86750 Sun Jan 16 01:10:51 -0800 2005 7 3 California 0 478788 Last thursdays Yimster invited ChowFun, Bryan Loofbourrow and I to accompany him on a trip to honor Mrs. Yimster's memory. The place was a Chinese vegetarian restaurant in Ukiah at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, "Jyun Kang Vegetarian Restaurant". Ukiah is a long drive from the SF Bay Area but it is worth the trip to Ukiah to try this creative use of tofu, wheat gluten and vegetables. Our little group enjoyed the following dishes: "Dumpling" (8); which are boiled with a deliciously flavored filling, fresh-tasting and nice texture; "Spicy Hot & Sour Soup" which was very different from what is usually served; I thought it was lighter and cleaner tasting; "Chef Special Combo Lo-Wei" which was a platter of sliced mock chicken - Yimster told us that for a larger group he had ordered ahead and this dish was much more interesting and included more items - this time it was probably the weakest dish; "Sauteed Mushroom & Basil" - very interesting preparation of regular super-market white mushrooms that had been partially split and maybe quickly deep-fried (no batter) then stir fried with Thai basil in a very tasty sauce. The mushrooms were very "meat-like" in texture - very yummy; "Sweet & Sour Bean Sheet Square" - this was perhaps my favorite dish - the name of the dish doesn't do it justice and I don't think I can adequately describe it - I can only say that Bryan said that if we didn't move the plate away from him it would be difficult for him to keep from eating it all - one of the most interesting vegetarian dishes I've tasted; "Golden Nuggets with Ginger" - again one of the most interesting vegetarian dishes I've had - 1" squares of I think wheat gluten that had been deep fried with the thinnest shreds of ginger - addictive, texturally and flavorful - I couldn't stop eating these... Yimster explained that neither onions or garlic are used here as they are thought of as being like meat in a strict Buddhist interpretation; it is hard to believe that this much flavor can be created without including these 2 seemingly indispensable items. This place is truly a gem. I'm hoping that next summer when we make our annual trek to the family gathering at Clearlake I can convince Bob that we have to stop here! The menu states business hours as Mon-Thurs 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Fri - Sun 11:00 am - 6:00 pm and closed on Tuesdays. Phone: 707-462-3939. The address is shown as 4951 Bodhi Way, Ukiah CA 95482 but the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas address is 2001 Talmage Road, Ukiah. It's a straight-thru drive up 101 to the Talmage exit, then straight into the grounds; if you continue to drive straight, the administration building will be on your right(includes a large book/gift store) and if you continue a little farther you will see a small sign on your left "vegetarian restaurant", make that turn and go about a block or so to the small restaurant building. One last thing: they have many items available frozen to go including the dumplings ($11 for 30) and what Yimster told us is one of the best items, the Whole Wheat buns ($6.50 for 10). Bryan spotted bags of nori seasoned with ginger, cinnamon and sesame seeds - the seaweed had been fried and looked like a good "chip" substitute - I had to get a bag of this and it's very tasty and satisfies that crunch urge ($3.00). Sun Jan 16 01:10:51 -0800 2005 0 RWCFoodie 1 478794 Thanks so much for your report of this off-the-beaten-path place. I've heard of the Buddhist community in Ukiah, but didn't know much else, let alone that they have a Chinese veg. restaurant open to the general public. Food sounds simple yet cleansing and profound; I'm sure the spiritual atmosphere of the compound contributes to this. Reminds me of when I was visiting a Viet Buddhist temple in Seattle to pay respects to my grandmother. We walked through the small kitchen in which food was being prepared for the residents' communal dinner. Remember wishing that we could have joined them in their meal to sample the veg. creations. Will likely be driving from Santa Cruz up the 101 to land in the Arcata/Eureka area to visit my folks early next mo. If I can convince my non-chow, Bloomingdale's-is-her-2nd-home sister who will be my companion to indulge me and if our driving schedule allows, I will surely stop in and report back. If we don't have time for a sit-down meal, then may just stop in for those wheat buns and dumplings to go. I don't know Yimster or the late Mrs. Yimster, yet I will no doubt think of them and my ancestors when I visit. Tried to find a website for the place, but what I found wasn't very current or comprehensive. Can one walk around the grounds and/or pray in a communal area? Thanks for any info. Sun Jan 16 15:09:50 -0800 2005 478788 0 Carb Lover 2 478801 Yimster is one of the leading SF Bay Area Chinese food gurus for us Chowhounds; he has organized many Chinese feasts and we look to him to do the ordering for us especially when a command of Cantonese or Mandarin is necessary! There is a web site for the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas; I found it after much Googling! See below. Another place to stop on the way up 101 might fit your sister's reqs would be the Blue Bird Cafe in Hopland. They have a pretty large menu that includes ostrich, wild boar and venison burgers among other things and some very tasty looking fish & chips. If she's of the "I'll only eat salad" ilk, they have some very nice salads and "conventional" type foods... and home-made pies. Link: http://www.drba.org/branches/cttb/cttb_e.htm Sun Jan 16 19:26:00 -0800 2005 478794 0 RWCFoodie 3 478814 Thanks for the link, RWCFoodie. Blue Bird Cafe sounds like quite the opposite experience of CoTTB, but food sounds like something that would please both me and my sister. Well, I'll be making a round trip so may consider doing both. Mon Jan 17 16:15:47 -0800 2005 478801 0 Carb Lover 2 478802 There is the hall where there are the ten thousand buddha's each hand made and so not cut from the same mold. You can pray and make offering in this hall. They also have classes on site. I find it restful and a place where you can make peace with yourself in addition to finding food to refresh you body and soul. The have a temple in San Jose. There is also another one temple not related to them in Sunnyvale. But serve meals on speical days. Sun Jan 16 21:20:43 -0800 2005 478794 0 yimster 3 478813 Thanks for the info, yimster. I'm sorry for your loss and hope that food shared w/ CH friends has provided some solace. Will try to make it out to the City of 10,000 Buddhas since pure, simple food and reflection would do me some good right now. Will report back if I go... Mon Jan 17 16:08:22 -0800 2005 478802 0 Carb Lover 1 479115 Glad to hear you enjoyed this restaurant. It is well worth a trip to the area to eat here. I might suggest a ride on Highway 253 to Boonville after your lunch. The scenery in both directions is a perfect companion to the sense of well-being you will be experiencing following your luncheon. The drive is about an half-hour each way. Sun Jan 30 23:42:46 -0800 2005 478788 0 Jeff Davis 1 479116 Glad to hear you enjoyed this restaurant. It is well worth a trip to the area to eat here. I might suggest a ride on Highway 253 to Boonville after your lunch. The scenery in both directions is a perfect companion to the sense of well-being you will be experiencing following your luncheon. The drive is about an half-hour each way. Sun Jan 30 23:43:06 -0800 2005 478788 0 Jeff Davis