Welcome, Hoppers!

Hoppie Hopper started with the specific intention of covering Japanese culture in New York City, some on the beaten path, others less obvious. We have relished the chance to celebrate this culture in a western City that takes it seriously while also having a ton of fun. Is it something we can see, hear, taste, smell? Did it come from Japan, and is otherwise something we can lavish our Hopper attention on? We’re there.

Now we are thrilled to announce our broadening of perspective and consideration to include the full sweep of Asia– from Deepest Turkey to urban Seoul, from the aromatics of South Java to the fine delicacies of Mongolia. Asia, in both geography and idea, brings much to the table.

Hoppie Hopper started with an examination of New York’s izakaya. Japanese food is a whole world unto itself and izakaya– classic Japanese pubs specializing in little bites and strong drinks over which patrons linger to talk, debate, argue, and laugh– give us ample opportunity to sample the savory delights that we wash down with sake, shochu and, of course, hoppie*. It was in these places that we came to realize our deeper, more engaged interest in Japanese culture as it appears on these shores.

Now we are ready to move from the depth and range of Japanese cooking to the broader spectrum of pan-Asian flavors and often-overlooked delights, while interrogating the very meaning of the definitions, boundaries, and conceptualizations of “Asia” itself.

We are two old friends, one Japanese and one American. While we work day jobs to pay for all the Hoppie Hopping we must do, our true passion is the perusal of both Asian and English-language press, quick chats with those in the know among the places we visit, and close study of pan-Asian community in all its sign boards, newsletters, and websites, all in the interest of finding the best, latest, most exciting iterations of Asian culture– however that may be defined– in New York City.

On this site we’ll be covering a range of topics and experiences, first of Japanese culture and now of Asia’s broader sweep. While our content currently remains izakaya-heavy, we are eagerly expanding to this larger focus (with gratitude to the high cuisine of Georgia for our initial inspiration!) and can’t wait to share our findings with you.

Now hop along, fellow Hoppie Hoppers!

* Hoppie is a low-alcohol content beer made popular in Japan during the difficult post-war years. Its devoted fans bought the beer cheap and bombed it with shochu. That’s exactly how most places in New York offer hoppie today. When paired with all the thoughtful bites on offer in an excellent izakaya, where hours melt away and conversation just flows over plate and glass, hoppie is the perfect quencher.