Homemade Sushi

In descending order, there is our (as in, me, Rachel, and my cohort, Kristen) homemade sushi experience. Summary: it was brilliant.

Please, follow all directions to the best of your ability. Here is the sushi rice tutorial I used: www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-sushi-rice

After doing this all correctly, the maki world is your oyster. Mind you, we did make regular nigiri sushi, too. In fact, here is a list of everything we made, most are included in photos above, but one is not:

California Maki

Spicy Tuna Avocado Maki

Shiitake Vegetable Maki

Classic Tuna Nigiri

Spicy Mango Crab Maki

Horray!

-R

Ippudo Ramen

On a very peculiar block lies a very swanky Japanese Ramen house. Between 10th and Wanamaker on 4th avenue, you will hear the swishing of cars past the Astor Place Kmart, and Ippudo.

Beware the long wait, dance music, and blood red motif, but don't let it frighten you away.

The ramen is GOOD. And finally a noodle place where the pork topping is DELICIOUS and not weird.

Thin, but slurpable noodles are nestled in the porky-est, umami-est (albeit quite salty) broth. A special signature broth, apparently: Tonkotsu. Well it's damn good. There are two main bowls, a "classic" and a "modern", the latter differing from the former with an addition of garlic oil, chili paste, and some different toppings. Essentially, though, they are very similar. I ordered the classic.

Definitely recommended. And I hear their pork buns are amazing, too.

-R

SOY Restaurant

http://www.soynyc.com/

Suzanne, Heather, Julia and I headed to the LES last week to try SOY, a tiny little Japanese home cooking place suitable for meat eaters and meat shunners alike, although all things soy are definitely highlighted.

First of all, it's ADORABLE. It looks like someone's kitchen, and basically is. Prices can't be beat, with most things under 10 dollars. Portions are moderate, yes, but you'll clean your plate and feel good about it.

We ordered some gyoza and a soy pancake which were good, but the entrees definitely won. Above, you'll notice the vegetable curry, everything burger, eeel and cucumber bowl (a special that day!), and the big winner: the spicy tuna and avocado bowl! OWNED!

boo ya, comin' back soon.

-R