Eatery Aims to Make 'Real' Chinese Food Kosher

Kyi Htun said he aims to bring authentic southeast Asian flavors to Woodmere — his biggest challenge? Keeping everything kosher.

The Burmese immigrant, now a Brooklyn resident, co-owns the Five Towns’ latest glatt kosher Asian restaurant — Masago — at 1034 Broadway.

“I want to give the food that real Chinese people are eating. Being kosher, it’s not that easy,” Htun said. “We’re going through the process to make it kosher.”

For example, Htun said he’d like to cook with the spice chow-quo-pa-quo (editor’s note: spelled phonetically). It’s a very common ingredient in sauces used in Asia, according to Htun, but it hasn’t really been used in kosher food in America, so there’s no ruling on it. Htun is hopeful for certification, however, since the spice comes from the ground.

Htun had worked as a waiter at a kosher Brooklyn restaurant before partnering up with the owner of Cedarhurst’s Prime Bistro. Masago — which is not affiliated with the Oceanside restaurant of the same name — is his first venture.

It didn’t open without a hitch, however. The eatery opened with too few servers on staff, and Htun couldn’t work for two weeks after breaking his arm in a car accident. He said they’re getting back on their feet now and is confident in the restaurant’s success. The menu will be updated and refined on Monday.

Masago serves up sushi as well as Chinese and Japanese standards. Its most popular dishes currently are Thai steak and crispy beef, which, as its name implies, has a great texture and mix of subtle flavors.

“I want to give this community perfect southeast flavor,” Htun said. “My expectations are high.”