By Kevin Revolinski | Photography by Hillary Schave
Madison’s Asian food scene has grown so much in recent years. Have a need for noodles or a hankering for hotpot? Check out these new places to satisfy your cravings.
ZEN RAMEN
Japanese comfort food has taken over Madison, and this strip-mall shop is a great East Side option with table and counter service. The menu has several ramen options, including the classic tonkotsu (pork bone), chicken, beef and miso; but also udon noodles, gyoza, various fried rices, rice bowls and kids’ menu combos. zenramenmadison.com
KORILL HUT KOREAN GRILL & HOTPOT
Offering a true grill with overhead vacuum venting, this new Korean spot serves all-you-can-eat grill fare, hotpot or a combo. Each grill ingredient — beef, pork, chicken, seafood and vegetables — includes several options, and hotpot comes with individual bowls and a selection of eight broths. korillhut.com
SGD DUBU SO GONG DONG TOFU & BBQ
The Madison location of this growing Chicago-based franchise specializes in Soondubu jjigae, a traditional silken tofu stew served with your choice of meat, seafood, tofu and veggies. Bulgogi comes sizzling on a hot plate, and you can order bibimbap in a hot stone bowl. Each table gets an assortment of sides, such as kimchi, that are refillable. sgdrestaurant.com
HOTCO NOODLES
Originally inside the Fresh Mart grocery store and now in the Global Market and Food Hall, this counter-service joint is run by a Sichuan native and features hand-pulled noodles. Try the dandan noodles, a Sichuan street food with ground pork and the characteristic numbing spice. The menu also offers mini-hotpots. Order one mild or spicy and adjust if you need to with the house-made chili crunch, which is also for sale. hotconoodles.com
RAJNI
Find some familiar dishes here such as chicken tikka, but the menu focuses on less common southern Indian cuisine, with flaky layered parotta and 24 large dosa options. Try the idli (fermented rice and lentil cakes), Andhra chicken curry, or the goat curry and stir-fry from Tamil Nadu, India’s southernmost state. Vegetarian dishes are many, including curries with eggplant, okra, lentils or chickpeas. rajnimadison.com
CHIN UP
The owners of this canteen-style spot are a charming Chinese couple who will guide you to what you may like if you’re having trouble choosing. Chongqing noodles and xiao long bao dumplings are popular, and the diverse menu includes several authentic street foods such as shashlik (meat skewers). Prices are reasonable as well.
TAIGU NOODLES
This popular Middleton Chinese restaurant, specializing in house- made, knife-cut Shanxi noodles, opened a second location in the former Knoche’s Market and Butcher Shop on Old Middleton Road. The Middleton location transitioned to takeout for dinner only, but succumbed to public pleading and brought back limited, in-person dining Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Try the chicken stir-fried noodles, a fan favorite. taigumadison.com
THE MEKONG
The Mekong River passes through the homelands of the cuisines on this menu: Laotian, Hmong, Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese. Expect beef pho, pad thai, Hmong/Lao sausage and pork laab, and some exceptional spring rolls. mekongbanquet.com
IZAKAYA KUROYAMA
In Japan, the izakaya is a casual place for after-work drinking and snacking. At Izakaya Kuroyama on State Street, bright paper lanterns dot the front windows and decorative umbrellas hang from the ceiling, lending the place a festive vibe. The menu offers a wide range of small plates from takoyaki (fried octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (a sort of seafood pancake) to gyoza, fried chicken and edamame. Small grill items, including yakitori (a selection of snackable meats and veggies) and oyakodon (chicken over rice) are popular Japanese comfort foods. izakayakuroyama.com
