Tanpopo @ SF

I don't know if some of you know, but my latest obsession is ramen. After coming back from NY and seeing that ramen is popping all over the place I've been on the search to find the "best" ramen. While I have found many amazing places, I have yet to find a place that just blows every other joint out of the park. I heard that Tanpopo in Japantown was great, so I had to give it a try. It's a small place and definitely busy. I did however notice that there were a lot of caucasian people eating, and that usually is a negative sign of greatness, especially when it comes to Asian food.

I got the salt ramen, and it was just ok. The broth had a nice balance, but lacking in the "o-m-g" department. I didn't like the chasu very much, kind of unflavorful and too lean. The noodles weren't very fresh and were cooked too much to my liking - I prefer al dente. The egg was mediocre, I could have made that egg - give me something amazing. The bamboo pieces tasted like they were rinsed in water one too many times. Overall - meh, and I won't return.

Bushi-Tei @ San Francisco

I've always wanted to eat at Bushi-Tei, the menu looks scrumptious, but ouchies with the wallet! I was super excited when I saw a groupon deal where I spent $20 for $40 worth of food. But, when I looked at the dinner menu, it would end up being about $50 a person, since the cheapest dish was around $30. That hurts a lot. So much for the deal. But then there was a lunch menu, and I was sold! Panda and I headed over there for lunch one day. We both had a dish with washugyu, which is American kobe beef...loves it. Melts! Melts! Melts! But in case you wondered how else could anything outshine it, let me tell you about foie gras. Yes. That is it. It was a deal to eat there, we ended up paying $1.23 more than the groupon and of course tip. Love the deal!

Soup of the Day - forgot what it was, but it was clean tasting.

Croque washugyu, caramelized red onion, mozzarella

amazing! it was like perfect! the beef was buttery and full of flavor. i loved how it was open face on a nice and crusty bread. great meal!

Loco Moco

[washugyu burger steak, basil rice, fried egg and salad]

this has got to be the best loco moco i've ever had, and i don't even like loco moco. the chef took a simple everyday meal for islanders and turned it into gourmet food. and i love how there's a fried egg, fried egg on almost anything is yummy. hehehe

 

Foie Gras w. Shaved Truffles

omg. this was the best thing at the meal. i love foie gras, and yes i am spoiled. it was so simple. nice and seared, nice carmelized sauce and searing. the truffle shaving was so full of flavor. something so tiny was so delicious. i definitely want more of this. i choose foie gras over escargots anytime!

Izumiya @ SF (Japantown)

Brent picked me up for lunch today and we headed over to Japantown for some okonomiyaki. I've never had any from Japan, but this is by far the best...or the only I've ever had :P I have been going to this place since i was lil...delish! For those of you who don't know what okonomiyaki is, it's basically japanese for "as you like it," or it is also known as japanese pizza or pancake. It generally is a mixture of cabbage, beef/pork/shrimp/squid, dashi, and egg. It gets grilled, takes about 15-20 minutes to cook through. It's topped with delish okomi sauce and mayo - japanese mayo. I've made this once last year in NY :D

Okonomiyaki w/ California Roll
[one of the few places that still uses real crab for cali rolls]

Mix Modern Yaki (spin on okonomiyaki)
[Bottom layer is an okonomiyaki, topped with pan fried yaki soba, topped with fried egg, and finished w/ okomi sauce, japanese mayo, ginger, scallion, and corn]
oh yea and i ate it all! but...felt sick afterwards, too much food