Shojo: Tempura Pickles to Chocolate Sesame Balls

One year ago, I published Yurine's Pot, the first Tipsy Sensei story and it featured an ancient Japanese legend about Shōjō, water spirits who love Sake. In honor of this anniversary, it thus seemed appropriate that I should visit a Chinatown restaurant called Shōjō. I previously reviewed this restaurant, after a lunch visit, proclaiming it A Welcome Addition To Chinatown. Please read that post for background information on the restaurant and here you can read my new thoughts after my dinner visit with Jen and Adam.

The restaurant was fairly busy for a Tuesday night, even at 8pm and later. Their lunch and dinner menus are different and the current version of their Dinner Menu included 14 Soups & Small Plates ($4-$10), 2 Pasta ($15-$16), 8 Entrees ($14-$18), 4 Sides ($3-$5) and 1 Dessert ($5). It is an eclectic, fun and interesting selection of dishes, Asian inspired but usually with unique twists. Consider the Winter Salad, made with Hijiki, Goat Cheese, Candied Walnuts & Sriracha Cider or the House Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Asian Gnocchi, Kung Pao Sauce & Toasted Peanuts.

I began my meal with a glass of Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt, a Japanese whisky, a nice sipping spirit with intriguing fruity elements and a mild smoky backbone. They also carry the Hibiki and Yamazaki Japanese whiskies. Japanese whisky intrigues me, and it is difficult to find much of it in the Boston area.

We decided to start off by splitting several Small Plates, and each one was delicious, compelling and I would recommend all. Not a dud among them. The XO Fresh Corn ($4) is made with Soy and a Housemade XO Sauce, which is a mildly spicy seafood sauce. The sauce was complex and intriguing, rich in umami, elevating a simple dish of corn.

The Tempura Housemade Pickles ($5), which come with a whole grain mustard aioli, were an addictive treat. Pink peppercorns are used in making the pickles which are mildly sweet. The tempura batter is light, clean and crunchy and cover a thin sliced, crisp and juicy slice of pickle. One of the best fried pickle dishes in the city.

The Suckling Pig Bao ($8), which has received raves from many, is worthy of the accolades. Made with a Smoked BBQ sauce and Housemade Kimchi, the pork was flavorful and had a delightful, crunchy exterior. The light smokiness of the sauce enhanced the pork.

The BBQ Pork Ribs ($8) are covered by a sweet chile glaze and topped by a frisee fennel salad. The tender and flavorful meat easily falls off the bones, and each rib was meaty. The glaze is only mildly spicy and I would love to see a spicier version of these ribs. Pure BBQ rib pleasure.

For entrees, Adam opted for the Kimchi Fried Rice ($14) with tofu steak and a farm raised fried egg. He was very pleased with his entree, though a tofu steak would not have been my choice.

Jen decided on the Pistachio Crusted Tuna Steak ($18) with wasabi risotto, honey-soy glaze and pumpkin croutons. She also was impressed with her entree, raving about its flavors. She also remarked on the large size of the dish, having expected a smaller portion.

I opted for the Char Siu Pulled Pork Ravioli ($15), with house smoked bacon, Chinese celery, and shaved Pecorino. Each ravioli, cooked al dente, was quite large and filled with plenty of tender, tasty meat. The addition of the bacon, celery and cheese added a nice mix of flavors and textures, elevating this dish,  delivering an Asian flair to an otherwise Italian style dish. Very enjoyable and also recommended.

For dessert, we ended with the Chocolate Sesame Balls ($5), which I previously reviewed and which were equally as delicious this time.

Overall, our dinner was excellent and impressive, and each dish delivered. Service was professional, courteous and attentive. I believe you get a good value for the price and Shōjō is certainly a welcome addition to Chinatown. Dine there for lunch or dinner, and I bet you too will enjoy their intriguing cuisine.

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Shōjō: A Welcome Addition To Chinatown

In Japanese mythology, a shōjō is commonly considered to be a water spirit that loves Sake. You'll find several legends about them that center around magical Sake, from Sake that can cure any illness to Sake pots that are always full, no matter how much your pour out. The legend has a Chinese origin and the term is sometimes translated as "orangutan" so that a few legends describe shōjō as resembling monkeys. In my first Tipsy Sensei story, Yurine's Pot, the legend of the shōjō played a pivotal role. With my interest in such matters, I was intrigued by a new Chinatown restaurant called Shōjō.

The restaurant opened last August but it wasn't until recently that I stopped by there for lunch. I was going to be in the area so decided to check it out. I learned from their Facebook page that during the month of January all of the items on their lunch menu were only $5. Sounded like a great time to sample a variety of their dishes inexpensively. However, their lunch menu was not listed on their website so I contacted their PR person to obtain a copy. My friend Jackie and I then dined there, and at the end of the meal we learned that the restaurant had comped our lunch. You can also check out Jackie's compelling review of our dining experience.

Shōjō is a small restaurant and bar, seating around 50 people, and located in the heart of Chinatown on Tyler Street. Its intent is to attract people to Chinatown who might feel intimidated by some of the more authentic and traditional restaurants. To that objective, its cuisine is Pan-Asian with a modern twist, a playful take on more traditional and authentic dishes. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and the menus change weekly "...depending on the availability of fresh and local ingredients." The walls have various paintings of a simian shojo on a search for a river of Sake. There is an enticing casual vibe about the restaurant.

