Vegas Meanderings

Recently I had a trip to Buldogi's Gourmet Hotdogs, and if you refer to my last review, the hotdogs themselves lived up to expectations but the angry kimchi fries were kind of a let down.  So on this visit we gave the Euro fries a try for a chance of redemption and boy was that a good choice!

The official name for these fries are the "Euro Special."  The fries are potato unlike the angry kimchi's sweet potato.  The order is covered with pork belly bacon, fresh herbs, cheddar cheese and garlic mayo.  Fries covered in cheese and bacon is a classic comfort food pairing and is always welcomed.  The fact that it's pork belly bacon steps this up a notch and has a nice fatty meat that's satisfying to each bite.  The herbs and seasoning on the fries adds  spice and that kick of flavor making this order even more unique to any other french fry concoction.  Garlic mayo over top finishes it up with that pungent garlic flavor, bringing all the ingredients together.  These were much better than the angry kimchi fries, although a lot more simple.

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs
2291 S. FORT APACHE RD. #102
 LAS VEGAS, NV 89117
(702)570-7560

Driving around the area I live(Henderson), I noticed a small shop in a strip mall that said Seafood Market over the top and Hawaiian Pokē on the door.  Given the odd location and the ambiguity of the signage I figured it was worth a quick look.  You walk into this shop and there's literally nothing but a few items on the wall, a few pictures and a cold case with a register.  Looking in the cold case there are a few Tuna Pokē and a few Octopus Pokē.  For those who aren't familiar,Pokē is a raw fish salad sometimes served with other meats such as octopus or even beef.  What caught my eye about this place were the huge cuts of tuna they used so with this I put in an order for a regular Shoyu(soy sauce,) Ahi(tuna,) Pokē, what most would consider to be the most classic style of Pokē.

What started as a curiosity turned out to be a venture into one of the best Ahi Pokēs I've ever had.  The tuna was fresh and cut into big bite pieces,  later I was told the tuna's ordered fresh from California and this really showed in the quality of the fish.  The shoyu was exceptional, not too salty(which I hate,) with a slight sweetness to it.  There were also fresh green onion and red onion added in that provided a great bite to the salad.  Although I am not completely sure what it is, there's definitely a slight crunch in texture which at first I thought was the black and white sesame, but after a few more bites I realized it was more reminiscent of rice powder which I would bet it actually was.  Whichever it may be it added a nice contrast of texture and flavor that prevented the salad from becoming boring after a few bites.  Last but not least, at the end of each bite you get a bit of roasted sesame flavor, and when you get a little bit deeper into the sauce of the salad you realize that there's a nice portion of sesame oil which adds a depth of flavor that I've never really had in my Pokēs.


This place is definitely good, and if you're in Henderson looking to venture out a bit, give this a try!  Talking to the owners they told us they just opened up a few months ago so they could definitely use a little traffic.  They plan to add some hot foods to their menu on top of their extensive list of Pokē flavors.  And for those wondering, each Pokē is about $12.95/Lb, which is actually pretty standard for the good stuff.  Small bites like this can really get those cravings going that I'll definitely be Nursing again soon!


Hawaiian Style Pokē II
1647 W. Warm Springs Road
Henderson, Nevada 89014

Let the King Reign Supreme....RAMEN!

Even though it's starting to get hot around here in Vegas, I stay loyal to my favorite Vegas Ramen, Monta Ramen found in Chinatown.  Actually, now that I think about it, this is definitely on the top of my list for Japanese ramen in general.  I know a few people that think they've tried ramen and that it's no big deal, but ramen goes far beyond the dry noodles you throw in the microwave to cook and a good bowl is a culinary experience everyone should experience.

Monta is small, almost hidden with limited space..  There are about 18 seats with stand-alone tables and about 12 bar seats that look into the kitchen.  If you're a small party, I highly suggest a bar seat just so you get a feel for the whole cooking process.  Size isn't the only issue here though, this place is almost always packed.  If you're lucky you'll come at a slow time and have little to no wait for a table, come at lunch or dinner rush, be prepared for a wait.  This all goes without saying, this place is THAT good, and the locals know it.

Monta Ramen, as you might've guessed is a Ramen house.  At less than $7 a bowl, they have a selection of shoyu(soy-sauce,) Miso(bean paste,) Tonkotsu(pork bone,) and a combination of Shoyu and Tonkotsu broths.  When it comes to choices like this it's definitely all personal preference.  One thing you can be sure of is Monta makes each broth in house, no instant mix here and you can tell. 

