Part 1 – Jess will be posting her review shortly.
I was pretty psyched when Momfuku came to town. Not wait-in-line-for-hours psyched, but pay-$150-for-fried-chicken excitement. BUT very mixed review from friends and strangers online stopped me from experiencing the most hyped restaurant for a while… but not forever.
On a rainy night, I had to meet a friend I hadn’t hung out with in a while We wanted good drinks and somewhere with subway access*** (and very little walking in the rain). Our first choice was closed, so we decided we would try Momofuku. Hoping just for drinks, but maybe, just maybe getting into the Noodle Bar without a super long wait. We arrived just before 7pm on a Friday… We were told it would be about 10 minutes for a table at Noodle Bar. While deciding if we would go to the bar or just wait, the table became available. But we still decided to go to the bar.
This is a totally awesome SECRET. No line, same menu, super helpful (and cute) bartender.
We didn’t order a ton because we were there for the drinks, but not the food, but we didn’t leave hungry either.
Pickles – a small jar of pickles filled with brine (kind of odd to wrestle them out and get the brine everywhere), with mixed vegetables. Everything was really tasty – carrots, celery, onions. The only thing I didn’t love were the mushrooms. I am not a fan of the slimy Chinese mushroom.
Pickles in brine
Pork bun – hoisin, scallion, cucumber – even though we aren’t big pork eaters, we couldn’t say no to the signature item. A little too fatty, but it is pork belly. The bun was also a little greasy. It almost slipped out of my hand, but you still must get it. I doubt you will be disappointed.
Mandatory order
Ginger scallion noodles – shiitake, cucumber, cabbage – maybe not the most exciting choice, but very tasty and flavourful. Lots of ginger and scallion flavour (duh!). Vegetables were cool, but the noodles were hot. After mixing together, we slurped them up happily. Also greasy, I may have dropped a few on the ground (Sorry!)
Noodles after they were mixed.
Roasted rice cakes – red chili, onion, sesame – the name totally throws you off when you see the end product, but these are a must order. Made out of rice flour into the cutest gnocchi-esque balls of yumminess. These were slightly spicy and totally addictive. Thinking back to them puts a smile on my face.
No way to describe, just go try.
Crack pie – They call it that for a reason. The best butter tart, but better. Super decadent. Real whipped cream. Mmmmm.
Say yes to crack… pie
We also stopped by Milk. A little closet next to the bar. We picked up 6 cookies for $11. I loved the cornflake marshmallow and compost cookie. I should go back there soon.
I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the exact drinks I had, but I think it was the malabar crush – gin, ginger, lime juice, pok pok som tamarind and then something bellini-like, sparkling with peach. Both were totally delicious and refreshing. I trusted the bartender’s recommendation and suggest you do the same. Just go. And fast.
Overall, it ended up being an amazing night.
Best: Rice cakes. No contest. Not like anything I’ve ever had.
Not the best: Tough call this time, but for me it was the pork bun. Not because they weren’t delicious, just personal preference.
***Say no to drinking and driving There’s no reason to do it. EVER
190 University Ave (University and Richmond)
not foodies. 