baking bread.
first, to bake a specific bread, we need a recipe. it's like laying down the steps to achieve a desired outcome. plan.
we then follow the recipe step by step, and especially in baking, mistakes in measurement or timing will lead to unwanted outcomes - dough too soft, proof for too long, bread doesn't rise, burnt? it is not a definite thing that what you are trying to make turns out to be a failure, as you might accidently discover a new technique or perhaps an entirely different product! the rules are set, breaking them might cause you regret, but if you don't try you don't know what you'll get!
assuming you are a super careful person, does everything right from start, then now you leave your dough to proof ( for it to rise... let the yeast work its way through the dough). one tiny mistake, like accidentally knocking it, might puncture the dough and the bread collapses. all the careful effort now ends up wasted. you might be able to get something else, but really, it's not what you wanted. this is like life's 'testing' period. you do all that you could to protect things that are precious to you - treasured items, treasured relationships. yet sometimes, it is sad that the slightest mistake per say can make a mess of things. and such external factors are beyond our control - or perhaps they are?
we only have one life. fragile... that's why it is so precious. Lead a life of no regrets.
The less of routine, the more to life.
* this is a special dedication to Lee Nian Ning, who went home to be with God this morning. She was a an aspiring doctor, baker, and most importantly a great friend. May you rest in peace. We will meet again.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
A Foodie's Tour of Japan [ part 3 ]
Day 8: Tokyo - Tokyo Bay, Akihabara
- dinner: Izakaya @ Hana no Mai, Akihabara. Dinner hosted ala Japanese style by Kazuhito - he taught us a few Japanese customs with regards to serving sake and also hosting guests at dinner. Also met Aik's friend Henry at the restaurant. Anyway, had the chance to try some really interesting food. pic#1: kujira (whale) sushi. was surprised that the meat is red in colour, thought it'd be white. pic#2: fried chicken cartilage. This is a really addictive snack. the cartilage is chopped into small bite size pieces and it is really nice to chew and crunchy and... really good snack to go with some beer or sake! pic#3: busashi... it is actually horse meat (oops). not the most tender of meats, but supposedly a delicacy in japan. yes, i know it's a bit bizarre, but it's all in the name of experience!
Day 9: Tokyo - Tsukiji, Ginza, Harajuku, Roppongi + Midtown
- brunch: Edomae sushi @ Tsukiji Sushi sen. Went for 'sushi-pilgrimage' to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market - a must-go for all ye lovers of sushi and sashimi! After which, time to fill our stomach with some edomae sushi. Bumped into this restaurant which is quite popular (luckily they have english menu too... the variety of sushi on offer is just too many!) I had my favourite tamago(egg), which is a specialty in this sushi region. then, i also tried the 'otoro maguro' (most fatty part of tuna), which costs 500yen a piece. it is the top row, 3rd piece from the left. compare it with the standard maguro sushi (top row, far right). Notice the difference? yes, the former has way more fish oil than the latter. every piece is craftfully made - equal length and thickness, with a hint of wasabi and the right proportion of rice. perfect size for one bite, but it's so good you'd want to slowly nibble on the food. the cost of those 8 pieces? make a guess :)
- afternoon tea: pastries @ Fortuna Mason, Ginza. Walked into the floor with all the food in Mitsukoshi and found this pastry shop. tried the one on the right - something like puff pastry with atzuki bean filling, topped off with icing sugar and green tea powder. such food (breads, pastry, confectionery) are quite popular in japan; i wonder if it is because of the influence of Yakitate! Japan.
- dinner: Ramen @ Roppongi. Sorry..Too hungry to take pictures.
Day 10: Tokyo Disneysea
- simple meals at Disneysea park. Was rushing from one attraction to another such that we didn't really concern ourselves too much with food today. Celebrated New Year countdown at Shinjuku. Here's Kirin and Sapporo to usher in a great 2008! Kampai!
