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Allston

Mala Restaurant – Allston

by 22 Comments

[3.95/5] Mala Restaurant holds a special place in my heart. No really it does. This restaurant along with some other ones made up some memorable, euphoric times I had when my GF and I first met. This was one of our go-to restaurants and after a long stint, we recently went back. What are my thoughts? Should you visit? Here we go.

Review #054
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.75

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.75]+[0.6]
 = 3.95

The Pluses…  
+  HUGE MENU. I can’t say I’ve tried everything as I usually skip all the hoo-ha and go straight to the MALA SPECIAL POT and BARBECUE aka the lone menu page that comes with a black marker.  
+  The black marker is for making your own MALA XIANG GUO. Use it wisely my friend. See my picture for a cheat sheet of what I usually get. I would also add some meats such as LAMB, GIZZARD, SAUSAGE, and/or QUAIL EGGS.
+  Flip over the SPECIAL POT Menu and you’ll find the BARBECUE side which I also highly recommend. Their skewer beats most places specializing in Chinese BBQ. You can’t go wrong with any of the meats.
+  Great for groups. Dishes are generally served FAMILY STYLE here. This is the type of place you want to try as much food as possible and the only way to do that is to (1) have a Kobayashi stomach, or (2) bring a group of 4 or more.
+  Because I had the luxury of being in a group, we ordered the FRESH FISH WITH CHILI SAUCE. I have high tolerance for spice and if you do too, then I’d suggest the EXTRA SPICY option. If you’re a fan of TILAPIA and SPICY OILS then this is a good one to get.
+  I love the CHINAWARE. They make great photos and it adds onto the ambiance (see pics).

The Negs…
– Flavoring of foods can be inconsistent at times. In the past I’ve had my dishes overly salty and bland on other trips. Either way, it still tastes good, just be aware.
– No alcohol here. This is kind of a bummer but it’s pretty common in most modern Chinese restaurants. I would love to see some Peppercorn Bloody Mary’s in the future 🙂

The Neutrals…
o You can count on this place being packed. Plan accordingly during lunch/dinner times especially on the weekends.
o You can always tell what kind of restaurant a place is based on the customers and for this one, it’s as authentic as a small city like Boston can offer. You will find the majority of customers, international students from China. They’re friendly and nice 🙂

In Conclusion…
After coming here for years, I look at Mala like the start of a phase, much like what Iron Man is to the MCU. The success of this restaurant opened doors for the Chinese hot pot and spicy bowl type of restaurants. Nowadays you see a plethora of them on Harvard Ave and they are difficult to miss. If you don’t know where to start, Mala Restaurant is not a bad place to begin. After years of coming here, they still got it. And if you’re on a date much like I was, grab some rolled ice cream or bubble tea afterwards and explore the bars. There’s a lot to do and make the night a memorable one.

#ChowYouLater


Xi’An Street Foods – Allston

by 16 Comments

[3.51/5] I recently went to Xi’an last summer and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was truly a one of a kind city. Not to put such a high expectation for a restaurant but I started missing the ancient capital and anything that came close would do. Enter Xi’an Street Foods.

[3.51/5] I recently went to Xi’an last summer and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was truly a one of a kind city. Not to put such a high expectation for a restaurant but I started missing the ancient capital and anything that came close would do. Enter Xi’an Street Foods.

Review #051
Restaurant Type: Fast Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 2/5
Average = 3.33

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.75

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom na
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.16]+[0.75]+[0.6]
 = 3.51

The Pluses…  
+ I ordered myself Combo #2 which was the PORK ROUJIAMOU, HOT & SOUR SOUP NOODLES, and DRINK. I usually enjoy food on the sour side and love black vinegar (there’s a lot of that in there). As for spiciness, I didn’t find it spicy at all but then again, I have a high tolerance.  
+ Nice interior decor! I like the bian lian masks on the wall although it reminded me more of Sichuan but that’s ok too because I love Chengdu. On the other side of the wall is a modern design bridging the two worlds together.
+ Nice menu. It’s beautifully laid out on a digital screen with lots of pictures for those preferring visuals over words. I like that its minimized making it pretty clear of their specialties.
+ Loving the ambiance. They play some pretty cool Chinese acoustic and folk music.  

The Negs…
– With a high price tag, expectations tends to be raised with it. For their roujiamou, it was good but not for that price. I expected the pork to be bursting out of the bread. The same can be said about their soups.
– I’m not really a fan of plastic bowls and utensils for soup. It takes away from the experience. It’s all about congruency where the impression of the food should match the ambiance and brand. When I think of plastic bowls and utensils, I think of instant noodles which I’m sure is not the message they want to convey to customers. As a suggestion, I’d like to see them use ceramic dinnerware for customers eating in and plastic for those taking out.

