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Fresh Street Takoyaki House—Great Japanese St Food—C'bus OH

Fresh Street Takoyaki House—Great Japanese St Food—C'bus OH
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  • Fresh Street Takoyaki House—Great Japanese St Food—C'bus OH

    Post #1 - September 10th, 2011, 8:20 pm
    Post #1 - September 10th, 2011, 8:20 pm Post #1 - September 10th, 2011, 8:20 pm
    Little did I expect that my favorite eating experience of the year would be in Columbus. I'd been there a few times before and managed to find a few interesting places as well as some not so worthwhile. About a year ago I stumbled on the alt.eats.columbus website, an invaluable guide to the more obscure and interesting side of Columbus dining. If you're spending any time there you can't afford to miss these reviews.

    One of the places that caught my eye was Foodie Cart but we were unable to find the cart during a visit toward the end of last year. It turns out that in April, Foodie Cart morphed into Fresh Street, occupying a shack in a parking lot next to an art gallery. The menu changed with the move; takoyaki and okonomiyaki replaced Japanese-style crepes.

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    Fresh Street is run by a young couple, Kenny Kim and Misako Ohba, who besides being terrific chefs, exude an amazing enthusiasm for what they're doing. I had a blast talking with them during two visits in one day (it was that good).

    During our first visit Misako was making a batch of takoyaki so we got to watch a meticulous artist at work. Batter is poured into concavities of a hot cast iron takoyaki pan and octopus (tako) bits or other ingredients are added. She was also making a corn version and used kernels freshly sliced from the cob.

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    Then more batter is poured on to cover the added ingredients.

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    Once the batter sets, it gets scored with sharp awl-like utensils.

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    Each dumpling-to-be is separated and turned so it cooks uniformly.

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    The turning process is repeated over and over to yield evenly browned spheres.

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    Once the takoyaki take on a dark color, they are plucked from the griddle, placed in a bamboo boat and dressed with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, dried laver and bonito shavings.

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    They taste as good as they look. The best takoyaki I've had. My only slight quibble is the quality of the katsuobushi could be a bit better. Part of the fun of eating takoyaki is watching the bonito shavings dance in the heat. But when you remember the $5 cost ($1 less with the dancing discount) for a serving of 8, you realize this is hardly a valid criticism.

    We also had the pork belly okonomiyaki topped with yakisoba. We were told the fried noodle topping is popular in Japan but not terribly common here. As the okonomiyaki griddle is in the back we didn't get to watch it being cooked but the resulting "pancake" was truly beautiful.

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    In the close-up you can better make out the fried noodles sitting atop the base of batter-encased shredded vegetables. This tasted even better than it looks. Great stuff.

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    They serve interesting beverages including iced barley tea and ramune (with a lesson on how to dislodge that marble).

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    Not too many sweets on offer but we tried a lychee snow cup with condensed milk, appropriate for the hot day.

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    After judging the Family Heirloom Recipes at the Ohio State Fair we rushed back to Fresh Street to try something else before they closed for the day (the building becomes a mini-pizzeria in the evening). This time we had a bacon-avocado okonomiyaki.

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    Different flavor profile but just as good. Simply beautiful cooking.

    I love the Chicago dining scene but sometimes it takes a visit to somewhere like Columbus to make you realize how deficient we are in some areas. I actually spent a bit of time trying to convince Kenny and Misako they should consider moving to Chicago.

    Addendum: Shortly after our visit, they received a new crepe griddle they had been awaiting so they're back to doing what made them so popular when they ran Foodie Cart. They are very active on Facebook and Twitter so you can get the latest information there. If you find yourself anywhere near Columbus you really ought to visit.