Day 11:
Tokyo - Asakusa
- lunch: Unaju @ restaurant near Asakusa Jinja (Asakusa temple). Unaju refers to another method of preparation of unagi(Eel), this one just lightly grilled with less sweet sauce compared to the unagi we eat in malaysia/singapore. It is served with a bottle of mixed 5-spice for you to sprinkle over the unaju. New experience of eating eel but tasty nonetheless. and 1600yen for that huge piece of eel? Definitely worth it.
- snack: New Year mochi @ Nakamise dori. Mochi with red bean filling - looks kawaii (cute), tastes yummy.
- dinner: fried rice @ Ameyayokocho (or ameyoko). Once again.. was too hungry. anyway, there is quite a lot of chinese influence especially in fast food like fried rice, ramen.. we even had ma pou tofu.
Day 12: Tokyo - Ueno, Imperial Palace, Shibuya
- breakfast: Yakisoba pan. Aik bought it off a kombini (convenience store). never thought you'd mix your noodles with bread? try maggi next time, or mi goreng.
- lunch: suteki (steak) @ Kuishinbo, Shibuya. Beef patty, chicken and pork... all for 800yen. the beef patty is really tender - in fact the best i've ever had; melts in your mouth.
- dinner: yakitori (again!) @ Yakitori Kushisuke, Shibuya. Tried chicken Hatsu (heart); tastes a bit like the liver.. a hint of saltiness, but more tender in terms of texture. the standard chicken yakitori is also prepared differently here. in ichiban yakitori, they lightly season with salt, pepper and grill it.. cutting away the charred parts before serving. here, they grill it with yakitori sauce till it is tender but still juicy, then dip into yakitori sauce again before serving. charred parts remain. this goes to show that each yakitori bar has its own special way of preparing yummy yakitori. oishii desu ne!
- Post-dinner: New York Bar, Park Hyatt Hotel @ Shinjuku. This place made popular by the show 'Lost in Translation'. Really nice and posh place on 46th floor...perfect location to enjoy a night view of Tokyo and listen to some jazz. Tried L.I.T, a cocktail made from Sake and Sakura Liqueur and one other ingredient.
Day 13: Tokyo - Tokyo Dome, Akihabara, Azabu-Juban
- breakfast: dorayaki. Bought this from kombini too. cost about 130yen only. This snack is made famous from the cartoon Doraemon. Pancake like top and bottom layer, with sweet red bean filling in the middle.
- lunch: Maguro Ryuku Don @ Akihabara. Sliced tuna dressed with a dash sesame oil, sesame seeds, green onion and one egg yolk in the middle. Each piece of tuna sliced till equal length and thickness.. truly amazing. surely the skill of a sushi guru. First took notice of this when saori had it during our outing to asakusa jinja. no regrets for trying it myself. the wasabi is very fresh too.. most probably made by the shop themselves and not those prepackaged ones we get back home.
- dinner: Yakiniku @ Hana Ju Ban, Azabu Juban. Finally... the chance to grill my own meat on metal wire. We paid for some really nice pieces of beef, which was marinated with seasoning, salt, pepper, then it's up to us to do the cooking. Since it was such good beef, i cooked my meat till medium, retaining some of its juicyness. since the meat has streaks of fats in it, when put to the grill it melts and kind of cooks the meat itself. I'll never forget that melt-in-your-mouth feeling. and also never to buy Suntory beer. their spirits are much better.
Day 14: Tokyo - Shinjuku
- lunch: Kare Raisu @ Shinjuku Subway Station. Curry rice is a popular and cheap fastfood in Japan. My meal cost only 600yen, and i get free flow water and pickles (the two containers in front of me). Japanese curry tends to be sweeter than most curries that you find in the rest of asia. and it is really thick too. Try it to see if you like it.
- dinner: Monjya-yaki @ Shinjuku. Monjya-yaki is a variant of the more popular okonomiyaki. the starch solution to make the batter is more watery, and you don't really get that 'solid' pancake part ( from flour or noodle) in okonomiyaki. the restaurant is a D.I.Y restaurant so kazu had the honour to cook it for us. arigato gozaimasu!
