Shokudo brings the Asian street food revolution to Buena Vista

Sara Liss8/20/2012

The goods: Shokudo brings the Asian street food revolution to Buena Vista.

Ambience: A bright, airy space with an inviting patio.

The grub: Asian comfort food. Dumplings, buns, sushi, small plates and noodle bowls from Korea, China, Japan, Tibet, the Philippines and Thailand. Prices are neighborhood-friendly: Maki rolls $9, noodle and rice dishes $14-$18 and a $9 lunch special.

Start with thin-skinned shrimp dumplings, crispy turkey pot-stickers or the Tibetan "momo" filled with curried potato in a tomato dipping sauce. Ramen goes gourmet with braised pork belly or shrimp tempura, scallions and tamago while green tea soba noodles blend seared duck breast with a dashi broth. Additional offerings include ahi tuna poke & taro chips, bibimbap with spinach and shiitake mushrooms., Soon du bu (spicy Korean soup with beef, oyster and shrimp), sautéed spinach and kimichi-marinated radish. Desserts include matcha custard and coconut cake.

Verdict: An Asian tapas den that encourages diners to look beyond sushi and spring rolls.