Eat in Oakland: Soba Ichi

Tamagoyaki: Japanese-style savory omelet

Left: Tsukemono - assorted veggie pickles

Right: Soba-ko Kaarage with Garlic Mayo - chicken thigh fried with buckwheat flour




Tempura Soba: soba noodles in hot soup with assorted tempura

I tried Soba Ichi, a Japanese restaurant specializing in soba noodles on Magnolia off West Grand in West Oakland, for the first time in mid-February with my dining companion and a friend, both of whom had been waiting to visit for a while. Formerly occupied by FuseBOX, a Korean "soju bang" pub-style restaurant, Soba Ichi serves buckwheat noodles either hot or cold as well as many popular side dishes. 

We tried a few dishes on our visit. We started with a few appetizers: Tamagoyaki (a Japanese-style savory omelet), Tsukemono (pickled vegetables), and Soba-ko Kaarage fried chicken. We then had the Tempura Soba as our main course: soba noodles in hot soup with assorted tempura. Although I don't remember the specifics, I remember being impressed by the quality of the food, which they clearly put a lot of care into creating. We tried a nice selection of starters to begin with — from the savory omelete to the tangy pickled veggies. Although I prefer Aburaya's fried chicken, Soba Ichi's made with a nice dry rub was still worth trying. The tempura was battered like we like and it was nice to dip the soba noodles in the hot soup.

Soba Ichi is well-reviewed by my friends and food writers I follow alike; as seen with the long line to order, it's clearly popular. I'm not sure I'll return as it's a bit out of my way and I'm not the biggest fan of soba. It was nice to try a more specialized Japanese restaurant and I appreciate the experience we shared in this intimate setting.

Soba Ichi

Website | Instagram | Yelp

2311 Magnolia St., Ste. A, Oakland, CA 94607

Open: Wednesday - Sunday 5pm - 9pm

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Eat in Oakland: Shimizu Sushi

Shrimp Tempura Roll


Lunch Bento Box with chicken teriyaki, tempura, and California roll

Although I haven't posted a restaurant review since late August, I have been saving up photos from places I've tried since then. Although it may be hard for me to fully review places I've visited months ago, I'll try my best.

I've been to Shimizu Sushi, a local Japanese restaurant on Piedmont at Echo, a few times. They serve a well-priced selection of bento boxes, sushi rolls, nigiri, and favorite entrees like teriyaki. When I stopped by with my friends in early September, we ordered a few things: namely a Shrimp Tempura Roll and a Lunch Bento Box with chicken teriyaki, tempura, and California roll. I love how bento boxes come with all the faves and this one did not disappoint. I remember enjoying it from the start of the miso soup to the finish with the various entree items. 

I would definitely return in the future. Shimizu Sushi is a great option if you're looking for Japanese food in a relaxed environment around Piedmont Avenue. If you've visited Shimizu Sushi, what do you recommend?

Shimizu Sushi

Website | Instagram | Yelp

4290 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA 94611

Open: Monday - Friday 4 - 8:30pm, Saturday - Sunday 12 - 8:30pm

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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 Oakland: Ramen Shop (Pt. 2)

Filipino Breakfast with two fried eggs, longanisa sausage, garlic fried rice, spicy dill pickle, and cilantro


Hokkaido Milk Bread French Toast with seasonal fruit and maple syrup


Left: Tempura-Fried Maitake Mushroom Donburi with brown rice, poached egg, avocado, cherry tomatoes, pickled gypsy peppers, and scallions
Right: Assorted Pastry Plate with snickerdoodle and sesame mochi muffins, and matcha bear claw


Cappuccino

Apparently I haven't visited (or, at least, reviewed) Ramen Shop, everyone's favorite hipster ramen spot in Rockridge, in four years. The last time I stopped by I had an incredible bowl of Garlic Miso Ramen and was happily mistaken for a member of the food press. (Talk about #goals.) Since then, they've cemented their place in the neighborhood and even expanded their menu to include a fantastic brunch.

When visiting for brunch this past weekend, my friend and I tried an incredible range of dishes. I started with a perfectly made cappuccino, served on sleek slab of wood. My friend and I were then treated to the Assorted Pastry Plate featuring snickerdoodle and sesame mochi muffins, and a matcha bear claw. I've never had a mochi muffin before, but this will definitely not be my last time. They have a spongy texture on the inside and were sprinkled with either sesame seeds or a cinnamon-sugar mixture, creating two flavor profiles I liked. The bear claw had a nice matcha flavored icing and almond slices as well as an almond-y taste within. We were then treated to the Hokkaido Milk Bread French Toast with seasonal fruit and maple syrup. The French toast had a great taste and texture, and the fruit was perfectly ripe.

As for our main entrées, my friend enjoyed his Tempura-Fried Maitake Mushroom Donburi made with brown rice, poached egg, avocado, cherry tomatoes, pickled gypsy peppers, and scallions. I had the cook-recommended Filipino Breakfast made with two fried eggs, longanisa sausage, garlic fried rice, spicy dill pickle, and cilantro. It was really good. The sausage, which I've never tried before, had a nice spiciness and when scooped up with garlicky rice and fried eggs, pretty much were everything I've wanted in a savory breakfast dish. I also enjoyed the flavors brought out by the fresh tomatoes and tangy pickles on the side.

