Jay Eats Worldwide

April is National Food Month I thought I'd share some  of my food favorites from the last year... I only picked a few, otherwise this list would  take months to complete. See What Jay Eats... Fried Salad Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop Lahaina, Maui Brussels Sprout leaves, burnt orange vinaigrette, celery leaves, mixed hydroponic greens, radish, and local mint. Created by Chef Sheldon Simeon  of Star Noodle Top Chef Seattle He also oversees the menu for Leoda's Bacon SPAM Musubi Iyasume Musubi Honolulu, Hawaii SPAM Musubi can be found all over the place in Hawaii.  There are a few that include eggs, but when I found one with bacon too,  I knew it  was a winner!  Tuna Sashimi SUGARfish Studio City, California Tuna and green onions with Chef Nozawa's ponzu sauce Chef Kazunori Nozawa might have retired, but I still can have his famous sushi menu.  Applewood S...

I was watching Anthony Bourdain's "The Layover - Taipei" a couple of weeks ago.  I figured that a must stop was at the famous "Din Tai Fung", which he did at the end of his trip. I've had friends who have waited up to two hours in Taiwan to sample Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings).  So, when I see pictures on Facebook or they tell me about this incredible soup dumplings place in Taiwan, I tell them that Din Tai Fung has two locations in Southern California and the longest I've waited is 35 minutes. Din Tai Fung's mascot When you check in at Din Tai Fung, they give you an order sheet and a number.  If you've never been, there is a picture menu on the window.  Usually the first-timers are in front of the menu trying to figure it out.  Once seated, your orders start coming out of the kitchen. To help you out, here's what Jay Eats and some of my favorites:  Shrimp and Pork Wonton with Spicy Sauce It was a new ite...

All I heard was dumplings and I was in... Met up with Six Taste Food Tours for their "Delicious Dumpling" tour in Arcadia, just East of Pasadena. This tour was to experience Taiwanese cuisine, culture, and a chance to meet other foodies. Our group was 8 people and with large appetites, we headed out to sample the best and most popular dishes in this Taiwanese neighborhood. See What Jay Eats... Our first stop, the world famous Din Tai Fung . Our guide Michael Lin giving us Din Tai Fung information before attacking the dumplings. Appetizer Course Blanched cucumbers in a sesame chili oil Michael pointed out that in Chinese cooking, vegetables are not served raw, they're either stir-fried, steamed, or blanched. Shanghai Rice Cake Michael gave us a quick lesson on tea etiquette and the correct way to flag down a server in a busy restaurant. Pork Chop Fried Rice This is one of my favorite Din Tai Fu...

Din Tai Fung It's not your typical dim sum... It's funny to hear from my friends who go to Taiwan and come back to tell me about this great dumpling house with Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). I ask if they went to "Din Tai Fung"? The answer is always YES. I tell them they have a Los Angeles location in Arcadia and this one is much closer to home. Soup dumplings have a bit of soup inside them, so it's best to eat the whole thing vs trying to bit it in half. Be careful tho, when they come out of the steamer, the soup is very hot. When making them, they place a bit of gelatin inside the dumpling. When heated, this gelatin turns into a liquid, hence the soup inside the filling (pork, seafood, etc.). Steamed Pork Dumplings (10 pcs) $7.50 (soup dumplings) Shrimp Noodles $8.75 Shrimp and Pork Shiomai (10 pcs) $9.25 Pork Chop Fried Rice $7.00 One of the must haves when dining with me The pork chop is well cooked and not greasy... The...