Mongolian Cooking plus Uzbeki,Japanese & Russian ccomes to Richmond

[gordon wing]

A few weeks back I got a flyer for a new restaurant in our neighborhood: Eurasia. Two separate menus actually: one Japanese and the other for Europe and Asian Food. Looking at the menu and reading some Yelp reviews we decided to go for some Mongolian items. It's located in a strip mall on San Pablo Ave in Richmond - tween Barrett and McDonald. The space used to be a Chinese take out ...... now it's a sit down restaurant. But we did notice they did have folks coming in for take out and they also offer free delivery ( not sure of their range ). We ordered more than we needed ( generous portions ) but we wanted to try some different things and the prices are quite reasonable in any event. We started with the steamed dumplings: Buuz. 10 pieces. They're filled with a beef & onion. Bigger than chinese dumplings at dim sum and with thicker, chewier skins. Hearty dumplings with a meaty taste that are quite filling ...... this order of 10 could be shared among 3 folks maybe. A huge bottle of Maggi and a bottle of Ketchup were brought to the table. I used some Maggi to augment the chili sauce in the condiment platter on the table. Really enjoyed the chili sauce: very flavorful with some spice but not searingly hot. Our waiter's favorite dish was no. 10: Huushuur. Fried Mongolian beef filled pockets - deep fried. 4 to an order. Each is about 6 inches by 3 inches and filled with maybe the same filling as the steamed dumplings? There was a welcome accompaniment of cucumber, tomato and shredded cabbage in a tart dressing. Our last items was Soup no. 5 : Vegetable Beef Soup with dumplings
( Mongolian) $7.50 - we ordered one soup and they split it into two -6inch bowls for us. The soup was my favorite item of the night ....... a rich dark broth with lots of cabbage, carrots, onions and bits of beef - plus beef filled dumplings-about 5 in my bowl. There was a nice star anise flavor that reminded me of Chinese Beef Stew. This is homestyle cooking that is very reasonably priced. Stick to your ribs food that stayed with me for a long time. The service was friendly - will probably go back to try some other items. Not sure about the Japanese food .... would love to have a good tonkatsu nearby. Not a destination place but I'm glad they're in the neighborhood. The soup would be great on a cold night.

[Robert Lauriston]

I wonder if it's connected with Asian Grill in Oakland? Similar sort of idea, the menu has different sections for Japanese, Mongolian, and all-day diner breakfast.

http://www.asiangrilltogo.com

Seems like nobody thinks they can make it with only Mongolian food. The other Oakland place, Pizza-Rama, closed.

[shanghaikid]

Pizza-Rama people were nice people but they made lousy pizza. never tried the "fried rice" featured on the standing boards sign.

guess i'll check out asian grill for the mongolian food.
cautious about the japanese food there.

[Robert Lauriston]

The Mongolian food at Pizza-Rama was OK though Asian Grill was much better across the board.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/427907
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/621169

[shanghaikid]

cool. thanx. didn't have any english problems with the young heavyset guys at pizza-rama..

[gordon wing]

interesting ..... didn't realize Mongolian/Japanese was a "thing" - I need to get out more : ~ )

[shanghaikid]

Eurasia offers a vast menu. was positive chef couldn't/wouldn't prepped all dishes well. sadly, i was right.

grilled lamb chop (8.5) wasn't grilled. it was boiled/steamed. some chewy, some tender. it wasn't a "chop", just some cheaper cut of meat (shoulder?).

the accompanying mash potato (russian style with sour cream) was fab/delish.

the comped mongolian milk tea(1.5) was delish/salty/addictive.

miso broth was clear, no msg tasted. more tofu taste.

asked for the freshest sashimi in the house .(8/10.95 )got sake, maguro, not albacore nor hamachi. sashimi barely fresh. very generouse slices.

conclusion: would skip nigiri, rolls, go for the mongolian noodles/soups. japanese entrees a maybe.

[gordon wing]

thanks for the additional info ...... I heard that there is a particular chef that does the Japanese items ? but without a lot of turnover fresh fish could be a challenge but I'll still hope for the tonkatsu : ~ )

[shanghaikid]

was thinking a chef with 2 hats was stretching his talents too thinly.

if 2nd "chef" is present, probably isn't a full fledged one. noticed everyone spent a lot of time in the kitchen, no one was minding the dining room.

[Melanie Wong]

What kind of Uzbek dishes are available?

[gordon wing]

from their menu - only one really: Uzbek plov.
"Spiced beef is simmered with rice and whole garlic in this Middle East inspired dish" 12 items are listed as Mongolian. 6 as Russian. 1 Bulgarian. 1 Hungarian. and 1 Tsuivan..