
3

"I enter into Harumama, the noodle and bun shop that burst onto the scene early last year and ignited Instagram feeds with its beyond-cute steamed buns shaped like animal characters that each hold a different filling: pink-nosed pigs hiding pork and caramelized onion, spotted cows encasing barbecued beef, polar bears with sweet red bean middles, and bee buns filled with egg custard. Its noodle offerings include truffle udon, yakisoba, and riffs on ramen based on pork, chicken, and vegetable broths, and other bites range from handheld folded buns stuffed with fried chicken or pork belly to dumplings and poke bowls; the owners also operate the poke shop Pokewan. Both eateries are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with lunch specials available from noon to 3 p.m. and happy hour featured from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m." - Candice Woo