A fruit and nut salad and mesquite turkey sandwich with a “Sunrise Suzy” from Red Oak Cafe.
By Nina Saluga | Staff Writer
It’s really no secret that for Duquesne students, Oakland plays a vital role in nightlife, party culture and socialization on the weekends. But hop on the loop bus this weekend during the daytime hours, and students will find that parties and late night pizza aren’t all the neighborhood is about.
We’ve collected a few of the best Asian and eclectic eats students in Oakland won’t want to miss. Pittsburgh’s foodie culture is anything but absent in the neighborhood, where restaurants are diverse and ever-evolving with the latest crazes, from bubble tea to sushi bowls. From Forbes Avenue to South Craig Street, Duquesne foodies can eat their way through Oakland’s buffet of trendy cafes and authentic ethnic eateries.
Rose Tea Cafe
Rose Tea Cafe is a funky, modest eatery on South Craig Street that specializes in Taiwanese cuisine. The restaurant itself is low key, but the fare there is some of the most authentic Taiwanese food found in the city. The menu covers an extensive assortment of Taiwanese dishes with the restaurant’s unique flair.
Vegetarians can get their fix with the zesty and flavorful broccoli with garlic sauce, while thrill seekers can try the Mala beef, a spicy beef dish served chilled. The restaurant’s salt and pepper chicken is a fan favorite as well. For more adventurous palates, be sure to check out the extensive assortment of trendy bubble or milk teas.
Sushi Fuku
Sushi Fuku is a must for anyone looking to experience the evolution of a Japanese tradition. Sushi Fuku is a neighborhood favorite, known for revolutionizing the way customers experience sushi. The restaurant is fast-casual, and what’s unique about it is that customers craft their own creations.
Patrons start by choosing a protein or two — raw, cooked and tempura options are available daily — and then decide on plenty of options to put inside, like avocado, cream cheese, kimchi or mango. Dress it up with wasabi mayo, teriyaki sauce or another one of the house offers. Guests can choose to either “roll it” the traditional Japanese way, or “bowl it” into a concoction that can be eaten with a fork. Sushi Fuku is Oakland’s restaurant scene at its most innovative.
Red Oak Cafe
Red Oak Cafe is a health-conscious pick for those with a penchant for green juices, egg whites and early morning runs in the neighborhood. The cafe is a cozy-looking hangout that offers a hearty selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and breakfast options, as well as a fresh juice bar.
Try a breakfast sandwich with an Oakland namesake, like the Mary Schenley, or an egg scrambler called Oakland with chorizo, egg and Pico de Gallo. Although Red Oak Cafe specializes in vegetarian fare, there are plenty of meat options available as well, like the buffalo chicken wrap or the Hot Shakespeare, an egg sandwich towering with ham, red and banana peppers and pepper jack cheese. So stop in for one, because breakfast is served all day long.
Oishii Bento
Oshii Bento, which specializes in Japanese and Korean food, is situated among a plethora of other trendy, foodie-focused restaurants on Atwood Street.
Oishii Bento is a casual dive off of Atwood Street that specializes in Japanese and Korean fare. Oishii Bento is a healthy alternative to other ethnic eateries that offers authentic bento boxes and bowls as well as sushi and tea. The restaurant, which calls itself “the yummy lunchbox,” uses only the highest quality ingredients and offers authentic Japanese bento boxes filled with pork, beef, chicken, tofu, seafood or vegetables. It also features bento bowls, udon noodles and hand-rolled sushi. Oishii has a hole-in-the-wall feel; its downstairs is devoted to takeout while the upstairs is a shabby-chic dine-in area where guests enjoy a view that spans Atwood Street.
