Between them, the chefs have worked at some of the world's best restaurants, including Noma, Alinea, the Fat Duck, Craft and the French Laundry.

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Ramen noodle dishes such as tan tan men (whole-wheat egg noodles and spicy miso with pork and spicy homemade sausage), dumplings and hot tapas (locals line up for the duck-fat fried chicken) are local favorites.

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What's more, the current buzz around town is that Heston Blumenthal of the UK's legendary Fat Duck restaurant, which has three stars of its own, is scoping out options for a possible new location.

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At the restaurant, Mr. Picard fries his pancakes in duck fat and serves them with nothing but warm, fresh maple syrup.

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The locally sourced potatoes are twice fried in a healthy coating of duck fat that results in a crunchy exterior but leaves each fry's interior fresh and tender.

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The decadent sauce is ladled over cheese curd-dotted chips fried in duck fat and topped with 100g of expertly seared goose liver.

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