Luke Tsai
@theluketsai.bsky.social
📤 447
📥 168
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Food editor, KQED Arts & Culture
pinned post!
Did you know that there's a gas station food truck in Santa Clara specializing in Kyrgyz street food? We went for Midnight Diners, and it was even more delicious than we could have imagined.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398504...
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This Gas Station Food Truck Serves Amazing Kyrgyz Street Food in Santa Clara
Vostok is dishing out piping-hot shawarma and plov until 11 p.m. every night.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985042/vostok-kyrgyzstan-halal-street-food-shawarma-gas-station-santa-clara
8 days ago
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My one travel tip, if you’re flying out of SFO this holiday season.
www.kqed.org/arts/1397835...
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Mama Go’s Serves the Best Late-Night Airport Food at SFO
The home-style Filipino meals — including breakfast at 3:30 a.m. — are a surprising find in Terminal 1.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13978355/mama-gos-filipino-food-sfo-airport-late-night-san-francisco
6 days ago
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Luke Tsai
KQED Food
7 days ago
Located in the parking lot of a Santa Clara gas station, Vostok’s Kyrgyz-style shawarma wraps and wok-fried noodles are served piping hot, from noon to 11 p.m. daily. Latest from KQED's Midnight Diners:
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This Gas Station Food Truck Serves Amazing Kyrgyz Street Food in Santa Clara
Vostok is dishing out piping-hot shawarma and plov until 11 p.m. every night.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985042/vostok-kyrgyzstan-halal-street-food-shawarma-gas-station-santa-clara
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Luke Tsai
Gabe Meline
7 days ago
Catch me,
@ogpenn.bsky.social
and
@theluketsai.bsky.social
on Forum this morning, from 9–10am. (Wish I could say we'll have dogs in the studio!) 88.5 FM /
kqed.org
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Your One Beautiful Thing from 2025 | KQED
This year’s picks include handwriting letters, supporting a struggling artist and taking a solo trip to follow a band on tour. And, we want to hear from you, what was the One Beautiful Thing in your l...
https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101912441/your-one-beautiful-thing-from-2025
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I'll be on this episode, talking about how bad I am at crossword puzzles! 😅
add a skeleton here at some point
7 days ago
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reposted by
Luke Tsai
Did you know that there's a gas station food truck in Santa Clara specializing in Kyrgyz street food? We went for Midnight Diners, and it was even more delicious than we could have imagined.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398504...
loading . . .
This Gas Station Food Truck Serves Amazing Kyrgyz Street Food in Santa Clara
Vostok is dishing out piping-hot shawarma and plov until 11 p.m. every night.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985042/vostok-kyrgyzstan-halal-street-food-shawarma-gas-station-santa-clara
8 days ago
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Did you know that there's a gas station food truck in Santa Clara specializing in Kyrgyz street food? We went for Midnight Diners, and it was even more delicious than we could have imagined.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398504...
loading . . .
This Gas Station Food Truck Serves Amazing Kyrgyz Street Food in Santa Clara
Vostok is dishing out piping-hot shawarma and plov until 11 p.m. every night.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985042/vostok-kyrgyzstan-halal-street-food-shawarma-gas-station-santa-clara
8 days ago
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Luke Tsai
Philip Eil
13 days ago
The area around Brown University -- which is also where I grew up and now live -- is quaint and picturesque. A postcard version of a New England college town. But I never thought "this can't happen here." Because there is nowhere in the U.S. where this can't happen.
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Here's
@tavos-kitchen.bsky.social
on a San Jose bakery pop-up that sells 18 (!) different varieties of egg tarts, with more in the works.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398489...
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This San José Pop-Up Bakery Sells 18 Different Varieties of Egg Tarts | KQED
A&M Pâtisserie's pastries draw inspiration from Cuban guava strudels and Korean cheese corn.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984898/egg-tarts-san-jose-pop-up-bakery-a-m-patisserie-pastel-de-nata
15 days ago
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Luke Tsai
I wrote about the time I entered a crossword puzzle competition in Berkeley...and got absolutely smoked! 😭
www.kqed.org/arts/1398472...
