mmm-yoso

Actually Sushi Itto is the Mexico City based sushi chain. ick........

Cool Super Mercado Murphy - we were just there a few days ago. Man do they have alot of sweets. It's on the corner of University and Menlo! I was suprised to see so many Asians shopping there.

Hey mizducky - I'm having a blast reading your blog! Keep up the fine(and fun) work.

Please hurry mizducky - I need to find out what I ate tonight!!!!

Nice post Frog Princesse - Hope to see much more in the future!

Hi mizducky - Your Pho'/Bun Bo Hue diet seems to be in full swing. One thing about the Bun Bo Hue at Pho' Ca Dao - which I think is good, BTW. Is that instead of giving you the fermented shrimp paste and chili oil on the side, it's already been mixed into the broth, which may be a bit off-putting for some people. So fay I've really enjoyed the Pho' at Lucky Pho' which is attached to Lucky Seafood Market in Mira Mesa: Lucky Pho' in Lucky Seafood Supermarket 9326 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92126 Which would probably appeal to those who enjoy a darker - richer broth. http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/

I used to really enjoy Boo Cho, but since they've changed owners, I think they've gone downhill a bit. I rather have Buga. Dede's is pretty good, and IMHO not as spicy, nor as high in oil as Ba Ren. My Wife who is from China calls is Pseudo-Sichuan.....pretty good, though alot milder. Though let it be said we enoy the cuisine from ChongQing more then what we've had that represents ChengDu http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/

Wow, it's good to see this thread is alive and well! Just a couple of things: Pho Hoa Cali on Clairemont Mesa Blvd - is now Pho T Cali. I really can't tell the difference in food, but notice that some of the people working there are different. In Mission Valley, it's Pho' Cali - co-owned by a former EE at Kodak and a Mechanic - so I really don't think there's any affiliation with Pho Hoa Cali on Mira Mesa Blvd. Had lunch there a few weeks ago, but didn't have time to post. A bit more expensive then most $6/bowl of Pho'. Very mediocre, and some of the worst Banh Pho' I've ever had, also skimpy on the garnishes, though Ngo Ngai was provided - the broth was pretty good. This is also the place where you can get Banh Mi for $4.99, just in case you feel guilty paying 2 bucks for it elsewhere! But if you really can't wait the extra 10 minute drive to Linda Vista, you can get Pho' here. I though Pho Pastuer was pretty good, though if I recall they were a bit more expensive then most Vietnamese Restaurants at the time. I also had an alligator dish, and all I remember was that the meat was sour, and slimy - though the first bite tasted like chicken! Go figure..... http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/

Mizducky - If you're looking for Spam Musubi; L&L will do just fine. In addition, perhaps a little closer to you; right down Garnet in the same mall as Great News cooking store(which will keep you occupied for quite a while); and Lotsa Pasta. Hawaiian Island Barbecue 1768 Garnet Ave San Diego, CA 92109 http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2005/0...ian_island.html In addition, I've had Spam Musubi from Nijiya as well. For a plate lunch I think at this time that Da' Kitchen makes the best - right up the 15, Carroll Canyon Road exit. Da' Kitchen 9823 Carroll Canyon Rd. San Diego, CA 92131 Open Mon-Sat 10am - 8pm http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2005/1...tchen_fina.html I'll pass on a funny story about World Sushi; it's right up the street from where we live. I once dropped by and decided to have some Sushi (they do pretty good tempura and stuff). My usual drill with the Itamae is to first order a few nigiri, so I had some Maguro(what I call buffet grade fish), Hamachi(lousy), Hirame(decent), Albacore(lousy). Then asked the Itamae(real quiet Vietnamese Guy) what is good today? He tells me "The California Roll is really good tonight!" WHAT! Was he even paying attention to what I was eating? Since then I've stayed away from the Sushi at this Vietnamese owned Japanese Restaurant. The other Japanese style dishes are pretty good and that's what I stay with. Nijiya will sometimes have okara, it'll be close to the fish and sushi! It may be hard to come by; but since Nijiya has their own brand of tofu, sometimes they do sell this tofu by-product. Next time I'm there I'll ask if they still carry it. Kirk http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/

