Worth the wait

El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section reviews three local popular eateries

Angela Poon and Aletheia Ju • March 3, 2025

Din Tai Fung

Photo | Aletheia Ju

Overview

The world-famous dim sum chain Din Tai Fung’s Westfield mall location was packed, even on a weekday. Inside, the dim lighting and the wooden decor contributed to a traditional ambience. The waiters were attentive and the service was fast, displayed by the frequent water refills and the food coming out within 10 minutes. As for reservations, they were easy to secure but necessary to bypass the queue.

RATING: 4/5

PRICING: $$$/$$$

Photo | Aletheia Ju

Cucumber Salad ($8.50)

The cucumber salad was presented in a visually pleasing, geometric set of squares. The cucumbers were soaked in a sweet and spicy sauce, garnished with pepper and garlic. The cucumber itself was fresh and the sauce was the perfect spice level despite being pretty oily. Overall, it was a refreshing start to the meal and lived up to our expectations.

RATING: 4/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao ($17.50)

The famous kurobuta pork xiao long baos — Chinese soup dumplings — arrived in a steamer containing 10 pieces. The doughy skin was thin enough to easily bite through while being thick enough to hold the contents of the dumpling and the umami soup filling was warm without being scalding hot. This dish displayed authentic Chinese flavors, with a notably non-soggy wrapper, flavorful soup and tender meat. The ratios were just right, resulting in a standout dish.

RATING: 4.5/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Long Bao ($11.00)

Similarly, the five chocolate xiao long baos were served at an ideal temperature with well textured, thin skins. While the rich chocolate was too sweet, the mochi skins provided balance. The chocolate was velvety and melted in the mouth, but the skin was tough to chew in places where it was pinched together. Despite this, the pair complemented each other well, creating a unique and interesting dessert. Its only fault is the price: as delicious as they are, $2.20 for each dumpling isn’t justified.

RATING: 3/5

Izumi Matcha

Photo | Angela Poon

Overview

One of Cupertino’s most popular matcha places, Izumi Matcha is well-known for its authentic matcha drinks and desserts. The modern interior had one self-service kiosk and minimal decoration consisting of a cabinet displaying purchasable bowls and whisks with informative plaques about the history of matcha. Despite the long line, the service was quick.

RATING: 4/5

PRICING: $$/$$$

Photo | Aletheia Ju

Black Sesame Soft Serve ($5.50)

The black sesame soft serve was mildly sweet and nutty with a smooth finish. While the strong sesame flavor didn’t last and the soft serve itself wasn’t super creamy, these were not too much of a demerit. On the upside, the little grains of black sesame incorporated extra texture. Overall, the portion and quality were satisfactory given the price.

RATING: 4.5/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Matcha Soft Serve ($5.50)

The famous matcha soft serve lived up to the hype: not only was the portion excellent for the money spent, the superior quality was evident. Thick, creamy, smooth and soft, this soft serve had it all. The top was also generously dusted with matcha powder, intensifying the strong and authentic flavor.

RATING: 5/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Honey Matcha Latte ($7.75)

Despite having Izumi’s signature matcha flavor, the honey matcha latte fell flat in terms of presentation. Ice took up two-thirds of the cup, meaning there was not much actual liquid and drinking fast was necessary to avoid a diluted drink. Additionally, it tasted excessively grassy, but this may have been due to adding the free extra matcha shot.

RATING: 1.5/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Crème Brûlée Matcha Swirl ($8.95)

This drink had a beautifully marbled exterior with a rich matcha flavor that was satisfyingly sweet and not grassy-tasting. Still, as a blended ice drink, it was a little too dense and hard to sip. In spite of these flaws, chunks of matcha powder added an interesting pop of flavor, but the drink was too plain and didn’t have enough elements of a crème brûlée to justify the high price.

RATING: 3.5/5

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

Photo | Angela Poon

Overview

Main Street’s Kura Sushi is most known for its iconic revolving bar. Plates of sushi with their labels passed by continuously for customers to choose from, though they could order on a convenient touchscreen as well. The atmosphere inside was colorful and loud and the waiters were eager to explain how the restaurant worked. Little vending machines called gashapons were placed above every seat, dispensing capsule toys for every 15 dishes consumed to encourage customers to order more food. Soy sauce and pickled onions were placed at every seat and prices were affordable because of the small portions.

RATING: 3.5/5

PRICING: $/$$$

Photo | Angela Poon

Eel Nigiri ($3.95)

The two pieces of eel nigiri consisted of thin slices of eel placed atop warm, vinegary ovals of rice. Not only did the fish taste fresh, it flaked apart in silky layers which melted on the tongue. For the perfect finish, the sweet and savory unagi sauce drizzled on top thickly coated the eel, merging textures perfectly to construct the ultimate eel experience.

RATING: 4.5/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Negitoro Gunkan ($3.95)

Wrapped in chewy and slightly soggy seaweed, this gunkan — a type of sushi meaning “battleship” — didn’t fully live up to expectations. The toro, or minced tuna, was plentiful but contained little flavor. Ultimately, the green onions sprinkled on top were this dish’s only saving grace, integrating sharp and fresh flavors that paired well with the toro.

RATING: 2.5/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Spicy Salmon Hand Roll ($3.95)

The salmon mixture, as the star of the show, had a strong but tolerable spiciness. The two cucumber pieces, albeit warm, added variety to the textures in an otherwise boring dish. Whereas the salmon was soft and easily digestible, the seaweed was chewy and difficult to bite through, only worsened by its extremely oily exterior.

RATING: 2/5

Photo | Angela Poon

Kura Roll ($3.95)

Not only did squeezing the lemon on top of the three pieces add an unexpected zest, the flavors and textures from the avocado, shrimp mayo and salmon complemented each other well. Unfortunately, the toasted sesame seeds contributed a burnt flavor which lingered in the aftertaste, subduing the more pleasant tastes.

RATING: 3/5

Photo | Aletheia Ju

Warabimochi ($3.95)

This novel dessert, consisting of a light brown mochi dusted with a generous amount of soybean powder, had unique textures — matte and gelatinous on the outside, glossy and liquidy on the inside. Further enhancing this remarkable dessert, the squishy and smooth jelly-like pieces easily dissolve in the mouth. Its slightly sweet mochi starkly contrasts the distinct peanut flavor of the soybean powder, which comes in excess to allow for dipping based on personal preference.

RATING: 5/5

About the Contributors

Angela Poon, Staff Writer

Angela is currently a sophomore and staff writer for El Estoque. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, trying new stationery, and hanging out with her friends.

Aletheia Ju, Staff Writer

Aletheia is currently a junior and a staff writer for El Estoque. During her free time she likes to read, play the piano, and draw. She also likes to waste time watching video essays.