Chow Down Atlanta

I have been a long-time fan of Quickly ever since I discovered it in Asia many summers ago and in California a few years ago. Quickly first came to Atlanta (inside the Gwinnett Place Mall) in the early 2000s. Much like the first froyo seven years ago, it was ahead of its time and never took off. So I was really happy to see it come back to town. This location is the younger (open since June) but much bigger sister of the original one on BuHi. It has a full kitchen serving Taiwanese snacks, ramen, and stir-fried noodles, in addition to the bubble teas that made it famous.

Quickly is famous for its bubble teas. Although bubble teas have been around Asia forever (I first tasted it when I was 4 in some obscure Asian town being peddled on the streets), the concept of using fancy flavors and adding custard and different kinds of jelly then having the cup sealed is a Taiwanese invention. There are 22 main flavors of bubble teas here. You can mix and match as you wish. Bubble tea is a sweet, flavored, black tea-based drink with tapioca pearls in it. Good bubble tea must be creamy yet light, milky, and with flavors really standing out — a refreshing drink. The tapioca pearls must have a soft exterior and a chewy interior. They must not crumble when you bite on them, and neither should they have a hard, gritty center. Think of the concept as al dente pasta. Oh and by the way, the tapioca pearls at Quickly are boiled with honey instead of just plain water so they have a sweetish flavor as opposed to flavorless tapioca pearls. This is the difference between Taiwanese-style bubble teas versus other versions like the Korean or Vietnamese ones made from powdered flavorings.

my bubble tea collection

While most people have a coffee habit, I have a bubble tea one. I drink it once or twice daily, every single day without fail. All flavors are good here. Current favorites are tapioca, lavender, taro, jasmine, caramel mocha, pudding, and Thai tea. For slush, you have to get the watermelon slush. It’s made with fresh watermelons. Add lychee jelly to it and you’ve got an awesome fresh fruit shake on steroids. Fresh watermelon juice (with pulp) is also a must-try. The flavored black and green teas tend to be cloyingly, syrupy sweet so if you’re not into that like me, I’d completely avoid it.

Now the food. There are only three things you must, must try at this place: first, the Taiwan chicken nuggets. These tender nuggets of chicken are seasoned with a blend of Taiwanese spices (including five-spice), coated with a thin layer of cornstarch, then fried golden. They are the perfect snack and so delicious. A basket for $2.50 can’t be beat either. Get the spicy kind that’s sure to keep you dreaming for more. Add to that some fried sweet potato prepared the same way and you have a perfect pair.

The third thing that you must eat here is the fried rice. This, by far, is the best fried rice in the whole of Atlanta. Surprised? So was I. The rice is moist and very, very tasty. I love the diced napa cabbage in it that creates a wonderful crunch in your mouth. Tender, juicy pieces of meat complete this one-dish meal. Unbelievably good is all I can say.

If you’re looking for mind-blowing ramen, you won’t find it here. What they do have is a will-do-since-you’re-already-here kind of ramen. The broth is thin and bland and the ramen tend to clump to each other. If a quick fix is all you need, then that’s all you’ll get.

This place has a cult following and teens tend to make it a hang out as soon as the sun comes down. As such, expect very long lines once 4PM hits and never lets down til it closes at midnight. Table service is always prompt, attentive, and very courteous. Cash only for bubble teas/drinks. Debit cards accepted for table service/food (upon request).

Quickly Ramen Noodle and Boba Tea
3780 Old Norcross Rd. Ste. 304
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 476-5988

Technorati Tags: tidal, bubble tea, Taiwanese, ramen, noodles, Duluth

Aside from sushi, a favorite childhood food in the family is ramen — either the Chinese or the Japanese variety. Chinese ramen made with thick, flat egg noodles, clear chicken stock, chicken chunks, scallions, and hard-boiled egg is always a simple, easy snack that’s as good as any comfort food. As I grew older, my preference has leaned more towards the Japanese version. Maybe it’s my love affair with pork. Or my fascination with everything Japanese which started when I was 14, my first of many trips to Tokyo where I tasted the very best ramen (and sushi). Since then, Japanese ramen is something I eat regularly, whether in hot or cold weather.