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In 2025, I Became a Competitive Crossword Solver — and Got Absolutely Smoked | KQED
How Luke Tsai learned to embrace losing.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984726/crossword-puzzle-competition-berkeley-westwords-failure
16 days ago
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I wrote about the time I entered a crossword puzzle competition in Berkeley...and got absolutely smoked! 😭
www.kqed.org/arts/1398472...
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In 2025, I Became a Competitive Crossword Solver — and Got Absolutely Smoked | KQED
How Luke Tsai learned to embrace losing.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984726/crossword-puzzle-competition-berkeley-westwords-failure
16 days ago
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Words to live by.
20 days ago
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Luke Tsai
Emma Silvers
23 days ago
friends!
@coyotemedia.org
is dropping our paywall for December so you can see what we’ve been up to even if you have none dollars. All of our posts are currently free to read. Come check us out & spread the word?
www.coyotemedia.org
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COYOTE
Independent journalism with a bite!
https://www.coyotemedia.org
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Luke Tsai
KQED Food
23 days ago
For KQED Arts & Culture food editor
@theluketsai.bsky.social
, 2025 was all about finding new favorites — from his favorite Peking duck house to a Lao restaurant inside a bowling alley.
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The Best Dishes I Ate in 2025
A year of spicy raw crab, mindblowing Peking duck and bowling alley Lao food.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984330/best-dishes-sf-bay-area-2025
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For parents of students in West Contra Costa, I found this guide very helpful.
richmondside.org/2025/12/02/w...
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Is your family prepared for WCCUSD teachers strike? Here’s what to know
The United Teachers of Richmond union says a strike this week is possible. Richmondside compiled a FAQ to help WCCUSD families prepare.
https://richmondside.org/2025/12/02/wccusd-strike-guide-faq-for-parents/
24 days ago
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This late-night hand-pulled noodle spot in San Leandro is pretty great!
www.kqed.org/arts/1398373...
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An East Bay Newcomer Slings Hand-Pulled Noodles and XLB Until Midnight
Dao Artisan Noodle brings Lanzhou-style noodles to San Leandro.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13983739/hand-pulled-chinese-noodles-late-night-dao-artisan-noodle-san-leandro
about 1 month ago
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Here's
@tavos-kitchen.bsky.social
on a new bột chiên stall at Lion Plaza in San Jose. Look at those rice cakes!
www.kqed.org/arts/1398362...
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A New San José Food Stall Specializes in Vietnamese Rice Cake Omelettes | KQED
Bot Chien is an exciting new addition to Lion Plaza.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13983625/bot-chien-san-jose-vietnamese-rice-cake-omelettes-lion-plaza
about 2 months ago
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I wrote about the Bay Area’s Filipino pie lady—back after a year-long hiatus with a fresh set of pies for Thanksgiving.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398341...
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The Bay Area’s ‘Pinay Pie Lady’ Is Back, Just in Time for Thanksgiving
Sweet Condesa returns with a new lineup of Filipino-inspired treats.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13983413/sweet-condesa-filipino-pies-thanksgiving-2025
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Luke Tsai
We found excellent Lao food at the bowling alley.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398324...
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The East Bay’s Best Late-Night Lao Restaurant Is Inside a Bowling Alley | KQED
As it turns out, Lao sausages and crispy rice ball salad are the tastiest bowling snacks.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13983249/late-night-lao-thai-food-bowling-alley-castro-valley
about 2 months ago
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We found excellent Lao food at the bowling alley.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398324...
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The East Bay’s Best Late-Night Lao Restaurant Is Inside a Bowling Alley | KQED
As it turns out, Lao sausages and crispy rice ball salad are the tastiest bowling snacks.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13983249/late-night-lao-thai-food-bowling-alley-castro-valley
about 2 months ago
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The late-night dance parties at the Seafood City in Daly City are THE place to be. Our correspondent Rocky Rivera with the story:
www.kqed.org/arts/1398311...
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The Bay Area’s Hottest Club Is a Filipino Supermarket
For Filipino Americans, dance parties at the Seafood City in Daly City are more than just a viral sensation.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13983119/seafood-city-filipino-supermarket-dj-dance-party-daly-city
about 2 months ago
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Luke Tsai
Sarah Hotchkiss
about 2 months ago
Local restaurants, already struggling, are stepping in to fill the gaping void of our federal government during shutdown. Read for a list of places giving free and discounted food to families who receive SNAP benefits:
www.kqed.org/arts/1398295...