This is my typical order of ramen.  Tonkotsu broth is a broth made from boiling pork bones, fat and collagen over a long period of time.  This cooking process creates a milky white broth that's not only rich in flavor but creamy texture.  If you know me, you know this has my name all over it!  The creamy texture is often compared to that of milk or butter without actually having either ingredient involved in the process.  Another integral part of the dish is the noodles.  The noodles are boiled from a soft dough-like state, which I think creates great texture to the noodles.  They are a little bit softer than other ramen noodles I've tried with just enough bite without being overly chewy.

On each bowl of ramen the standard toppings are two slices of chashu pork belly, bamboo shoots, green onions and a few slices of kikurage(Japanese wood ear mushroom.)  On top of that, for a little extra(between .75-2.50,) I usually order extra.  Slices of pork, corn kernels, a soft boiled egg and sliced green onion.  The corn works, because of the butter like nature of the broth, creating a natural and classic pairing of flavor.  The soft boiled egg not only adds a great egg flavor but the richness of the soft boiled yolk just adds another dimension of rich creamy goodness to the broth.  Green onions are added simply because I'm a fan of the stuff and they add a little textural contrast of crunch to the dish.

Ok so you might have noticed I mentioned the chashu pork belly without really getting into it, but really I was saving it for the Chashu bowl($5.75).  Other than the fact the broth(tonkotsu,) is incredible and one of the best I've ever had, this place makes their pork belly in house which just elevates this place to another level all together. The roast pork is cut from a rolled belly preparation, lending to the circular slices you get.  With the ramen the pork literally falls apart in the broth due to how tender it is, held together on the fat side which is perfectly chewy, all of it a perfect meat compliment to the rich broth.  On top of rice is no different, the meat definitely has a more distinct roast flavor with a little bit of seaweed and green onion over top to add some extra flavor and contrast to the dish.  I love that with the ramen, a bite of the pork makes you crave the starch of the noodles and flavor of broth and over rice it begs you to down a little extra rice due to the richness of the fatty pork belly.  Obviously a must order for all you pork belly fans like me.

When it comes to Ramen, I'll just say it, let the king reign supreme.  Monta has been my go to for comfort on many late study nights as the rich broth and pork belly soothes the soul.  There are other great things on the menu like a classic Japanese fried rice, pork belly bowl(slightly thinner and sweeter preparation,) and gyoza.  If you're out just for their delicious ramen, you won't find a shortage of broth choices or toppings, each visit can be just that bit different for you and with prices that I think are very affordable considering the quality.  This ramen, to me, has the total package in elements to create a close to perfect bowl, of course like anything this is highly subjectable.  Like i said, this is about total package grading, not simply broth, noodle or topping alone.  When I leave Las Vegas, this will definitely be a craving I'll miss nursing!

Monta Ramen
5030 Spring Mountain Rd Ste 6
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 367-4600

It's a Celebration Meal!

Ok folks, let's face it, I have been very erratic with my posts! No schedule or regularity and I truly apologize.  With nursing school coming to a close my priorities have been elsewhere but at the cost of my beloved blog!  I plan on creating more regular posts, so hopefully not too many of you have moved on!  On that note, thank you to loyal readers.  Also, just so you all know, this sacrifice was not wasted.  In the past month I passed my exit exam for school, graduated, studied my booty off for state boards and am now a legitimate license holding Registered Nurse!  It's only natural I have a celebratory meal and this post is definitely a doozy, so sit back, relax and take a peek at the meal that literally ranks as the best I've ever had!

Despite my deep love affair with food, I rarely find myself in a fine dining situation, not only where fancy food exists but often the most innovative.  I pride myself in finding the small spots, the local favorites where innovation and taste meet for a friendly budget.  This night definitely was no regular night for me, and I mean that in the best of ways.

This brings us to Aburiya Raku, found in the corner of a strip mall center in Chinatown, soo inconspicuous you could miss it if you weren't looking for it.  Despite it's low key appearance, Raku has been considered a top restaurant in the city of Las Vegas, often recognized as a semi-finalist for the national James Beard award.  Their specialty revolves around traditional Japanese charcoal grilling, using Binchotan charcoal.  Binchotan charcoal is shipped straight from Japan, the only place it is found, and offers a unique flavor found with no other charcoal.  All their dishes are classic, some with modern gourmet twists, each prepared with their own special sauces and rich flavors.  The restaurant itself is very small and intimate, offering up their dishes in small well thought out presentations.

