Hidden Treasures - Bassanova Ramen

Bassanova Ramen

76 Mot Street 

New York NY 10013

(212)334-2100

http://bassanovanyc.com/

This hidden gem is located in Chinatown, one unexpected location for a ramen spot. Lucky for those who know of this joint, you are in for some goodies. Personally, not being a big ramen fan, the dishes that Bassanova Ramen really do hit the spot. Bassanova Ramen incorporates a handful of flavors that would not be considered the "standard" for ramen. That is definitely what sets them apart from the rest.

Bassanova Ramen features a handful of fun foods for the big kid inside. Every dish is filled with a unique flavor that will have your taste buds kicking! Potstickers are not the traditional style of dumplings that are pan fried, but a flat, long strip of dough filled with meat and vegetables served on a hot grill to keep the appetizer warm. Although the style is a more fun eat, the potstickers at Bassanova Ramen are barely stuffed.

The ramen on the other hand, are each uniquely infused with its signature ingredient. With a strong flavor, be sure to pick an ingredient that is fits your desires. The Tondaku Green Curry Ramen is one that I suggest, but it can be a little on the salty side. Every bite is infused with so much flavor that the dish is one to be savored from the get-go. 

Bassanova Ramen features an open kitchen with a friendly staff so you can see every dish being made. It can take a while to get certain dishes with a high influx of guests so being patient is key here, but at the very minimum, they have a great rotation and style to whip up food (from observance), Another thing to make note of is Bassanova Ramen only accepts cash, just like many Japanese restaurants and Chinatown restaurants as well.  Ramen dishes are on average $11, with appetizers that are less than $10. Don't let this be a reason to stay away from this hidden treasure though!

Catering to the tastes of guests, Bassanova Ramen tweaked their menus and are now offering rice noodles for those who are on a specific diet. Gluten free dishes can be found in some of their ramen as well so be sure to ask!

Cheap Eats - Otafuku

Otafuku

236 East 9 Street

New York, NY 10003

212.353.8503

http://otafukunyc.com/

This little gem is something that many people were devastated about when they found out the initial location closed. Best thing is, it just moved a few doors down. Located on East 9th in St Marks, Otafuku brings to you the popular Japanese eats, takoyaki and okonomiyaki, along with a handful of other small eats. Freshly prepared as you order, each and every bite size serving that has your taste buds knocking!

Otafuku's menu is affordable in all aspects with their most expensive dishes being the combos that are priced under $10! This is definitely not a sit down restaurant, but a quick bite with a bench on the outside and a few standing areas to consume these Japanese goodies. Otafuku opens at noon and into the later hours of the night. It is definitely the perfect snack to fill you up as you enjoy the rest of St Marks whether that be waiting in line for a seat or after a few drinks!

Fresh on the Market - Ramen and Co

Ramen and Co.

100 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038

With the hype of ramen burgers on the menu, Keizo Shimamoto just recently announced his newest store, Ramen and Co. located in the Financial District. With a soft opening that allowed the FiDi locals to consume his goods during lunch hours from 11 AM to 2 PM, it is official for the rest of the world to experience the ramen burger, hopefully with shorter lines. With a bun made of ramen and a patty made of extremely tender, juicy meat topped with a mouth-watering sauce, the ramen burger is something to try. Although I am personally not impressed with the ramen bun itself, it is definitely something that everyone should try for the simple ideology of FOMO.

Co-workers of mine rave about the ramen burger, but I personally preferred the juicy meat and freshly fried potato chips instead. The ramen could be a bit of a heavy touch for many, especially since it is composed of noodles. The unique presentation of the dumpling wrapping is something that makes you appreciate the little things that Ramen and Co. create, but going for a bowl of ramen here is definitely suggested. 

An average lunch will set you back about $10 which is honestly not bad at all. Going for a quick bowl of ramen on a cold winter day is probably recommended, but there's nothing wrong with a summer splurge. Although the address is written for 100 Maiden Lane, the actual restaurant is located at the cross section of Pearl Street, right around the corner of the Chipotle, next to Terri. 

Restaurant Review - Tenzan

It was about this time last year that I had a family feast after finishing up a year in Korea. This time around I miss it because of traveling but I'm still excited to blog about of of the tasty and private Japanese restaurants in New York. 