I would definitely stop by Ramen Shop for brunch (...lunch and dinner, let's be real) again. They're still an impressive restaurant four years later and I'm wondering why it's taken me so long to return. If you've visited Ramen Shop recently, what do you recommend trying?

Ramen Shop

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5812 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
Open: Monday - Thursday 5 - 10:30, Friday 5 - midnight, Saturday 11 - 3 & 4 - midnight, Sunday 11 - 3 & 4 - 10:30

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Eat in Mexico City: Cariñito Tacos

Cantones taco made with confit pork belly, flour tortilla, hoisin, sriracha, and house pickles

Coliflor Pibil taco made with tempura fried cauliflower, adobo, spiced black beans with fermented chili, and pickled red onions

Cariñito Tacos is a trendy, hole-in-the-wall taco spot located on Guanajuato and Merida in the Roma Norte neighborhood of Mexico City. With placement in the 2024 Michelin Guide, they're serving interesting meat and veggie tacos to a very satisfied fan base.

We tried a couple tacos while we were there: the Cantones taco (made with confit pork belly, flour tortilla, hoisin, sriracha, and house pickles) and Coliflor Pibil taco (made with tempura fried cauliflower, adobo, spiced black beans with fermented chili, and pickled red onions). One of several pork belly taco options, this one married Vietnamese and Mexico flavors beautifully with its fresh ingredients and an even fresher take on taco fillings. As a big fan of veggie tacos, I remember I very much enjoyed the cauliflower one with its dynamic slate of hearty and tangy flavors.

If I'm in the area, I would definitely try a few more tacos on offer at Cariñito Tacos.

Cariñito Tacos

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Guanajuato 53, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Saturday 1 - 10pm, Sunday 1 - 8pm

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Eat in Mexico City: Wabi Sushi

Fried Tofu made with silken tofu, ginger, scallion, soy sauce, and mirin 


Korean Spicy Tuna made with masago, avocado, and cucumber

Spicy Tuna & Unagi Tempura Maki


Gyu Gyozas made with rib eye


Left: Shiso Sour made with Sake Junmai, shiso, yuzu, ginger syrup, egg white, shochu, and sansho

Right: One Lychee Nigiri Please! made with Tanqueray London Gin, sake, lychee, pixtle syrup, rice vinegar, and orange bitters

Last March, my dining companion and I had a wonderful meal at Wabi Sushi — a sleek sushi and sake restaurant on Orizaba and Colima in the Roma Norte neighborhood of Mexico City.

We started with a couple of cocktails: the Shiso Sour (made with sake Junmai, shiso, yuzu, ginger syrup, egg white, shochu, and sansho) and One Lychee Nigiri Please! (made with Tanqueray London Gin, sake, lychee, pixtle syrup, rice vinegar, and orange bitters), both of which were dynamic and delicious. 

We then had the delicately Fried Tofu, made with silken tofu, ginger, scallion, soy sauce, and mirin, and beautifully pan-fried Gyu Gyozas with rib eye. We shared a couple of sushi rolls: the Korean Spicy Tuna, made with masago, avocado, and cucumber, and the Spicy Tuna & Unagi Tempura Maki. Although it's been a while, I remember that everything was as flavorful as it is photogenic.

I would definitely stop by again in the future, perhaps trying another amazing cocktail, the Tuna Drum, or the Mango Sticky Rice.

Wabi Sushi

Website | Instagram | Yelp

C. Orizaba 76, Centro Urbano Pdte. Juárez, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Daily 1pm - 10:30pm

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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
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Yelp

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 Oakland: Grocery Cafe

Veggies Kyaw: Burmese pakora served with tamarind sauce


Pork Belly Thoke made with sliced pork belly, vegetables, aromatic spices, and herbs


Mohinga: fish chowder made with rice noodles, served with exotic fritter and condiments

Last week I finally visited Grocery Cafe, a Burmese restaurant located in Jack London Square, years after reading Luke Tsai's review in the East Bay Express.

My friend and I shared three dishes during our visit. We started with Veggies Kyaw, a Burmese pakora served with tamarind sauce. Like all the dishes served, this appetizer was huge. It featured a variety of deep-fried vegetables that tasted similar to tempura. It was great. Then we had two entrees: the Pork Belly Thoke made with sliced pork belly and vegetables, and the Mohinga, a fish chowder with rice noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and onions. The pork belly salad had a nice flavor I enjoyed. Labeled a "favorite national dish," the fish chowder had a nice comfort food quality to it. Adding the lime, fritter, or cilantro on the side gave it a nice dimension.

We really enjoyed our meal. Two takeaways are that we definitely ordered too much food -- the portions are huge -- and it's pretty well-priced for what you get. Next time I'll try the Laphet Thoke (tea leaf salad) or the Ohno Khao Swe (coconut chicken noodle soup).

If you've visited Grocery Cafe recently, what do you recommend trying?

Grocery Cafe
Website | Facebook | Yelp
90 Franklin St., Oakland, CA 94606
Open: Sunday - Thursday 11:30am - 3pm & 5pm - 9pm, Friday - Saturday 11:30am - 3pm & 5pm - 10pm

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