Goodbye Minneapolis
I used to live in a building on Marquette Avenue that only had studio apartments. For $500 a month, I squeezed my life into a 450-square-foot studio in downtown Minneapolis. My kitchen was in my bedroom, my living room was also my dining room, and the hallways always smelled like cigarettes. It felt more like living in a motel than an apartment. That was my life in Minneapolis. Eventually, I decided it was time for a change and packed up everything I owned into a tan Nissan Maxima, headed west.
Next week, I’ll be making the same move again—back to California—exactly 11 years later, almost to the day.
Minneapolis has been my home for 12 years, and in that time, the city embraced me like an adopted son. I did my best to eat my way through this town. I remember celebrating my 19th birthday at Ping’s and learning that good Chinese food was a rarity back then. But recently, I’ve been amazed at how diverse the food scene has become. Back in 2006, I lived a few blocks from Hong Kong Noodles, which has remained a constant for authentic HK-style food. I’ve probably eaten everything on their menu at this point, and I still don’t have a bad word to say.
The food scene in Minneapolis has been well-documented, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Anthony Bourdain’s prediction that pho would be as common as hot dogs and burgers in the Midwest. He filmed his first show right here in downtown Minneapolis, and two decades later, I’d say he was right. Here’s a list of my favorite spots from my time here:
Quans: Everyone knows about the pho, but don’t miss the weekend-only sea bass special. Their shrimp pad Thai and desserts are easily the most underrated food items in the state.
Sushi Train: Sushi delivered by conveyor belt, plus an annual sake tasting party. What more could you want?
Sushi Takatsu: The line stretches through the skyway during weekdays, but those who wait know it’s worth it.
Donghae: The secret here is the all-you-can-eat sushi. Sit at the sushi bar and let the chef handle the ordering.
Tofu House: Tiny spot with just five tables, but somehow, there’s never a wait.
ZenBox: The ramen isn’t the best in town, but the bento box more than makes up for it.
Moto I: I don’t go for the ramen here either. It’s the pork belly that keeps me coming back—and did I mention they brew their own sake?
Little Szechuan: Pro tip: order the endless skewers and get Ma La (spicy) for half your hot pot.
Szechuan Roseville: A hole-in-the-wall with ever-changing weekly specials.
Mandarin Kitchen: The only dim sum spot in town that’s worth the wait.
Trieu Chau: My guilty pleasure when I cheat on Quans.
Magic Noodles: This beef sandwich is something you’ll only find in Xi’an, China, NYC, or here.
Minneapolis, it’s been a wild ride. I’ll miss this city and the friends I’ve made here. I hope to come back one day and let those same friends show me new spots that outshine this list. But let’s be honest, I won’t be able to stay away from Quans for long.
sleeping in the back of my car with my then entire life.
