博多拉麵-Ramen

Address: (Will be updated soon!)

Telephone:

Hours:

The simplest things can often be the most satisfying and fulfilling.  It doesn't take a seven course meal to create a grin that runs from ear to ear.  Maybe it just takes a sandwich from the local store, a slice of cheese pizza, or whatever simple guilty pleasure that will make your taste buds giddy.  On this day, I decided to go with the ever so seemingly simple bowl of ramen. It really does appear to me that the longest lines I come across belong to stores that offer amazing yet uncomplicated food.

Meandering around the streets of Taipei you'll occasionally come across ramen stores with hoards of people waiting outside all clamoring to get themselves a bowl.  I'll admit that I never really understood the huge appeal of ramen until recently, and even now, I don't believe I would stand in the muggy air for too long if there was an adequate option near by.  With that said however, after tasting ramen of all differing qualities, I have grown to appreciate a fantastic bowl of finely crafted noodles.  博多拉麵 is nested in Shimin Blvd, a long crowded street that is stuffed to the gills with all manners of food choices. This was my first trip to 博多拉麵, and as usual, it's time to find out if there's going to a return trip in the future (the only stamp of approval a restaurant ever needs).

Something to get started with

博多拉麵 is different from your regular ramen shop in that their soup base is made of cream instead of soy like most other places.  The menu is fully equipped with a variety of small dishes for you to flesh out your meal.  We decided on some kimchi, pork, fried tofu, egg and a potato croquette.  If you think that's a lot for two people.... you are correct, I think in the entire restaurant, we might have been the only people who ventured beyond 1 addition side dish, but that's what i'm here to do folks... to stuff my face for your pleasure.

Fried Tofu

The small dishes we had were all good, with special kudos given to the fried tofu. The prices of all the items are very reasonable, and run much less than what you would expect to find at many of the famous ramen establishments in the city.  博多拉麵 has more than one location in Taipei, and given its bright pink awning, it makes for a tough locale to miss if you are looking for it. 

We got there relatively early at around 6PM so there wasn't much in the way of customers as I ambled in.  The restaurant filled up nicely however over the next hour and I began to see why the proprietors have been able to open so many branches.  The best way to describe the decor of 博多拉麵 is an hybrid of a rustic/retro Japanese noodle shop.  Truly not the best description I know, but words somewhat fail me at the moment.

As you walk in, you get the feel that you just entered any Japanese neighborhood mom and pop shop you've seen in the movies.  There aren't really any bell or whistles to speak of when it comes to the decor, but that's perfectly fine with me as long as the food delivers and the place isn't a dump.  And 博多拉麵 definitely isn't a dump.

The Star

Now we've come to the actual ramen, and my take on their cream based soup.  My own personal preference is the soy based soup and the flavors that that type of ramen brings.  I found 博多拉麵's ramen to be a bit too bland for my personal tastes.  I don't have too much experience with this type of ramen, but my friend told me that their's is a very famous take on this dish and is well known throughout Taiwan. 

The noodles themselves were done well, and had that pre-requisite chewyness and ability to not disintegrate in the soup after a few moments.  The chicken was moist and crispy at the same time, and offered something a bit different from the usual pork slices that accompany many a ramen dish.  But like I said, my main gripe (and it's a large one) is that I simply just didn't find the flavors to be present, and the soup was more water than anything else to me.  This is me however, and I fully admit to being a lover of spices and rich flavors in my food, so I'm taking my inherit bias into judgement and believe that anyone who appreciates ramen needs to check out 博多拉麵.

Overall 博多拉麵 - Ramen Receives:

 

-Til Next Time-

Ice Monster

Address: No.297, Sec.4, Zhongxiao E. Rd, Daan District. 台北市忠孝東路四段297號

Telephone: (02)8771-3263

Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:00AM-11:30PM

I was confused as to why such a popular and famous eatery would shut down.  Ice Monster has long been located in the heart of Yong Kang St (永康街), and has attracted devoted patrons from the world over to its assortment of shaved ice options.  Well, as it turns out, what temporarily derailed Ice Monster is the same thing that disrupts many businesses... Money.  I don't know the specifics, and neither do I care to... all I know is that Ice Monster is back, and everyone who has to suffer through the Taiwanese summer is ever so grateful.  

The new store opened in late May, and it is a large comfortable space that has a nice modern feel to it.  It is a huge upgrade over the small roadside stall that it use to operate from.  Perhaps moving from the quaint digs of Yong Kang Street (永康街) and into this posher abode will take away that feeling of discovering something off the beaten path that only comes from eating at small stands/stalls... but trust me, I'll take the comfy chairs and air conditioning any day of the week.

My friends and I decided to check out the new digs on a sweltering Monday evening.  Even as it approached 8:30 at night, the line was still formidable as it took around half an hour before we were able to get seated.  The wait was made more bearable as they come around with little frozen treats to keep people like me from complaining too much about the blasted heat.  The waiting gives you some time to peruse the menu although it comes down to one thing when we are talking about Ice Monster.. and that is their Mango Shaved Ice (Mango Avalanche).  It is what they have been most renowned for during their stint as kingpin of Taiwanese shaved ice, and while it seems to me that they added a few new things to the menu, I would start with the Mango Avalanche and add to that depending on your appetite. 