Day 15: Osaka
- breakfast: Mr Donut. Japan's response to Dunkin' Donuts and J.Co and Big Apple in Malaysia. Mr Donut has ALL of the ranges of donuts offered by the 3 different donut shops. And the stuff they sell taste DAMN GOOD. No wonder Japan is suffering donut fever too (According to saori).
- lunch: Udon. Had this udon in a fast food restaurant specialising only on udon. Here, they even print out a set of procedures telling you how things are done there. First, grab a tray. Along the queue, there will be small plates available for you to pick up whatever 'add-ons' you want to have together with your meal ( here, i had one kara-age). same goes with drinks. as you proceed down the queue, you will reach the kitchen, and there you place an order for your choice of udon. finally, the cashier will be waiting for you at the end of the queue, just next to the kitchen. this meal also roughly 650yen, and mind you, that was a Large size bowl of udon, served with a half-cooked egg and special udon sauce.
There you go. 15 days of food tourism in japan. I must admit most breakfasts were just a packet of milk and either a piece of nikuman (meat bun..pau), or yakitori, but for other meals I think we splurged quite a bit. Even after eating Japanese food for almost every meal, I still opted for japanese food on my flight SQ620 back to singapore...some things you just can't get enough.
I really miss the hospitality that was extended to us everywhere we go. the experience of hearing staff greet you "irashaimasse" as we enter, then saying "itadaikimasu" before starting our meals and "gochizosama desu ta" after we are done, then as we proceed to pay and then leave, being thanked with "arigato gozaismasu ta".
All these memories just makes me want to go there again.
- dinner: Izakaya @ Hana no Mai, Akihabara. Dinner hosted ala Japanese style by Kazuhito - he taught us a few Japanese customs with regards to serving sake and also hosting guests at dinner. Also met Aik's friend Henry at the restaurant. Anyway, had the chance to try some really interesting food. pic#1: kujira (whale) sushi. was surprised that the meat is red in colour, thought it'd be white. pic#2: fried chicken cartilage. This is a really addictive snack. the cartilage is chopped into small bite size pieces and it is really nice to chew and crunchy and... really good snack to go with some beer or sake! pic#3: busashi... it is actually horse meat (oops). not the most tender of meats, but supposedly a delicacy in japan. yes, i know it's a bit bizarre, but it's all in the name of experience!Day 9: Tokyo - Tsukiji, Ginza, Harajuku, Roppongi + Midtown
- brunch: Edomae sushi @ Tsukiji Sushi sen. Went for 'sushi-pilgrimage' to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market - a must-go for all ye lovers of sushi and sashimi! After which, time to fill our stomach with some edomae sushi. Bumped into this restaurant which is quite popular (luckily they have english menu too... the variety of sushi on offer is just too many!) I had my favourite tamago(egg), which is a specialty in this sushi region. then, i also tried the 'otoro maguro' (most fatty part of tuna), which costs 500yen a piece. it is the top row, 3rd piece from the left. compare it with the standard maguro sushi (top row, far right). Notice the difference? yes, the former has way more fish oil than the latter. every piece is craftfully made - equal length and thickness, with a hint of wasabi and the right proportion of rice. perfect size for one bite, but it's so good you'd want to slowly nibble on the food. the cost of those 8 pieces? make a guess :)
- afternoon tea: pastries @ Fortuna Mason, Ginza. Walked into the floor with all the food in Mitsukoshi and found this pastry shop. tried the one on the right - something like puff pastry with atzuki bean filling, topped off with icing sugar and green tea powder. such food (breads, pastry, confectionery) are quite popular in japan; i wonder if it is because of the influence of Yakitate! Japan.- dinner: Ramen @ Roppongi. Sorry..Too hungry to take pictures.
Day 10: Tokyo Disneysea
- simple meals at Disneysea park. Was rushing from one attraction to another such that we didn't really concern ourselves too much with food today. Celebrated New Year countdown at Shinjuku. Here's Kirin and Sapporo to usher in a great 2008! Kampai!
