Chego! (Chinatown)

Roy Choi, Roy Choi, Roy Choi. 
The media seem to love him and LA is proud to call him homegrown.  What's his deal anyway?  Chego, that's what.  (chego roughly meaning "the best" in Korean).  No, literally, Chego.

I first tried Choi's rice bowl three years ago, when Chego was only a young pup, getting cozy in West LA.  I was only mildly impressed.  In fact, I might have used the terms, "confused and disappointed."  (What can I say?  I'm a purist).  But like many things in life, people change, circumstances change, life happens.  And by my 2nd, 3rd, and definitely by my 4th visit, I was craving Chego like a crack addict in denial.  They even have something called "Pina Krackalada" on their menu (I'm just sayin').  Soon enough, bowling with rice was my thing, even though I'm not big on bowling or rice (Am I truly Asian?). 

Chego may have temporarily left the Westside, but it's still around, this time giving some love to the Eastsiders (holler) with its new location in Chinatown.  So I went, hoping the food is still addictively good...

Well friends, good news; it's still damn good.

For lunch, I went with the Ooey Gooey Fries and Chubby Pork Belly Bowl  Why?  Because you really can't go wrong with those choices.

Ooey Gooey Fries -- beer-battered fries with sour cream sambal, monterey jack, cheddar, cotija cheeses, chillies, cilantro, and pickled garlic -- $6

Beautiful.

Chubby Pork Belly -- kochujang-lacquered Kurobata rice bowl with fried egg, pickled radishes, Chinese broccoli, water spinach, cotija, and peanuts -- $9

Mix, mix, mix!

Peek-a-boo, I heart you.

Menu with Pee-wee Herman

Jarritos (Mexican soda) chillin' with Milkis and Korean peach juice = delicious fusion.

For first-time visitors, the location may be easy to miss.  Chego is located on the bottom floor of the Far East Plaza.  The parking entrance is definitely easy to miss, but note that there are entrances both on Hill and Broadway.

Lunch hustle-bustle.

Note the Disclaimer.  Keep it real.

Minor suggestions to the restaurant:
The congratulatory flowers for grand opening are great, but it may be best to have them somewhere away from the eating area so folks with allergies can eat without getting a sudden allergy attack (that's for you, CC). Also, consider adding purse hooks on the bottom of the table for the ladies (and the murse-carrying men).  That's all.

Keep doin' your thang, Chego team! Because so far as I can tell, it's working out well.  I always like seeing the friendly Asian grandpa giving us the thumbs-up sign.  And as long as you do your part, we'll do ours -- eating chego.  Roy Choi, Roy Choi, Roy Choi.

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cuisine: Korean Fusion (rice bowl)
location: Chinatown
hours: Tues-Sun, 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM (closed Mondays)
websites { C | yelp | facebook | twitter }
parking: Underground lot (free up to 30 min; get validation sticker at the restaurant)
seating: Indoor and outdoor
attire: Casual
notes: Don't want to stand in line?  Order by phone or online ahead of time! Menus are online.

Marugame Monzo

What makes a bowl of udon perfect?  Some say everything depends on the chewy texture of the thick wheat-flour noodle.  Others say the flavor of the broth is the deal maker or breaker.  Regardless of what you fancy more and whether you're udon aficionado or not, you simply know when you're eating a satisfying bowl of udon.  For example, I just knew that my bowl of beef udon from Marugame Monzo was good, deliciously good.

Located right next door to the famous Daikokuya, Marugame Monzo also specializes in noodles -- except instead of ramen, we're dealing with udon.  The lunch and dinner menus are essentially the same except that the dinner menu includes photos and more choices.  The lunch menu is essentially decided into four udon categories: hot; cold; specialty/ signature; and salad.  There are also extra sides you can add to your udon.

Chicken Tempura 

Shrimp Tempura

Kake Udon -- the simple base udon to which you can add tempura or other toppings.

Duck Nanban Noodle -- $12.95

Well-seared duck piece.

