Popular Restaurant’s Least Popular Dish

Everyone always talks about the best places in New Haven: the best coffee shops, the best bagels, the best pizza or ice cream. The most popular meals are well established and have been thoroughly reviewed.  When faced with an extensive menu and a line getting increasingly shorter, the panic of ordering often leads most of us to default to the house favorites. All too often we’re looking for the most popular recommendation. But what are we missing out on? We decided to test just that by reaching the other extreme. Instead of asking what everyone should get, we went to a popular establishment and ordered their LEAST popular dish. 

The Loop by Hachiroku is rightfully one of New Haven’s most beloved spots. Tucked onto the conor of 367 Orange Street, the establishment is always brimming with excited Yalies, New Haven locals, and tourists. You can find people in quiet conversation at the Japanese wine bar or huddled around tables enjoying traditional dishes from the restaurant. At the same time, others browse through the shelves of the grocery and bento section, stocked with fresh produce, Japanese ingredients, and pantry staples.  There is always something new to try, a hidden gem to uncover. The Loop is the perfect place to try something new. 

Walking up to the register and asking for the least popular dishes is admittedly an awkward way to start a conversation. To our surprise, our unique request was met with open arms. The staff seemed genuinely by our afternoon goal, steering us toward three underappreciated menu items: the Sesame Latte, Grilled Mackerel Teishoku, and Spirit Lifter Ramen.

We began with the Iced Sesame Latte. This was recommended to us by the barista as she was sipping one herself. As it turns out, she had acquired the drink after someone ordered it by accident– props to The Loop for sustainability. 

The latte was flavored with an intense black sesame, an overpowering flavor with rich nutty, savory tones. It had a granular consistency, similar to blended fruit smoothie, or drink you see people getting from a juice bar after yoga. It was smooth but undeniably thicker and more concentrated than what we expected. A popular staple throughout many East Asian cafes, this is definitely an acquired taste – one we, admittedly, had not yet acquired. After ordering, the barista came over to check in, and share our thoughts on the beverage. She recommended some vanilla syrup. The sweetness rounded out the sharp sesame notes, which brought the drink together. Highlights of this latte include the following quote: “it's also grey and I kinda like the aesthetic because it makes me feel edgy.” (Mari to Julia Peet). 

After downing our vanilla-upgraded bev, we got started on the big dish of the day: the mackerel. When the plate arrived, the fish sat at the center, its silver skin tinted blue and marked with clean parallel grill lines, while a salty aroma wafted from the plate. The fillet was the star of the dish, but it was accompanied by miso soup, the restaurant’s signature purple rice, and a colorful spread of sides we couldn’t identify–thankfully, the legendary Nina Bodow enlightened us: grated daikon radish, hijiki seaweed salad, a pickled plum, and a soy-marinated soft boiled egg. 

The mackerel itself was crisp at the edges, but underneath the skin, it was light and soft, with a saltiness the miso soup complimented. That said, I (Mari) quickly realized I had absolutely no idea how to eat a whole grilled fish. There was a brief and slightly embarrassing moment where my fork and knife did circles around the dish, trying to figure out the best way to dig in due to the bones. My quick research told me they were safe to eat. When cooked correctly, the small bones become safe to consume, plus a "good source of calcium." I very much hope this is the case… but either way, I am still here to write this article, perhaps my bones are stronger because of it. 

I have never had a whole piece of  mackerel before. Within the world of mackerel, I do not think it could have been tastier. But out of everything The Loop has to offer, this dish falls short. I don't know what else to say: it tasted like fish. It was fish and rice, and really good sides. If you’re a fan of the Japanese set meal (teishoku), or want to get out of your comfort zone, this is a great option. But personally, given the Loop’s delectable Sashimi bowls, I don’t see myself opting for this one. 

To close it all off, the Spirit Lifter Ramen lived up to its name in every way. This absolute hidden gem did not disappoint. A red coconut curry broth with the ideal thickness of noodle was the redemption arc we needed after the latte and mackerel. 

The broth was the real star here. The coconut milk smoothed out the heat of the red curry, and the noodles were springy and thick enough to soak up every last drop of broth. If this was flying under the radar as one of the least popular dishes, maybe this was our sign to change that. 

Despite the range of reactions, we left with no regrets. The thrill of ordering blind reminded us how fun it is to branch out from the popular items. Not everything is going to be a hidden gem, but every once in a while, you’ll stumble onto something like the Spirit Lifter Ramen, and suddenly walk away with both a new favorite find and a better story than if you’d just ordered the usual.  And while the bold flavors of sesame and mackerel stood out unapologetically, what lingered most was the sense of community at The Loop. Connecting with the barista and the chefs behind the counter, sharing laughs, vanilla syrup (thank goodness), and stories about our favorite dishes, we were reminded how food can bring people together. Sometimes even the least popular dish ends up lifting your spirits.

“Went to the loop with Shreya today. We ordered their least popular dishes. The noodles were really good and the fish was definitely a fish. Drink was kinda wild, the person who told me it was not good was completely right.”- Mari’s Beli