Eat in San Francisco: Mau

Spring rolls with poached pork and shrimp, vermicelli, mint, and peanut dipping sauce


Eel and Banana Blossom salad


Hủ Tiếu with xa-xiu pork, chicken, shrimp, ground pork, and garlic chicken broth

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of trying Mau for the second time. Located on Valencia near 18th Street in the heart of the Mission, Mau serves solid Vietnamese food in an even cooler atmosphere. Patrons have the option of enjoying their meals at standard-height tables, high tables, or counters. We opted to sit at the counter along the storefront window, both because of the excellent view of the street and the hooks underneath that kept our backpacks from getting dirty.

On my most recent visit, I tried a few different dishes: the spring rolls, the Eel and Banana Blossom salad, and the Hủ Tiếu noodle soup. The spring rolls were everything you want in the Vietnamese staple. Every ingredient was fresh and the flavors were harmoniously united by the peanut sauce. I'd definitely recommend trying the Eel and Banana Blossom salad as well. Although I only tried a couple of bites, it had a dynamic taste while still feeling pretty light. (Read: You'll crave more.)

For the main event, I had the Hủ Tiếu. While I've tried a few types of phở in the past and have a special place in my heart for Bún Bò Huế, whether traditional or vegetarian, I've never had Hủ Tiếu before. Like the other dishes, it was quite a delight. It had a seafood essence that complemented the flavors of the various types of meat and the garlicky broth rather nicely. With a friend knowledgeable of Vietnamese cuisine at my table, I can confirm that Mau's version is authentic.

If you're looking for a warm bowl of soup in the Mission, I'd suggest stopping by Mau for a little piece of Vietnamese heaven. As one Yelper exclaimed, "Oh. Mau. Goodness."

Mau
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
665 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Monday - Saturday for lunch 12 - 3, dinner 5:30 - 10

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Eat in Honolulu: Musubi Cafe Iyasume

Teriyaki Spam Musubi and Eel & Egg Spam Musubi


Counterclockwise from left: Avocado & Bacon Spam Musubi, Salmon RiceBall, and Japanese Curry bowl


Left: Musubi Pack RiceBall with Fried Chicken, Sausage, and Egg

Right: Japanese Curry Bowl

My dining companion and I stopped by Musubi Cafe Iyasume, a spam musubi spot on Kuhio and Uluniu in Waikiki, countless times in late September. They have an expansive selection of very affordable menu items including spam musubi and rice balls as well as other Japanese favorites like curry or miso soup. Located across the street from Maguro Spot, a poke restaurant, we often ordered from both and had a Hawaiian feasts of sorts in our room. 

We tried a few types of spam musubi during our stay — Teriyaki, Eel & Egg, Avocado, Eel, Egg, & Avocado, and Avocado & Bacon — and enjoyed them all. They were the perfect, flavorful, on-the-go snack. We also liked the Japanese Curry bowl, which had some chunks of chicken or pork and carrots over white rice. The riceballs were also a nice treat, where the meat was inside, instead of on top. The Musubi Pack RiceBall with Fried Chicken, Sausage, and Egg provided a nice mix of things, all of which hit the spot.

I would definitely stop by Musubi Cafe Iyasume the next time I'm in the area.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume

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2427 Kuhio Ave., Pacific Monarch Hotel 1F, Honolulu, HI 96815

Open: Daily 6:30am - 9pm

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Eat in Oakland: Ozumo Oakland

Spicy Miso Miso ramen made with chicken, cabbage, six minute egg, and spicy miso broth


Left: Makushita makimono roll made with spicy albacore, macadamia nuts, shiso leaf, seared scallop, jalapeño, sweet soy, and yuzu aioli
Right: Jalapeño Hamachi makimono roll made with spicy yellowtail, avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, and yuzu aioli


Left: Spicy Miso Miso ramen
Right: Unagi (freshwater eel) nigiri


Wild Strawberry Tartine with balsamic glazed strawberries, flaky butter crust, and caramel ice cream

Last night I had the pleasure of visiting Ozumo's Oakland location to try their Ramen Wednesday tasting menu. This beautifully designed Japanese restaurant is located on the corner of Broadway and West Grand Avenue in Oakland's thriving Uptown neighborhood. They serve an excellent selection of makimono rolls, nigiri, sashimi, classic Japanese entrees from the land and the sea, tempura and tofu dishes, desserts, and more.

We stopped by to try one of the three unique, tasting-sized bowls of ramen prepared by Chef Dennis Imazumi every Wednesday. Chef Dennis' ramen options are known for their fresh ingredients, dynamic flavors, and interesting take on the beloved dish. The bowls offered during our visit included the Midori Pesto ramen, made with roasted tomato, edamame, micro wasabi, and watercress pesto; the Spicy Miso Miso ramen, made with chicken, cabbage, six minute egg, and spicy miso broth; and the Yuzu Shoyu ramen, made with roasted shiitake mushroom, ginger tofu, kaiware, and yuzu soy broth.

We began our dining experience on a high note with two cups of Numi's full-bodied gunpowder green tea and a bowl of perfectly salted edamame. For my main course I ordered the Spicy Miso Miso ramen, which was quite good. Chef Dennis paired ingredients, like the impeccably cooked six minute egg and thinly sliced chicken, to make a very interesting dish. He brought together different textures, like the crunch of the cabbage and perfectly prepared noodles. The spiciness of the broth achieved the delicate balance of adding flavor without overpowering your taste buds. Overall, the ramen had everything I want in a bowl: dynamic flavor, great texture, and a twist.

