Allston's Asian Food Scene
by Laurren Henning
Photo courtesy of Angelene Kim
Among the many perks of moving off-campus is the opportunity to better explore Allston’s diverse food scene. Although I am edging closer to personal bankruptcy by the second, I continue to spend all of my spare money and time scouring Allston’s best restaurants. Below is a list of my favorite Allston joints for when you’re craving Asian food.
Isshindo Ramen
After months of Yelp-ing, word-of-mouth recommendations and window shopping, my hunt for the perfect bowl of ramen concluded when I tasted Isshindo Ramen. Nestled in a cozy corner of Super 88 Mart, Isshindo dazzles with its rich, salty broths and perfectly charred pork belly. For first timers, try their self-titled “Isshindo Ramen,” complete with their signature Tonkotsu Broth, thick ramen noodles and pork char siu for $11.50. Featuring generous portion sizes, speedy turnaround times and a friendly wait staff, this tiny restaurant will be your newest obsession.
Moon Flower House
As a Filipino who proudly worships Jollibee, I am not ashamed to admit my passion—yes, passion—for fried chicken. Although I’ve seldom encountered a piece of fried chicken that I didn’t enjoy, I knew Moon Flower House was special when I found myself closing my eyes to properly savor each delectable bite. Their combo meals are college-wallet friendly. For example, one combo offers a spicy chicken sandwich, two spicy wings and a soda for just $9.50. Their menu extends much further than fried chicken, boasting milk tea, fruit-flavored slushies and ramen burgers. Bring your friends and enjoy some perfectly crafted comfort food.
Oppa Sushi
Simply put, Oppa’s prices are unbeatable and their sushi is unmatched. Their mouthwatering specialty makis—including Rainbow, Spider and Dragon Maki—are all under $14, whereas other joints price these rolls at around 20 bucks. Oppa’s sushi is fresh, and their sauces perfectly accompany each roll. I highly recommend their “Maki Combo for 2”: 40 pieces of sushi for around $35, served with miso soup. My best friend and I ordered this combo through Postmates, and it was the ideal feast for our “Lady Bird” movie night.
Dumpling Kingdom
Open until 2 a.m. (or 3 a.m. on weekends, starting Thursdays), Dumpling Kingdom shines as my ultimate late-night spot. Not to be dramatic, but as I’m writing this article, my mouth is watering just thinking about their xiao long bao, or “mini juicy buns with pork.” Although all of their dishes are heavenly and—bonus!—family sized, you’ll be dreaming of these buns every night. These steamed, soup-filled dumplings are so delicious, you’ll want them as your main course, not just the appetizer. Try their Braised Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, too, and thank me later.
“I’m constantly craving Dumpling Kingdom,” said Riley Lane (COM ’22). “I think I’ve told everyone I know to eat there.”
Kaju Tofu House
As winter gloomily looms over Boston, Korean tofu soup is the perfect cure for combatting cold weather—it’s hot, spicy and tasty. Kaju Tofu House has perfected their soft tofu soup, serving each dish with a bowl of white rice. It features a wide variety of add-ins for the soup, ranging from vegetables to kimchi and beef, while allowing customers to choose the level of spiciness. Their menu boasts Korean specialties like Bibimbap and Bulgoghee Clay Pot, making decisions about ordering especially difficult.