Quick Bite

Generally speaking, I rarely go to the strip for food.  I have to be on the strip already to decide to grab a bite to eat, and that's strictly due to convenience.  Recently I had family in town and we took a stroll to the Miracle Mile at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino.  Since trying Pink's at the Mile, I've been wanting to try out Lobster Me.

This place def has an East Coast Maine feel to it, only serving up dishes involving the highly prized lobster.  There's something about eating lobster, even in a roll that feels satisfying and decadent.  So  I went with just that, trying out their signature lobster roll.

This was actually a pleasant surprise.  I'm not familiar with the specific region and "style," of lobster rolls out there (probably because I'm a West Coast Kid,) but Maine style has to be my new favorite.  For $17, this isn't a cheap eat, and this isn't even the $25 larger offering, this is the smaller large.....?(you'll have to see the menu to understand.)  The roll itself is a toasted, basted with warm melted butter on the inside and was a perfect hold for the lobster meat.  The lobster itself was great, you get big chunks in the roll and over top they lay 3 claws perfectly.  The lobster meat tasted as expected, seemed fresh enough, had a great chew to them and wasn't overly fishy.  What sets Lobster Me apart is how the prepare the lobster.  I'm used to the mayo, dill and cucumber mix, Lobster Me's Maine style is tossed in a little butter and dill which is much better to let the great lobster flavor dominate.  Not to mention a perfect flavor profile. 

I'll definitely be choosing this place again if i find myself here, maybe even opting for their crazier offerings.  This includes a lobsicle(fried lobster on a stick,) and lobster ice cream.  Definitely interesting, just not for me on this particular day.

Visit their site

Miracle Mile
3663 Las Vegas Boulevard South
 Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 866-0703

The Joy of Discovering a Food Startup

If you were in Vegas last week, you were very aware of the festival happening at Silverton Casino.  It is afterall, right off the 15 on the way to the strip.  The festival was Las Vegas Foodie Fest, calling upon all foodies to taste the offerings of food trucks originating from Vegas, California and everywhere in between.  I came to try trucks from everywhere except here but got hooked on a local start-up shop.

From across the way, the big yellow sign really caught our eyes.  "Kaba Curry," tugged at our curiosity and we made our way in that direction.  So here we were, finally figuring out they serve the beloved Japanese style curry.  The curry itself comes with the standard bits of beef and veggies(carrots/onions/potatoes?) for $5.50 which can be dressed up with corn, cheese, rakkyo(pickled scallions,) spinach or the traditional pickled ginger, each for less than a dollar.  For protien you have the option of chicken katsu or marinated beef, being a huge fan of katsu curry that's what we went with, even opting for an extra serving of katsu for a buck.






This is what our order came out to look like, a nicely sized bowl with a scoop of rice immersed in curry with katsu pieces floating up top.  For less than $7(because we added extra katsu,) this was a perfect serving.  Before taking my first bite, I had one question to ask..."Is this made from scratch?"  Seems silly but you'd be surprised with the lack of commitment to fresh ingredients these days, luckily this was not a problem for Kaba Curry, the answer was a definitive yes!








The biggest test for me was the curry itself obviously.  The curry sauce did not disappoint, with excellent balance of consistency.  I get turned off when the sauce is too thin, a sign of diluted flavor, or too thick where it's simply overpowering.  With Kaba, you get a great curry flavor from their scratch-made sauce, where garam masala really comes through but not soo much that you're afraid to speak to people after eating because of the smell.  The tender bits of beef and veggies are a nice compliment to the sauce and the little chicken katsu nuggets were tender, playing their role as the meat compliment to the dish.  Overall a definite Success.

After investigating a little more, we talked to Keiko who I am convinced is one of the owners, to find out more about Kaba Curry.  Keiko said that they started out as a clothing design company, taking their Hippoe mascot and talents to the stove.  After much trial and error they found a curry they can call their own and Foodie Fest sprouted their first vending location.  I feel like nothing is more pure than a start-up food spot.  A commitment to fresh ingredients and flavor, not soo jaded over the money side of the food business.  Ever since the fest, I've seen little spots on the internet proclaiming their love for Kaba Curry, and they have every reason too.  I hope they get their truck soon and we will all be able to find them on the streets of Las Vegas to fulfill our curry needs.  Who knows, maybe I'll be nursing that craving with a curry topped with cheese soon!

