Travel with Your Taste Buds (2) - Tokyo (2)

4. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake containing a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning "what you like" or "what you want", and yaki meaning "grilled" or "cooked." Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan, but is widely available throughout the country. Toppings and batters tend to vary according to region. Tokyo okonomiyaki is usually smaller than a Hiroshima or Kansai okonomiyaki.

 

explanation from wikipedia-Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki in Tokyo, Japan 2010
photo by Cancion

thin Katsuobushi moving about because of the heat waves
Katsuobushi adds umami to food
 

5. Desserts

Japan is a dessert paradise. I loved every single dessert I had in Japan!

nama caramel a.k.a raw caramel
photo by Cancion

Nama caramel is made with fresh cream and caramel.
It's so soft that it melts like chocolate in your mouth! 

cake I had in Tokyo, Japan 2010
photy by Cancion

It was someone's birthday, and one of my friends bought this cake for the person.
It says 'Gramercy New York' on the chocolate. I think that's the name of the bakery.

 

 

 

Red fruit tart I had in Tokyo, Japan 2010
photo by Cancion

Qu'il fait bon tarts are quite popular.
Quil Fait Bon （in Japanese, キルフェボン ）
Address: 2-18-2 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Mr. Friendly Cafe in Tokyo, Japan
photy by Cancion

This is fun rather than delicious.
You might be wondering whether you should eat from the head or the feet.
Don't forget to dip Mr. Friendly in chocolate sauce.
2-18-6 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

6. Beer?

Japan has a lot of great beers. Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin... etc.

Japanese beers
photo by Cancion

I'm not a drinker,
but thanks to Kirin Free (in the middle),
I could enjoy beer without getting drunk!

There are a lot more foods in Japan that I want to try. Donkatsu, Yakisoba, Tempura, Yakitori.... to name a few. Have you tried Japanese food? What's your favorite?

Travel with Your Taste buds (2) - Tokyo (1)

Today, I'm going to take you to Tokyo, the capital of Japan. It is another great city for food lovers.


1. Sashimi or Sushi

There are so many good dishes that represent Japan, but sashimi and sushi are the most famous and popular. The thing is... Cancion, the curious 'cat' doesn't eat raw fish. Ironic? huh?
So, I didn't eat any sashmi or sushi while in Japan. But, if you eat raw fish, you should definitely try their fresh raw fish!

sashimi my family had in phuket, Thailand, 2012
Photo by Cancion

I don't eat sashimi, but whenever I see its beautiful color,
I feel like picking it up and bringing it to my mouth.





sushi
photo from tokyo times

If all the fish on the rice were fully cooked, I would love sushi.

unagi sushi I had in Phuket, Thailand, 2012
photo by Cancion

There ARE certain kinds of sushi that have cooked fish or meat.
I can eat them!!

2. Ramen

Japan is the birthplace of ramen. Whichever restaurant you go, I think their ramen will be good.

ramens I had in Tokyo, Japan 2010
photo by Cancion

These pictures make me want to run to Japanese Ramen restaurant at 11 pm.

tsukemen I had in Tokyo, Japan 2010
photo by Cancion

 This is a different type of ramen. Noodles are served with dipping soup.
It's really good!
Tatsunoya
If you want to try this restaurant, check this blog

3. Gyoza

Fried potsticker or yaki gyoza is one of my favorite food.



gyoza in Tokyo, Japan, 2010
photo by Cancion

 The best gyoza place!
I waited in line for more than an hour to eat those crispy and juicy potstickers!!
Harajukugyozaro

6-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

 

To be continued... (There are so many good foods that I can't include all of them in one blog entry!)

Travel with Your Taste Buds (1) - Hong Kong & Macau

What's your favorite part of traveling? For me, it's always food! Trying new food is so exciting and yummy! Looking back on my travel experiences, I think good food has made each trip even more fun and memorable. Today, I'm going to take you to Hong Kong and Macau and let you try their signature foods.

1. Dim sum

Dim sum refers to a style of Cantonese food prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum is also well known for the unique way it is served in some restaurants, wherein fully cooked and ready-to-serve dim sum dishes are carted around the restaurant for customers to choose their orders while seated at their tables.
Eating dim sum at a restaurant is usually known in Cantonese as going to "drink tea" (yum cha, 飲茶), as tea is typically served with dim sum.

explanation from Wikipedia - Dim sum




Yum Cha at Hak Ka Hut in Hong Kong, 2009
Photo by Cancion

Every day during the happy hour (from 10 to 12am and from 2 to 4pm)

you can enjoy dozens of different kinds of Dim sums at a reasonable price.




2. Hui Lau Shan

Hui Lau Shan is a chain of dessert shops based in Hong Kong, specializing in dessert soups called tong sui, snacks and desserts. Hui Lau Shan is known for its prominent use of mango in its entrees.

explanation from wikipedia - Hui Lau Shan

Mango Desserts at Hui Lau Shan, 2009
Photo by Cancion

This sweet and cool dessert will make you feel refreshed
from the hot Hong Kong weather.

3. Jerky

Are you not a jerky eater? Wait! I'm not, either. But the jerky in Hong and Macau is different. It's so good and special. Once you taste it, you can't resist it.

Bakkwa, also known as rougan, is a Chinese salty-sweet dried meat product similar to jerky, made in the form of flat thin sheets. Bakkwa is made with a meat preservation and preparation technique from China. The general method for production have remained virtually unchanged throughout the centuries, but the techniques have been improved. It is often made with beef, pork, or mutton, which are prepared with spices, sugar, salt, and soy sauce, while dried on racks at around 50°C to 60°C. However, nowadays, products with a softer texture, lighter color, and less sugar are preferred.

explanation from wikipedia - bakkwa



jerky in macau
photo from cnn travel

You can try free jerky samples. They are all good and go well with beer.

4. Egg tart

I don't think explanation is needed. Their crispy and creamy egg tart! My mouth is already watering.





an egg tart store in Senado Square, 2009
Photo by Cancion

Lord Stow's bakery in Coloane, Macau, 2009
Photo by Cancion

Egg tarts of other stores were good, but Lord Stow's was the best.

5. Bubble Tea

Do you like bubble tea? I do. You might want a cup of cool bubble tea after a long walk in the hot weather.

Bubble tea in Macau, 2011
Photo by Cancion

It's cool and delicious. Besides, eating tapioka balls is fun.

6. Serradura

Serradura is actually a layered chilled dessert made up of a sweetened, vanilla whipped cream and crushed biscuits. The creamy layer is a perfect match with the slightly rough biscuits.

explanation from my buttery finger

Serradura in Macau, 2011
Photo by Cancion

There are many kinds of Serradura, and it makes a great dessert.
The soft, sweet, and creamy taste will take you to heaven.



Did you enjoy tasting Hong Kong and Macau? What do you want to try the most?