Cafe imA -- Seoul, Korea

Cafe imA is an outrageously popular cafe located in Seoul's Gwanghwamun area. For those of you who have been to Seoul, you probably know that trendy cafes and coffee shops are prevalent throughout the metropolis; however, Cafe imA seems just a bit out of place in this older part of town....its modern and sophisticated ambience seems to fit more with the likes of Cheongdam-dong or Apgujeong than in Jongno-gu. Nonetheless, it seems to be relatively well-known among Seoul's foodies and dessert enthusiasts, and is always sure to be packed.

The undisputed specialty here is the fresh waffles with ice cream. The waffles are a masterpiece in themselves, coming out at just the right temperature; the outside is perfectly crispy, while the inside is warm and moist like a freshly-baked cake. The waffles are accompanied by two scoops of premium Haagen Dazs ice cream of your choice of flavor (green tea and vanilla are a personal favorite, although chocolate and strawberry are also on offer), then finished off with two dollops of whipped cream and a sprinkling of powdered sugar. The contrast between the warm doughy waffle and the sweet coolness of the ice cream....heaven I tell you!

Fresh waffles with Haagen Dazs ice cream (12,000 won or  ~$11)

Aside from waffles, Cafe imA also offers an array of Western savory items (along the lines of brunch dishes such as croissant sandwiches, paninis, hamburger steak etc.), as well as more sweet tooth-satisfying selections such as pies, cakes and patbingsu (shaved ice). Nonetheless, the winner still remains the waffles....as can be attested by the sight of this divine delicacy on every table. 

If you find yourself craving a sweet treat for refueling after exploring the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheonggyecheon Stream or any of the other numerous nearby attractions, Cafe imA should definitely be high on your list. It's quite convenient....located on the ground floor of the Ilmin Museum of Art, immediately visible on your right after coming up from Exit 5 of the Gwanghwamun subway station. Once again, it's extremely popular....so do expect a wait. Cliche as it sounds, although the queue can be long, the prices a bit steep, and the calories equally steep....it's worth every bite!

Cafe imA

139 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu

Seoul, Korea

Map

02 2020 2088

Tues-Sun 10:00AM-10:00PM

Closed Mon 

ilmin.org

(Korean page only)

Claire's on Cedros -- Solana Beach, CA

Claire's on Cedros is one of the greenest, most environmentally-friendly brunch places I've had the pleasure to recently visit. Eating here makes you feel goood, if not for the scrumptious fare on offer that's great can indulge in on a breezy weekend morning, then at least because you're not destroying the planet while engaging in said indulgence :)

The venue is an eco-friendly building located across from the Amtrak station in Solana Beach. More often than not, it will be packed with a wide range of patrons happily chatting away....families, college kids, well-to-do ladies-who-brunch, surfers, etc.....in essence, it's a cozy spot where everyone can feel comfortable.

Back patio dining area, looking back towards the main building 

Although Claire's also offers an extensive lunch selection starting at 11:30AM, the main culinary magnet here is the famous breakfast menu that's served all day. Basic favorites such as eggs and omelets are prepared well; as expected, eggs are cooked as you like, and can be paired with bacon, sausage or even grilled grass-fed skirt steak. With herb-roasted potatoes and fresh toast, this staple of any American breakfast won't disappoint. 

Two eggs with herb-roasted potatoes and sausage, toast on the side ($9.95)

Basics aside, Claire's mouthwatering breakfast specialties also succeed in tempting the diner. Eggs Benedict are flavorful and well-textured, and can be served either with the standard English muffin or a croissant. The Caprese Frittata was equally satisfying: an omelette with generous amounts of ricotta and provolone topped with a delicious arugula salad in pesto and basil oil. 

Eggs Benedict with herb-roasted potatoes ($9.95)

Caprese Frittata ($9.95)

Of course, what breakfast would be complete without French toast? The French toast at Claire's is prepared with their freshly made brioche bread, served with butter and maple syrup. It provides a sweet and filling finale to a delicious brunch. 