Tenzan is one of the very few restaurants that allow a special kind of seating for guests who are looking to enjoy their meal in private. This is extremely popular for a group gathering which can involve family and a group of friends who are simply looking to enjoy conversation in private. With individual rooms that can accompany up to 20 guests at once, Tenzan is the one restaurant that tries to maintain Japanese culture. Upon entering these rooms, you must remove your shoes and sit in a bamboo like seating. They provide cushion for guests and try to modernize the seating with actual leg rests so you are not actually sitting on the floor. 

In addition to a private setting, the food at Tenzan is absolutely amazing. They provide the traditional Japanese sashimi and a la carts, but they break away from having only traditional rolls. Tenzan combines the popular rolls with a new twist in taste. Many restaurants lack the creativity behind their foods so if you are looking to sample a new kind of roll, Tenzan is the place to go. 

Furthermore, they specialize in a handful of special dishes. Depending on the season, they provide other kinds of raw fish and dishes which are worth ordering. They cater to the special season of each raw dish and bring out the best in taste. Tenzan is definitely the place to go to break away from the limited menu of popular fishes. The one must order dish at Tenzan is the Kobe Beef Maki Maki which uses the top grade beef, battered and deep fried for your enjoyment. With a handful of restaurants around, it is definitely worth visiting. Be sure to call ahead of time for reservations if you are looking to enjoy your meal in a private room. 

Restaurant Review - Sushi Palace

Sushi Palace is one place that is popular for all who are able to fill a belly with an unlimited amount of food. The concept is simple: all you can eat Japanese. This beats out all the Japanese restaurants that have all you can eat sushi. Such restaurants limit their choices to just sashimi and sushi rolls, but Sushi Palace breaks from the concept. 

They support the title of all you can eat by providing all you can eat everything from appetizers to sashimi to sushi rolls to dessert! Yes, all you can eat everything. The best part about Sushi Palace is the simple fact that they make it fresh as you order. This definitely tops all the other all you can eat restaurants that keep the dishes out for quite a while, maybe even overnight! Sushi Palace ensures that food is fresh which is crucial for those raw items. 

Restaurant Review - School Food 스쿨푸드

School Food 스쿨푸드 is a restaurant that takes Korean school food for the young as an upgrade for the adults. School Food offers a fun play on traditional Korean foods of kimbap, ddukbokki, ramen, and naengmyeon, and other fried goodies. With an upgrade on the kid's menu, School Food offers more variety and a mix of deliciousness in the traditional eats. 

On average, dishes at priced at $8 a plate. Served with a cup of soup along with radish, the dishes are filling but it is always an option to order a large quantity to share. Anything on their recommended list is definitely recommended, especially with the sushi list. Kimbaps in Korea are so typical that it's hard to find good tasting kimbaps.

School Food offers you the next closest thing to Japanese sushi rolls, especially with their fried shrimp roll. It is definitely great to be able to find sushi rolls outside of a real Japanese restaurant. The food is simple, yet fun to eat, a big kid's version of lunch.

Restaurant Review - Japanese Kitchen 미카

Japanese Kitchen is a small cozy restaurant located in Sinsa behind the famous shopping street of Garosu-gil that is stirring up a lot of tasty Japanese dishes that range from udon noodles to curry dishes. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating that allows for guest to enjoy a cherry blossomed theme view with an interior that is based around a cherry blossom tree. The concept is extremely traditional, but offers a more modern and classic look. 

Japanese Kitchen serves a food menu up until 5pm where they switch over to a Hof-like location, serving dishes with their wide selection of sake bottles and Japanese beers. Being that it switches over to a Hof, you must order a small dish to consume. Dishes are rather pricey, ranging from $15 to $30, but it also has to do with location. Although it is a bit more expensive, their fried chicken is actually an amazing side dish to enjoy with your drinks. Fried crispy and topped with a sweet and salty soy sauce, it is an amazing combination. 

The one recommendation for Japanese Kitchen is to go during their regular lunch hours for authentic Japanese food. Going later in the night is perfect if you are looking to enjoy a drink with a group of friends. 

Directions to Japanese Kitchen: Directions: Straight from exit 8 of Sinsa station of the orange line 3, take a left when you reach the Tous Le Jours bakery on the corner. Take a left and a right at the following block to walk parallel to the Garosu-gil shopping street. Go straight to the very end and you will see Japanese Kitchen at the four way intersection in front of you. 