 Almost seems to be a glow emanating from it. (180NT)

Red Bean and Taro Shaved ice.

After tasting this again after such a long time, I can see why the line existed.  The shaved mango was extremely light and airy and full of flavor.. it really did almost just melt on your tongue.  The Mango Avalanche is a sweets lovers dream as its a heaping of mango, pudding, condensed milk, sorbet, and mango syrup.  So yeah, maybe stay away from it if you aren't the biggest fan of mango, but otherwise.. it is the exact remedy needed to cure the summer heat.

The taro and red bean ice I also enjoyed, but I would say that it doesn't pop like the Mango Avalanche.  It is a blend of textures and different ices that creates what I feel is a visually stunning dessert.  As a big fan of red bean in general, I would definitely recommend this option.

A favorite of many people, but one that is excluded from my list for its high concentration of coffee flavor.  Again, I have to point out that half of the appeal of the desserts here really is just how delicious the shaved ice appears.  It's nice that they also happen to be yummy, but the visuals probably make them taste all the better.  The side of tapioca certainly made me like this option slightly more, but I just don't particularly enjoy the bitterness of this dish, but I may be in the minority here, so go ahead and give it a try (shaved ice is still shaved ice however... and I couldn't help but eat my fair share).

Given its enormous popularity, I've always wondered why Ice Monster hasn't branched out yet and opened more stores.  Perhaps this is a step in that direction as their shiny new locale is apparently doing gangbusters, and I feel it's just a matter of time before more and more Ice Monsters dot the scenery of Taipei.  I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here, and by the end of the experience, no one was talking about that short little wait we had to endure in the beginning.  The desserts are plentiful, visually appealing, and boy are they delicious.. what else can someone trying to escape the heat ask for? 

Overall Ice Monster Receives: 

-Til Next Time-

Cozi Burger

Address: No. 223-2 Jinhua Street, Taipei Taiwan.  台北市大安區金華街223之2號

Telephone: (02)2358 1809

Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:00AM-10:00PM ; Sat-Sun: 10:00AM-10:00PM

I might have been away for a while, but that doesn't mean I haven't been eating.  It's true that most of the food that makes up my diet now is courtesy of the generous government of Taiwan as part of my mandatory military service, but I will not neglect my blogging duties and fit in posts when I can. Appreciate the patience, and hope that you dear reader will still check back when you can and spread the good word.

Cozi Burger was one of the last meals I enjoyed with my friends before my hair was taken from me.  It is part of the ever expanding net of western eateries that is finding a stronger and stronger foot hold here in Taiwan.  I'm certain there will never be a day when the Taiwanese Xiao Chi that I love so much gets replaced by foreign fare, but the margin will probably continually get smaller at an ever diminishing rate.

1885 Burger Store is the only other burger joint that I've properly reviewed on this blog, and in my estimation, Cozi Burger falls short of the quality established by 1885.  I happily and greedily devoured every bite of my burger here at Cozi, but there were somethings lacking that would've turned it from a good/decent burger to a fantastic one.  

Besides the burgers that inhabit the menu, Cozi offers a wide selection of American Brunch options and a variety of pastas.  But I always like to point out, when the word burger is explicitly worked into the title of your restaurant, a burger is what I shall order.  Cozi is located right next to Patisserie la Douceur in the widely popular Yong Kang Street area that is famous for its fantastic food.  The decor is simple, and has ample seating as the restaurant is divided into two separate levels.

Where as at 1885 Burger I opted for a simple burger to really taste the flavor of the meat itself, at Cozi, I decided to try a more adventurous approach and tried a burger that was a little bit more off the beaten path. You are not mistaken, that is a combination of bananas and peanut butter heaped on top of a burger patty.  I've seen PB and B sandwiches, but they were of course missing the beef that makes this combination so intriguing (and possibly disgusting to some).
Cozi, isn't the only burger joint that offers this combo, but most other burger places I think leave out the banana and just incorporate the peanut butter, but who couldn't use some extra potassium in their diet?  Upon the first bite, my taste buds were a little thrown off, and thought that it was slightly too sweet and cloying.  But I must say, as I moved along, I began to enjoy the burger more and more and thought while this isn't a type of burger everyone can find joy in, people who enjoy an interesting mix of textures can definitely give it a try.

  Burger selections tried by my friends.  Fish Burger, Philly Cheese Steak, and the Lucy.

The biggest disappointment according to my friends was the fish burger.  She complained of its dryness and the hardness of the skin.  Having a bite of it myself, I can confirm her reports about the burger, and is definitely an option I would stay away from.  The other two burgers were perfectly fine, and I was happy with the portions offered by Cozi.  

I think my two complaints about the burgers here are about the patty and the bread.  Lets be clear again that I enjoyed my burger, but the bread wasn't soft enough (for my tastes) and the beef was slightly overcooked and lacked that.. juiciness I want when I dig in.  With so many burger options cropping up all over the city, there really isn't a need to settle for something that you don't deem to be worthwhile.  As far as gourmet burgers are concerned (i've subsequently eaten at both Evan's and Bravo Burger), Cozi ranks last in my estimation.

If I were to be walking by, and was in need of a hamburger fix, then I would very happily walk through its doors, but if I had options, then it is my opinion that Cozi deserves to be ignored.  

Over Cozi Burger Receives:

-Til Next Time-