French toast ($7.95)

Complimentary house-baked shortbread cookies 

At the end of the meal, each patron is given a small house-baked shortbread cookie in the shape of a heart, which I'm assuming comes fresh out of the oven since it was still warm when it arrived with our bill. Not excessively sweet, they were delicious and provided a nice ending touch. An on-site bakery also allows you to bring some freshly-baked treats back home for later enjoyment. 

Claire's on Cedros 

246 N Cedros Avenue

Solana Beach, CA 92075

Map

858 259 8598

Mon-Fri 6:00AM-3:00PM

Sat-Sun 7:00AM-3:00PM 

clairesoncedros.com

Piatti -- La Jolla, CA

Piatti is a quaint gem tucked away on a small commercial street in La Jolla Shores, not too far away from the beach. Part of a small chain, this particular branch (the only one in Southern California) has a warm and intimate ambience full of charm. Sharing the same neighborhood as sandwich joints and kayak shops, it nonetheless exudes an air of sophistication and class, perfect for a romantic dinner or special meal with friends. Aside from the main dining area, Piatti also has a boisterous bar area as well as an outdoor patio complete with heaters for those chilly La Jolla evenings.

The busy dining area with open kitchen

As is customary for Italian restaurants, they start you out with some warm bread and vinegar dip....but that's where the general similarities end. The dip at Piatti is a flavorful balsamic vinegar/olive oil/parsley/chili/garlic mix.....the explosive flavor provides a welcome twist to the usual dip one would see in other Italian places. All I can say is....amazing!

Fresh warm bread with the most incredible dip ever!

Piatti seems to be well-known for their pasta dishes, and indeed they live up to their reputation. The linguini pescatora came out piping hot, with well-textured strands of linguini doused in a tasty white wine tomato sauce and accompanied with generous amounts of notably fresh shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari and fish. The rolled pasta was equally delicious, stuffed with ricotta cheese, spinach and wild mushrooms in a porcini mushroom cream sauce. Without exaggeration, each bite leaves you craving more!

Linguini Pescatora ($19.95)

Rolled pasta ($15.50)

I've also heard rave reviews about their antipasti and secondi items, although that will call for another visit! Aside from a variety of savory items, Piatti also offers a tantalizing dolci or dessert selection. Although their tiramisu seems to be the most prominent item, the other selections promise to satisfy any sweet tooth. The cioccolata was perfectly executed; a not-too-sweet chocolate silk cake with a pecan and walnut crust that went quite well with the raspberry sauce. 

Cioccolata ($6.95)

As with any popular Italian restaurant, reservations are a must. Although it's better to dress up a bit, Piatti is by no means a pretentious place that one might expect. It's perfect for a special night out with friends, family or a significant other, having a good time over quality food and wine. La vita e bella indeed!

Piatti Ristorante & Bar

2182 Avenida De La Playa

La Jolla, CA 92037

Map

858 454 1589  

Mon-Thurs 11:30AM-10:00PM

Fri 11:30AM-11:00PM

Sat 10:00AM-11:00PM

Sun 10:00AM-10:00PM

piatti.com/lajolla/

San Tung -- San Francisco, CA

San Tung is a classic San Francisco institution, attracting crowds of loyal customers on any given day of the week....their dry fried chicken wings and dumplings are the stuff of legend, and rightfully so. Located on busy Irving Street in the Inner Sunset, it may seem like your average Chinese restaurant at first glance, but the throngs of people waiting outside serves as a constant tribute to its fame and popularity.

At San Tung, THE absolute must-try dish is the original dry fried chicken wings. Found on every table (I kid you not), these chicken wings are battered and deep-fried, then doused in a delectable ginger/garlic/chili sweet sauce. For the sake of good table manners, you may initially find yourself using forks for these, but after a few bites you will be tempted to start digging in with your fingers!

