• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

Be a Wok Star!

  • Home
  • About
    • Press
    • Partners/Sponsors
  • Shop
    • Wok Star Amazon Store
    • Wok-Set
  • Experiences
    • Wok Star Supper Club
  • Blog/Reviews
  • Resources
    • Tips
    • Asian Markets in Miami
    • Asian Markets in Broward
    • Videos
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

"Chinese food"

Novikov Miami Spice Excites Your Palate

August 10, 2018 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Alright, so now we have a Russian opening a Chinese, Japanese restaurant in Miami that’s world famous, love it, bring it ON, Novikov Miami! I didn’t get a chance to meet owner, Arkadiy Novikov but hope to one day soon. I want to get into his head what his thoughts were with his restaurant concept and to date have 50 concept businesses around the world. I find out he graduated as a chef and into environmentally friendly products. I like that.

WA WA: Shrimp Cilantro Dumplings, Saffron Sweet Corn Dumplings set our palates tingling, wow! Good wrappers are an indication of what’s inside. You could taste flavors of each ingredient, how did they do that? Definitely order these as your appetizers.

So, I think he’s onto something. But to do it with flair and style and to succeed worldwide is another story and Novikov is on the right path.

Their London outpost attracts celebrities and such and so will Miami I’m sure but it doesn’t detract from the fact they serve excellent quality Chinese Banquet style food. It’s very rare to find that any more, so we are lucky we get to experience it. So, don’t wait too long to visit.

About the decor…
Theatrical, whimsical comes to mind!  As you enter, a beautiful sculpture with colorful swirls, twirls and red flowers immediately sets the ambience of the space! Don’t just go and sit at your table, stroll around to see EVERYTHING.

The designers did a fantastic job, the artwork and colors are right up my alley. Red is dotted throughout, it’s not only my favorite color but it represents prosperity, good luck, happiness, good health in the Eastern philosophy. 

My favorite areas are of course the line up of fresh produce and fish with yes, you guessed it, RED backdrop!  Red makes the impeccably arranged vegetables and fish stand out, both are for sale. His concept was to resemble Asian markets and in this case, a very upscale one. I miss fresh markets terribly, I used to adore going food shopping with my mom. What a nice touch, there’s nothing like the aromas and freshness with the display of vegetables and fish.

Their stainless steel kitchen is immaculate, tidy and very organized. Don’t miss the hanging Peking Ducks, they were the highlight of my lunch!

Look up, those lampshades remind me of Asian hats, with different shapes and configurations. Bright purple and white orchids make this humungous space a lot more cozy.

There’s also a very zen sushi bar with a magnificent wood table and red accent cushioned chairs. Red banquettes are along the back wall with an area for private dining for 12 but I didn’t see it.

About the food…
I was invited to preview their Miami Spice Lunch menu, so it was perfect to have my friend from Miami Drink Scene join me so we could have more variety. My explanations are in the captions of each photo, so enjoy! I marked WA (Wok Star Approved) on ones I liked some with double WA, ha, ha. 

About the cocktails and sakes…
What a gorgeous bar area with lit up counters. Fancy cocktails are the in thing and they definitely made some exotic ones like their signature Wasabi and Lychee Martinis and Apricot Margarita. I love their display with Sakes encased in a glassed area which means they must be very premium, exclusive ones.

About the service…
As I asked our server, Eduardo about certain dishes, his explanations were so detailed I asked if he was a chef? Of course he was, so interesting that he is now a server. He had a lovely personality and smile which I think is so important. If you’re going to have a complete experience at an upscale, elegant restaurant like Novikov, a server can elevate your experience no end. And their charming General Manager, Alex Manuel circled back several times to make sure we were taken care of. 

I definitely want to return and try their a la carte menu and already know a few dishes I want to try! Share your experience in the comments, what dishes spiked your fancy?