    Fresh Street (formerly Foodie Cart)
    1030 N High St
    Columbus OH
    Mon & Wed-Fri 1130am-530pm, Sat-Sun noon-6pm, closed Tue
    http://twitter.com/#!/freshstreet
    http://www.facebook.com/foodie.cart
    http://freshstreet.tumblr.com/

    Edited for spelling and to slightly alter title.
    Last edited by Rene G on September 14th, 2011, 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
  • Post #2 - September 10th, 2011, 8:49 pm
    Post #2 - September 10th, 2011, 8:49 pm Post #2 - September 10th, 2011, 8:49 pm
    Hi,

    Small addendum: the reason they stopped using the cart, it was involved in an automobile accident.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #3 - September 10th, 2011, 10:24 pm
    Post #3 - September 10th, 2011, 10:24 pm Post #3 - September 10th, 2011, 10:24 pm
    Please tell me there is a video of your dancing discount. Beautiful report, my friends.
  • Post #4 - September 12th, 2011, 9:36 am
    Post #4 - September 12th, 2011, 9:36 am Post #4 - September 12th, 2011, 9:36 am
    Rene G wrote:
    I love the Chicago dining scene but sometimes it takes a visit to somewhere like Columbus to make you realize how deficient we are in some areas. I actually spent a bit of time trying to convince Kenny and Misako they should consider moving to Chicago.



    Great report! A reason to go to Columbus. Do you think the people of Columbus know what they have in this place? It should be mobbed.

    I'd love to see them here too; I'm with you on Chicago's relative lack of non-sushi Japanese. But then, I spent a lot of time last year looking for this exact sort of thing in Seattle, right where you'd expect it to be, and came up very short. Lots of divey spots selling these kinds of items, but none of it looking (and I'm sure tasting) nearly this good. There simply are not places like this anywhere, it seems, outside the Japanese enclaves of Soutern California. Obviously a very special spot to find in Ohio.
  • Post #5 - September 12th, 2011, 12:32 pm
    Post #5 - September 12th, 2011, 12:32 pm Post #5 - September 12th, 2011, 12:32 pm
    This looks incredible. I shared it with a friend who's lived in Japan, and he used it as a jumping block to try to get me to go to Japan with him and his wife on their next trip. "Amazing food like this everywhere!"

    I admit I have a huge weak spot for takoyaki but it seems to be so hard to find here. Lure made me some last time I was there but it's not on their regular menu, and the frozen kind.. well, It'll do in a pinch.
  • Post #6 - September 12th, 2011, 2:13 pm
    Post #6 - September 12th, 2011, 2:13 pm Post #6 - September 12th, 2011, 2:13 pm
    lunanoir wrote:I admit I have a huge weak spot for takoyaki but it seems to be so hard to find here. Lure made me some last time I was there but it's not on their regular menu, and the frozen kind.. well, It'll do in a pinch.

    You can get takoyaki now and then at Mitsuwa, during their special events. I have to say it's not great, but it's got to be better than the frozen stuff.
  • Post #7 - September 12th, 2011, 2:18 pm
    Post #7 - September 12th, 2011, 2:18 pm Post #7 - September 12th, 2011, 2:18 pm
    cilantro wrote:
    lunanoir wrote:I admit I have a huge weak spot for takoyaki but it seems to be so hard to find here. Lure made me some last time I was there but it's not on their regular menu, and the frozen kind.. well, It'll do in a pinch.

    You can get takoyaki now and then at Mitsuwa, during their special events. I have to say it's not great, but it's got to be better than the frozen stuff.


    I look every time I go, Mitsuwa isn't far from me, but I've yet to see any there. I'll hold out hope though!
  • Post #8 - September 12th, 2011, 4:17 pm
    Post #8 - September 12th, 2011, 4:17 pm Post #8 - September 12th, 2011, 4:17 pm
    cilantro wrote:
    lunanoir wrote:I admit I have a huge weak spot for takoyaki but it seems to be so hard to find here. Lure made me some last time I was there but it's not on their regular menu, and the frozen kind.. well, It'll do in a pinch.

