that day and I getting over a long (but fruitful) work week, we thought it was the perfect place to sit down and celebrate the impending weekend.
Inside, it was casual and a little smokey but we didn't mind. One waitress serviced everyone, which was really impressive, given that there were about 40 people in there. Everyone sat pretty close to one another, to the point where you can openly admire your neighbor's food and drink or strike up a friendly conversation. Since we were still practicing our Japanese, we kept the chatter just between us.
Food:
While the menu was a bit daunting at first, consisting of pages and pages of interesting sounding foods, we found a few items that totally intrigued us and that we thought would hit the spot. I like that they were all simple, comforting foods, involving soup, seafood and even meatballs. Yes meatballs!
Marinated Octopus - Starting out with a simple seafood dish, we enjoyed the significant pieces of smooth octopus that was marinated in lemon juice and a clean-tasting ginger sauce. The whole thing emanated freshness and was the perfect way to start a meal, with a crisply piqued palate. We also loved the little sprouts and sesame seeds on top, that gave it a nice contrast in texture.
Tofu Soup - This was by far our favorite part of the meal, and we couldn't understand how they got a simple piece of tofu in such an expert state. Fried and then submerged into the tasty fish broth, the tofu was like a custard inside and slightly crunchy on the outside. It married quite well with the earthy veggies in the soup such as the enoki mushrooms, seaweed and scallions, which made it even more delicious. Dan and I kept reaching for the tofu, and even had to split the last one - we were that into it!
Variety of Yakitori - We couldn't refuse getting an assortment of yakitori, including grilled veggies such as asparagus and those enoki mushrooms again, wrapped in bacon, as well as barbecued beef (also wrapped in bacon). Both things were delightful, and as you all know, I have a soft spot for anything with bacon. Out of the three skewers, I enjoyed the asparagus most, as it had a nice crunch on the outside, and tasted like it was marinated in lemon, producing an overall refreshing bite.
Aside from all this bacon goodness, there was also chicken. Chicken meatballs to be exact, which I found really surprising, but they were phenomenal. Tender on the inside, and interspersed with fresh herbs, it absolutely hit the spot and we were both surprised by how juicy a chicken meatball can be. You didn't need any kind of condiment with it, which was a testament to its greatness.
Service and Cost:
As I already mentioned, the service was quite impressive, with one waitress taking care of the whole place, and doing a great job at it. We didn't have to wait long for anything and on many occasions, we witnessed her hustling and sometimes actually running to customers with their beers or food. Her effort was very appreciated and we awarded her with a small tip, which isn't customary in Japan. She took it though, which I think is a universal sentiment.
Costs are affordable and set us back about $67, including all the food I just mentioned and a round of beers. Kampai to that!
3 Mmmms
Wako - Ark Hills 3F, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-6003 Japan
03-3589-4183
As I hinted at the end of last week, I'm currently in Tokyo Japan. Yes...really, Tokyo! I was so excited at the prospect of working here this week, and it's totally lived up to my expectations. And then some.
I'll be keeping you updated about my adventures, and wanted to start today with something a little different than the sushi feasts you're expecting, and that is Tonkatsu. A fried pork cutlet, it's a pretty popular specialty in Japan that was really unique and different, but at the same time provided a hint of familiarity.
We tried Tonkatsu at a typical basement mall restaurant called Wako in the lovely Roppongi Hills neighborhood.
Atmosphere:
Located in the Hollywood Plaza building, Wako is situated in the basement, along with a lot of other shops and restaurants, many of them being traditional Japanese, but also some that are international chains. After some research, I found out that Wako is also a chain, but a Japanese based one with about six country-wide locations.
The decor inside is modern and simplistic, similar to other Japanese restaurants I've encountered so far. You'll notice a lot of sleek wooden furniture, large lamps, minimalist artwork and a few token plants that showcase the Japanese respect for nature. You can't help but feel serene and peaceful even before sitting down and ordering.
Food:
We came for the tonkatsu (pork cutlets) of course, but tried other fried goodies such as chicken and shrimp as well. As is customary, our plates were accompanied by other small dishes such as a slaw salad, miso soup, rice, pickled radish and various sauces.
Tonkatsu Platters - As we both wanted tonkatsu, we each ordered it in the form of a combination platter, mine containing a pork/veggie mixture, shrimp and chicken, while my colleague Sumie's included a special chicken cutlet with a sliver of sweet plum in the middle.
I enjoyed all the fried goodness in general, as all the meat had a really crunchy, airy crust that wasn't greasy. The meat inside (in all instances) was tender and delicious, and I especially enjoyed the pork hybrid cutlet I mentioned above. It was the most interesting, and I think the veggies added something unique and earthy to it.
While this dish is generally pretty heavy, due to its fried nature, there was plenty of stuff to cut the richness, such as the delicious veggies, especially the fresh slaw and the soy-based sauces that went on top. I loved eating the tonkatsu and then cleansing my palate with the crunchy slaw or the pickled radish that further excited my senses.
Service and Cost:
The service was really good and I'm still amazed at how polite and kind everyone here is. There's nothing like observing the pleasantries that happen between the fellow Japanese folks and the beautiful way in which they express themselves. It's fascinating! But on top of that, everything was delivered to us in a prompt way and the service was very precise and thoughtful.
Costs are really moderate for all the food you get and set us back about $35 total - no tip needed! Arigatou gozaimashita.
3 Mmmms
While shopping on Ditmars yesterday, I noticed that the old St. Honore Patisserie space is being transformed as we speak. The newcomer on this block will be a Japanese style noodle bar that's currently being worked on. Seems like a good idea, as I don't know of a place like this existing in Astoria yet, but the only issue may be all the other Asian-style eateries located on that 3-4 block stretch such as Watawa (currently being expanded, yay!), Spiced Diner (Indian/Chinese fusion), Sakura and many more. Let's see how it does...I'm rooting for it. Will let you know once I have more information but wanted to keep you informed that it's in the works.
New Ramen Bar - 33-18 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
