The Origins of the Chinese Buffet
At least as early as 1837, you could find all-you-can-eat dinners, which were, initially, primarily for American cuisine. During the latter part of the 19th century, the “smörgåsbord” made its appearance.
Beef, Seafood and Donuts — Oh My!
Time Out started in 1968 as a magazine in London to expand and share cultural and culinary events in 358 cities across 58 countries around the world.
Japanese Favorites at Futago
I was happy to see Futago restaurant (Japanese for “twins”) still open during a recent lunch time visit. Its owners also run the izakaya and soba house, Sugidama. They have been dishing up solid udon dishes at Futago since opening almost three years ago. The open and minimally decorated dining space has two beautiful paintings featuring steaming udon bowls ready to be enjoyed by a hovering hand with chopsticks. I started with a favorite, takoyaki, a dish of grilled octopus […]
The Origins of the PuPu Platter
In an advertisement in the Boston Globe, October 14, 1982, Bob Lee’s restaurant, Islander, posted the claim, “We invented The Pupu Platter.” Did they invent it? If not, what is the truth behind the origins of the Pu-Pu Platter? There is no question that the term “Pu-Pu” derives from the Hawaiian word, “pū-pū”, which refers to “appetizers.” Originally, pū-pū only referred to shellfish, but was eventually expanded to include a variety of other foods as well. During the 1950s, a number of Hawaiian newspapers mentioned pu-pu. The Honolulu […]
Assembling Chinatown’s History
Place of Assembly is a public art installation by local architect Ang Li, located at 8-12 Hudson street, right in the heart of Chinatown. The interactive display features various stoop-like structures, open for visitors to hang out and sit on, all assembled with repurposed bricks from demolished row homes. Guests from all over Boston came to gather during its November 6th unveiling, hosted by the Asian Community Development Corporation. Li aspired to help preserve and share the neighborhood’s history with […]
Southern Vietnamese style at Ban Tôi
The Ban Tôi (Vietnamese for “my friend”) Restaurant entered the Savin Hill neighborhood in 2019, expanding the availability of Vietnamese food in the area. Opened by Chieu Nguyen, a former nail salon owner-turned-chef, his passion for food allowed him to bring a variety of comforting southern dishes to the scene, such as Vietnamese hot pot and various street foods. We spied the conch salad (gỏi ốc giac) for $10.50 on the menu and immediately wanted to try it. A popular […]
Vermont Wagyu: Pure Breed, Pure Deliciousness
Many people in the U.S. primarily know of Wagyu beef as an expensive cut originating in Japan. They may also believe some of the myths about Wagyu, such as that the cows must be fed beer or sake, and get regular massages. Although that might happen in some isolated cases, there are actually no regulations that mandate such matters. The vast majority of Wagyu cows are simply specific breeds with unique fat networks that create the rich, smooth flavor we associate […]
CelebrAsians Fashion Benefit — Celebrating Cancer Survivors
Asian Women for Health (AWFH), a community-based network for the wellbeing of Asian women, will be hosting its 9th annual CelebrAsians Survivor Fashion Benefit on Saturday, November 13 from 6 – 7:30 PM. The benefit, titled “From Resilience to Radiance,” after AWFH’s podcast, will be held virtually for the second year in a row. Featured garments will include shoes and sportswear from ASICS, with all funds from the event going toward breast and cervical cancer support and programs, as well […]
Korean-Chinese Classics Come to Allston
Seoul Jangteo (Jangteo meaning “market”) opened up last year in the former Bukkyeong space in bustling Allston, filling in the void to bring Korean-Chinese food to the Boston area. After hearing from a close Korean friend that the chef had worked at the Seoul Chosun Hotel, and receiving the recommendation from other friends over time, I figured it was time I go there, too. The must-eat dish is Jajungmyun (자장면) or Jjajangmyun (짜장면) (The National Institute of Korean Language on […]
A Chinese Restaurant in Mayberry
The Andy Griffith Show, which aired from 1960-1968, is a beloved and iconic comedy series. The core of the story centered on Sheriff Andy Taylor, a widower who is raising his son, Opie, with the assistance of his Aunt Bee, all in the small town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The show pulled in high ratings throughout its run, and is commonly listed as one of the best series in television. Today though, the series receives some criticism on the basis that there was very little in […]