The Neutrals…
o Just like the many restaurants along Brighton Ave. this place is tiny. Just wanted to forewarn you.

In Conclusion…
Overall I enjoyed my time at Xi’an Street Foods. I liked their soup and ROUJIAMOU (Chinese burger for those not in the know) but my biggest gripe is the price. At that price point, portions should be larger and shouldn’t be served in plastic dinnerware. If those two things can be addressed, then this place would have a much higher rating. Those are really the only setbacks here. I would love to come back again.

#ChowYouLater

Garlic ‘n Lemons – Allston

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[4.04/5] I think it’s about time I’ve reviewed Garlic ‘n Lemons. I’ve been coming here for years. I’m pretty routine when it comes to food and I find myself at Garlic ‘n Lemons when I’m in the need for something tasty, quick, cheap, and somewhat healthy. Does this place hit those areas? Let’s find out.

Review #050
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.17

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 5/5
Average = 4.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3/5
Dining area 3.5/5
Kitchen area 3/5
Average = 3.17

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.71]+[0.85]+[0.48]
 = 4.04

The Pluses…  
+ VALUE, VALUE, VALUE. Garlic ‘n Lemons is the value pick here. This place is like a factory for SHAWARMA and KEBOBS. They just crank them out like nobody’s business.  
+ ROTISSERIES laid out right in front of you to pick your meat with lots of variety between Beef, Spicy Beef, Chicken, and Spicy Chicken.
+ Speedy and accurate. Their setup is similar to a Chipotle or Subways assembly line. You pick and choose what you want.
+ Great PORTION size especially for the price at $12.50 for a plate of shawarma.
+ I love the MAGIC SAUCE. I can’t find it anywhere else and it goes so well with the BEEF SHAWARMA.
+ Spacious dining area. Tables are spread apart at a reasonable length, and not too loud.
+ Great sides. Lots of options to choose from. The ingredients are all there for you to pick. You can customize your plate however you like it. I like that they have different salads, veggies, and some Mediterranean staples like Grape leaves and Falafel.
+ Very VEGETARIAN friendly.
+ The municipal parking behind their building is a huge convenience if you like to drive into Allston.

The Negs…
– The SHAWARMA meat can be a little dry at times.

The Neutrals…
o I have to confess the portion size is so good, sometimes my girlfriend and I would split a shawarma plate order. We would do the extra meat, add another side, and it would come out under $20. Not bad at all if you’re on a budget.

In Conclusion…
After having a bad experience somewhere else, I’ve come to appreciate them more than ever before. There’s not much not to like about this place. They deliver in the areas of quality, speediness, and prices. What I like most about them is Garlic n Lemons knows exactly what they are and it shows the moment you walk in making this a worthwhile repeat for me over and over again.

#ChowYouLater

Mala Kungfu – Allston

by 45 Comments

[3.86/5] When Refuge Cafe went down I was immediately pulled in, curious of what to come next. Like the nosey bathrobed neighbor I was, I would peer through the window hoping I’d get a glimpse of a clue. This is a prime location afterall, Allston’s version of Time Square. OK I’m exaggerating a little, but either way this is a major commercial intersection. Whatever came next had to be exciting. [Oh god, I’m beginning to sound like a townie.] Here we go!

Review #046
   Restaurant Type: Fast Casual Dining.
   My 1st Impression: First there was a KungFu Panda, then          
   KungFu Tea, and now Mala KungFu! *cue the music* Everybody      
   was kung fu fighting!

Food (65%)
   Taste to price 3/5
   Quality to price 3.5/5
   Portion to price 4/5
   Average = 3.5

Service (20%)  
   Friendliness 4.5/5
   Promptness 4.5/5
   Average = 4.5

Cleanliness (15%)
   Bathroom n/a
   Dining area 4.5/5
   Kitchen area 4.5/5
   Average = 4.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
               = [2.28]+[0.9]+[0.68]
               = 3.86

The Pluses…  
+ Very passionate and welcoming owner. As soon as I walked in I was immediately greeted. He walked us through and curated all the offerings of the restaurant. I appreciated that.
+ You make your own bowl here so if you like or despise anything in particular you can make it anyway you like. The choice is yours.
+ For the soft opening promo, he gave us complimentary seltzer water and beef toppings. That was a kind gesture 🙂
+ BBQ LAMB was how I liked it: Hot, tender, juicy, and heavy on the chili powder.
+ BROTH was delicious. Rich in flavor, and not overly salty. It was similar to the MALA TANG in China.
+ Spacious dining area, huge 4K TV! Lots of room to maneuver all
you want. If you have Invisible Lat Syndrome like me, this is a dream come true.
+ Lots of natural air flow as they keep their windows open (weather permitting). One of the few Asian soup themed restaurants to do so. Best view for people watching.
+ Very clean all around, new everything.

