Fόumami

Where to Lunch: If You Need Something Different and Delish

Today, as I'm sure has happened to you before, dear reader(s), I just didn't know what I wanted to eat. I was in the mood for something filling but not heavy and, most of all, I wanted something new. I mentally scrolled through all my usual options, and my stomach turned its nose up at each.

Looking for the impossible cross between spring rolls and a hearty kale stew that my stomach was demanding, I turned to Google. I quickly found Boston Magazine's "The 50 Best Restaurants 2012" but was disappointed to see only one candidate representing the Financial District (Jody Adam's Trade, filed for now in our "Places to Taste" folder). 

Frustrated again that a blog like ours didn't already exist, I happened upon Fόumami. E. and I had gone here once for lunch but aborted the plan when the line was stretched out the door and we realized our then-hungover tummies were not quite ready for all this Asian sandwich bar has to offer. Today, looking at their menu online, every single blessed thing sounded like just what my belly needed. Fresh, hearty, and undoubtedly different.

I headed there with the chicken katsu sandwich in mind and splurged on an iced green tea, which brought my total to $10.50. 

chicken katsu sandwich and an iced green tea

The breaded chicken was crisp and salty, the cabbage and tomatoes were fresh and palate-cleansing, and the katsu sauce was tangy and sweet. But the best and most unique part was the bread, Foumami's Shao Bing. Their website describes it as an "unleavened bread somewhere between focaccia and pita" but it reminded me of a mix between naan and scallion pancakes. Chewy like naan and crispy like a scallion pancake but much less oily. I felt like a caveman chomping at the somewhat tough fold but I was hungry and the grilled flakes of bread that chipped off were perfect for sopping up whatever katsu sauce I'd lost in biting.

My sandwich came with a pickle (wrapped in a cute little saran-wrap bag) and the smallest bag of Cape Cod chips I've ever seen (.5 oz). Minimal sides, but I was full by the time I was done. If that doesn't do it for you, they offer a variety of fun and foreign snacks at the front counter, including wasabi peas.

It seems most people take their lunch to go but I ate in the restaurant, which was clean and airy: basic white plastic tables and chairs, benches along the windows, high ceilings, green and white walls. It was pretty quiet when I got there at noon. Non-invasive, cool, vibe-y tunes played like upscale hold music. While I ate, there was a consistent line of about 8-10 people, stretching from the main entrance to the counter and those who filtered in from the side entrance inside 225 Franklin were greeted with tasty bread snacks from the pick-up counter. Most everyone ordered a sandwich, but they also offer killer salads and a daily soup. You can check their Facebook or Twitter to figure out the dailies. I'm keeping my eye out for when the wonton soup rolls around.

After I ate, I exited onto High Street and sat in the sun on the stone border of the small topiary gardens outside. Mini-japanese maples rooted in light grey stones-- very zen, highly recommended.

Fόumami
225 Franklin St., Boston (entrance at the corner of High Street and Oliver)
Ate: Chicken Katsu Sandwich and Iced Green Tea
Total: $10.50

B.