Moe Eats
A Culinary Adventure: Chicago edit
From Casual Bites to Indulgent Delights
My culinary journey through Chicago was a perfect mix of simple, casual bites and one unforgettable indulgence. It’s hard to compare some of the more common eats I had on this trip with the more special one. It is not even far to have some of these photos placed together. But so you get a full picture and not just a highlight reel, I ate at mostly not-so-fabulous places like the hotel bar, a food court, takeout in my hotel room… One evening, Benny and I ventured out for a late-night snack and stumbled upon some of the most massive pretzels I’ve seen. It was so big, even together, we couldn’t finish it.
I also tried deep-dish pizza at Uno’s. Now, I typically gravitate toward New York or Sicilian-style pizza, but when in Chicago, right? I was told it was a must, but honestly, I have to admit—too much sauce, too much cheese, too much crust, too many mushrooms! (Sike! never too many mushrooms, I’ll always take more mushrooms.) But really, it wasn’t the flavor so much as the proportions. I’m just not a fan of such a heavy pizza. It just didn’t hit the mark for me. But it COULD have been my new favorite. That’s why I always like to try new things.
The highlight was, without a doubt, Momotaro. A Modern Japanese Restaurant By Chef Gene Kato & Boka Restaurant Group. I will never forget this meal. While the tempura mushroom sushi was *Chef’s Kiss*, and the dessert was a rare indulgence for me (I try to avoid dairy in my day-to-day), the fried rice was something I will be dreaming about for the rest of my life... Inspired by this, I thrifted some cute mini cast-iron pots in an attempt to recreate the charred delight at home.
The restaurant also had some awe-inspiring interiors. See my design blog here for more.
If you’re planning a trip to Chicago, don’t miss out on both the casual dining options and unique experiences. You never know what culinary delights you’ll stumble upon or what fun conversations you’ll have along the way. And who knows? You might just end up planning your next home-cooked meal inspired by the flavors of Chicago, just like I did!
