Today Starts Here

"This new breakfast pop-up in Chinatown is a great way to start your day - and no, not just because of its name. Owned and operated by the team behind Joy in Highland Park, they serve all kinds of cozy, Taiwanese and Chinese dishes, like pan-fried daikon rice cakes, dan bing (crepes stuffed with scallions, eggs, cabbage, and corn), and house-made mantou, traditional steamed buns which can be ordered either steamed or griddled and served with a side of condensed milk. Can every day start like this? Maybe then we’d become morning people. Maybe. Available for takeout." - kat hong

"The organization wanted its message to spark introspection, accountability, and action among the businesses named, including Cantonese barbecue shop Pearl River Deli, French bistro and wine bar Oriel, the recently closed Taiwanese breakfast pop-up Today Starts Here, and others." - Cathy Chaplin

"Today Starts Here is a new spot in Chinatown, and there may not be a more aptly-named restaurant in town. Because every day should start here. My favorite thing at this Taiwanese breakfast operation (from the people behind Joy) is the dan bing, an excellent layered crepe that is rolled with scrambled eggs, corn, and scallions. I also love the mushroom-heavy daikon rice cakes, and the savory soy milk, a porridge made from their house-made soy milk, with pork floss, preserved vegetables, and youtiao (deep-fried dough). They’ve also got a great selection of teas - we recommend the Dong Ding, a roasty, toasty oolong from Nantou County in Taiwan." - Brett Keating

"Vivian Ku’s Today Starts Here, which is operating out of a 1,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by New Dragon Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown, is serving up warm soy milk, deep-fried crullers, and daikon rice cakes one pop-up at a time." - Cathy Chaplin