Jay Eats Worldwide

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...

A Breakfast Taco Friday! In the Spring, I made tacos for the staff at a restaurant I was consulting. They liked them so much, they asked me to make tacos for them the following Friday too. Either that or they thought they could talk me into cooking for them... Thinking about those days, I made some for breakfast this morning. With some leftover chorizo, lettuce, and Jack cheese, that memory turned into breakfast. Trying to imagine what they would have been if I had leftover fried chicken??? Friday's Breakfast Tacos Watch my answer to Traci Toguchi's "Question of the Day" Happy Friday! Carne Asada Tacos Photo by Jay Terauchi (c) Kahuna of the Kitchen

Today is FryDay! September 16th Fab Hot Dogs in Reseda I've been going to Fab Hot Dogs when they first opened, they only had about 10 seats inside and were next door to a pizza place. Since those early days, it's been maybe 4 years, they've grown to a larger space and menu. But the food is still good... My first visit, I had a ripper and their slaw dog with tater tots. They do a great slaw dog there and is one of my favorites and highly recommended. But today I opted for the Monte Christo Dog... Monte Christo Dog $4.95 Grilled turkey dog with grilled Taylor ham melted Swiss cheese and strawberry jam Opted for "The Meal Deal" Buy and DOG or BURGER Add FRIES or TOTS and a 20 oz fountain drink or iced tea for $2.75 I liked the Monte Christo Dog, but had just too much jam in it. It was on the sweet side and overpowered the ham and cheese. The bun was toasted just right tho... But the tots were great as always! Fab Hot Dogs 19417 1/2 Victory Blvd at Tampa Reseda, ...

Soda Pop's Where Homestyle is Your Style Went to lunch at a fairly new sandwich place, one block North of the Beverly Center on La Cienega. This place specializes in a wide variety of soda pops and "East Coast Subs and Unique Sandwich Specials." Also salads and Sicilian pizza slices too. With a name like "Soda Pop" you can imagine the variety of pops... Italian $10 Cold Sandwich Mortadella, Salami, Spicy Capicola, Sopressata, and Provolone. Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, hots, olive oil, and red wine vinegar I love Italian sandwiches and this one uses a good French roll and comes with a choice of homemade chips Sea Salt Bacon Cheddar Salt and Pepper Cobb Salad $12 Smoked Turkey, Apple-wood Smoked Bacon, Gorgonzola, Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, Hard Boiled Egg, and Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. Abita Root Beer "Pure Louisiana Cane Sugar" My favorite Root Beer! ...

Sorry, no ramen today... This week was 103 degrees and I'm NOT thinking ramen... Otafuku Japanese Cuisine Gardena It's been a few years since I've been to Otafuku, not you typical noodle house. But they do make the best soba (buckwheat) noodles this side of Japan that I've had. Most people know that buckwheat noodles are brownish in color and have a nutty flavor to them. A few restaurants in LA make their own noodles. But only Otafuku uses imported gozen-ko, flour milled from the white-buckwheat kernel. Seiro Soba (sarashina soba) $8 with dipping sauce, wasabi, and green onions Lunch Special Seiro Soba $8 + Shrimp Tempura Bowl $3.50 Seiji Akutsu, Otafuku owner, imports the white soba flour and uses bottled spring water and makes his dough. Rolls it out and makes thin cuts to make this delicate noodle. I tried to cut soba noodles once at a restaurant, it came out more like linguine noodles than soba. I love fresh soba noodles with the slightly chewy texture, served...

Did someone say CHOCOLATE? Spent the afternoon at Impressions Fine Foods Gardena, CA Chocolate Covered Brown Rice Crackers Milk Chocolate, Spicy Dark Chocolate, and Savory Brown Rice Great tasting and not your typical rice cracker Chocolate Mochi Krunch (Brown Rice Crackers) covered in Milk Chocolate is my favorite K-G Krunch A buttery tasting snack item that is a Must-Have for the upcoming football season Granola with Aloha New Product! Granola with shaved coconut and pure maple syrup Chocolate Mochi Krunch Cookies These happen to be one of my favorite cookies... Chocolate cookies with the crunchy texture from the rice crackers Karen Shintaku "Krunch Visionary" Karen enlisted the CIA for help with creating the secret formula for Mochi Krunch. Well, OK she recruited her daughter Kori, a Culinary Institute of America certified pastry chef to work on developing the different ...

How do you start a Wednesday morning? With some cotton candy from Tasty Clouds of course... Growing up, I remember cotton candy being pink or blue. Don't remember them having any flavor. But, this isn't your carnival cotton candy, this is Gourmet Cotton Candy! Gourmet Flavors Such as Pina Colada, Berry Caliente (Strawberry Jalapeno), Wild Watermelon and 24 more flavors... Nina has created unique flavors and let us sample some new ones. Sorry, can't reveal the new flavors just yet, but they were really good. Watch the Fox 11's Report Tasty Tubs This is the fluffiest cotton candy that I've ever had YES, even packed in a container... Can last up to 8 weeks if kept in it's container Flavored Sugars too For the do-it-at-homers... They also do catering! Have their attendant make Gourmet Cotton Candy for your guests. Got to meet Nina Rodecker Founder and Mompreneur Tasty C...

OK, so it's NOT ramen... But Happy Ramen Monday and Labor Day! I'm getting ready for my Hawaii trip and was getting in the Hawaii spirit today. So, I busted out the S&S Saimin packages from the freezer and made it the way I like it. Saimin is Hawaii's version of noodle soup and truly a local Hawaii creation. It's a cross between many of the local cultures in Hawaii. Back in the 1930's, the broth was made with kelp and dried shrimp, similar to the Japanese dashi (kelp and bonito flakes). Add in some Chinese noodles and chasu (BBQ pork) to the broth. Top off with garnishes like shreds of egg, green onions, and slices of fish cake. This is what I know to be saimin! S&S Saimin With chashu (BBQ pork) and green onions This is the way I like it... When I get to Hawaii at the end of the month, I'll be enjoying saimin with a side of teriyaki beef sticks too... Stay Tuned! Pass the Hot Mustard! Photo by Jay Terauchi (c) Kahuna of the Kitchen