Whimsical, colorful sculpture wows as you enter!
Theatrical main dining area with Asian looking hat lampshades.
Delighted with pickles as we sat down. Pickles were traditional at good restaurants in Asia, helps to open your appetite.
WA: Dim Sum appetizers of Shrimp Cilantro Dumplings, Saffron Sweet Corn Dumplings set our palates tingling, wow! Good wrappers are an indication of what’s inside. You could taste flavors of each ingredient, how did they do that? Definitely order these as your appetizers.
I know nothing about drinks but this looks fully loaded and the bartenders make exotic cocktails!
I love the modern Asian decor. Red is my favorite color and it was dotted throughout, good job!
Beautiful presentation this Wok Salmon with Black Bean Sauce.  WA: Robata Hangar Steak was melt in your mouth and perfectly grilled.
Very zen looking Sushi Bar, we didn’t experience any sushi this time.
Stocked with Sakes, beautifully displayed.
Loved the red backdrop for fresh fish display, didn’t realize they were for sale.
Just realized fresh produce were for sale too! This display with vegetables and the platters below is so beautiful, I could stare at this all day.
WA WA: The highlight for me was their Crispy Peking Duck! At first I was like, don’t mess with my Peking Duck. Never before have I had Peking Duck with a crispy crust but still tender. The contrast was exquisite. The San Pei Chicken with Aged Soy Sauce came in a cute clay pot.
What an end to our Miami Spice Lunch…Umeshu Black Forest and Key Lime Tapioca paired with Lychee Martini. They were very light as it turns out, whew.
I couldn’t resist taking a photo of their very neat and tidy kitchen with the Robata Grill. Our server, Eduardo who is a chef explained there are 3 levels of heat. No wonder our hangar steak was so tender.
You can’t leave without taking a peek at those hanging Peking Ducks.
Note: Full disclosure, I was invited to a media preview for Miami Spice Lunch Menu but doesn’t sway my judgement. I try to be as honest as I can.

Filed Under: Asian themed restaurants, blog, Miami Spice Tagged With: "Arkady Novikov", "Chinese food", "Miami restaurant review", "Miami Spice 2018", "Novikov Miami"

Egg Drop Soup, Easiest & Tastiest Ever!

June 22, 2018 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Looking for an easy, quick appetizer when you throw a dinner party?  Egg Drop Soup is your answer, I learned to make it from my mom.  It looks gourmet but it’s the Easiest & Tastiest Ever! Now I am hooked and keep making this soup when I give dinner parties.   

I think the tomatoes must’ve been my mom’s little addition!  She’s a good one at improvising, I learned that little trick from her. So, go ahead, make it your own by adding or omitting. 

The egg component makes this a meal in itself, so you can have it as lunch or dinner by adding more egg and possibly frozen peas if you want. Not too many though, then it becomes chop suey, don’t get me started. It’s also a perfect weeknight dinner dish! 

Egg Drop Soup, the Easiest & Tastiest Ever! Never fails & only takes 10 minutes.

What I like about it?

  • I can make it ahead
  • it literally takes less than 10 minutes
  • the tomatoes give it a sweetness and pop of color
  • you can stretch this soup by adding more chicken stock and eggs!
  • never fails, ever!

So, I hope you’ll…

  • SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel to get notified of upcoming videos
  • COMMENT if you’ve made this before, what’s your version?
  • LIKE my video
  • click on DESCRIPTION, I’ve picked out some Yummies I know you’ll like to experiment with and there are a few more tips in there! 
  • Click on photo, it’ll take you to Youtube for the video!

TIPS:

  • cover beaten eggs and refrigerate till ready to use
  • Costco’s Kirkland chicken stock, IMHO is the best
  • if you don’t have beefsteak tomatoes, use 2 medium sized vine riped ones. If using plum, you’ll need 4-6
  • ginger is optional, I forgot to add in my video, it adds a nice spiciness and flavor
  • cornstarch is optional, I personally like my soup natural but your choice
  • do NOT add beaten egg to soup till right before serving.  This way you can reheat the soup without curdling the eggs
  • use nice colorful bowls and ceramic spoons, they make everything look and taste good!Serves 6;  Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients…
8 bowls of chicken stock
1 large ripe tomato chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
thumb size fresh ginger, shredded
1 tablespoon cornstarch whisked into soup

Garnish right before serving…
2 scallions, cut in thin rounds
bunch of cilantro, chopped
Toasted Sesame Oil
Salt to taste, not tamari cause it’ll make soup brown and not yellow eggy
2 beaten eggs

Wok Star way…

  1. Measure chicken stock in the bowl you are going to serve in. Heat soup in pot while prepping.
  2. Chop everything and leave on chopping board.
  3. Throw chopped onions, tomatoes and ginger to stock and let boil till soft, about 10 minutes.
  4. Switch off soup and cover till you’re ready to reheat.
  5. When reheated, swirl in beaten eggs with a fork or chopsticks.
  6. Add salt to taste, sprinkle a few drops of sesame oil
  7. Sprinkle scallions, cilantro and serve IMMEDIATELY

ENJOY! Would love to hear if you’ve made this soup before? And what’s your version like?

