Japadog Waddles Into NYC

Japadog Waddles Into NYC
by AnneLise Sorensen

Japadog, the popular Canadian hot dog chain, waddled into Astor Place this year.

Here, the hot dog receives a Japanese makeover, with pungent toppings like seaweed, bonito flakes, fried cabbage, and miso sauce. Equally popular are the “shaked fries,” which are coated with everything from wasabi and curry to shichimi and garlic. For dessert? Sweet Dogs—fried hot dog buns filled with scoops of ice cream. (This may be one of the most compelling recent examples of fusion food gone awry.)

Japadog has long been a cult sensation in Canada: “Haute dog!” say the food critics, while the celebrities pile in. A recent photo of Mark Zuckerberg standing in line at a Japadog in Vancouver went viral. The signage at the Astor Place Japadog proudly includes a montage of photos and names of the famous folks who have eaten here, including “Mark Zackerberg” and “Anthony Bordain.”

Japadog also employs that cutesy, Hello Kitty-style Japanese lexicon with great enthusiasm: “Making the world happy and alive through hot dogs!” is one of its slogans.

Hey, if it’s good enough for Mark Zackerberg, it’s good enough for us.

Japadog, 30 St. Mark’s Place, japadog.com.

“Japadog” by AnneLise Sorensen originally appeared on MSN (Microsoft Network) Postbox.