Jon Kung on Where to Eat and Drink In Detroit
The Motor City is home to the best bread, pies, and bulk chorizo, according to the chef and cookbook author.
Hello!
This past week was Diwali and I unfortunately was not able to participate in any celebrations — something I definitely want to prioritize next year. As I get older, I think a lot about the cultural connections I want to maintain or strengthen, and how I cannot just rely on my parents to do this anymore. There is something really beautiful about building your own traditions and I look forward to figuring out what that might look like for me.
While I did not celebrate Diwali this year, I did write about it. In the November issue of Food & Wine, I did a story on Padma Lakshmi’s annual celebration, a charming, deeply personal party she throws at her New York City apartment each year. I also got to chat with Saqib & Norma, the duo behind Masala y Maiz in Mexico City about marigolds and why both Mexican and South Asian cultures are obsessed with the flower.
I actually spent Diwali reporting out a story in Austin, one of my favorite cities in America. When I wasn’t working, I did finally have the chance to try this charming slice of pink cake that I’ve been eyeing for a couple of years. I also had one of the best lattes I’ve ever had in my entire life on this trip, alongside yet another perfect meal at Birdie’s. I’ve been getting a lot of requests for my Austin guide, so expect the to drop (for paid subscribers!) in the next few weeks. This guide will probably include hotel recommendations too — something I want to start doing more of. I also plan on sending out my guide to actually good food gifts very soon! (There will be no whiskey stones or expensive ceramic bowls or obscure hot sauces or cute jam that will languish in someone’s pantry for the next 4-5 years.)
I am currently in Michigan, where I grew up. I am spending Thanksgiving here and several cousins and aunts and uncles are coming into town. Most of Thanksgiving Dinner will be recipes from my upcoming cookbook — what else is family for if not to push your own recipes on them? (I will say the saag paneer lasagna from my book absolutely slaps and I cannot wait to share the recipe with everyone!)
I am also back in Michigan because tonight I am doing a talk in Detroit with my friend Jon Kung. He recently released his truly excellent cookbook Kung Food last month. If you don’t own the book, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy. Jon, who is very famous on Tik Tok, can really cook and he also doles out the best cooking advice (often with a bit of sass). I always learn from his videos! I am tempted to make a joke about his muscles and good looks here, but I’ll spare him for once.
Jon is a really great advocate for Detroit, which he calls home with his wonderful fiancé (cutest proposal ever?) and their dogs!! I love watching his videos where he paddle boards in the river with a packed lunch of soba noodles. One day I will join you Jon!
Jon and I would also love to do a #PUREMICHIGAN cookbook tour next year, so if anyone from the Michigan tourism board is reading this, please get in touch! And generally if you would like to sponsor this newsletter, feel free to reach out!
Thanks as always for reading. Please share this with anyone who live in Detroit or might be passing through. It’s a great food city if you know where to look!
Jon Kung’s Guide to Detroit
WHERE TO EAT BAKED GOODS
Detroit Institute of Bagels
This is the best place to buy fresh artisanal bread in the city (baked fresh every morning). DIB is in Core City and naturally also features bagels (and excellent bagel sandwiches) as well as your typical breakfast drink offerings.
Sister Pie
A neighborhood darling featuring all kinds of seasonal pies and small baked goods. I am basic and I love the salted maple pie. It is fall as fuck.
Warda Patisserie
The James Beard Award-Winning pastry shop (Note from Khushbu: Warda is a F&W BNC too!) with the most gorgeous edible pieces you can get in the city. I love how Warda is able to show restraint with the sweetness off her work so the spices and other flavors are able to really shine though. The Greek Torta is very good as a savory option. Her cardamom buns are great, too. Also her Maritozzi.
WHERE TO GRAB DINNER
Bar Pigalle
An excellent and gorgeous place to dine for dinner or brunch the space is stunning and the French menu is done so well. They have a burger that is available in both services that is absolutely slutty (in a good way).
Ladder 4 Wine Bar
Obviously the wine menu is extensive and impressive but the food easily stands on its own. They describe it as “elevated bar food” and managed to elevate themselves to one of New York Times best new restaurants in 2023.
WHERE TO DRINK
Eatori
A very chic neighborhood bar and grocery store that happens to have an excellent fried chicken sandwich.
Castalia
This place is a perfumery by day and a bar by night. Castalia will serve its cocktails with a pairing scent from the perfumery. They use their food-inspired perfumes to change the character of the cocktail as you drink it.
WHERE TO EAT PIZZA
Supino
My pic for the best local non-Detroit style pizza. Supino in midtown is a great place for pizza and an excellent wine pairing. My go to order is the Bismarck (red sauce, fresh mozzarella, smoked ham, egg). They also sell pizza dough for you to bring home so you can just focus on the fun part of pizza making.
Jet’s
Is it THE BEST Detroit style pizza available? I don’t think so but they are still excellent and they deliver, which means you can eat them at home with your own favorite add-ons (for me that’s Szechuan chili oil and Marconi's hot giardiniera). The best Jet’s order is pineapple (fight me), jalapeño, bacon, and onion with a Cajun crust.
WHERE TO DRINK COFFEE
Anthology
A cafe/roaster in eastern market with excellent home baked offerings on Saturdays, including a very good brownie.
Cairo
A small and spunky cafe in the Spotlite lounge which is an art gallery by day and one of Detroit’s best music venues at night
The Gathering Coffee Co.
A new center cafe with the absolute best vibes and is in very close proximity to the Vault of Midnight, a giant comic book store that is also a must visit.
WHERE TO SHOP
Devries
This is Michigan’s oldest cheese and gourmet grocery shop. They import cheese from 14 different countries, have upper levels dedicated to Michigan made gifts and have been in operation in the Farmers Market District since 1887. [Note from Khushbu: I am always screenshotting Jon’s story whenever he posts from here. They have the wildest selection of cheeses! Some really obscure ones, too.]
Eastern Market
Detroit’s farmers market district, it operates year round as a commercial food hub but on Saturdays the place is filled with farm stalls and artisanal food businesses for Metro-Detroiters. Seasonal produce, meats, and craft foods span over 5 Sheds the size of city blocks and is a must see for any traveler (or local!)
E&L Supermercado
A lesser known Mexican Grocery Store carrying everything from dried and fresh chiles of all kinds to an excellent variety of processed meats and bulk chorizo. (Who doesn’t love bulk chorizo?)
That is all for this week! Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any Detroit favorites! Feel free to drop them in the comments below.
I love this interview format! What a great read + photos.
This! Goals! "There will be no whiskey stones or expensive ceramic bowls or obscure hot sauces or cute jam that will languish in someone’s pantry for the next 4-5 years".