Archive for the Asian Category

The last time I was here, it was my first time at eating soup-y dumplings. I was spoiled. Some consider these the best.

I next had them in Hong Kong, filled with “hairy crab meat,” and while they were clean-tasting and good, I still longed for the version at Joe’s.

We had to wait over an hour outside to get in. You get a number, then wait to be called. The numbers started in the high 40s, and we were number 201. Was it worth the wait for Joe’s?

If you don’t want to try their other dishes, I recommend 3 baskets of dumplings for 2 hungry persons. We were pushing it hard with 4; and having eaten one each of the crab and pork varieties, I’d wager you get 1 of the crab and 2 of the pork. Tea is nice, but I really liked a nice cold soda with this. Helped cut the “fat.”

Eating these is a challenge to westerners; a gelatin “soup” is mixed in with the meat. You don’t want to pierce the wrapper; instead, use the tongs to place the dumpling in a soup spoon that you’ve already blessed with some of their ginger sauce. Place the dumpling on the side; let part of it hang off. Bite into this, and get ready, to suck in the soup into your mouth. This is both adventuresome and potentially painful if you’re not ready—at the start these things are hot.

But the richness of that broth and the meat inside, the ginger sauce, well, yes, it was worth it. These are divine little gifts, each one worth space in our lives to savor.

Unfortunately, you’re seated with strangers, the room in the restaurant was all taken up with the bustle of customers, and it’s not a haven for relaxing.

But the dumplings are exquisite.

After Hong Kong I’ve ordered them many times, including in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Maybe I have more of the world to see; nothing yet has beat Joe’s for me.

I might add that we got a few broken this time; I’d almost prefer a slightly safer (and thicker) wrapper. But the flavor was spot-on delicious.

Located on Pell Street in Chinatown.

You’ll also find they have another (original) location in Flushing, midtown NYC, and now a budding franchise in Japan.

During a recent visit to Charlottesville, I had the opportunity to try Peter Chang’s for lunch. We tried three things, and enjoyed each.

• Eggplant and Chicken Lunch Casserole
• Bamboo Fish
• Soupy Dumplings

The eggplant dish was probably the most typical; it had great flavor and was very satisfying. The bamboo fish was fried crispy in a delicious coating; it was coated in spices and salt and had a particular flavor with heat. I can’t put my finger on the exact combination of spices, but it was outstanding. The texture was perfect and the heat added with fried chilies was great.

The soupy dumplings came last, despite being advertised as an appetizer. Thankfully they told us which dishes took longer to prepare. These were large; larger than what we’ve encountered in New York or San Francisco. And while they weren’t the best we’ve had, they were still good and something I’d order again.

I’d heard interesting things about this restaurant, and now I can confirm… quite exciting and delicious treats may be had here! It’s located in the Barracks Rd. Shopping Center, closest to exit 124 if you’re coming west from Richmond.

It was time once again to document the making of Shanghai-style soupy dumplings.

When the international Chinese online bulletin board lights up with Richmond area folks buzzing about a new Chinese restaurant in town, it’s worth our time to consider what the buzz is about! Ma Ma Wok has recently opened up on West Broad Street (east of Parham Rd.) serving both a mixture of Americanized and more authentic Chinese food, and curiously enough, sushi.

What the restaurant lacks in decor it makes up for in variety. Among the treats are Chinese soupy buns (the best I’ve had in Richmond outside my own home), beef chow fun (wide noodles), and eggplant with basil. Young, professional Chinese folks in the community seemed to fill the dining room on my last visit, a telltale sign that the restaurant is doing something good.

The only curious aspect of this new place is the choice of a sushi bar. While some Americans may confuse one Asian person for another, or even the cuisines, I’m not sure how successful sushi is in a Chinese (here, with an emphasis on Cantonese cuisine) restaurant. We’ll see. So far, the Chinese part has been promising.

While in London, I visited Shanghai Blues, a Chinese restaurant (that also has live music (jazz, blues) on select nights).

Ever feel like dim sum cuisine for dinner? These folks have it.

Just about everything we ordered here was tasty and delicious. Plan on ordering a lot of little dishes, as the bite-sized pieces of most things won’t fill you up alone. While we had some confusions with the service here, I blame the foreigners (us) moreso than the servers.

Just don’t expect any fanciful drinks from the bar — unless you can clearly articulate how to make your favorite drinks. I’m only sad I missed the live music by visiting on a Sunday evening.