Beef Udon -- $7.95

I liked my beef udon for its simplicity.  It includes udon broth (consisting of a light soy sauce, dashi, and mirin), thick, handmade noodles with the perfect amount of chewiness, and tender pieces of beef that gives off a sweet aftertaste.  The portion is great too.

Welcome to Little Tokyo, Marugame!  I hope you stay for awhile.



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cuisine: Japanese
location: Little Tokyo
websites: { yelp | facebook }
parking: Street or private lots
attire: Casual
other reviews: { darin dines | tasting table }

Thai X-ing

My shortest restaurant review ever:

1. Are you in DC?
2. Do you like Thai Food?
3. If yes to both (1) and (2), go to Thai X-ing.

For those who would like a more detailed review:

Behind this salmon pink door is a rowhouse converted to a restaurant.  
That's right.  Chef Taw Vigsittaboot welcomes us to a teeny, speak-easy-esque space where he and his crew serve stellar Thai food at a fixed price, 6 days a week (closed Mondays). 

There are several things you should know before you visit:

• They're only open for dinner (5:30 - 10:00 PM).
• You must make a reservation either online or by phone. If you call, you'll likely have to leave a message. You might call again and leave another message, and another. But don't worry; someone will call you back... eventually.
• You'll be eating the chef's selections. 
• In other words, there is no menu other than some hints here.
• Sunday is vegetarian night. This doesn't mean you have to be vegetarian. Just be aware no whole fish or braised chicken drumsticks will be served. Vegan options may be made if asked in advance.
• If you want to drink alcohol, you must bring your own. Good news: no corkage fee.
• The dishes are pretty spicy, so if you can't handle heat, I'd suggest BYOM(ilk).
• If you have any food allergies to typical Thai food ingredients (i.e. - peanuts, coconut), this place is not for you.

I went on a Sunday night, which meant that the meal was strictly vegetarian.  Although I'm a super non-vegetarian, the food was so good that I didn't even notice the absence of meat or fish! (true story).  Every plate that steadily appeared at our table was not only impressive in presentation (banana leaves do a solid job), but also in taste, with flavors that really packed a punch.  $30/ person for a 9-course meal.  5/5 stars.

Now, onto the food:

Green Papaya Salad -- includes shredded unripe papaya, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, chili, lime -- SPICY!

Tom Yum Soup -- includes mushrooms, cilantro, silken tofu, celery, coconut milk, lemongrass -- LEMONGRASSY

Veggie Spring Rolls

Brown Rice w/ Beans

Pineapple & Tofu Curry -- includes pineapple, tofu, green beans, sour peppers, basil.

Pumpkin Red Curry -- DELICIOUS HOUSE SPECIALTY!

Stir-fried Veggies -- includes carrots, peppers, snap peas, cauliflower, green onion, squash.

Pad See Ew -- includes tofu, bean sprouts, peppers, chili, lime, and lots of peanuts.

Mango Sticky Rice -- includes ripe mango slices, perfectly-cooked sticky rice, topped with berries -- SWEET.

Kind of kitschy, kind of awesome.

Because the restaurant is in a house, the space is cozy and not great for claustrophobes.  But despite the limited space, there's something oddly comforting about dining in a stranger's living room or basement. The ambience may be all over the place, but there's nothing confusing about most diners' final sighs of sheer contentment.

Your taste buds will be having a field day with all the sour, sweet, spicy, and salty combos during this culinary journey.  And if your taste buds are like mine, you'll enjoy every second of it.  If I had to pick my favorite dishes, I'd probably lead you to the hearty and comforting pumpkin curry and the perfectly-paired mango sticky rice.  Just know that by the time your meal ends, you'll be rolling out of the house, stuffed but satisfied. Maybe you'll even have some leftovers for the following day -- just maybe.



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dined on: 3/17/13, 7 PM
cuisine: Thai
location: DC [LeDroit Park]
nearest metro stop: Shaw
hours: Dinner only; 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
websites: { TX | yelp | facebook }
attire: Casual
notes: Make reservations well in advance.  BYOB with no corkage fee!