My dining companion had two of their makimono rolls, which were delicious as well. The Makushita roll was made with spicy albacore, macadamia nuts, shiso leaf topped with seared scallop, jalapeño, sweet soy, and yuzu aioli, while the Jalapeño Hamachi was made with spicy yellowtail, avocado, cucumber topped with jalapeño, yuzu aioli. Like the ramen, these rolls were made with fresh ingredients, paired in appealing ways, that provided great taste with an element of surprise. He also had an order of Unagi (freshwater eel) nigiri, which was as fresh and tasty as anticipated.

For dessert, we tried the Wild Strawberry Tartine with balsamic glazed strawberries, flaky butter crust, and caramel ice cream. In short, it was divine. The warm crust melts in your mouth and tasted like a little bit of heaven when topped with ice cream and strawberries. I would recommend making room for this dessert.

The interior of Ozumo is worth noting. The modern decor combines elements of Japanese design with a cosmopolitan twist. The restaurant's hip vibe and lively music make it perfect for a night out in Uptown or a happy hour visit after work.

While we were there, we were helped by the very friendly staff and were graciously introduced to Chef Dennis himself and Mel Collins, the Director of Hospitality. They made us feel very welcome and provided a wonderful dining experience. Special thanks to Ozumo Oakland, Chef Dennis, Mel, and Olivia of DKC for the lovely evening.

If you've visited either Ozumo location in Oakland or San Francisco, what do you recommend trying?

Ozumo Oakland
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2251 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Open:
Lunch: Monday - Friday 11:30am - 2pm
Dinner: Monday - Thursday 5 - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday 5 - 10pm
Sake Lounge: Monday - Thursday 4 - 10pm, Friday - Saturday 4 - 10:30pm
Happy Hour: Monday - Saturday 4 - 7pm

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Eat in Berkeley: C U Sushi

Smoked salmon nigiri


Orgasm Salad with seared tuna and spring mix




Dynamite with scallop, mushroom, onion, and masago




Energy roll with fresh water eel, yellow tail, gobo, masago, green onion, and avocado




Lion King roll with crab, avocado, baked salmon, and masago on top

I've been visiting C U Sushi for about a year and it never ceases to impress me. Okay, I'll just come clean and say it: it's my favorite sushi spot in Berkeley, located on Center smack-dab between Oxford and Shattuck in the city's downtown.

The roll that won me over was the Lion King. Not only does its name blanket me with nostalgia for one of my favorite movies as a kid, it changed everything I thought sushi was and could be. As a sushi novice, I was under the impression that sushi is either raw or cooked. I didn't know that sushi could be, dare I say, baked. And not just baked, but rich and buttery. This is where the Lion King comes in. This roll is filled with crab and avocado, and then topped with pieces of freshly baked salmon that are sprinkled with masago and green onion. In short, it's a little piece of heaven. The first bite is so warm and filling that I often try to drag out the moment, wondering how something could be so darn good.

Of course, the Lion King is just the beginning. They have a great selection of fresh sushi and nirigi as well as more decadent rolls like the Energy roll with its fresh water eel and yellow tail. If you're looking for something warmer, they serve very tasty udon soups. In all, everything I've tried has been pretty good and quite affordable, which is a big plus.

C U Sushi
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 2152 Center St., Berkeley, CA 94704
Open: Monday - Thursday 11 - 10, Saturday 11:30 - 10:30, Sunday 11:30 - 10

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Eat in San Francisco: Godzila Sushi

Bento Box with Chicken Teriyaki, California roll, miso soup, salad, and rice

Rock'N Roll sushi roll made with barbecued eel, avocado, cucumber, and tobiko

Udon soup


Tempura

My dining companion and I visited Godzila Sushi, a Japanese restaurant located on the corner of Divisadero and Bush in Lower Pacific Heights, for the first time for a weekday lunch in late August. They have an expansive menu featuring favorites like sushi, bento boxes, donburi, and udon.

We tried a few things. My dining companion got a Bento Box with Chicken Teriyaki, California roll, miso soup, salad, and rice, while I got the Tempura Udon and a Rock'N Roll sushi roll — made with barbecued eel, avocado, cucumber, and tobiko. Everything was quite good. The chicken had the sweet teriyaki flavor we like, while the rolls were perfectly made and the flavors well-balanced. The udon was the warm salve I love on an overcast day and the tempura pieces, including the classics like sweet potato and shrimp, were sizable.

Godzila Sushi is a great, casual restaurant if you're looking for delicious Japanese restaurant at affordable prices. I will be sure to return when I'm in the area.

 

Godzila Sushi

Website | Yelp

1800 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94115

Open: Monday - Thursday 11:30am - 2:30pm & 5 - 9pm, Friday 11:30am - 2:30pm & 5 - 9:30pm, Saturday 5 - 9:30pm

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Eat in Berkeley: Manpuku

The California roll with added tobiko and the Spider roll

Manpuku, or what I like to childishly refer to as "Manpoopoo," is a staple for Berkeley sushi fiends. Nestled in between College Avenue's own restaurant row, Manpuku is known for having a pretty good selection of sushi, noodles, and other Japanese fixins at even better prices. I've eaten here several times and would highly recommend the spicy hotate (scallop) nigiri, the unagi (BBQ eel) nigiri, and any of the udon soups. As a sushi novice, I'd suggest bringing a sushi-head who can highlight which pieces to try. 

While the restaurant looks very narrow from the front entrance, there's actually a lot of seating space and I've always been able to get a table or a spot at the counter. I'd recommend ordering your favorite rolls and sipping on a cup of hot tea, while watching the sushi master work his magic.

Manpuku
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 2977 College Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705
Open: Monday - Saturday 11 - 10, Sunday 11 - 9

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