Food Gallery

I do not write about food enough, but I love Asian food. Here is a mix of various items I’ve tried recently with one South of the Border option nearby that is super tasty. I finally discover the best instant udon noodle, and learn that I’ve transcended the “neat and simple” rule I follow when ordering Japanese sushi and embrace the anything goes concept instead.

I finally sourced an instant udon noodle that helps take the sting out of living too far away from a quality Japanese restaurant. “Assi Fresh Katsuo Udon Noodle Bowl” fits the bill. Just add hot water and feast away. It’s also only 120 calories, so it makes a great light lunch if you’re cutting back. The noodles are vacuum sealed so you don’t get a cardboard taste that accompanies some versions of ready made noodle cups. I’ve tried quite a few of them, and this one tops my list. Unfortunately the only way to get them is either drive to Jungle Jim’s or order via Amazon. I now buy them by the case.

Ray’s is a small food counter in an old Subway restaurant up the street from me. The man who owns it, Jake, is very nice and runs it by himself. He named the restaurant after his daughter, Ray, who occasionally helps out. It is a popular place during the day with construction workers stopping by to grab a takeout item. Ray’s thankfully received a lot of local buzz lately, getting written up in our town’s quarterly newsletter, so I hope the influx of business encourages him to keep the doors open.

We do not have many dining options where I live, and grabbing lunch outside of a drive through is difficult. I am very glad for Ray’s being so close to me, so I try to patronize it when I can. He offers salads, wraps, and my favorite – nachos. I get them extra spicy. He knows me enough now to cram jalapenos into whatever I order because I love those things.

I love Saki Bomb. I beg my wife to get takeout from there whenever she is passing by. Their sushi is really good, and oftentimes if I do not order their delicious ramen, I’ll pig out on a bunch of rolls ordered randomly instead. I used to argue that sushi rolls with a lot of spicy mayo or fried crumbles of panko mix is used to hide the smell/flavor of low quality fish, but I do not care anymore. Give me a party roll, deep fry it, it’s all good to me. I’ve learned to drop my snobbery of sushi and embrace this new way of preparing them also.