 

Filed Under: blog, Chinese cooking, Easy Weeknight Dinners, soup Tagged With: "Chinese food", "easy soup", "Easy Weeknight Dinner", "Egg Drop Soup"

Egg Drop Soup, Easiest & Tastiest Ever!

June 22, 2018 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Looking for an easy, quick appetizer when you throw a dinner party?  Egg Drop Soup is your answer, I learned to make it from my mom.  It looks gourmet but it’s the Easiest & Tastiest Ever! Now I am hooked and keep making this soup when I give dinner parties.   

I think the tomatoes must’ve been my mom’s little addition!  She’s a good one at improvising, I learned that little trick from her. So, go ahead, make it your own by adding or omitting. 

The egg component makes this a meal in itself, so you can have it as lunch or dinner by adding more egg and possibly frozen peas if you want. Not too many though, then it becomes chop suey, don’t get me started. It’s also a perfect weeknight dinner dish! 

Egg Drop Soup, the Easiest & Tastiest Ever! Never fails & only takes 10 minutes.

What I like about it?

  • I can make it ahead
  • it literally takes less than 10 minutes
  • the tomatoes give it a sweetness and pop of color
  • you can stretch this soup by adding more chicken stock and eggs!
  • never fails, ever!

So, I hope you’ll…

  • SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel to get notified of upcoming videos
  • COMMENT if you’ve made this before, what’s your version?
  • LIKE my video
  • click on DESCRIPTION, I’ve picked out some Yummies I know you’ll like to experiment with and there are a few more tips in there! 
  • Click on photo, it’ll take you to Youtube for the video!

TIPS:

  • cover beaten eggs and refrigerate till ready to use
  • Costco’s Kirkland chicken stock, IMHO is the best
  • if you don’t have beefsteak tomatoes, use 2 medium sized vine riped ones. If using plum, you’ll need 4-6
  • ginger is optional, I forgot to add in my video, it adds a nice spiciness and flavor
  • cornstarch is optional, I personally like my soup natural but your choice
  • do NOT add beaten egg to soup till right before serving.  This way you can reheat the soup without curdling the eggs
  • use nice colorful bowls and ceramic spoons, they make everything look and taste good!Serves 6;  Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients…
8 bowls of chicken stock
1 large ripe tomato chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
thumb size fresh ginger, shredded
1 tablespoon cornstarch whisked into soup

Garnish right before serving…
2 scallions, cut in thin rounds
bunch of cilantro, chopped
Toasted Sesame Oil
Salt to taste, not tamari cause it’ll make soup brown and not yellow eggy
2 beaten eggs

Wok Star way…

  1. Measure chicken stock in the bowl you are going to serve in. Heat soup in pot while prepping.
  2. Chop everything and leave on chopping board.
  3. Throw chopped onions, tomatoes and ginger to stock and let boil till soft, about 10 minutes.
  4. Switch off soup and cover till you’re ready to reheat.
  5. When reheated, swirl in beaten eggs with a fork or chopsticks.
  6. Add salt to taste, sprinkle a few drops of sesame oil
  7. Sprinkle scallions, cilantro and serve IMMEDIATELY

ENJOY! Would love to hear if you’ve made this soup before? And what’s your version like?

 

Filed Under: blog, Chinese cooking, Easy Weeknight Dinners, soup Tagged With: "Chinese food", "easy soup", "Easy Weeknight Dinner", "Egg Drop Soup"

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Go to page 6
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Wok Star Supper Club at Hutong

Blog/Reviews

  • Wok Star Supper Club collaborates with Ghee Wynwood for a One-Night-Only Indian 13-dish Feast
  • Slow Food Miami Snail of Approval Tasting Party at Eden Roc: A Night of Delicious Bites Under the Stars
  • Wok Star Supper Club x Hutong: A Flaming Hot Night!

Subscribe to Wok Star Newsletter

Get first dibs to attend Wok Star Supper Club events, receive food updates & restaurant reviews.

Top rated products

  • Wok Star Kit to help you succeed Wok Star Kit
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $159.00
  • Wok Mitts Wok Star Mitt
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $35.00
  • Wok Star Online Classes Wok Star Online Classes
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $27.99

Join Wok Star’s Community

FacebookInstagramPinterestRSSTwitterYouTube

Footer

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Wok Star Eleanor Hoh. All rights reserved.