Champaign-Urbana is home to an amazing variety of restaurants serving a broad range of international cuisines. Despite all this abundance, we’re still missing out on several important culinary traditions. Our goal is to fill in that gap with unique dining experiences not typically available in the Champaign-Urbana area. We hope these pop-up events will offer adventurous foodies exciting new culinary experiences without having to drive to Chicago, St Louis, or Indianapolis.
Our common vision is to encourage new cultural discoveries by sharing celebrations of diversity and making more meaningful connections to the world — a mission that is more precious now than ever. Each pop-up event will be a unique experience hosted by locals with a passion for ethnic cuisine and international travel.
Reservations: These pop-up experiences are private events by invitation only. To receive an invitation, please join the popup_dinners_cu Facebook group, follow @popup_dinners_cu on Instagram, or subscribe to my email newsletter .
Pan-Asian Singapore Hawker Tour
A vegetarian foodie safari at Strawberry Fields Café on Sunday, May 19, 2024
Wood Ear Mushroom Salad • crunchy Chinese mushroom salad dressed with garlic, soy, and sesameVada Sambar Chutney • popular south Indian savory donut snack served with lentil stew and coconut chutneyGreen Papaya Salad •
zingy and spicy Thai salad dressed with a savory garlic-lime sauceOkonomiyaki • a savory pancake from Osaka topped with Japanese mayonnaise and pickled gingerJackfruit Biryani • fragrant Indian rice pilaf made with unripened jackfruit and topped with crispy onion, saffron milk, and fried cashewsCendol • Malaysian shaved ice desert made with coconut milk, jelly noodles, and adzuki beans Specialty beverage pairings all evening long with non-alcoholic wine and beer options, plus a few surprises!
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Bullet Train to Kyoto
A multi-course Japanese fantasy foodie safari
with sake, wine, highball, and beer pairings on Sunday, June 9, 2024
Sakana • small bites with beer pairingsMixed tempura • seasonal veggies fried in a light batterTsukemono • sunomono and other pickled thingsZaru soba • cold buckwheat noodles with dipping sauceGiant Japanese-style scallops • seared with butter and miso Chawanmushi • savory egg custard with shrimp Seafood udon noodle soup • bonito soup stock Homemade matcha ice cream • green tea ice cream with red bean sauceSake, wine, highball, and beer pairings all evening long, plus a few surprises!
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PAST POP-UP EVENTS
Mumbai Street Food Tour
A guided survey of the best eats available in this vibrant city (Guest chef: Sirisha Bhandaru) on Sunday, April 14, 2024
Chaat: Pani Puri (playful little flavor explosions)
Sev Puri (crispy canapes topped with potatoes, onions, sauces)
Idli Sambar Chutney (steamed lentil and rice cakes with a tamarind stew and coconut chutney)
Paneer Frankie (a soft wrap encasing a spicy paneer filling)
Pav Bhaji (spicy vegetable mash served with a buttered bread roll)
Mawa Cake (a Parsi treat served with Chai Rabdi sauce)
Specially selected wine and beer pairings
An Evening in Český Krumlov
An authentic five-course traditional Czech meal with wine and beer pairings on Sunday, March 17, 2024
Kulajda (mushroom soup)
Vepřové Koleno (pork knuckle)
Braised Red Cabbage
Fried Cheese
Medovník (Soviet honey cake)
Imported wine, beer, and Becherovka
Valentine's Dinner in Napa
A romantic five-course gourmet meal on Sunday, February 11, 2024
Caviar and Napa sparkling wine
Raw oysters with horseradish, mignonette, and Sriracha
Roasted beet salad with goat cheese and walnuts
Seared scallops with garlic butter
Filet mignon au poivre with mushrooms
Garlic roasted potatoes and asparagus with lemon butter
Crème brûlée with fresh raspberries
Curated wine pairings all evening long
Formal French Dinner in Paris
A classic seven-course gastronomic meal on Sunday, November 12, 2023
L'Aperitif: Charcuterie Board
L'Entree (appetizer): Vichyssoise (chilled potato soup)
Poisson (Fish): Seared Tuna Provençal
Le Plat Principal (Main Course): Coq au Vin
Salad: Salade Lyonnaise
Fromage (Cheese): A selection of imported cheeses
Dessert: Crêpes Suzette Flambé
Imported wine pairings all evening long, plus a few surprises!
Tapas Crawl in Barcelona
A Spanish small plates feast on Sunday, October 22, 2023
Lamb meatballs and other cazuelas (small portions) served in sauce
Pulpo Gallego (grilled octopus) and other seafood tapas
Pincho dátiles con bacón (bacon-wrapped dates) and other skewered bites
Stuffed sardines and other fried nibbles
Gazpacho (chilled vegetable soup)
Imported wine pairings all evening long, plus some sherry as well
Greek Sunset in Santorini
A six-course Greek meze dinner on Sunday, September 17, 2023
An Evening in the Cinque Terre
A four-course Italian pesto feast on Sunday, August 20, 2023
Minestrone Soup
Caprese Salad
Eggplant Parmigiana
Frutti di Mare (seafood pasta)
Tiramisu
Imported Italian wine pairings all evening long
Bullet Train to Osaka
A six-course Japanese fantasy foodie safari on Sunday, July 16, 2023
Sakana (small bites served with sake)
Oshizushi (Pressed Sushi)
Tsukemono (Sunomono and other pickled things)
Gyoza (Pot Stickers)
Maguro Zuke Don (marinated tuna sushi bowl)
Okonomiyaki (grilled savory pancake)
Sake, highball, beer, and sochu pairings
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