    You can get takoyaki now and then at Mitsuwa, during their special events. I have to say it's not great, but it's got to be better than the frozen stuff.


    Haven't had the frozen stuff, but the last time I had takoyaki at mitsuwa, it was raw in the middle. Meaning soupy, raw pancake batter with somewhat chewy octopus. Did not like. Was sort of wondering if it was just about me and takoyaki, but we had it properly prepared in NYC, and I liked it then.
  • Post #9 - September 12th, 2011, 5:12 pm
    Post #9 - September 12th, 2011, 5:12 pm Post #9 - September 12th, 2011, 5:12 pm
    Mine were fully cooked, but the tough octopus is exactly what I was referring to. I guess it's true what they say: for the good stuff, you need to go to Osaka, NYC, or Columbus.
  • Post #10 - September 12th, 2011, 7:33 pm
    Post #10 - September 12th, 2011, 7:33 pm Post #10 - September 12th, 2011, 7:33 pm
    cilantro wrote:Mine were fully cooked, but the tough octopus is exactly what I was referring to. I guess it's true what they say: for the good stuff, you need to go to Osaka, NYC, or Columbus.


    I've had some pretty amazing ones at an izakaya in Atlanta, too!

    so.. pretty much "anywhere but here" .. ?
  • Post #11 - September 12th, 2011, 9:17 pm
    Post #11 - September 12th, 2011, 9:17 pm Post #11 - September 12th, 2011, 9:17 pm
    Great report...loved it!
  • Post #12 - September 13th, 2011, 1:41 pm
    Post #12 - September 13th, 2011, 1:41 pm Post #12 - September 13th, 2011, 1:41 pm
    cilantro wrote:
    lunanoir wrote:I admit I have a huge weak spot for takoyaki but it seems to be so hard to find here. Lure made me some last time I was there but it's not on their regular menu, and the frozen kind.. well, It'll do in a pinch.

    You can get takoyaki now and then at Mitsuwa, during their special events. I have to say it's not great, but it's got to be better than the frozen stuff.


    They also have takoyaki Saint's Alp Teahouse - I just realized I only posted about them in passing. No fancy toppings, but the batter and octopus were very fresh last time I had them. That said, some of the worst food I've ever had in Chinatown has also been from here. It's hit or miss.
  • Post #13 - September 13th, 2011, 7:37 pm
    Post #13 - September 13th, 2011, 7:37 pm Post #13 - September 13th, 2011, 7:37 pm
    I love okonomiyaki; I make my own, and I've often wondered why Chicago does not have a place specializing in it. Considering the popularity of Korean BBQ places, the communal nature of making okonomiyaki would also have great appeal here, IMHO.
    ~~~*itadakimasu!*~~~
  • Post #14 - September 14th, 2011, 10:38 am
    Post #14 - September 14th, 2011, 10:38 am Post #14 - September 14th, 2011, 10:38 am
    Any truth to the rumor that 1 free order of takoyaki can be had in exchange for game-worn shoes or gloves, 2 free orders for a game-worn jersey, and 3 free orders for a Big Ten championship ring?
  • Post #15 - September 14th, 2011, 12:22 pm
    Post #15 - September 14th, 2011, 12:22 pm Post #15 - September 14th, 2011, 12:22 pm
    All we wanna know: didja dance Rene G?

    It's kinda like stripping for octopus balls? No?
  • Post #16 - September 14th, 2011, 1:12 pm
    Post #16 - September 14th, 2011, 1:12 pm Post #16 - September 14th, 2011, 1:12 pm
    Which is ironic, because Octopus Balls used to be my stripper name.
  • Post #17 - September 14th, 2011, 3:07 pm
    Post #17 - September 14th, 2011, 3:07 pm Post #17 - September 14th, 2011, 3:07 pm
    JeffB wrote:Do you think the people of Columbus know what they have in this place? It should be mobbed.