Day 11:
Tokyo - Asakusa- lunch: Unaju @ restaurant near Asakusa Jinja (Asakusa temple). Unaju refers to another method of preparation of unagi(Eel), this one just lightly grilled with less sweet sauce compared to the unagi we eat in malaysia/singapore. It is served with a bottle of mixed 5-spice for you to sprinkle over the unaju. New experience of eating eel but tasty nonetheless. and 1600yen for that huge piece of eel? Definitely worth it.
- snack: New Year mochi @ Nakamise dori. Mochi with red bean filling - looks kawaii (cute), tastes yummy.- dinner: fried rice @ Ameyayokocho (or ameyoko). Once again.. was too hungry. anyway, there is quite a lot of chinese influence especially in fast food like fried rice, ramen.. we even had ma pou tofu.
Day 12: Tokyo - Ueno, Imperial Palace, Shibuya
- breakfast: Yakisoba pan. Aik bought it off a kombini (convenience store). never thought you'd mix your noodles with bread? try maggi next time, or mi goreng.
- lunch: suteki (steak) @ Kuishinbo, Shibuya. Beef patty, chicken and pork... all for 800yen. the beef patty is really tender - in fact the best i've ever had; melts in your mouth.
- dinner: yakitori (again!) @ Yakitori Kushisuke, Shibuya. Tried chicken Hatsu (heart); tastes a bit like the liver.. a hint of saltiness, but more tender in terms of texture. the standard chicken yakitori is also prepared differently here. in ichiban yakitori, they lightly season with salt, pepper and grill it.. cutting away the charred parts before serving. here, they grill it with yakitori sauce till it is tender but still juicy, then dip into yakitori sauce again before serving. charred parts remain. this goes to show that each yakitori bar has its own special way of preparing yummy yakitori. oishii desu ne!- Post-dinner: New York Bar, Park Hyatt Hotel @ Shinjuku. This place made popular by the show 'Lost in Translation'. Really nice and posh place on 46th floor...perfect location to enjoy a night view of Tokyo and listen to some jazz. Tried L.I.T, a cocktail made from Sake and Sakura Liqueur and one other ingredient.
Day 13: Tokyo - Tokyo Dome, Akihabara, Azabu-Juban
- breakfast: dorayaki. Bought this from kombini too. cost about 130yen only. This snack is made famous from the cartoon Doraemon. Pancake like top and bottom layer, with sweet red bean filling in the middle.
- lunch: Maguro Ryuku Don @ Akihabara. Sliced tuna dressed with a dash sesame oil, sesame seeds, green onion and one egg yolk in the middle. Each piece of tuna sliced till equal length and thickness.. truly amazing. surely the skill of a sushi guru. First took notice of this when saori had it during our outing to asakusa jinja. no regrets for trying it myself. the wasabi is very fresh too.. most probably made by the shop themselves and not those prepackaged ones we get back home.
- dinner: Yakiniku @ Hana Ju Ban, Azabu Juban. Finally... the chance to grill my own meat on metal wire. We paid for some really nice pieces of beef, which was marinated with seasoning, salt, pepper, then it's up to us to do the cooking. Since it was such good beef, i cooked my meat till medium, retaining some of its juicyness. since the meat has streaks of fats in it, when put to the grill it melts and kind of cooks the meat itself. I'll never forget that melt-in-your-mouth feeling. and also never to buy Suntory beer. their spirits are much better.Day 14: Tokyo - Shinjuku
- lunch: Kare Raisu @ Shinjuku Subway Station. Curry rice is a popular and cheap fastfood in Japan. My meal cost only 600yen, and i get free flow water and pickles (the two containers in front of me). Japanese curry tends to be sweeter than most curries that you find in the rest of asia. and it is really thick too. Try it to see if you like it.- dinner: Monjya-yaki @ Shinjuku. Monjya-yaki is a variant of the more popular okonomiyaki. the starch solution to make the batter is more watery, and you don't really get that 'solid' pancake part ( from flour or noodle) in okonomiyaki. the restaurant is a D.I.Y restaurant so kazu had the honour to cook it for us. arigato gozaimasu!
