The Jury Is Still Out
January 26, 2007
Out of 93 U.S. attorneys nationally — at least four are Asian Pacific American. Top gun Chinese American law enforcer Carol Lam is leaving California, the recently Senate-confirmed Indian American Rachel Paulose in Minnesota, Japanese American Edward Kubo of Hawai‘i and Amul Thapar — the son of Indian immigrants — of Kentucky. Read more
James Kim — Tragedy By Racism?
January 26, 2007
Here’s one question no one dares to ask about the tragic death in the Oregon backcountry of CNET editor James Kim:
Did Kim’s heritage play any role in the tragedy?
That’s right — was race a factor in any part of this tragic snafu?
It’s worth mentioning if you read over the Oregon Sheriff’s Report that was released last week. Read more
YumGuide Reviews Ohgane
January 26, 2007
Korean appetizers – Panchan (free): Featuring a dozen different delectables, Ohgane definitely takes care of its customers in terms of appetizers. Though it was free, I’d pay for this panchan because it was one of the best I’ve ever had. We also got free seaweed soup and a sweet rice soup dessert, which is customary of most Korean restaurants.
Pan-fried Meat & Vegetable Dumpling – Goon Man Du ($7.95): I received 10 of these dumplings, which was quite filling, especially since they were fried. Many places only give six or eight pieces so the extra few dollars seemed worth it.
Sauteed Kim Chee with Pork or Beef – Kim Chee Boke Um ($10.95): Served in a huge stoneware bowl, the portions were quite generous. There was a lot of soft tofu mixed with various veggies on a bed of rice. Don’t expect big chunks of pork or beef though — it’s just minced.
Tender BBQ Pork Marinated in Special Sauce – Dae Ji Gu E ($16.95): A small-looking platter of BBQ pork, but it’s enough to feed two people if you add an appetizer.
Sauteed Pork & Vegetables with Special Sauce – Dae Ji Boke Um ($12.95): Since rice is served on the side for this dish, you can concentrate on the huge plate of meat in front of you. My favorite entrée here, it’s a big helping of pork. Not skimpy on the vegetables, either. They use zucchini and even add the more expensive enoki mushrooms and a slice of fishcake for good measure.
Pineapple Sorbet ($4.95): This sorbet can comfortably only satisfy one person, but looks deceiving decorated in a sliced pineapple hull. It was a sweet finish to a good meal.
— “cheap eater”
Once we sat down, we looked over the menus, drank our barley teas and then ordered right away, hungry and eager to eat.
For an appetizer, we ordered the Bin Dae Dduk ($6.95) and for our main entrée, Palace Gal Bi ($19.95). Soon afterward, the panchan, or small plates, arrived neatly on our table. Various seasoned vegetables like mung beans, spinach, bean sprouts and radish; fish cake, kim chee, seaweed, and glazed sweet potato (a particular favorite of many), were placed appetizingly in front of us.
Before long, (after several of the small dishes disappeared into our mouths), our warm Bin Dae Dduks came out. Dipped in soy sauce and a little white vinegar (both located conveniently on the table), these cornmeal-type texture pancakes are very tasty.
After finishing up our Bin Dae Dduks, the grill for the barbeque arrived, along with the plates of lettuce and vinegary vegetable wrappers, lettuce salad (lettuce tossed with green onion, soy sauce, vinegar and red chili pepper), mini plates of bean paste, jalapenos and garlic slices, and of course, the short ribs. For those a little wary of grilling the meat themselves, the waitresses are more than happy to cook for you.
To best enjoy the meat, it is highly recommended that it be placed on a lettuce, along with a little bean pepper paste and rice, and then wrapped up and eaten quickly.
As just a note, if you get one order of meat per person, as service, a complimentary bowl of bean paste stew comes with the meal.
At Ohgane, traditional Korean favorites are served up fresh and fancy, and you’ll be sure to come out very pleased.
— “taste tester”
From the décor to the serving dishes, Ohgane exhibits clean lines without the pretentiousness. It is apparent that appearance is a priority the moment you walk in the door, but don’t get your expectations too high as it still has the chairs that look like they were ten bucks a pop in the ‘80s and the menus are desperately crying for a second lamination. Clean and comfortable, a great place to go with the family, or dare I say it, a second, no, maybe third date.
The service here can be summed up in two words: “Happy Call.” Each table is outfitted with a “Happy Call” pager button that when activated blares a melody at the front cashier’s table (which I am sure the employees have come to embrace) always followed by a friendly and considerate server/host.
While this may seem convenient, and maybe even downright fun, it was my experience that the restaurant has grown to rely on the alarm. Never did I have the usual server come by to refill my drink, ask if I wanted any more side dishes or rice, which was clutch given that soup was my meal of choice that day. Anyone with a grain of compassion or tact will not indulge in the paging as much as required for a comfortable dining experience.