    From what I can tell Fresh Street has a devoted core of customers but the place seems nowhere near as popular as it should be. During our two visits (at slightly off hours) there were other customers but not many. I agree, it should have lines down the block like Hot Doug's. While in Columbus I happened to talk with one of the local mainstream food critics who was completely unaware of it. I hope my ravings about Fresh Street nudged them to visit.

    lunanoir wrote:I admit I have a huge weak spot for takoyaki but it seems to be so hard to find here.

    There are more octopus balls in Chicago than I realized. Using the find-a-food feature of MenuPages they seem to be offered at Chizakaya, House of Sushi & Noodles, Murasaki, Shiso, Sushi Pink and Wasabi. I haven't tried any.

    TonyC wrote:All we wanna know: didja dance Rene G?

    Nope. I was afraid they'd charge me a dollar extra if I tried.

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    Now that their new crepe griddle has arrived, Fresh Street is offering only takoyaki and Japanese-style crepes (you can see a recent menu here). It’s unfortunate the excellent okonomiyaki are history (remember they have very limited space) but I think the crepes will allow them to be extra creative with the fillings. I'm seriously thinking about hopping on the Megabus so I can try some.
  • Post #18 - September 14th, 2011, 3:30 pm
    Post #18 - September 14th, 2011, 3:30 pm Post #18 - September 14th, 2011, 3:30 pm
    ...perhaps unsurprisingly, Ginza has them as a permanent special. Just ate some the other day. They were fine but nothing too special. I've had excellent renditions at Mitsuwa. Obviously, milage varies there.
  • Post #19 - September 14th, 2011, 3:52 pm
    Post #19 - September 14th, 2011, 3:52 pm Post #19 - September 14th, 2011, 3:52 pm
    Rene G wrote:
    lunanoir wrote:I admit I have a huge weak spot for takoyaki but it seems to be so hard to find here.

    There are more octopus balls in Chicago than I realized. Using the find-a-food feature of MenuPages they seem to be offered at Chizakaya, House of Sushi & Noodles, Murasaki, Shiso, Sushi Pink and Wasabi. I haven't tried any.



    I'm sensing a tour of chicago octopus balls in my future.
  • Post #20 - September 14th, 2011, 6:48 pm
    Post #20 - September 14th, 2011, 6:48 pm Post #20 - September 14th, 2011, 6:48 pm
    There was an octopus ball special at Mitsuwa a few years ago:



    These balls were larger than those in Columbus.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #21 - September 14th, 2011, 7:34 pm
    Post #21 - September 14th, 2011, 7:34 pm Post #21 - September 14th, 2011, 7:34 pm
    One of the stands in the basement of Richwell Center has them too.
  • Post #22 - September 21st, 2011, 4:36 pm
    Post #22 - September 21st, 2011, 4:36 pm Post #22 - September 21st, 2011, 4:36 pm
    Almost certainly the best ones in suburbia are served at Maui Mark Kurumaya in Elk Grove Village.

    Does the Fresh Street Takoyaki House compare favorably to Vancouver's izakaya? I'd assume that Hawaii's are the cream of the crop...
  • Post #23 - September 21st, 2011, 9:35 pm
    Post #23 - September 21st, 2011, 9:35 pm Post #23 - September 21st, 2011, 9:35 pm
    I was just at Kurumaya in Elk Grove Village last night, and yes, they have "potato takoyaki" on the menu. I asked, and they said that they do include the traditional ingredient, yamaimo, also called mountain yam. This gives the takoyaki a sticky, chewy consistency, which I like. Although I prefer okonomiyaki, takoyaki is a nice change; I don't have a takoyaki pan at home, so it's definitely a treat to have it once in a while. It was delicious!
    ~~~*itadakimasu!*~~~
  • Post #24 - September 21st, 2011, 10:02 pm
    Post #24 - September 21st, 2011, 10:02 pm Post #24 - September 21st, 2011, 10:02 pm
    This was fun to read -- and it makes me want to visit Columbus, since it's closer than Japan.