The potstickers are equally scrumptious....stuffed with a seasoned pork and cabbage mixture, they are both mouthwatering and filling. For some vegetables in your meal, the garlicky dry sauteed string beans do the trick, while the honey walnut prawns provide a honey and buttery complement. Aside from the aforementioned dishes, their black bean sauce noodles and various soups are also tasty and worth a try.

Original dry fried chicken wings ($9.50)

Potstickers ($7)

Dry sauteed string beans ($8)

Honey walnut prawns ($14)

Complementary kimchi....salty and spicy, great for refreshing the palate

Brace yourself for a long wait....I once waited almost 2 hours before being seated. As with the rest of San Francisco, parking may be a slight issue....it's all street parking and unless you're lucky to score a spot in front of the restaurant (like I did once!), you may have to walk just a bit. Which may be a good thing, after all that food....

San Tung Chinese Restaurant 

1031 Irving Street

San Francisco, CA 94122

Map

415 242 0828

Mon-Tues, Thurs-Sun 11:00AM-9:30PM

Closed Wed

santungrestaurant.com

Kam Fung Cafe -- Hong Kong

Kam Fung Cafe is one of those little urban gems, a pleasant surprise in the heart of Hong Kong's gritty Wan Chai district. It's a typical Hong Kong-style "cafe", serving breakfast items and doubling as a small bakery as well. Like everything else in the SAR, Kam Fung is located in a cramped claustrophobic space, seemingly always bustling with people and noise.

Interior

This place is well-known throughout Hong Kong Island for many things, such as their egg tarts and chicken pies, but my friend and I came here seeking out one of our favorite Cantonese treats....the bo lo yau (pineapple bun with salted butter). For any of you who have never tried this celestial creation, do place it at the top of your priorities list! A traditional bo lo baau is a sweet bun that, when prepared correctly, will have a sweet soft doughy goodness topped with a sugary crust. A rather unhealthy but intensely delicious variation is to place a piece of salted butter inside while the bun is still warm, creating an amazingly well-balanced melt-in-your-mouth sweet and salty pastry that will surely be unforgettable. Although found throughout Hong Kong, Kam Fung's version is so fresh and aromatic that it will leave you craving more! 

We also sampled their signature Hong Kong milk tea...to those unfamiliar with this, it is definitely less sweeter than the Taiwanese version, and incorporates condensed or evaporated milk. Kam Fung's version was served chilled, without ice. Although this didn't blow me away as much as the pineapple buns did, it was still a good and authentic beverage with which to wash down our breakfast. 

Bo lo yau ($6 HKD or ~$0.75) and Hong Kong milk tea ($15 HKD or ~$2)

Fresh out of the oven....heaven!

Other baked goods on display

We were lucky to not have to wait, but long lines (especially in the morning hours) are definitely a common sight. Kam Fung is located in a busy commercial area, within walking distance of the Wan Chai MTR Station. Although it's a tiny hole-in-the-wall joint, the aroma alone will make it hard to miss.

Kam Fung Cafe 

41 Spring Garden Lane

Wan Chai, Hong Kong 

Map

2572 0526 

Mon-Sun 7:00AM-7:00PM

Sia Fusion Eatery -- Newark, CA

Sia is a small Korean fusion restaurant located across from NewPark Mall, sharing the same shopping plaza as Lion Market, numerous Asian eateries and boba shops. With the relative scarcity of late-night food options in the Union City/Fremont/Newark area, Sia is sure to be a welcome addition to the dining scene for all the suburban night owls out there (myself included =P).

In all honesty, I was somewhat skeptical of trying this restaurant, just as I am with any fusion place....however, Sia proved itself worthy with its tasty fare and affordable prices. It's no wonder that it's crowded with families and college kids eating and drinking the night away.

The most popular item on the menu here seems to be the Seoul burger. Reminiscent of the bulgogi burgers I've had in Korea, the Seoul burger consists of a beef patty marinated in Korean BBQ sauce, topped with slices of bulgogi beef, cheese, veggies and a fried egg. Served with some spicy gochujang sauce and french fries, it's definitely filling and flavorful.

