The best part of my most recent visit was reading the back of the packaging for Edison Chopsticks (shown at right). The copy includes quotes from famous fans such as the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, who said, "The discovery of the static and peaceful chopstick culture that does not hurt your hands gave a dramatic change to my music." Or, as French philospher Roland Barthes put it, "Chopstick are nutrition intake tool as free and adroit as a thinker's fingers that are not mechanical any more."

For the past several years, I've been obsessed with learning about Korean food. After trying at least 30 restaurants, buying every Korean cookbook on the market, and making a pilgrimage to LA's incredible Koreatown, I still have a lot left to learn, but I do know one thing for sure: the best kimchi you can buy is at First Korean Market (4625 Geary).

The stuff is made fresh in the back of the store, and it couldn't be much simpler: just vegetables, hot pepper, garlic, salt, and salted shrimp. They pretty much always have Napa cabbage (labeled "sliced"), daikon ("radish"), and bachelor radish ("baby radish"), all priced at $4.99 a quart or $7.99 a half gallon. Occasionally they also have other seasonal vegetables, such as cucumbers or spring onions. The store also has a complete selection of Korean groceries and a nice serve-yourself bar of tasty panchan (appetizers / side dishes).

More >>

The pistachio avocado roll ($5) at Rumble Fish (200 23rd Ave.) is a lively alternative to plain avocado rolls, which are a staple of any veggie sushi enthusiast's diet but can be a little bit boring. The nuts are crushed and rolled both inside and outside, so the flavor really comes through in every bite. In addition to the usual seafood suspects, this cute little bistro in the Richmond District also makes a cashew avocado roll (and, for carnivores who want to stay on land, an amazing beef carpaccio). Strangely enough, the restaurant also sports a poster for The Godfather on the wall, giving off a cute gangster vibe.