The Negs…
– With all that open space, I would like to see more for toppings much like the many MALA XIANG GUO places have it set up. I also think given the similarities, they could easily offer MALA XIANG GUO as an option.  
– I’m all for the single item restaurant movement, but in this instance, I want more menu items. Nowadays, with so many soup options what is their Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?
– At checkout we were told, “Other restaurants require 15%, we only charge 10% for tips. It’s for the kitchen and this will help them.” I think that’s very kind of the owner to watch for his staff, but there must be some kind of cultural misunderstanding because in America, that’s not going to be well received, as many reviewers have pointed out.

The Neutrals…
o The owner is fluent in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. I thought that was pretty cool.  

In Conclusion…
Mala Kung Fu is one of the few restaurants in the area to serve MALA TANG or MALA SOUP. They are a solid choice if you’re craving for this particular item. With a highly visible location and high foot traffic, they should do well especially in the winter. I look forward to coming back.

#ChowYouLater


Tasty Pot Allston

by 16 Comments

[4.38/5] I would be one wealthy dude if I got a dollar for all the times I’ve passed Tasty Pot waiting for them to open. So many “hot pot” themed restaurants in the area, yet all offering their own take on it. This one may just be the one to stand out.

Review #043
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My short summary sentence: Tasty Pot has got it going on!

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4.5/5
Quality to price 4.5/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4.5/5
Average = 4.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3.5/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.93]+[0.85]+[0.6]
   = 4.38

The Pluses…  
+ The wait was worth it. How can this restaurant with the most unsuspecting exterior be so drastically different inside. When you walk in, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know how much effort was put in building the space. I mean, they got brand new furniture, brick busting dragons on the wall, and an open kitchen right in the middle as you enter. That’s when I knew this place was serious.
+ I ordered the TAIWANESE SUPREME SPICY HOT SOUP which is their flagship entree. At $17.99 split between 2 people, that is a steal!
+ Portion sizes are out of this world. Just look at the pictures, they look they’re on steroids.
+ I chose the FLAMING SPICY option which is the spiciest of them all. I have to warn you that when they say its the spiciest, they really mean it. They don’t hold back and my tolerance is pretty high. Just something for you to consider.
+ Food came out lightning quick. Thor must have been cookin’ in the back.
+ Waiters were everywhere waiting to service you.
+ Definitely a place worth repeating for me.

The Negs…
– No major negatives here.

The Neutrals…
o The baby octopus was not really baby octopus. They were more like College Freshman 15 sized 🙂
o My GF likes their soundtrack. We suspect the owner came from the same generation. Lots of Jay Chou and JJ Lin 😛

In Conclusion…
Tasty Pot is for real. If they keep up and maintain the quality of their soft opening, I can see them escaping with the crown for best hot pot in Allston/Brighton. I’ll be back. Chow!

Hanmaru Allston

by 8 Comments

When you’re craving for Korean and live in an area that’s become a breeding ground for the newest and hippest Asian Restaurants, I had to go on a little adventure. Hanmaru was next on my list.

Review #038
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
Good for: Meeting Friends and Dinner.
My short summary sentence: 1 word, 3 syllables: Gamjatang!  

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4.5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.17

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.71]+[0.8]+[0.6]
   = 4.11

What else to know: When I looked through the window, I was glad to see a lot of people inside. Having never been there before, I had no idea what the restaurant’s flagship dish was. When the waitress walked me to my table, it was pretty obvious at that point what it was, Gamjatang. “Ah ha!” I said to myself. Pretty much, everyone was eating Gamjatang which made an indecisive person like myself, an easy order. Overall, the food was as delicious as the pictures look. Vegetables were so fresh & clean. The pork was oh so tender and flavorful. In addition, I really enjoyed their Banchan. I would go back there within a heartbeat, even on these hot humid summer days.


Yoma Allston

by 41 Comments

In another life I had to be Burmese because the food here tastes like how my previous life’s momma would have made it.