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With SNAP Benefits Delayed, Restaurants Step Up to Feed Bay Area Families
Restaurants are offering free and discounted meals to those affected by the government shutdown.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982957/snap-calfresh-ebt-november-shutdown-meals-food-assistance-san-francisco-bay-area
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My favorite tonkatsu restaurant in the Bay Area had to shut down because of a fire. They're trying to fast-track a new location in Emeryville.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398292...
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A Fire Shuts Down One of the Bay Area’s Best Tonkatsu Restaurants
Jungdon Katsu’s owner hopes to open a new sit-down location in Emeryville.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982928/jungdon-katsu-fire-best-tonkatsu-danville-emeryville
2 months ago
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Luke Tsai
Come hang out, tonight! 6:30 at Omnivore Books. I'll be chatting with the incomparable Bryant Terry!! We'll sign books!
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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Always read Rocky Rivera on Bay Area hip-hop and food. Her latest, on the new wave of health-focused, aspirational "salad rap."
www.kqed.org/arts/1398279...
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Meet the Bay Area Rappers Who Want You to Eat a Salad
Some of the most popular rappers in the Bay are building their personal brand around orange juice, turmeric and leafy greens.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982793/bay-area-healthy-rap-stunnaman02-larry-june-eat-a-salad
2 months ago
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Come hang out, tonight! 6:30 at Omnivore Books. I'll be chatting with the incomparable Bryant Terry!! We'll sign books!
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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Luke Tsai
Sarah Hotchkiss
2 months ago
Don't miss Nastia Voynovskaya's sobering, in-depth report on the state of AI-generated music and musicians — and the avenues left to human musicians (because now we have to specify that):
www.kqed.org/arts/1398257...
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AI Is Coming for the Music Industry. How Will Artists Adapt? | KQED
The rise of AI-generated ‘artists’ prompts labor and free speech concerns as big tech aligns itself with the far right.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982572/ai-is-coming-for-the-music-industry-how-will-artists-adapt
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Stoked that my crab fishing influencer profile is featured in this year's Best American Food and Travel Writing, out in bookstores today! Bay Area folks, come see me chop it up with editor Bryant Terry at
@omnivorebooks.bsky.social
this Thursday!
omnivorebooks.myshopify.com/collections/...
2 months ago
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Here's an update on the new Cantonese barbecue counter coming this month to the Tenderloin, courtesy of the brothers behind the old Hing Lung Co. — one of my all-time favorite Chinatown spots before it closed last year.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398223...
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A Quintessential SF Chinatown Barbecue Shop Moves to the Tenderloin
Quack House is the newest addition to the Hing Lung Co. roast duck empire.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982236/hing-lung-new-chinese-barbecue-roast-duck-tenderloin-quack-house-chinatown
3 months ago
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Luke Tsai
Sarah Hotchkiss
3 months ago
Here's my commentary piece on the Big Art Loop, and what it means to hand our public space over to a billionaire and his choice of 100 pieces of existing, large-scale art. And for god's sake: Send your opinions to the agencies/nonprofit/org involved, not to me!
www.kqed.org/arts/1398217...
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Who Has a Say In the Flood of Public Art Coming to San Francisco?
The Sijbrandij Foundation’s plan to install 100 pieces of large-scale art around the city needs public oversight.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982175/big-art-loop-sijbrandij-foundation-san-francisco-public-art
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This month's Apple Maps update includes my new favorite Peking duck spot, excellent jjajangmyeon, and topnotch HK cafe–style noodles and rice plates.
apple.co/LukeTsai
3 months ago
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I made the NYT apple cider doughnuts.
3 months ago
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Luke Tsai
I wrote about Club Waziema, an Ethiopian dive bar that serves really good sega wot and an all-you-can-eat veggie combo.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398209...