The usual lunch menu is divided into three sections, including Soup & Small Bites (8 items, priced $4-$8), Mains (10 items, most priced $7-$9) and Desserts (1 item, priced at $5). They have a list of vegetarian options too. The lunch menu we viewed at the restaurant was a bit different due to their anniversary special where all the items were priced at $5. There is plenty of diversity on the menu, and there should be something for all tastes and preferences. In addition, I feel it is reasonably priced, even considering the usual lunch menu prices.

I looked at their drinks menu, which intrigued me, but we didn't order anything to drink besides green tea. They have about nine Sakes, some Shochu and numerous unique cocktails. There are some good Sakes on the list though nothing especially unique. For a restaurant using a Sake legend in their decor and motif, I would have liked to see a greater number and variety of Sakes available on their menu. I am interested in trying some of their Shochu cocktails.

Overall, our food was delicious and satisfying and I am eager to return. The Red & Hot Wonton Soup (usually $5) is a perfect dish for winter, a savory and spicy soup with several small wontons. It was a good-sized dish and the broth seemed more intense and complex than the usual wonton soups served at many Americanized Chinese spots. A great way to start your lunch.

The Char Sui Empandas (which are not on the regular lunch menu) resembled a fried ravioli filled with a savory, moist chunk of pulled pork. A tasty starter which will appeal to everyone.

The Duck Fat Fries with Sirracha Aioli (usually $5) were addictive, crispy with a fluffy interior, and with that welcome flavor addition from the duck fat. A great bar snack with Sake or a cocktail.

My favorite dish was the “Damn! Damn!! Noodles!!!” (usually $8), which comes with ground pork, bean sprouts, egg noodles, and Szechuan peppercorn though I had mine prepared without the sprouts. This is a twist on Dandan noodles, which are often found in Americanized Chinese restaurants made with a peanut butter sauce. Traditionally, no peanut butter is used. The fresh noodles were cooked nicely, with just the right amount of firmness to them, and the entire dish offered a delectable taste, savory, salty and rich, especially with the egg yolk. The crispy pork bits really added to this dish. I liked the presentation too and would highly recommend this dish.

The Grilled Chicken Coconut Curry Over (usually $8), atop jasmine rice, was another winner of a main dish. A large, moist and tender boneless chicken breast was covered by a spicy curry with a rich coconut taste and some crisp veggies. This is another dish I would strongly recommend.

For dessert, we had some Chocolate Sesame Balls (usually $5), which are a twist on a traditional Chinese dish that usually contains Azuki bean paste. This was an interesting dessert, made from a glutinous rice flour which gave it a chewy texture, which was covered in sesame seeds, adding nuttiness, and then fried. The center contained rich, warm chocolate and made for an intriguing blend of textures and flavors. You might fight over who gets the last of these tasty treats.

We also tasted a Coconut Jelly dessert, covered in a berry puree, which was ok, just not my preference. It had a different jelly texture, much firmer than the typical jello, panna cotta or similar dessert. The coconut flavor was mild and the berry taste seemed to overwhelm the coconut.

My first experience at Shōjō was very positive and I look forward to my next visit, to try more of their dishes and to delve into their drinks menu.  I like the fact the menu changes frequently, so you will find something new all the time. This is not the place to go if you are seeking authentic Chinese dishes. Rather it is a spot where you go to enjoy their playful takes on traditional cuisine, a great entry spot for newcomers to Chinatown who might feel intimidated in more traditional spots. However, even if you love traditional Chinese food, it is well worth visiting here for their unique take on Asian dishes.

Kanpai to Shōjō!

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Rant: Cheap Chinatown Cakes

At your favorite bakeries, how much does it cost to buy a slice of cake? When a simple cupcake may cost you $3 or more, then a slice of cake can easily run you $4 or $5. Their other desserts are usually similarly priced and purchasing a dozen treats can be rather expensive. You could easily spend $30-$50 for a dozen sweets and that can be tough for many of us to do during these tough economic times.

How many bakeries do you know where a slice of cake, or other desserts, cost only $1? Probably few, if any. They do exist though and you can find several of them within a short distance of each other, if you know where to look.    

Last week, I ate in Chinatown twice and during those visits I stopped at a few bakeries to purchase several treats to take home with me. One of my stops was at Eldo Cake House, a favorite spot, especially as I love their coconut cake slices. It is almost unbelievable that they charge less than $1 for that slice of coconut cake! In fact, they sell a number of cake slices and various other baked goods for under $1. The other Chinatown bakeries I visited have similar pricing and you can find so many different items for under $1.

Cheap, cheap, cheap! 

Though these prices are cheap, what about the taste of these desserts? I have enjoyed nearly everything I have eaten at these Chinatown bakeries and believe they offer an excellent quality for the value. You can find plenty of diversity, something to appeal to all tastes and preferences, and you won't break the bank. I don't think the Chinatown bakeries receive enough credit for what they have to offer. They might not be as flashy as some of the more lauded bakeries, but their more subtle or plainer treats can well satisfy your sweet cravings.

Don't elevate style over substance, especially when that style comes with a much greater cost. What truly is important to you in a dessert? Price? Taste? The next time you want to visit a bakery, why not consider a trip to Chinatown.

What s your favorite Chinatown bakery?

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