Seoul burger ($7.99)

Messy but delicious....best tackled with a fork and knife!

Other notable fusion options are the bulgogi cheese steak sandwich and spam kimchi rolls (sounds a tad strange, but the flavors were surprisingly harmonious). In addition, Sia also offers traditional Korean fare such as bibimbap and spicy rice cake, which taste quite authentic and are suitable alternatives for those that prefer more traditional flavors. 

Bulgogi cheese steak sandwich ($7.99)

Left -- french fries (free with burgers, $2.49 separately), right -- spam kimchi roll ($3.99)

Spicy rice cake ($7.99, extra for ramyeon noodles)

As can be seen, the portions are quite generous taking into consideration the affordable prices. Although the venue size is not as generously spaced, I'd say it adds a bit to the cozy atmosphere. Sia also seems to be a good place for drinking get-togethers (it IS Korean-owned, after all)...they offer beer, as well as the usual Korean booze such as rice wine, soju and soju cocktails. Open until 2AM 7 days a week, it should most certainly be a viable choice when you've got those late night munchies and don't want to spend too much money.

Sia Fusion Eatery 

39263 Cedar Boulevard

Newark, CA 94560

Map

510 794 8852

Mon-Thu 3:00PM-2:00AM

 Fri-Sun 11:00AM-2:00AM 

Mayflower -- Union City, CA

Mayflower is a small chain of Cantonese seafood/dim sum restaurants, with locations in Union City, Milpitas and Millbrae, as well as a former branch in San Francisco's Richmond district. They serve a vast array of Cantonese dishes, including the rather pricey items so prized by Chinese diners, such as abalone, shark's fin, lobster noodles etc. During the daytime however, they are more well-known for their dim sum which, although faces increasing competition from other restaurants, still consist of those classic and consistently reliable items I've enjoyed since childhood.

The interior....bustling even on a Thursday morning!

Located not far from the Union City BART station in a busy Asian shopping plaza near Marina Market, this restaurant gets crowded quickly, even on weekdays. Weekends can see long lines of eager customers out the door. As at other dim sum places, the atmosphere is unique and fun, almost reminiscent of Hong Kong. After all, dim sum is more than just food, it's a dining experience....the bustling atmosphere of families and friends chatting away loudly, the servers shouting out the names of their different eats, the fragrant aroma of fresh jasmine tea.

Mayflower serves all the usual dim sum staples one would expect. The must-haves on any of my dim sum visits include siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), har gow (shrimp dumplings), char siu baau (barbecued pork buns), wu gok (fried mashed taro dumplings), daan taat (egg custard tarts), cheung fan (steamed rice noodle rolls)....the list goes on and on! Mayflower serves all of these and more....steamed gai lan (steamed Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce), fried squid, and congee (rice porridge), to name just a few....

Siu mai -- pork and shrimp dumplings ($2.90)

Har gow -- shrimp dumplings ($3.30)

Cheung fan -- steamed rice noodle rolls with shrimp ($3.30)

Wu gok -- fried mashed taro dumplings ($2.90)

Fung zao -- chicken feet....definitely an acquired taste! ($3.90)

Char siu baau -- barbecue pork buns....steamed or baked ($2.90)

Daan taat -- egg custard tarts ($2.30)

Although there are so many other similar establishments in the Bay Area (Yank Sing in SF for more "upscale", Asian Pearl in Fremont for more "modern", etc), Mayflower still remains being that classic and reliable joint that will first come to mind when I'm craving a dim sum fix with friends or family.

Mayflower Seafood Restaurant

34348 Alvarado-Niles Road

Union City, CA 94587

Map

Other branches in Milpitas and Millbrae

510 489 8386

Lunch  Mon-Fri 11:00AM-2:30PM

Sat-Sun 10:00AM-3:00PM

Dinner  Mon-Fri 5:00-9:30PM

Sat-Sun 5:00PM-10:00PM 

mayflower-seafood.com