Day 15: Osaka
- breakfast: Mr Donut. Japan's response to Dunkin' Donuts and J.Co and Big Apple in Malaysia. Mr Donut has ALL of the ranges of donuts offered by the 3 different donut shops. And the stuff they sell taste DAMN GOOD. No wonder Japan is suffering donut fever too (According to saori).
- lunch: Udon. Had this udon in a fast food restaurant specialising only on udon. Here, they even print out a set of procedures telling you how things are done there. First, grab a tray. Along the queue, there will be small plates available for you to pick up whatever 'add-ons' you want to have together with your meal ( here, i had one kara-age). same goes with drinks. as you proceed down the queue, you will reach the kitchen, and there you place an order for your choice of udon. finally, the cashier will be waiting for you at the end of the queue, just next to the kitchen. this meal also roughly 650yen, and mind you, that was a Large size bowl of udon, served with a half-cooked egg and special udon sauce.There you go. 15 days of food tourism in japan. I must admit most breakfasts were just a packet of milk and either a piece of nikuman (meat bun..pau), or yakitori, but for other meals I think we splurged quite a bit. Even after eating Japanese food for almost every meal, I still opted for japanese food on my flight SQ620 back to singapore...some things you just can't get enough.
I really miss the hospitality that was extended to us everywhere we go. the experience of hearing staff greet you "irashaimasse" as we enter, then saying "itadaikimasu" before starting our meals and "gochizosama desu ta" after we are done, then as we proceed to pay and then leave, being thanked with "arigato gozaismasu ta".
All these memories just makes me want to go there again.
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Foodie's Tour of Japan [ part 2 ]
Day 4: Kyoto
- lunch: street food @ Kitano Tenmangu Ji (the nearby market fair)
- #1: 'Chicken skin'(kawa) yakitori - Fattening it may seem, but it's taste is fantastic... crispy skin with teriyaki sauce.
- #2: taiyaki - Fish shaped pancake with sweet red bean filling. sounds simple, but tastes great.
- #3: oden - some sort of 'steamboat' food... radish, konyaku, beef, fishcake (you can choose what you want) boiled in a special broth and then served on a plate with mustard. perfect winter dish.
- mid-day - went into a shop that sells wagashi, Japanese candy that is craftfully made into artistic masterpieces. Costs a bomb but well worth the money.
- dinner: Tonkatsu @ The Cube, Level 11, Kyoto Station. Tonkatsu normally refers to fried pork fillet in bread crumb batter (well, i think it's bread crumb). Havn't had such tender tonkatsu, ever. crispy on the outside, not too dry on the inside. The interesting part is that we have to make the sauce ourselves..pounding the sesame then adding our preferred amount of sweet sauce. this makes the meal more interactive and overall a very pleasant experience.
Day 5: Kyoto
-breakfast : korokke @ Nishiki Market. Korokke (croquette) is something like 'fried mashed potato', probably of Western origin. However, this snack is quite popular in Japan these days. It has a fried bread-crumb exterior but soft and melts-in-your-mouth interior. It has a variety of fillings these days, eg. cheese.
- lunch : tempura moriawase @__ . Tempura refers to food that is fried with a light and crispy batter. Not easy to get it to the correct texture. Here, we had Tempura set for just 1000yen.Rare find in Japan. and the braised pumpkin in the top right corner tastes mild but nice.
- dinner: Kaiseki dining @ Kyoto Station 11th floor. Japanese meals that are served using really nice presentation. See the set meal Aik had - it was 'charcoal udon' in the bowl on the left, and the big container on the right opens up to a variety of delicacies!
- snacks: Check out the green tea Kit Kat! Tastes like white chocolate with matcha flavour.
Day 6: Kobe, Himeji
-lunch: shabu shabu @ Kobe. Japanese steamboat. But with premium beef. There was miso paste provided which I 'assumed' is to be added to the broth, or made into D.I.Y miso soup, whichever suits your fancy. We were also served a bowl of (chopped) radish that enhances the sweetness of the meat/vege when eaten together.
