Gastro Monkey // 美食家

If you've ever wondered where the best pork belly buns are, it's right here, at 藍家割包/Lanjia Gua Bao. Call them  割包, gua bao, kua bao, pork belly buns, tiger bites pig, whatever you will. They have gained a lot of popularity thanks to Eddie Huang and his Bao Haus, David Chang's flat weird ones from Momofuku, and most likely the ease of comparing them to a "Chinese hamburger." Either way, they are delicious when done right. The ones here have a super fluffy bun that has a touch of sweetness ( 包  perfection!), and it's filled with semi sweet stewed pork, crushed peanuts, pickled veggies, and cilantro. You can choose just the lean pork, just the fat, or both. Do yourself a favor and at least get the 50/50 once before passing judgement. Don't order the lean pork and say you've had one!  After gobbling down that delicious morsel and ignoring the regret of only having one, wash it down with a nice bowl of steaming hot soup. They have a few choices. We or...

I just get in these moods where I crave Taiwanese food with a fierceness. Mostly, I blame Facebook. Facebook likes to remind me of my "memories" which is filled primarily with pictures of food. I always take a lot of pictures while I'm there even though I've been so many times, like it will make my stay longer, or like I can keep Taiwan with me while I'm in the States. It's frustrating though, having Taiwanese restaurants in the Bay area that usually just aren't the same. I'm definitely willing to drive to the Bay to get my Taiwanese food fix, but it just really makes me want to buy another ticket home. Luckily, my friend introduced me to Tai Kee. While I might not think that all of the food is as good as it is in Taiwan, the wonton soup is. The flavor of the soup - clean and full, the texture of the wonton wrappers, and the filling. It's almost like i'm in Zuoying at my favorite wonton shop having a bowl. The pricing is pretty good too. B...