Review #037
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
Good for: Any time, any occasion.  
My short summary sentence: Yoma’s got it from her momma.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4.5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.17

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.71]+[0.8]+[0.6]
   = 4.11

What else to know: I’m going to keep this review simple because you really need to come here for yourself as this one is truly a hidden gem. As you walk in, you are greeted by pictures of temples and pagodas which definitelty sets the mood for the restaurant. I gawked at it for several minutes and almost fell into a meditative state. The food here feels like it was made with lots of love and care is the best way I can describe it. I know it sounds cheesy but it really felt that way. The dishes I recommend for starters are the Tea Salad (looks and tastes better in person than by the pics), chicken plata, and if thirsty, a fresh limeade. Those are my must-haves and everything else is pretty good too but will depend on your personal preference. That’s pretty much it for Yoma. Oh wait, there’s one thing left I forgot to mention, it’s BYOB. You’re welcome.  

Seoul Topokki Allston

by 11 Comments

For anyone who doesn’t know what Topokki is, it translates to stir fried rice cakes. For me, when a restaurant names themselves after a food item, you best believe it mandatory for me to try that specific dish. In other words, if you’re the type to get lobster rolls at McDonalds or cheeseburgers at Papa Ginos, I wouldn’t read on :p

Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My short summary sentence: Bring out the selfie sticks and your best victory poses.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.6]+[0.8]+[0.6]
   = 4

What else to know: This place is cute, like Korean Drama cute. What I mean is walking in I felt like I was on the set of Boys Over Flowers (don’t ask me how I know this). Once seated it only took one glance for me to realize this was a dating spot as couples surrounded my lonesome table. Was it awkward? “It’s only awkward if you make it awkward” was what someone told me and that became my mantra for the next 45 minutes. When the waitress arrived I proceeded to order their popular dish, the Cheese Topokki. It was simply delicious. The mozarella cheese was the perfect complement to the rice cakes and other ingredients underneath it, just clean and creamy. To my fellow non-Koreans, I would describe it like a lasagna with Korean flavorings (duh). They also have other dishes to eat with it such as the kimbap, rice plates, and stew.

Cheers Cut Allston

by 17 Comments

Cheers Cut. I’ve wondered many times what the meaning of the name is. After countless sleepless nights and hours of vein popping focus, I’ve decided to give up. Yep, just like that. How does the newest fried chicken restaurant in town compare to the already crowded fried chicken competition?

Restaurant Type: Fast Casual/Takeout.  
My short summary: Cheers Cut is what happens when KFC meets Jay Chou.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 3.67

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.93]+[0.7]+[0.55]
   = 4.18

What else to know: To be fair, Cheers Cut is from Taiwan and all the other fried chicken restaurants (namely Bon Chon, BBQ Chicken, K-Town) are Korean so in a way, competition is slightly different. Right from the start when you walk in, it’s a different feel as this place is more of a takeout/fast casual restaurant. You’ll see the majority of customers holding a Gong Cha cup (which is for a whole ‘nother review). When you look at the menu, there are many options for their chicken (and fried squid, which is a must try). You can either order their rice combos or just the meat as a snack. I went with the Samurai Chicken chili flavor with minced pork rice; it was simply delicious. For the price and portion, you cannot beat it. Easily, this place is for the budget conscious looking for something fast, relatively healthy, and a cup of Gong Cha for their friend. For these reasons, I call it the ideal spot for a first Tinder date. To all you serial daters, you can thank me later for that tip 😉


Shabu Zen Allston

by

The OG of Boston Hot Pot.

Having grown up in Boston when I think of Hot Pot, Shabu Zen immediately comes to mind mainly because of them being the first hot pot restaurant in Chinatown. Then came Kaze and a whole slew of hot pot focused businesses in the early 2000’s. This Allston location is their second and it appears a new generation of hot pot restaurants are either on the way or have opened within the last year to Allston. So how does the OG compare to their younger and hipper brethren?  

Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.6]+[0.8]+[0.6]
   = 4

What else to know: To answer my question, they are still holding it down after almost 2 decades! This is still the hot pot restaurant to go to. The quality is there. Sure, portion sizes have decreased and prices inflated but one would expect that with the changing times. My biggest surprise is how they’ve managed to stay consistent all these years. For some time, it felt like Spring Shabu Shabu would have threatened their business but I haven’t seen any difference. If anything, the competition is keeping Shabu Zen on it’s toes. With a Mala Kung Fu Hot Pot and another one down Harvard Ave opening before the end of this year, hot pot is heating up some more (pun intended). As customers we’ve got to kick back and enjoy this second golden era of hot pots. What a time it is, to be alive for hot potheads.