-dinner: Yakitori @ Ichiban Yakitori, Kyoto. THIS PLACE IS VOTED MY #1 FAVOURITE for the entire Ja-Plan trip. I really miss the food and the atmosphere there - inside this small yakitori bar you see the boss cum main chef taking a puff in between grilling the pieces of meat (or occasional vege), then as you take a sip of Asahi beer you watch the chef skillfully prepare your food, and the moment it is served to you directly from the counter, then taking a bite... a taste of heaven. [2nd pic: grilled chicken(mi: boneless leg meat part), pork (butabara). 3rd pic: grilled onigiri(riceball) served with pickles, 4th pic: grilled sparrow (suzume). Not in pic: gyurosu(sirloin) and aigamo(duck)]
Day 7: Nara
- lunch: Oyako-don @ Za-Don ("The" Don). Simple food joint that specialises in nothing but donburi (rice with topping served in a bowl). I still remember Koji and the other Jap exchange students making this dish for the ISD Hawker's Night back in October '07, so I thought I'd just try it right here in Japan! Oyako means "father son", in other words it means something like 'family'. Most popular dish at the restaurant, and it is very easy to make. Chicken cubes cooked in a sauce made from mirin, soy sauce and dashi, then cooked together with cabbage and egg. *slurp
- dinner: Omuraisu @ Kyoto Station, Lower Ground Fl. Isetan. 'Omuraisu', or omelette rice, is interesting in that the rice is actually wrapped inside the thin omelette layer. The omuraisu I had came with crab meat sauce and a piece of korokke. My friend, Piro actually brought us to try omuraisu after many many attempts at suggesting something to eat that me & Aik have not tried(Japanese specialties, of course). To think that we've gunned down most of the famous eats in 7 days is very impressive I think! [inset: omuraisu cut open to reveal the treasure within!]
- lunch: street food @ Kitano Tenmangu Ji (the nearby market fair)
- #1: 'Chicken skin'(kawa) yakitori - Fattening it may seem, but it's taste is fantastic... crispy skin with teriyaki sauce.
- #2: taiyaki - Fish shaped pancake with sweet red bean filling. sounds simple, but tastes great.
- #3: oden - some sort of 'steamboat' food... radish, konyaku, beef, fishcake (you can choose what you want) boiled in a special broth and then served on a plate with mustard. perfect winter dish.
- mid-day - went into a shop that sells wagashi, Japanese candy that is craftfully made into artistic masterpieces. Costs a bomb but well worth the money.
- dinner: Tonkatsu @ The Cube, Level 11, Kyoto Station. Tonkatsu normally refers to fried pork fillet in bread crumb batter (well, i think it's bread crumb). Havn't had such tender tonkatsu, ever. crispy on the outside, not too dry on the inside. The interesting part is that we have to make the sauce ourselves..pounding the sesame then adding our preferred amount of sweet sauce. this makes the meal more interactive and overall a very pleasant experience.Day 5: Kyoto
-breakfast : korokke @ Nishiki Market. Korokke (croquette) is something like 'fried mashed potato', probably of Western origin. However, this snack is quite popular in Japan these days. It has a fried bread-crumb exterior but soft and melts-in-your-mouth interior. It has a variety of fillings these days, eg. cheese.
- lunch : tempura moriawase @__ . Tempura refers to food that is fried with a light and crispy batter. Not easy to get it to the correct texture. Here, we had Tempura set for just 1000yen.Rare find in Japan. and the braised pumpkin in the top right corner tastes mild but nice.
- dinner: Kaiseki dining @ Kyoto Station 11th floor. Japanese meals that are served using really nice presentation. See the set meal Aik had - it was 'charcoal udon' in the bowl on the left, and the big container on the right opens up to a variety of delicacies!