I simply started to feel like a pest, even compiling multiple requests to be given during a single beckoning. The service was friendly and always helpful, once they are at your table, that is.
Overall, I would be quite pleased with the appearance and service at Ohgane if I didn’t have to ask for it. In their defense they did come around once without my needing anything, but I’m guessing that my elbow accidentally hitting the button doesn’t count. The dining experience here could potentially be a home-run with a little tweaking and a bit more human interest.
— “service sensitive”
A regular American meal can consist of a plate with meat, rice and vegetables.
However, for a Korean meal, it is absolutely essential that the meal also contain side dishes known as panchan.
Panchan is served in small portions to provide diners with a variety of dishes and add balance to the meal.
In fact, very few families would even think about eating a meal that consisted of only one dish and rice.
In most cases, the number of panchan served for the meal indicates the status and prestige of the restaurant or host. The types of panchan served also vary widely.
Some examples include:
- Kim chee — universally part of the panchan selection, kim chee includes an array of chili-marinated pickled vegetables (napa cabbage kim chee is the most common)
- P’ajeon — thin, usually lukewarm pancakes with lots of green onion
- Tofu with soy, sesame, ginger and green onion
- Cold bean sprouts with sesame oil
— “Did you know?”
Stuffed Slugs and Smiling Tomatoes at ‘Park Life’
January 26, 2007
Cute Japanese figurines, mini designer chairs and a sad ghost lamp are among the unique items at Clement Street’s newest store, Park Life. The small Asian American-owned retail store is a place for art enthusiasts or those interested in finding unique knickknacks. Read more
George Leong Young Suey, 1915-2007
January 26, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO — George Leong Young Suey, Asian American trailblazer during the 1960s to the 1990s, passed away on Jan. 14. The San Bruno resident was 91.
Suey was active with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance since the early 1960s, where he became president of the San Francisco lodge in 1972 and then first national executive director from 1977-79.
The United States versus Resegregation in the Supreme Court
January 26, 2007
This summer, for the first time since racial segregation in America’s schools was outlawed over 50 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to set new standards changing the extent to which primary and secondary students nationwide can reap the benefits of ethnically and racially diverse academic environments. Read more
Indian Siblings Compete To Be Next American Idol
January 26, 2007
With the sixth season of mega-hit American Idol under way, two Indian American siblings have immediately stood out as viable competitors for the crown.
Washington residents Shyamali Malakar, 19, and brother Sanjaya 17, met the judges in Seattle on Idol’s Jan. 17 episode.
FilAm Legal Icon Eleanor Nisperos Retires
January 26, 2007
We all need role models — heroes to blaze trails for us, to inspire us to do more.
It must have been very difficult for then 22-year-old Eleanor Oducayen when she entered prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California in Berkeley in 1969. There were no other pinays in her class. In fact, they had never seen one at Boalt Hall. More than that, Eleanor, was the first-ever pinay at any law school in California. Eleanor had no role models to look up to in the profession she aspired to enter. She was it. Read more
Ethiopian American Caucus Chair Endorses Wilma Chan
January 26, 2007
The top endorsement highlighted by former Assemblywoman Wilma Chan in her campaign for state senate District 9 is chairman of the Ethiopian American caucus. The 9th District is one-quarter black, 19 percent Latino and 17 percent APA (2000 Census numbers). It covers cities like Berkeley, Oakland and Alameda. Chan, who was termed out of her Assembly seat, launched an e-mail campaign just after the Martin Luther King holiday … Read more
Kate Flashes Reporter
January 26, 2007
SANDRA MUM, ISAIAH SORE LOSER AT GLOBES
While Grey’s Anatomy squabble over the “Did he, didn’t he?” fight over the outing of co-star T.R. Knight by Isaiah Washington, Sandra Oh is playing diplomat. Dressed in an Olympian bronze dress, Sandra was visibly disgusted as Isaiah repeated the offensive F-word to the stunned press. The crowd gasped, then uncomfortably stared at Sandra trying to keep T.R. from running away from the PR train wreck. “He just shouldn’t speak in public,” co-star Katherine Heigl added later. Grey’s Anatomy had just won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Drama Series.
Vietnamese America’s Pride at Smithsonian
January 26, 2007
Thirty years ago, Vietnamese Americans entered the American consciousness as people climbing into helicopters to flee their country, refugees in camps scattered across Asia, or babies being airlifted to the United States. Today, they are legislators, scientists and every other profession imaginable. They live in large and small enclaves in California, northern Virginia and all corners of the country. Read more
The New Colors of the Golden Globes
January 19, 2007
A few years back when Halle Berry won her Academy Award for her performance in Monster’s Ball, the actress gave an emotional acceptance speech about how doors seemed to now be opening for people of color in Hollywood (Denzel Washington also won an acting Oscar that year). While I applauded, I wrote at the time that I thought it might be a little premature to say that any real shift was taking place in the industry. Read more
