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Foumami Asian Sandwich Bar

December 29, 2011 by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Foumami Asian Sandwich Bar opened in 2010 in Boston's Financial District. The restaurant was founded by third-genereration restaurateur Michael Wang, whose grandfather opened an upscale Chinese restaurant in Asia in 1945.

Foumami is an Asian sandwich bar that serves breakfast and lunch. Breakfast sandwiches are served between two scallion pancakes while lunch sandwiches are served between shao bing, an unleavened bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. 

The name stems from the combination of “foo,” the Chinese word for Buddha, and “umami,” the Japanese word for flavor or taste. Foumami loosely translates to “what Buddha finds to be most delicious.” Chinese folklore says that Buddha was so infatuated with the aromas wafting into the monastery from a nearby village, that he jumped over the wall for a taste of the villagers’ food.

Menu items at Foumami include The Breakfast Sandwich, hot oatmeal and fresh fruit. The lunch menu features Chicken Katsu, Braised Beef Brisket, Glass Noodle salad, Sesame Noodle salad, and Wonton and Tomato soups.

Foumami's interior design is bright and modern. The restaurant boasts two floor-to-ceiling windows. One wall showcases Chinese characters depicting the story of Buddha jumping over the wall. Diners also have access to a view of the restaurant's open kitchen.

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