- snacks: Check out the green tea Kit Kat! Tastes like white chocolate with matcha flavour.Day 6: Kobe, Himeji
-lunch: shabu shabu @ Kobe. Japanese steamboat. But with premium beef. There was miso paste provided which I 'assumed' is to be added to the broth, or made into D.I.Y miso soup, whichever suits your fancy. We were also served a bowl of (chopped) radish that enhances the sweetness of the meat/vege when eaten together.
-dinner: Yakitori @ Ichiban Yakitori, Kyoto. THIS PLACE IS VOTED MY #1 FAVOURITE for the entire Ja-Plan trip. I really miss the food and the atmosphere there - inside this small yakitori bar you see the boss cum main chef taking a puff in between grilling the pieces of meat (or occasional vege), then as you take a sip of Asahi beer you watch the chef skillfully prepare your food, and the moment it is served to you directly from the counter, then taking a bite... a taste of heaven. [2nd pic: grilled chicken(mi: boneless leg meat part), pork (butabara). 3rd pic: grilled onigiri(riceball) served with pickles, 4th pic: grilled sparrow (suzume). Not in pic: gyurosu(sirloin) and aigamo(duck)]Day 7: Nara
- lunch: Oyako-don @ Za-Don ("The" Don). Simple food joint that specialises in nothing but donburi (rice with topping served in a bowl). I still remember Koji and the other Jap exchange students making this dish for the ISD Hawker's Night back in October '07, so I thought I'd just try it right here in Japan! Oyako means "father son", in other words it means something like 'family'. Most popular dish at the restaurant, and it is very easy to make. Chicken cubes cooked in a sauce made from mirin, soy sauce and dashi, then cooked together with cabbage and egg. *slurp
- dinner: Omuraisu @ Kyoto Station, Lower Ground Fl. Isetan. 'Omuraisu', or omelette rice, is interesting in that the rice is actually wrapped inside the thin omelette layer. The omuraisu I had came with crab meat sauce and a piece of korokke. My friend, Piro actually brought us to try omuraisu after many many attempts at suggesting something to eat that me & Aik have not tried(Japanese specialties, of course). To think that we've gunned down most of the famous eats in 7 days is very impressive I think! [inset: omuraisu cut open to reveal the treasure within!]
A Foodie's Tour of Japan [ part 1 ]
December 2007, the chance to visit my dream holiday destination, Japan, finally came true. The whole idea of visiting the land of the rising sun surfaced during a random MSN conversation between Veng & Aik in mid-2007, and we finally set foot in Osaka on 22 Dec '07.
Ja-Plan: 22/12/07 - 05/01/08. 15 unforgettable days of roaming the streets of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji, Nara and Tokyo. Nippon!
Japan has been an unforgettable journey - even 4000 pictures cannot fully describe the experiences I had in those 15 days. Well, I think food speaks a lot about culture ( and looking at them makes you hungry), so enjoy this preview of Japan from a culinary perspective!
Day 1: Osaka
- lunch: Okonomiyaki @ Okonomi Chibo, Umeda. some sort of Japanese pancake on a hotplate. varies from region to region. osaka style has a thicker 'pancake' layer, while hiroshima style is more 'noodle-based'
- afternoon snack: Takoyaki @ Amerika-mura (this stall dubbed the best in Osaka by Koji-san). 10 octopus balls for 300yen. beat that. and it tastes oh-so-good especially in cold weather.
- dinner @ Izakaya (Japanese-style pub). Such a setting is very popular in Japan, eat food with some biru or sake, and not too noisy. Must haves include Edamame (cruncy Jap green peas) and Shishamo (grilled 'pregnant' fish..can't remember the exact name of it).
