Thursday 3/26: Food Runners and UNICEF's TAP Project

Our guest chef this week is Mari Takahashi, a Yokohama-born Japanese woman who left a job in the tech sector to meet San Francisco's need for authentic Japanese food other than sushi. She is the chef of Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge, an Izakaya (Japanese gastropub) in the Inner Sunset where she creates traditional and updated small plates using organic and local ingredients. She also runs Mari's Catering which has offered boxed Japanese deli products at Rainbow Grocery and elsewhere since 2004.

Mari's profits will go to Food Runners, whose volunteers deliver over 10 tons of food a week to agencies feeding people in need. MSF's profits will go to UNICEF's TAP Project, in honor of World Water Week (March 22nd-28th).

This Thursday also marks the debut of the second Lung Shan-MSF collaboration: Bacon Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Soup Dumplings). We've modified the traditional pork-filled xiao long bao (a dim sum favorite) by adding the smokiness of Benton's incredible bacon to both the broth and the meat. Lung Shan has again agreed to set aside 50 cents per order for charity and, as with Lung Shan's Vegan Delight, this item will also be available during their regular business hours, even when MSF is not around (although contrary to an earlier statement, neither will be available for delivery). To date, sales of Lung Shan's Vegan Delight have generated $181, which will also go to UNICEF's TAP Project.

MENU:

Sake pairings by 8-ounce glass or flight of three 2-ounce pours.

Fresh Lucque and Castelvetrano Olives - $4

Organic Mizuna Salad, Mixed Citrus, Sesame Miso Dressing, Wonton Chips - $7.25

Slow-Braised Berkshire Kurobuta Pork Belly with Shichimi (Japanese 7 spices), Yaki Onigiri (Soy Grilled Rice Ball), Yuzu Daikon Pickles - $9.5

Homemade Kurobuta Bacon Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake), Sweet Worcestershire Sauce, Japanese style Aioli, Shaved Bonito Flakes, Ao-Nori - $7

Lung Shan's Vegan Delight: Shitake and Oyster Mushroom Dumplings in Miso Soup - $5.5

Lung Shan's Bacon Xiao Long Bao: Four Shanghai Soup Dumplings filled with Benton's Bacon, ground Pork and Herbs - $5.5

King Trumpet: Mushrooms, Triple-Fried Potato, Garlic Confit and Charred Scallion Sour Cream on a homemade Flatbread - $6

Sesame Avocado Brown Rice with Tofu Tempura - $7.5

Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream: Green Tea-Black Sesame or Secret Breakfast - $3.25 per scoop

Notes:

-Our lost and found collection is growing. Email us at missionstreetfood@gmail.com if you left anything at Lung Shan, or just stop by.

-We recently gave $440 to the LGBT Youth Meals Program and $564 to the St. Anthony Foundation. Thanks for your support.