Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
All content by Matt Cooper
Opened in 1932 by Wichita's Otto and Erma Woermke, Old Mill has been serving the simple delights for the last eight decades.

Old Mill Tasty Shop serves up simple winter delights

Matt Cooper, Reporter
January 24, 2019
Local Wichita punk veterans False Flag blow through a set at Saturday evening's Meat Fest.

Kirby’s Meat Fest brings the rock, but mainly the meat

Matt Cooper, Reporter
January 24, 2019
Courtesy

Reyna Biddy’s ‘I Love My Love’ too self-indulgent

Matt Cooper, Reporter
January 24, 2019
Preexisting Conniptions cellist Roni Worcester rips through a song during the band's set Saturday night.

A plate of grilled bologna, smoked sausage and liver and onions baskes in its deliciousness outside the show at Meat Fest.

After flash boiling, the Wagyu beef is best dipped in savory Dashi sauce with Ponzu and mixed veggies.

Tasting wagyu beef with the Kato family

Matt Cooper, Columnist
October 1, 2018
Kansas author pens story collection, kills goldfish

Kansas author pens story collection, kills goldfish

Matt Cooper, Book Critic
October 1, 2018
Cissell’s ‘The Cutting Songs of the Butcher Son’ tells story of rich, tumultuous life

Cissell’s ‘The Cutting Songs of the Butcher Son’ tells story of rich, tumultuous life

Matt Cooper, Columnist
September 24, 2018
A student's cell phone and 1,000 yen worth of lunch cash sit nestled among a Katano City rice paddy field. This past Sunday, September 23. Japanese students at WSU sister school Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan shared their thoughts on what they thought Wu-Shock ooks like.

Students at WSU’s sister school talk weirdness of Wu

Matt Cooper, Reporter
September 23, 2018
Matt Cooper — Leftover Omelette

Leftover Omelette: Good Eatin’ on the Dime

Matt Cooper, Reporter
September 6, 2018
Former Wichita State English instructor Michael Cissell sits with his guitar inside Phil Uhlik Music while discussing the release of his poetry book, "Cutting Songs of the Butcher Son." Five days after the interview, Cissell passed away.

Former WSU English instructor passes away after release of his first book

Matt Cooper, Reporter
August 19, 2018
A dish that has been referred to by multiple gourmands and chefs as essential to calling one's self a cook, Beef Burgundy is a mix of sweet, savory and bitter all in one package

Good Eatin’ on the Dime: Baked beef bourguignon isn’t just snobby french food

Matt Cooper, Reporter
August 16, 2018
Dude the Dog has been the Moler's Camera employee of the month for twelve straight months. Basking in the sun, Dude awaits the 5:00 p.m. rush of customers just getting off from work downtown.

Dude the Dog, Moler’s Camera’s employee of the year

Matt Cooper, Reporter
August 14, 2018
All ingredients for Beef Burgundy are relatively cheap and easy to prepare, and require little in the way of prep time.

On a gloomy August Monday afternoon, Dude the dog stares out the front door of Moler's, waiting for customers to funnel in.

Within each of Stephanie Jeanes's coffee paintings is woven a hidden message — meant as motifs of encouragement. In this sunflower tracing, Jeanes encourages viewers to know that, "You are loved."

Coffee painter brings imagistic magic to ICT

Matt Cooper, Reporter
August 7, 2018
Each of these original paintings by Stephanie Jeanes was displayed at the Donut Whole in July.

Each of these original paintings by Stephanie Jeanes was displayed at the Donut Whole in July.

Each of these original paintings by Stephanie Jeanes was displayed at the Donut Whole in July.

Each of these original paintings by Stephanie Jeanes was displayed at the Donut Whole in July.

Versification: Chapbooks worth a read

Matt Cooper, Reviewer
July 21, 2018
Courtesy

Verses in Review: “Kalaska” by Kelly Johnston

Matt Cooper, Reviewer
July 10, 2018
The hamburger is a truly continental dish that can be enjoyed cheaply, simply, and without complicated, convoluted ingredients. This variation consists simply of ground chuck, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, pickles, American cheese, and a ring of white onion.

Good Eatin’ on the Dime: The Virtue of a cheaper, better burger

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
June 30, 2018
Wichita State students (left to right) Christina Cao, Theresa Doan, Lorryn McGuire, and Claudia Nguyen pose outside after after watching part of the Lotte Rent a Car Women's GolfZon Tour virtual professional golf tournament in Daejeon, South Korea.

Student who ‘struggled with the chopsticks’ in South Korea gains new sense of empathy

Matt Cooper, Reporter
June 27, 2018
The ingredients for the pork loin stir fry cost well under $10 and can be purchased at any local market.

Good Eatin’ on the Dime: Besting George Foreman’s lean, mean pork teriyaki foibles

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
June 18, 2018
Served alongside cornbread or rice, the yaki-chicken and bacon skewers make a fitting summer afternoon lunch or early dinner.

Good eatin’ on the dime: Turkey bacon yakitori with veggies

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
June 4, 2018
Orange chicken is a staple of Americanized Chinese cuisine.

