Bulgogi, adobada and some fine fried squid highlight the TNT staff’s best eats
Time again, friends, for another edition of the TNT staff’s best eats column.
As you might recall, every month or so we compile in this space a list, with photos, of things the reporters, visual journalists and editors have eaten or imbibed in the greater Pierce County area.
If you haven’t already, please sign up for the TNT Diner newsletter by staff writer Kristine Sherred. She’s got the weekly skinny on the Pierce County dining and food scene.
This calamari’s worth a trip to Ruston Way
A few decades back when I was a much younger man, I considered calamari an exotic dish. I felt quite sophisticated ordering a plate of deep-fried squid as an appetizer. Never mind that most of it was rubbery and had too much breading.
Fast forward to earlier this month when I took my mother to the Lobster Shop on Tacoma’s waterfront for her birthday lunch and found calamari on the menu. Of course, I ordered a plate to share.
Imagine my surprise to find not a plate heaped with quarter-sized rounds and hunks sprouting eight tiny tentacles but rings the circumference of a soda can and strips the length of a broken-in pencil. The combination of the tender squid and light, crispy Panko breading was a winning combination, especially when dipped in the accompanying spicy aioli. The sprinkling of Mama Lil’s peppers — pickled and crunchy — offset the squid nicely, though they were a bit spicy for mom.
Tacos and Korean barbecue in Puyallup
The barbecue plate on my family’s recent visit to Mukja Korean BBQ in Puyallup was a work of art. Somehow, it tasted even better. I was hesitant to do the upgrade that included the short ribs, but it was worth it. They have quite a few soju and sake options, and their kimchi pancake appetizer was a treat.
The family-friendly atmosphere is welcoming, and the chalk drawings kids have done on the floor are delightful. I’ll be back.
I’ve also become a recent fan of the Tacos Nena food truck at 616 E. Main Ave. I like that they’re open until 8 p.m. The adobada (spicy pork) burrito I had the other week is my new favorite. They’ve been at the Puyallup location for about eight months. Tip: Don’t miss the churros.
-Alexis Krell, Communities editor
Didn’t pack a lunch? Bagels and bowls downtown
As usual, I woke up on a Wednesday morning and miscalculated how long it would take for me to get out the door and on my way to work. I left my mediocre sandwich ingredients in the fridge and invited some of my coworkers to join me that afternoon at Mom’s Bistro, a reliably yummy breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Tacoma.
The menu features bagels, sandwiches and Asian bites like musubi and tuna onigiri. They also have rice bowls featuring their sweet-and-savory bulgogi, which (in my opinion) is the star of the show.
I ordered my tried-and-true favorite, the small K-bulgogi rice bowl, which offers a generous serving of bulgogi on a bed of rice with carrots, onions and japchae noodles. Olympian intern Ann Duan had the same, and visual journalist Liesbeth Powers and News Tribune intern Sephora Charles both ordered sandwiches: the chicken pesto sandwich and K-bulgogi sandwich, respectively. Both were winners.
We got our orders relatively quickly, perfect for a half-hour lunch break. A hit all around.
-Julia Park, Gig Harbor reporter