Daily Refreshments - Kirin Ichiban Frozen Beer

Kirin Ichiban Beer is known to be one of the popular Japanese refreshments in Seoul, Korea. For that very reason, a lot of people go to visit the many locations that have Kirin Ichiban Beer. One of the unique touches to this Japanese beer is the fact that it comes with a frozen foam. This frozen foam is the rave in Seoul because it helps to keep your beer cool as you consume it. It's definitely the go to for anyone who loves beer, with waits in the Sinsa Garosu-gil area for an hour. An hour just for a frozenbeer, yes. Although it is the most recognized pace to go for the frozen beer because of atmosphere and it's a popular tourist area, the Kirin Ichiban Frozen Beer can be found elsewhere as well. The concept is still the same where you are poured the Kirin draft beer and topped with the frozen foam that comes from a soft-serve like machine. On average, look to pay $8 for a cup of this popular beer. It's definitely worth it to try once, but then again it can be just a hype considering you can get a larger amount of beer for the same price. 

For those of you who are looking to visit the famous Kirin Ichiban beer garden in Garosu-gil, keep in mind there is a two hour down time from 3-5PM. It is definitely recommended to go on the weekdays where lines are shorter!

Straight from exit 8 of Sinsa station on line 3, take a left when you reach Tous Le Jours bakery on the corner. Go straight along Garosu-gil shopping street right after  the Fossil store. 

Address: 534-5 Sinsa-dong Gangnam Gu

신사동 강남구 534-5

Phone: 02-548-8858

Restaurant Review - Ippudo

Ippudo is a famous Japanese ramen chain all across the world and there is a few in Seoul. Being that ramen is a popular Korean eat because everyone loves it, young and old, finding the perfect ramen paired with amazing pork was a must. Being that I have not been able to sample the one in New York, getting it in Korea is a must.

The one amazing appetizer that is a must order is the pork bun. Although Japanese food is not known for their pork buns, it has become a staple with all ramen restaurants to have pork buns. This is a definite necessity in all restaurants in general! A thick slice of pork meat is served with lettuce and a mayonnaise sauce folded in a steamed plain bun. The pork meat is marinated to perfection with a saucy drizzle and tender meat that it just slides off with a bite. 

Ippudo stands up to their name for ramen because it offers something that is basic, but tasty. The only problem is some ramen dishes can be too tasty (not in a good way). The soup can be a bit too salty for those who are not used to the blast of flavor, but for the most part, the ramen and pork is on point. The ramen menu is extremely basic and priced at $9, but additional meats and vegetables can be added to provide a more appealing bowl of ramen. For the most part, ramen should always be basic and simple so all the additions are just not needed unless you have the stomach for it!

Address in Sinsa Dong: 강남구 신사동 645번지
Phone: 02-512-2644

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - ChouChou

The main attraction at ChouChou is the Japanese hot cakes. It is a soft warm and fluffy cake and pancake-like pastry that can be topped with both sweet and salty goodies. Of course not both mixed together, but you can definitely get two different orders, a lunch and a dessert in one store. For my selection, I went with the seasonal blueberry yogurt hot cake. A freshly cooked Japanese hot cake is served next to a bed of yogurt cream, blueberry cream, and a sweet blueberry jam. There is also a jar of maple syrup or honey, but I don't think it is necessary for the simple fact that the creams and jams are sweet enough.

Hot cakes are a little expensive for what many can consider a simple pancake at an average of $8 per plate, but it is definitely worth trying. It is different than the other desserts that are available in Korea and being able to try a pancake with a twist can be satisfying from time to time. 

The cafe also offers a wide selection of drinks to consume with your hot cake. It is the perfect place to lounge out on a date or even hang out with a group of friends who share the hot cake. With three floors of seating and open seating at the very time, the cafe is opened 24 hours which is perfect for anyone who is out partying late in Gangnam. With bright lights, it is an attraction that you can see from down the block, but the best part is being able to sample Japanese goodies all year around. 

Take exit 9 from the Gangnam station on line 2 and go straight when you exit to the street of food.After walking three blocks down, chouchou will be on your right past the Starbucks.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Chikalicious

Chikalicious

203 East 10th Street
New York, NY 10009
(212) 475-0929

I admit that the website does not provide the most appealing look for this dessert bar, but trust me when I say it is worth going it. It can be a little confusing when arriving at Chikalicious because there are two locations that are directly across the street from one another. There is a small bakery like store where you can order desserts to go and to enjoy in their extremely small and cozy cafe where reservations are not needed. 

