In the middle of the night, we should go over there and affix a plaque to the building stating this certification.
moo’s x bridgetown roti
as I was sitting in my car waiting for my platter-o-bbq, I noticed a sign for bridgetown roti and realized they were using the same exact takeout space as moo’s. I quickly placed an order on my phone and 10 minutes later got both my moo’s and bridgetown roti orders without even having to take my car out of park, for what might be the easiest bang bang in la.
everything was delicious, highlights were the pork spare ribs and oxtail patty.
creekstone farms prime brisket
pork verde sausage
duroc pork spare ribs
patty - curry braised oxtail, green pepper sofrito
aunt vie’s cod fish cakes
Popeyes. Yes, Popeyes.
Cajun flounder sandwich.
(Stole a photo that most resembled the sandwich I had)
It was really good. Probably 2x the size of FoF. Didn’t need a hash brown on it because this was crunchy like their chicken. Very moist. Not sure what makes it Cajun.
And a “spicy” not-spicy chicken sandwich for dessert. They are certainly the largest filets of any fast food chain.
Actual photo of my sandwich:
Going old school for the Year of the Ox banquet at home, while helping out local restaurants like Sea Harbour (they could use some love right now)… I pre-ordered my pén cài (盆菜, AKA poon choi) from them a few days back. Pickup was friendly, orderly and distanced.
I even got a chance to buy out the remaining spot prawn from their live tank. These absolutely gargantuan and juicy ladies were full of roe, and ridiculously jumping fresh. A simple steam from Sea Harbour’s kitchen gave me an hour of unadulterated shellfish joy.
The poon choi from Sea Harbour was a smorgasbord, village-style pot of delights, brimming with several layers of goodies, including: Braised abalone, fat choy (髮菜), stir-fried prawn, roast pork belly, steamed mussels, lotus root, drunken chicken, fish cake, boiled daikon and napa. The pork belly was remarkable and unforgettable with its crunchy skin, bursting with flavor, all with a hint of honey, and silky textural tenderness. #PoonChoiPorn
And though Sea Harbour is primarily known as a Canto seafood specialist, that kitchen has always treated chicken with respect. My drunken chicken today was no exception - Marvelous.
The first-of-the-season spot prawn (ikura gunkan for comparison). These mothers were huge, moist, and perfectly prepared. #ShrimpHeadsRule #HappyChineseNewYear #YearOfTheOxSoNoBeefOnTheMenuToday
Knowing Jimmy-san, I would hazard a guess of grilled nodoguro?
We wanted sea harbor a couple weeks ago, but when we went to look at their menus online we could not find an English version anywhere.
Dr. @CiaoBob - I believe this was just black cod misoyaki. Trying something different than the usual nodoguro/buri prep.
Yesterday: You Kitchen out in Alhambra
Chinese pizza - I dream about this, and eat it in the parking lot as soon as I get it
Dan dan noodles
beef roll
big mouth pockets (with pork)
stirred cucumber
It was all good, and the “pizza” continues to be god tier, and I’m a little sorry I know they are open 11AM - 9:30PM seven days a week.
What is Chinese pizza btw?
We were in Highland Park when the dumpling itch hit us. @J_L had mentioned Mason’s Dining shop for XLBs and chive dumplings. Alas, poor Pimpin, they were out of virtually everything.
So we went to Lunasia in Pasadena. (Sorry for the not so good photos)
Ate in the car parked at city hall. They forgot our drinks, so banged MCDs (again) for drinks… and some free chocolate chip McCookies.
Catching up with a few standouts.
BBR
L’Aegean
Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Barberries with Labneh
My love for fried brussels sprouts is eternal, and this simple dish was a banger. The rich, creamy, and slightly labneh brought it up a notch.
Hummus with Grilled Bub and Grandma’s
Browned butter is one of my favorite hummus toppings.
Keika Tanjiro
If you’ve walked down 2nd in Little Tokyo recently you might have nearly had your eyelashes singed off by the grill set up outside of Kouraku. Keika Tanjiro is operating a small operation that sells a single thing: “Tanjiro Chicken”. Chicken fat is placed directly on the grill, where it drips down onto special binchotan charcoal, where the flames and smoke cook the chicken thigh in the basket above, with sea salt as the only other component. It’s quite the spectacle, but produces some very juicy and uniquely flavored chicken. Drop some of the included yuzu kosho on it and get after it.
Gamboge
Braised Sardines and Tomato with Baguette
Messy, salty and packed with umami–I really loved this. The baguette of course was perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce.
Shiku
Maekjuk Chicken
The chicken might get overlooked compared to the LA Galbi, but I find it fantastic. It’s also quite nice to get some different banchan than what they stock in the case. Pro tip: always add the fried egg.
Bridgetown Roti
Oxtail and Peppers Patty
I finally got around to copping one of these and the hype is real. The crust is insanely flaky and the oxtail filling is earthy and rich–a must order.
Ana’s Flan
I love flan, and as the sole dessert on the menu I was excited to pick this up. It’s spiced with turmeric and ginger, and was a nice light finisher to the patty.
Rubie
After hitting Bridgetown Roti, I got a pang for the smoked chicken I’d picked up last week at Rubie so I headed back over to Sqirl to try it again.
Smoked Chicken with Rice and Peas, Collard Greens, and Festival Bread
I’m repeating myself here, because it was even better this go around. The jerk marinade was a bit spicier this time, the chicken a bit juicier, the rice and peas creamier, and the festival bread even crispier and delicious.
Beef Patties
I also wanted to see if I could set up a duel between the beef patties at Rubie and Bridgetown Roti, and this one was just as good. Rubie’s patties use ground waygu beef and are a bit richer, allowing the pepper jelly to cut through it perfectly.
I can’t recommend Rubie enough, so get over there before Chef Scott’s residency runs out.
hold up, wait a minute. do you know his hours?
he’s on instagram as @keika_tanjiro
I had this recently too, also had it in Fukuoka where it is a niche dish.
So far my experience between what I had in Japan and here are the same. Its basically chicken that taste like charcoal. I don’t really see what the big deal is and one I think its one of those try it once and I’m good.
He said he’s out there every day until sell out. I usually see him setting up around lunch, but you’re bound to catch him in the evening.
I think that’s probably the sesame/green onion big pancake or zi ma da bing. Here’s a pic from my order a couple months ago. It’s so pillowy and fragrant!
In the case of You Kitchen, I believe it refers to their Silk Road-style sesame bread (芝麻大餅).
Some on this board may remember this style of thick “bing” was first made famous in SoCal by Tung Lai Shan (RIP) in Focus Plaza many, many moons ago…
Got it. I love that stuff since I was a kid. Always a must order at Chinese-Muslim restaurant along with some knife cut noodles. That stuff is also great with any soup or stew, Chinese or otherwise.
On a cold and blustery night in Southern California (AKA hoodie weather), Hiro-san serves up a piping hot, cozy claypot filled with steaming oden fit for a hero, at Hakata Izakaya Hero (Tehrangeles)…
How many outside tables do they have now
About 6 in the parking lot and two two tops out front.