    I didn't learn about the dancing bonito flakes until my second trip to Japan. We were eating at a little place that specialized in monjayaki but also had okonomiyaki, and my friend, who lives in Japan, was anticipating with some relish watching the bonito dance -- which it truly does.

    Okonomiyaki varies as you travel across Japan -- but I will say that your photos make it look like what you had in Columbus was as good as anything I had in Japan. And the takoyaki looks great, too. That's the thing about travel -- falling in love with stuff you can't get at home. So yet another reason to visit Ohio.

    Thanks.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #25 - September 22nd, 2011, 8:34 pm
    Post #25 - September 22nd, 2011, 8:34 pm Post #25 - September 22nd, 2011, 8:34 pm
    Enjoy! :) http://youtu.be/5xRV5QeIf2s
  • Post #26 - September 26th, 2011, 10:18 am
    Post #26 - September 26th, 2011, 10:18 am Post #26 - September 26th, 2011, 10:18 am
    TonyC wrote:All we wanna know: didja dance Rene G?

    Rene G wrote:Nope. I was afraid they'd charge me a dollar extra if I tried.


    While that answer was quite accurate for Rene G, it didn't cover me. Silly request to dance for a $1 off was met with a, "What the heck!" Years of ballet forced down my gullet, I can't really dance. Act like a goof, that I can do in spades. Yet for my efforts, we saved about $6-$7 dollars. This dollar off was from every item we purchased, not bad for 20 seconds of goofiness.

    I hear the lady after me was a very good dancer. Why not fast forward 20 seconds to that? I come in after the dog gets its meal.



    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #27 - September 26th, 2011, 11:10 am
    Post #27 - September 26th, 2011, 11:10 am Post #27 - September 26th, 2011, 11:10 am
    Cathy2 wrote:I hear the lady after me was a very good dancer. Why not fast forward 20 seconds to that? I come in after the dog gets its meal.



    Regards,


    The lady after may be a good dancer, but yours was definitely more entertaining! Thanks for the lunchtime entertainment! :)
  • Post #28 - September 27th, 2011, 8:05 am
    Post #28 - September 27th, 2011, 8:05 am Post #28 - September 27th, 2011, 8:05 am
    Cathy2 wrote:...Silly request to dance for a $1 off was met with a, "What the heck!" Years of ballet forced down my gullet, I can't really dance. Act like a goof, that I can do in spades. Yet for my efforts, we saved about $6-$7 dollars. This dollar off was from every item we purchased, not bad for 20 seconds of goofiness...


    I love this. I'm a big believer that dancing and/or goofiness before eating makes the food taste better (says she who dances while making breakfast). Well done!
  • Post #29 - October 5th, 2011, 2:37 pm
    Post #29 - October 5th, 2011, 2:37 pm Post #29 - October 5th, 2011, 2:37 pm
    Hello Chicago Peeps!! Thank you all for the support! Just wanted to let you know that we will be switching our octopus to madako octopus this weekend(permanently) That means the takoyaki will contain sashimi grade octopus inside. I am told that nobody uses sashimi grade octopus in their takoyaki(even in japan). Thank you for taking the time to read this. :) 1030 n. High st. Columbus, Ohio 43201.

    Hours: 11:30am-5:30pm mon-fri. Noon-6pm sat&sun. Closed on Tuesday's. http://www.Facebook.com/foodie.cart http://www.twitter.com/freshstreet http://www.freshstreet.tumblr.com
  • Post #30 - October 18th, 2011, 8:49 am
    Post #30 - October 18th, 2011, 8:49 am Post #30 - October 18th, 2011, 8:49 am
    Hi everyone! We will be adding yakitori to the menu this winter. Just a small selection of skewers to go with the crepes and takoyaki. We will be using a small charcoal yakitori grill. Thanks for reading. :wink:

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