Thursday, April 28, 2011
Umi Update
Latest call to Umi. They said they will open May 18th. Though, given the number of times the opening date has changed, I wouldn't hold your breath! Let's hope it's worth the wait!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Mysterious UMI Coming Soon?
In the strip mall just east of Walmart the UMI Japanese Steakhouse has been under construction for several months. In December, I cornered a couple of their construction workers and they said "January" was the opening date. Their Facebook page says February. Four weeks ago, they said "in three weeks."
I just called them today. They said that they are opening at the "end of this month." Let's hope that's the case, because I'm eager to try this out. Peaking in the door, it looks like it will be beautiful. They have a nice website: http://umimanhattan.com/index.php where you can check out their menu. They have my favorite: age tofu! The prices look very reasonable. Now, if they would just open so that we can try the food!
I just called them today. They said that they are opening at the "end of this month." Let's hope that's the case, because I'm eager to try this out. Peaking in the door, it looks like it will be beautiful. They have a nice website: http://umimanhattan.com/index.php where you can check out their menu. They have my favorite: age tofu! The prices look very reasonable. Now, if they would just open so that we can try the food!
Sourcing International Ingredients
So, you've decided to make your home in Manhattan, KS? This is a wonderful decision. Manhattan has so much to offer: friendly people, rolling hills, a great university and more. But, Manhattan is a bit lacking in one important area: cuisine. Sure, we have a vast array of pizza, tacos and burgers. But, what if you want a bowl of pho, lamb vindaloo, or some kim chi?
If you're jonesing for some ethnic food, you have two choices: 1) drive a few hours, or 2) make it yourself. The first choice is bad for your carbon footprint. But the second choice will help you expand your horizons and could even make you friends (as long as you're willing to share!) Hosting a themed potluck can help you meet your need for spring rolls at the same time help you meet new friends. Don't know the recipes for your favorite foods? Both the Manhattan Public Library and the Hale Library at KSU have cookbooks that you can check out. In fact, Hale Library has a special collection of cookbooks with some very old and unusual books.
Once you have a recipe, there are plenty of places to buy your ingredients. My favorite is our newest International store: the Asian Market that is attached to the Chinese Buffet near Stagg Hill. They have a wonderful selection of items from China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. This includes fresh items (e.g. lemongrass, curry leaves, taro root) and a great frozen selection (e.g. samosas, potstickers, shui mai.) The owner and staff are very friendly and accomodating. Recently, I bought some very nice mangos there.
In Aggieville, there is a store marked "Chinese Grocery" that sells, unsurprisingly, Chinese groceries. More surprisingly is that they make bubble tea and have a buffet of prepared dishes. They have fresh and frozen foods. I've purchased durian there that was quite good.
Another resource is "the secret Indian store" which is the gas station on the NW corner of the intersection of Bluemont and 3rd St. (just south of McDonald's.) The gas station is owned by an Indian couple who stock a selection of Indian foods. The owners are nice and accomodating, but the selection of Indian foods is smaller and more expensive than that of the Asian Market.
Finally, there is Yi's Oriental Market at 12th and Colorado streets. It seems to focus more exclusively on the foods of Japan, China and Southeast Asia (rather than on Indian cuisine.) They have a good selection of rice from different parts of Asia, as well as good supplies for making sushi and Korean food.
International Markets in Manhattan, KS
Asian Market (Apple Bites Top Pick)
2304 Stagg Hill Rd. # D
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-5177
Chinese Grocery
715 North 12th St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-7228
Little Apple Express (aka "the secret Indian store")
809 N 3rd St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)776-0175
Yi's Oriental Market
1030 Colorado St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)539-5849
If you're jonesing for some ethnic food, you have two choices: 1) drive a few hours, or 2) make it yourself. The first choice is bad for your carbon footprint. But the second choice will help you expand your horizons and could even make you friends (as long as you're willing to share!) Hosting a themed potluck can help you meet your need for spring rolls at the same time help you meet new friends. Don't know the recipes for your favorite foods? Both the Manhattan Public Library and the Hale Library at KSU have cookbooks that you can check out. In fact, Hale Library has a special collection of cookbooks with some very old and unusual books.
Once you have a recipe, there are plenty of places to buy your ingredients. My favorite is our newest International store: the Asian Market that is attached to the Chinese Buffet near Stagg Hill. They have a wonderful selection of items from China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. This includes fresh items (e.g. lemongrass, curry leaves, taro root) and a great frozen selection (e.g. samosas, potstickers, shui mai.) The owner and staff are very friendly and accomodating. Recently, I bought some very nice mangos there.
In Aggieville, there is a store marked "Chinese Grocery" that sells, unsurprisingly, Chinese groceries. More surprisingly is that they make bubble tea and have a buffet of prepared dishes. They have fresh and frozen foods. I've purchased durian there that was quite good.
Another resource is "the secret Indian store" which is the gas station on the NW corner of the intersection of Bluemont and 3rd St. (just south of McDonald's.) The gas station is owned by an Indian couple who stock a selection of Indian foods. The owners are nice and accomodating, but the selection of Indian foods is smaller and more expensive than that of the Asian Market.
Finally, there is Yi's Oriental Market at 12th and Colorado streets. It seems to focus more exclusively on the foods of Japan, China and Southeast Asia (rather than on Indian cuisine.) They have a good selection of rice from different parts of Asia, as well as good supplies for making sushi and Korean food.
International Markets in Manhattan, KS
Asian Market (Apple Bites Top Pick)
2304 Stagg Hill Rd. # D
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-5177
Chinese Grocery
715 North 12th St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-7228
Little Apple Express (aka "the secret Indian store")
809 N 3rd St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)776-0175
Yi's Oriental Market
1030 Colorado St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)539-5849
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