There is then an upgraded dessert bar across the street with a black and white interior, more updated and classic look. This is where you must make reservations to ensure seating because trust me when I say, it is worth visiting. With a different menu everyday, Chikalicious Japanese chefs puts a twist to the traditional dessert goodies, infusing and pairing with all different kinds of fruits and pastries that is extremely unexpected. 

The one recommendation that I have to make is the Brown Sugar Panna cotta. It is amazing and literally melts in your mouth. Desserts are extremely small in size, most guests order a plate each and share between the group, I do admit that I would have probably ordered the whole menu if I didn't have to make a few more stops at other dessert locations in the area. Nonetheless, it is worth the price that you pay for each plating, although it is considered to be a bit more pricey for many. 

The environment is set for a night atmosphere, after a romantic dinner. I suggest it as a spot to go to after a date, but there is no harm in going with a few friends. Be sure to make reservations because it is a small location and hours of operation is from late 3pm into the night, catering to guests of the nightlife. 

Story of My Life - Osaka Travels

Finally taking the time to travel to a place that I have been dying to go to, Japan is definitely a place that stands for itself. With different parts of Japan offering different cultures, the first stop of my main three destination visit across Japan is Osaka. Osaka, the third largest city in Japan, south of Tokyo, is word to be the next capital of Japan should a deadly earthquake occur within the next few years.

Known for their octopus, the traditional eats of Osaka is takoyaki balls and okonomiyaki pancake. With all different takes on this traditional eat, they are around every corner and should be consumed wherever you go! Every store has their own way to make this yum yum and I can’t say I had too much of it! I basically tried it at every location I can find it. Some restaurants that specialize in oyster will throw oysters in it and I have to admit, it is AMAZING. Seafood in Japan is definitely taken to a whole new level!

In addition to the amazing traditional eat, there are a handful of tourist places that are a must visit in Osaka. This includes the famous Omeda Sky Building which is two buildings connected by a hallway bridge, the gorgeous Osaka Castle alongside the Osaka Castle Park, the Shitennoji Temple (one of Japan’s oldest temples), Shinsekai where the Tsutenkaku Tower is located,  Namba and a few of the other many popular areas that are all of walking distance.

The main attractions of Osaka are quite small, but a bit disperse through the city. If you really want to, you could walk the city like I did. In total, it took about a day of time. Getting into each area, snapping a few photos and heading out. If you are planning to shop around and explore, do give yourself a few more days in the city. There are a lot of shopping areas and the city is extremely gorgeous. For those who are taking the subway around and do not have a pass, it is extremely easy to get around. Price for subway goes by location, simply locate your stop on the map and there is a price next to the station’s name. Put in the cash for the amount that it says and click the ticket price. All buses are the same price and you pay as you get off the bus. 

They currently have a few events going on which include the light festival which can be found down the main street of Namba. It is extremely easy to get in and get out of the city. One recommendation is to grab a map of each area that you want to go to because it is all detailed and mapped out. The tourist information is one place that I definitely recommend. The best part about them is that they have everything written out that you would want and need to get around.  Osaka is definitely one place I recommend for those who are looking for a place to stretch outside of Tokyo.

My Current Obsession - Dolly Wink Falsies

One of the more expensive falsies that you can purchase is the Dolly Wink falsies. With so many different "cute dolly" styles to choose from, this brand is extremely popular among Japanese and Taiwanese girls. This Japanese brand is one of the best falsies that I have ever used. I love the clear coat of liner that holds the lashes in place. It works extremely well with both clear and black glue. Average for a set is roughly $10, but its always great to have a random splurge every now and then on a pair of lashes that will last a while. 

Restaurant Review - Misoya

A chain across Korea that serves cheap and delicious Japanese food is a must visit to all. I recommend the Misoya's bento boxes that comes with a box of deliciousness! Most goodies at Misoya consists of fried foods, but you can also find Udon Noodles and Teriyakis. At an average price of $7 a bento box, it is a filling meal that will not empty your pocket.

Unlike the bento boxes in America, the Misoya bento boxes comes with a variety of side dishes that depend on the entree you order. Aside from the traditional teriyaki and sushi bento boxes, Misoya offers a seafood rice bento box that is topped with a mayonnaise like sauce which I think is absolutely delicious and is a must try. There are a handful of other entrees that are suggested as well.

One of the most filling dishes to order from Misoya is their variety of Katsu dishes. For those who are not looking for something as filling, you can't go wrong with their sushi rolls.