Triple-dipping orange chicken: The best OC in ICT

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
May 28, 2018
When finished, the tail should be perched on a mound of warm white rice.

Good Eatin’ on the Dime: Lobster tail à la agrumes

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
May 18, 2018
The stir squid and rice at Manna Wok.

Cooper: Manna Wok–Celebrating its patrons, serving Korean classics

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
May 3, 2018
Laura L. Mielke, associate professor at KU and published author, will be speaking at 3 p.m. on Friday in Lindquist.

Antebellum literature presentation coming to campus

Matt Cooper, Reporter
April 25, 2018
Representatives from left to right: Davis Peck, Irena Kutilek and Akari Yoshioka. Kutilek brandishes a sign encouraging students to stop by Japan Festival on Wednesday April 21 at the RSC.

Japanese Culture Association prepares to roll out Japan Fest

Matt Cooper, Reporter
April 23, 2018
The Hot Cheetos Quesadilla at Alejandro's is a stupendously large offering of steak filled tortilla accented with Monterey Jack cheese sauce, Pico de Gallo and cilantro. It's menu price is $6.50.

Cooper: Alejandro’s food humbly satiates hangover hunger

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
April 23, 2018
Representatives from left to right: Davis Peck, Irena Kutilek and Akari Yoshioka. Kutilek brandishes a sign encouraging students to stop by Japan Festival on Wednesday April 21 at the RSC.

[Photo] OPINION: WSU can do more to show some love to Asian community

March 18, 2021
K_State_student_performs_Paraguayan_music

Kansas Paraguayan Partners Anniversary — A Lasting Exchange of Sister States

Matt Cooper, Reporter
April 21, 2018
KVFW Frequency 100.5 FM The Flight went live to the greater central Kansas region this December.

Cooper: The Flight 100.5 Offers Glint of Rock Radio Hope

Matt Cooper, Columnist
April 11, 2018
Senior Frank Kutilek (Left) and Sophomore Forrest Mayfield whip up a batch of Japanese Yakisoba during Inter-Fest on Tuesday afternoon. The two were one of many who publicly prepared and served dishes to attendees.

‘Food is the ingredient that binds us together’: Students celebrate InterFest

Matt Cooper, Reporter
April 11, 2018
The spring opening of International Student bore witness to ideal weather. This came in comparison to years' past which have been subject to inclement weather. The Shocker lunch crowd took notice.

Rethink Takeout: Ah So Oriental Cuisine – Cheap Takeout Meditation

Rethink Takeout: Ah So Oriental Cuisine – Cheap Takeout Meditation

Matt Cooper, Columnist
April 10, 2018
Student organizations concerned amid meager budgets

Student organizations concerned amid meager budgets

Matt Cooper, Reporter
April 5, 2018
poke_bowl_from_poke_mix

PokeMix: A Hawaiian Twist on Something Tasty

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
March 26, 2018
Gary Kinard has spent the last year and half studying Japanese at Wichita State in preparing to search for lost cousin Masoko Sanada in Japan. 

A son’s promise

Matt Cooper, Reporter
March 19, 2018
Food critic Matt Cooper lists his food recommendations for anyone in Wichita for March Madness.

Top 10 Wichita Restaurants for March Madness

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
March 12, 2018
Ziggy's Garlic Bread

Ziggy's Barbara Burlson

Sakura

Philly cheese steak pizza from Po Boy.

Pho Ong 8 1 Crab Rangoons.

Pho Ong 8 1 Crab Rangoons.

Roger Scholfield eats at Doo Dah Diner.

Dempsey's Burger Pub.

Russell Greenall-Sharp bows and accepts his medal for first place in the tanka poem contest. Participant submitted poems in two divisions: English and Japanese. Greenall-Sharp's tanka was written entirely in Japanese.

WSU students sweep KU Japanese poetry contest

Matt Cooper, Reporter
March 8, 2018

N&J Cafe: Microcosm of the Melting Pot

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
March 3, 2018
The_Sea_of_Japan_at_Kanai

Cooper: Kanai, All About the Fish

Matt Cooper, Food Critic
February 22, 2018
Curry Chicken Biryani served at College Hill Deli.

Cooper: College Hill Deli’s biryani and baklava on the cheap

Matt Cooper, Food critic
February 14, 2018
Matt Cooper can't wait to dig into his mom's chicken and noodles this Thanksgiving.

Cooper: Dishes I’ll savor this Thanksgiving

Matt Cooper, Columnist
November 19, 2017
Fresh steamed spicy octopus from Grace Market.

Grace Market offers killer Korean-Japanese spread

Matt Cooper, Columnist
October 9, 2017
Philly cheese steak pizza from Po Boy.

Po Boy: A tasty Southside tradition

Matt Cooper, Reporter
October 2, 2017
Food_Review_MCOOP4

The Chicken Sandwich at Po Boy Pizza radiates the smell of Khoury's homemade Italian sauce.

Philly cheese steak pizza from Po Boy.

The Chicken Sandwich at Po Boy Pizza radiates the smell of Khoury's homemade Italian sauce.

The Chicken Sandwich at Po Boy Pizza radiates the smell of Khoury's homemade Italian sauce.

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