Day 2: Osaka - Universal Studios Japan
Didn't really have any fancy Jap food till dinnertime ( we were running around as though it was Amazing Race USJ). Tried one of the local beers, Yebisu. It was served with some crackers which tasted really good. Had Soba to go with it.. one item was plain soba with plum, taken with soy sauce dip. the other is kind of a 'tamago soba' (the sauce has quite an egg base to it)
Day 3: Osaka
- lunch: Sukiyaki Teishoku @ Umeda Sky Building. dined in one of the restaurants at the basement level of Umeda Sky. First taste of sukiyaki in Japan.. I love sukiyaki! it is very expensive in those sukiyaki specialist places because they use higher grade beef. that's only one of the 2 main components - the sukiyaki broth also matters. the one i had for lunch was pretty good. i'm satisfied. (missing from pic: a serving a raw egg for you to dip the beef into, so as to cool the meat)
- dinner: Tonkatsu Ramen @ Ginryu Ramen, Dotomburi. Ginryu ramen ( dragon ramen, i think) is a really popular name for good ramen, according to Piro (one of my Jap friends who's also a foodie). There was free flow kimchi and pickle, and set up is something like an outdoor noodle stall in malaysia. hot noodles on a cold winter's night....syiokkk!
-supper: grilled crab @ Dotomburi. It's a small stall just below the big kani (Crab) in Dotomburi. Can't possibly miss it. Grilled crab was really huge though... just look at the legs! X'mas eve later spent in a bar drinking some Asahi (bar closed at midnight.diao..)
Also saw some 'interesting' food souvenirs. It is pudding actually, in the shape of breasts. haha! hilarious.
Ja-Plan: 22/12/07 - 05/01/08. 15 unforgettable days of roaming the streets of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji, Nara and Tokyo. Nippon!
Japan has been an unforgettable journey - even 4000 pictures cannot fully describe the experiences I had in those 15 days. Well, I think food speaks a lot about culture ( and looking at them makes you hungry), so enjoy this preview of Japan from a culinary perspective!
Day 1: Osaka
- lunch: Okonomiyaki @ Okonomi Chibo, Umeda. some sort of Japanese pancake on a hotplate. varies from region to region. osaka style has a thicker 'pancake' layer, while hiroshima style is more 'noodle-based'
- afternoon snack: Takoyaki @ Amerika-mura (this stall dubbed the best in Osaka by Koji-san). 10 octopus balls for 300yen. beat that. and it tastes oh-so-good especially in cold weather.
- dinner @ Izakaya (Japanese-style pub). Such a setting is very popular in Japan, eat food with some biru or sake, and not too noisy. Must haves include Edamame (cruncy Jap green peas) and Shishamo (grilled 'pregnant' fish..can't remember the exact name of it).Day 2: Osaka - Universal Studios Japan
Didn't really have any fancy Jap food till dinnertime ( we were running around as though it was Amazing Race USJ). Tried one of the local beers, Yebisu. It was served with some crackers which tasted really good. Had Soba to go with it.. one item was plain soba with plum, taken with soy sauce dip. the other is kind of a 'tamago soba' (the sauce has quite an egg base to it)Day 3: Osaka
- lunch: Sukiyaki Teishoku @ Umeda Sky Building. dined in one of the restaurants at the basement level of Umeda Sky. First taste of sukiyaki in Japan.. I love sukiyaki! it is very expensive in those sukiyaki specialist places because they use higher grade beef. that's only one of the 2 main components - the sukiyaki broth also matters. the one i had for lunch was pretty good. i'm satisfied. (missing from pic: a serving a raw egg for you to dip the beef into, so as to cool the meat)
- dinner: Tonkatsu Ramen @ Ginryu Ramen, Dotomburi. Ginryu ramen ( dragon ramen, i think) is a really popular name for good ramen, according to Piro (one of my Jap friends who's also a foodie). There was free flow kimchi and pickle, and set up is something like an outdoor noodle stall in malaysia. hot noodles on a cold winter's night....syiokkk!
-supper: grilled crab @ Dotomburi. It's a small stall just below the big kani (Crab) in Dotomburi. Can't possibly miss it. Grilled crab was really huge though... just look at the legs! X'mas eve later spent in a bar drinking some Asahi (bar closed at midnight.diao..)
Also saw some 'interesting' food souvenirs. It is pudding actually, in the shape of breasts. haha! hilarious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)