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This Ethiopian Dive Bar’s Most Surprising Hit Is Its All-You-Can-Eat Veggie Combo
Club Waziema is one of SF’s classic neighborhood dives — and serves great misir wat and beef stew too.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982096/club-waziema-ethiopian-dive-bar-san-francisco-all-you-can-eat-veggie-combo-late-night
3 months ago
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I wrote about Club Waziema, an Ethiopian dive bar that serves really good sega wot and an all-you-can-eat veggie combo.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398209...
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This Ethiopian Dive Bar’s Most Surprising Hit Is Its All-You-Can-Eat Veggie Combo
Club Waziema is one of SF’s classic neighborhood dives — and serves great misir wat and beef stew too.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13982096/club-waziema-ethiopian-dive-bar-san-francisco-all-you-can-eat-veggie-combo-late-night
3 months ago
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Luke Tsai
I wrote about the teenage fashion designers who are spinning braided plantain peels and spray-painted pasta into high-fashion couture outfits, with the help of some of Oakland's top chefs.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398191...
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Plantain Peels, Sugar and Style: Oakland Teens Weave Food Into Fashion
At the first-ever Cuisine and Couture, students at the Oakland School for the Arts team up with some of Oakland’s top chefs to celebrate the local food scene.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981914/oakland-osa-fashion-show-cuisine-and-couture-restaurants-food
3 months ago
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I wrote about the teenage fashion designers who are spinning braided plantain peels and spray-painted pasta into high-fashion couture outfits, with the help of some of Oakland's top chefs.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398191...
loading . . .
Plantain Peels, Sugar and Style: Oakland Teens Weave Food Into Fashion
At the first-ever Cuisine and Couture, students at the Oakland School for the Arts team up with some of Oakland’s top chefs to celebrate the local food scene.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981914/oakland-osa-fashion-show-cuisine-and-couture-restaurants-food
3 months ago
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“America is considered a coffee country. There’s millions of people who are tea drinkers. I really want to get chai to where coffee stands.” Here's
@tavos-kitchen.bsky.social
on the first Kerala-style chai shop in the Bay Area — and maybe the entire U.S.?
www.kqed.org/arts/1398193...
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The Bay Area’s First Kerala-Style Chai Shop Opens in San Jose | KQED
Chayakada has wowed customers with its showy meter chai, authentic street snacks and friendly atmosphere.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981935/chai-cafe-san-jose-kerala-chayakada-indian-tea
3 months ago
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Here's
@jzigoris.bsky.social
with a deep dive into the Chinese workers who basically built up Northern California's wine country from scratch in the 1860s and 1870s. I didn't know this history!
www.kqed.org/arts/1398179...
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The Chinese Roots of Northern California’s Wine Industry Run Deep | KQED
Despite a long association with Europeans, Chinese laborers established the iconic vineyards of Sonoma and Napa Valleys.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981793/chinese-immigrant-wine-workers-napa-sonoma-forgotten-history
3 months ago
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Luke Tsai
KQED Arts & Culture
3 months ago
The Bitter Cotyledons collective in Santa Cruz grows Asian crops to connect with their ancestors and help queer folks feel rooted.
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A Santa Cruz Gardening Collective Cultivates Belonging for Queer and Trans Asian Americans | KQED
The Bitter Cotyledons collective grows Asian crops to connect with their ancestors and help queer folks feel rooted.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981369/a-santa-cruz-gardening-collective-cultivates-belonging-for-queer-and-trans-asian-americans
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Extremely excited to eat laksa and kaya toast at this new Singaporean festival happening this weekend.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398143...
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A Singaporean Hawker Center Is Coming to the Bay — For One Day, Anyway
In San Mateo, the inaugural Singapore Festival will celebrate the country’s 60th birthday.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981432/singaporean-food-festival-hawker-center-san-mateo-laksa-hainan-chicken-rice-kaya-toast
3 months ago
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All the food at this African food festival in Oakland looks and sounds amazing! It's part of the second annual Bay Area African Restaurant Week.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398131...
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African Restaurant Week Wants to Expand the Bay Area’s Palate
Lesser-known caterers and food trucks aim to show off the continent’s diverse cuisines.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981316/african-restaurant-week-oakland-bay-area-nigerian-ethiopian-food-jollof-rice
4 months ago
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This Saturday, Oakland Chinatown is running back the very popular night market that debuted last year.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398121...