Yakitori Jinbei is one of the best places for ramen. The Tonkotsu ramen is just absolutely fabulous and the very best in the city. The creamy pork broth, simmered for hours, is deep in flavor, rich, and, yes, creamy which you will never get with shortcuts. Instead, it’s a labor of love, consisting of days boiling in the pot to let the bones break down into a milky sheen (something no milk can ever accomplish). The ramen has structure and bite and made of long noodles that will stretch for a good bit before snapping. The roasted pork topping is exceptional. It is enveloped in crispy fat, a true measure in good Japanese roast pork. To say this soup is fantastic would be a gross understatement. It is simply perfect.

Their Shoyu ramen, seasoned with soy sauce, is Tokyo-style  –  the dashi taste is very distinguishable and adds depth.  Soy sauce is used both for additional flavor (although it doesn’t overpower) and color.  It is very good, light and savory; just not as awesome as the tonkotsu broth.

I am not very big on chopped raw fish (think spicy tuna rolls) mainly because scraps of fish are usually used; and, I prefer the texture of sliced raw fish more than minced. I was surprised to see the Negitoro Bowl (Negitoro Yukke) with pretty good quality fatty tuna. The texture is silky smooth and tasted very fresh. However, it hardly has the requisite sliced scallions that give this dish a hint of oniony taste. The raw quail egg adds a slight smoky, earthy flavor to the minced fish and compensates for the omission.

If you’ve visited during dinner time, then you already know this place has the best yakitori and kushiyaki items. The chicken pieces are well seasoned and perfectly grilled, and go really well with the ramen.

Next up: the Ramen Wars — places for the best ramen in town. Stay tuned.

Yakitori Jinbei
2421 Cobb Pkwy SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(770) 818-9215

Technorati Tags: Japanese, ramen, yakitori, Smyrna

You know, when you go enough to Asian places, you get wind of what’s hot, what’s not, who’s new, and who isn’t. On my weekly trip to Assi Plaza, I learned of a new ramen place just up the street. I’ve been back twice since it’s July 21 opening. Korean owned, this Japanese ramen house makes fresh noodles on site. You seriously need to watch how they make them especially the part where they cut them.

Just like any true ramen houses, Umaido offers only three kinds of ramen soups: regular, miso, and spicy. Soups are made in huge stainless vats and kept at boiling temperatures. Each bowl is topped with tender, flavorful slices of roasted pork, “hot-off-the-press” noodles, fresh bean sprouts, seaweed, black sesame oil, and a soft boiled egg. While the broth is a little under-salted to my liking on both visits, something a few shakes of salt easily cures, the overall effect is much like the ones they have everywhere in Japan. It is simply comforting. All three choices are excellent.

The Chasyu Rice Bowl is a great accompaniment to the soups and if you’re a big eater like me, you’ll find the soup-rice combo as quite satisfying. Served in a bowl no bigger than a regular rice bowl, the serving is small. Rice is topped with slices of the same pork used in the soups with a few dashes of mayo. I’m not into mayo at all so I just skip it.

On my first visit, the gyoza were over fried. They’ve since perfected this slight kink and they now come perfectly cooked. Incidentally, for a limited time, two soup orders come with a free order of gyoza. Eight pieces of steamed then fried pork gyozas are served with chili oil which you must mix with soy sauce to get the full effect. Pretty tasty.

I really like this place. I love the straight, uncurled ramen noodles they make. I like the contemporary space and über-cool bar tables. Best of all, I love the yelling when they greet you as you come in.

Insider tip:
Just like any good Korean places, cold barley tea is served instead of water which is available upon request.
Service is impeccable.

The scoop:
Umaido
2790 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd
Suwanee, GA 30024
(678) 318-8568

Technorati Tags: ramen, Suwanee, Japanese ramen