Kaba Curry
Follow them on Facebook! 
or Follow their TUMBLR 

Asian Fusion does it again, takes Hot Dogs to another level

When I'm studying for exams, it's inevitable that I succumb to stress and start a search for some good eats to calm my nerves and provide what little comfort that can be had during cram time.

I was at a friend's house again so I took to my yelp app and Buldogis came up.  Something I always meant to try but never actually knew where it was.  Less than 2 miles away, the decision became really easy.

When it comes to fusion dishes, Korean cuisine does a really good job of adding great flavor and flair to other cuisines.  When I came upon Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs, I knew instantly that the relationship between plain gourmet hot dogs and Korean food would be nothing less than exciting.  This was very apparent when looking at the specials board.

It's hard to stay objective and try a regular item off the menu with such great choices in your face but cooler heads prevailed and we ordered the Beef Bulgogi Dog and Angry Dog.

 

When I usually order Korean food, I get Bulgogi, a thinly sliced marinated beef.  This becomes my gauge as to the quality of the food to come, so getting the Beef Bulgogi Dog would of course be my measure of the quality at Buldogis.  The dog itself had all the qualities I crave, great casing for bite with a well seasoned filling that was slightly spicy.  It really lived up to the 100% all-beef gourmet description.  The slaw was hidden somewhere in between the meat but can be classified somewhere between filler and vegetable contrast to the flavorful meat.  The next layer was the Bulgogi.  The meat was well marinated and had great flavor, maintaining a tenderness that stood it's own on the jam-packed hotdog.  Although I stuck to a regular fusion item, I couldn't help but add Pork Belly Bacon.  Call it my weakness.  The pork belly were cut into squares with a good amount of thickness and had a slightly smoky flavor.  I'll admit it was a little out of place, but I will never admit regret :)

 The next dog I tried was the Angry Dog.  Why soo angry you ask? Well it must be the spice, which coincidentally made ME soo happy.  My personal favorite Korean meat to order is the Daeji-Bulgogi, a thinly sliced marinated pork.  Again the 100% all-beef gourmet dog was perfect.  The Daeji-Bulgogi was no different from the beef Bulgogi, marinated well with great flavor and tender meat.  The slaw was again lost in the awesome flavors of meat but that's ok, we've gotta get all the food groups in after all!  What I found different was that the spice from the Bulgogi and the spice from the beef dog actually played off each other and made the whole thing even more cohesive and spicy.  Because I added the pork belly to the beef bulgogi, there was no doubt that I also wanted to add it to the spicy pork.  You might think that it was too much pork but luckily they paired well together, two kinds of pork, one adding a little bit of fatty meat and the other lean marinated flavor.  The spicy mayo and fresh jalapeno slices made an excellent addition over top, adding another kick of spice and  contrast to the meat.

What are hot dogs without fries right? So we decided to order the angry kimchi fries.  They were sweet potato fries covered in spicy bulgogi, kimchi, five cheese blend, a fried egg and fresh sliced jalapenos.  As much as I loved each component of the dish, as a whole it never really came together.  The sweet potato fries were a little soggy but overall were a nice change over the plain potato fries.  The spicy pork was as good as on the angry dog and the cheese had great flavor.  The Kimchi was a little more fresh than I prefer, but not everyone likes that sour taste you get from an older Kimchi, so that was understandable.  On top the egg was a nice addition, I mean who doesn't like a little golden yolk mixed in here and there for some added richness?  The elements of each layer kind of blended into a big mess, although a flavorful mess.  Overall this wasn't a failure for me, maybe a bit disappointing after such amazing hot dogs...definitely ambitious though.  They also have a Euro special with pork belly bacon, fresh herbs, cheddar cheese and garlic mayo.  I will be more than happy to give that one a try next time!

If served alone, I would be happy to order a plain hot dog at any hot dog stand or marinated meat at any Korean restaurant.  The fact someone thought of combining the two and presenting them in such a unique way with such great flavor just knocks it out of the park for me.  Buldogis doesn't stop there either, they have a Vietnamese Banh Mi dog, and a Teriyaki dog, even a more traditional chili cheese dog, plenty of fusion to choose from.  For less than $5 most items, you won't be break the bank and the servings are more than generous.   I will definitely be back for more, mixing and matching meats, toppings and one of their many house-made condiments.  A place I would be more than happy to Nurse that craving.

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs

2291 S. FORT APACHE RD. #102 
LAS VEGAS, NV 89117
(702)570-7560