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This Year's Oakland Chinatown Night Market Will Be Even Bigger | KQED
Neighborhood leaders hope to build on last year’s success.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981218/oakland-chinatown-night-market-2025-food-basketball-tournament-new-gold-medal
4 months ago
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Luke Tsai
I finally went to Toyose, and it was as fun as everyone said it would be.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398103...
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SF’s Famous Chicken Garage Is a Late-Night Korean Classic
Toyose has been serving late-night Korean pub food in the Outer Sunset since 2001.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981034/toyose-korean-chicken-garage-late-night-san-francisco
4 months ago
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I finally went to Toyose, and it was as fun as everyone said it would be.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398103...
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SF’s Famous Chicken Garage Is a Late-Night Korean Classic
Toyose has been serving late-night Korean pub food in the Outer Sunset since 2001.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13981034/toyose-korean-chicken-garage-late-night-san-francisco
4 months ago
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reposted by
Luke Tsai
Megan Greenwell
4 months ago
Ashanty is my student, and this is her first-ever professional assignment! She’s a ridiculously smart thinker and writer — read her on AI in school instead of all the adults pontificating. 🤗
add a skeleton here at some point
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Luke Tsai
I'm sorry to report that Wah Jee Wah, one of the very few restaurants in the East Bay doing open-fire Indian barbecue, has closed. Fortunately—especially for folks in Fremont, Milpitas and South SF—it looks like they already have some pretty solid reopening plans.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398082...
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The East Bay’s Most Famous Indian Barbecue Spot Has Closed — For Now
Wah Jee Wah looks to relocate from its original Hayward location in the aftermath of a landlord dispute.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980829/wah-jee-wah-indian-bbq-closed-hayward-fremont-milpitas
4 months ago
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I'm sorry to report that Wah Jee Wah, one of the very few restaurants in the East Bay doing open-fire Indian barbecue, has closed. Fortunately—especially for folks in Fremont, Milpitas and South SF—it looks like they already have some pretty solid reopening plans.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398082...
loading . . .
The East Bay’s Most Famous Indian Barbecue Spot Has Closed — For Now
Wah Jee Wah looks to relocate from its original Hayward location in the aftermath of a landlord dispute.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980829/wah-jee-wah-indian-bbq-closed-hayward-fremont-milpitas
4 months ago
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Highly recommend spending a morning gleaning backyard fruit — perhaps with these fine folks in Contra Costa County.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398069...
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Meet the Scrappy Volunteers Rescuing Fruit From Your Backyard
With its fruit gleaning events, ForestR does its part to reduce food waste and feed the hungry.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980694/contra-costa-county-fruit-rescue-gleaning-picking-pears-apples-peaches-volunteer
4 months ago
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Excited about this Indonesian coffee shop's comeback, now at a Berkeley museum—and, finally, a place where I can get my kaya toast fix.
www.kqed.org/arts/1398046...
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Showing Soon at BAMPFA: Avocado Iced Coffee and Art-Inspired Cakes
Kopi Bar is bringing its Cal-Indonesian pastries and coffee drinks to Berkeley.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980465/kopi-bar-bampfa-cafe-berkeley-avocado-iced-coffee-kaya-toast
4 months ago
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Luke Tsai
Wrote about a Chinese restaurant in San Bruno that promised "Texas BBQ," did not AT ALL deliver Texas barbecue, but I still kind of loved it??
www.kqed.org/arts/1398021...
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Where Chinese Hamburgers Meet ‘Texas’ Barbecue
The delicious contradictions of Z-One Kitchen in San Bruno.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980212/chinese-hamburger-barbecue-z-one-kitchen-san-bruno-rou-jia-mo
4 months ago
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Wrote about a Chinese restaurant in San Bruno that promised "Texas BBQ," did not AT ALL deliver Texas barbecue, but I still kind of loved it??
www.kqed.org/arts/1398021...
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Where Chinese Hamburgers Meet ‘Texas’ Barbecue
The delicious contradictions of Z-One Kitchen in San Bruno.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980212/chinese-hamburger-barbecue-z-one-kitchen-san-bruno-rou-jia-mo
4 months ago
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