Alas, I currently do not own a barbeque grill. Shocking, I know--I'm guess I'm not living up the the SoCal ideal here. But at least the apartment complex I'll be moving to has a community grill right in the courtyard. ← Is the hope of Kurabuta Kakuni out of the question???? Basically Nagasaki Style Braised Pork - it dies use okara - which is tofu lees 1 1/2lb Pork Belly 1 1/2Cup Okara 1 Cup Water 1/4 Cup Sake 2-4 Tb Mirin 1/4 Cup Sugar 4 Tb Soy sauce Place pork and okara in a pot and fill with water, and bring to a boil. When brought to a boil reduce the heat to med-low, and continue slow boil for 2 hours, adding water as necessary until the pork is tender enough for a bamboo skewer to pierce the meat without difficulty. Turn off heat and let stand until pork is cool. When the pork is cool, rinse the pork under cold water, and eliminate unclean parts and excess fat. Cut into bit sized cubes. Place water, sake,sugar, and pork into a pot, and bring to a boil. When it comes to a boil add soy sauce, and cover. Reduce heat slighly, and simmer until liquid ids reduced to half. Increase temp to a boil and pour in mirin in a circular motion. boil until alcohol is burnt off. Arrange in a bowl, garnishing with shredded snow peas and mustard. Kirk www.mmm-yoso.typepad.com

Y'know, kalypso, I've been intrigued by the name of this joint ever since you so provocatively let it drop, so of course I had to do the Google thing--and this is what I found. Other than the possibility that the scene there might be a tad more "straight" than my usual speed, this sounds like it could be a helluva fun time to this dive-bar-lovin' chick. I'm not sure if I'll get in to check it out before the end of this blog, but I'll certainly check it out sooner or later. And yes, you will indeed get a full report--especially if I succeed in making a karaoke fool of myself there. ← Hi mizducky - I'm enjoying the proceedings thus far....I've been to Camel's Breath Inn - it's mainly a neighborhood watering hole. Lot's of off-duty SDPD'ers, and Mexican Bar Grub. Kirk www.mmm-yoso.typepad.com

The Market in that strip mall is now First Korean Market/Orient Bowl - A Korean Market. It does have alot of "stuffs" from Hawaii, though if tyou're interested. http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2005/1..._kine_stuf.html Kirk http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/

In all honesty, I get most of my Cooking "gear" in Los Angeles. there is one place on Convoy that you can check out. It's called Chef City Restaurant Equipment and Supplies 4927 Convoy St San Diego, CA 92111 It's located South of Clairemont Mesa Blvd, on the East side of the street. It's an Asian Restaurant Supply Store - you can even get high BTU, "fire-rings" there. The quality of many items there may not suit your requirements, but it's a good place to get odds and ends - several Asian Restaurants buy their equipment and other items from them. And I've shopped there a few times in the past - they do sell to the general public. Utsuwa No Yakata is the porcelain shop located in Mitsuwa marketplace, and sells only porcelain(i.e. bowls. plates, dishes). There's a kitchen section within Mitsuwa, but it's mostly Rice Cookers, ginger graters, and such. But I remember seeing pretty good sashimi knives. I still have my left handed fish knife I bought at the Wok Shop many years ago.... Good Luck, Kirk http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/

You are going to eat an entire "styrofoam" tray of uni? You are hardcore. I'd rather just wait until I can get 1 "live uni" and have the Itamae prepare it for me. You'd use that tray of Uni, maybe for a sauce in the end? Catalina Seafood has some of the best Uni around. I know that misspelling "omakase" can be a bit irritating, but we understood the subject. I get this all the time from people who really don't understand the "Nihon" translation. You should see how people screw up my name!

You won't find "Omakase" in the sense of say Urasawa, but many times if you have developed a "relationship" with your Itamae, you'll be able to set-up a very nice menu. Usually there will be some set items, and Omakase Nigiri, or Sashimi, in which the Itamae who understands your taste will provide what is best that day. A recent dinner at one of our local neighborhood joints: http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2005/1...que_dinner.html The live/fresh Uni in San Diego is superb. Kirk www.mmm-yoso.typepad.com