tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57301765118238785272024-03-14T17:15:36.841+09:00five foot eaterIt's me.the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-8442910581647091532013-01-31T12:32:00.000+09:002013-12-18T15:39:11.057+09:00Free WiFi Cafes in Hong Kong :: An Ongoing Compendium<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't post here regularly but I think a list of Hong Kong cafes that offer free wifi deserves a home on FFE. Since moving to Hong Kong, I've been adjusting to a work-from-home situation. It has its highs and it has its lows. One of the lows being that it is terribly lonely. (cue sad violin music) So, I've been forcing myself out of my apartment to work amongst the people! And I've found some great wifi hot spots around HK.<br />
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Here's an ongoing list of Free WiFi Cafes in Hong Kong that are tried and tested (plus a handy public Google Map)<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215474073431189799398.0004d48ce0741e3649dbf&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=22.283186,114.151995&spn=0.004241,0.007092&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /></div>
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215474073431189799398.0004d48ce0741e3649dbf&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=22.283186,114.151995&spn=0.004241,0.007092&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Free Wifi Cafes Hong Kong</a> in a larger map</small><br />
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<a href="http://www.heirloomhk.com/">Heirloom Eatery & More</a><br />
226 Hollywood Road<br />
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: Solid lunch joint for creative and flavorful sandwiches, salads and tacos. If you work late enough to warrant a cocktail, they have a great selection. Closed Mondays.<br />
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<a href="http://teakha.com/">Teakha</a><br />
Shop B, 18 Tai Ping Shan Street<br />
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: They don't advertise free wifi but if you ask for the password, they'll share it with you. Such a lovely place with a rotating lunch plate and carefully made teas. It's a small and new space, so be mindful of others and maybe don't post up for a whole day sipping on 1 cup of tea. Closed Mondays.<br />
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<a href="http://javajavalounge.com/">Java Java Coffee & Tea Lounge</a><br />
188 Hollywood Road<br />
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: Friendly staff, simple snacks and drinks. Ask the friendly staff for the password. Plenty of seating. By far my go-to spot for afternoon work sessions.<br />
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<a href="http://www.classifiedfood.com/">Classified</a><br />
108 Hollywood Road<br />
Central, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: Great for people watching. Very good lunch menu.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hollybrowncoffee.com/">Holly Brown</a><br />
22 Stanley Street (Between<br />
Central, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: HUGE. Free wifi not available from noon-2pm weekdays and only accessible from the first floor. Take a break with good coffee and ice cream.<br />
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<a href="http://brunch-club.org/index.php">Brunch Club</a><br />
70 Peel Street (Between Elgin and Caine Road)<br />
Central Midlevels, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: Hike up Peel Street to this all-hours brunch cafe. Very good lunch, shabby chic decor with outdoor seating.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cafeo.hk/">Cafe O</a> (multiple locations)<br />
284 Queens Road Central<br />
Central, Hong Kong<br />
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62 Bonham Road<br />
Central Midlevels, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: A chain with healthy food and juices. WiFi can be spotty in my experience.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cafeloisl.com/">Cafe Loisl</a><br />
Tai On Terrace<br />
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong<br />
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Notes: A small Austrian cafe with a terrace. Delicious lunchtime sandwiches, cakes and tortes. Extensive tea and coffee menu. 90 minutes of free complimentary WiFi. Closed Mondays.<br />
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<a href="http://the-academics.com/">The Coffee Academics</a> (multiple locations)<br />
38 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay<br />
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35-45 Johnston Road, Wan Chai<br />
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Notes: I really like the location in Causeway Bay. It's big, airy and the food is quite good. WiFi is free flowin' and the waiters don't give you much grief if you come post-lunch rush.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SocialitoHongKong">Sociolito</a><br />
<ul class="uiList _4kg" style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border-width: 0px;">Shop 2, G/F, The Centrium, </li>
<li style="border-width: 0px;">60 Wyndham Street, Central</li>
<li style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px;">Hong Kong</li>
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Notes: OK, not really a cafe but one of the better Mexican restaurants in Hong Kong. They offer free wifi on their outdoor counter service seating. Great for warmer weather when you want some tacos, guacamole and margaritas. The waitresses here are super friendly and nice too!<br />
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the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-72420384707821399482012-03-12T21:38:00.000+09:002012-03-12T21:38:18.199+09:00I Tumble For YaI broke down. I've switched over to Tumblr <a href="http://fivefootkimber.tumblr.com/">here</a>. Who knows, maybe I'll end up hating Tumblr and come back to Blogger, but for now, Tumblr's doin' for me. Come join the fun!the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-70366669063060587352012-03-04T23:57:00.001+09:002012-03-05T00:13:34.430+09:00Mr Vietnamese Banh Mi in Fortress HillI started apartment hunting this week. I've been looking forward to home search all month, but now that I'm finally doing it, I'd like it to be over. Having just moved from a serviced apartment in Roppongi Hills, it's safe to say that I need to adjust my expectations in Hong Kong and accept the fact that our bathtubs will not be automated by friendly robots and our washer/dryer will be in the kitchen. <br />
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Our real estate agent in part Vietnamese and being around Viets always makes me crave Vietnamese food. So to reward myself for surviving the first 2 rounds of viewings, we tried a highly rated (on Open Rice, the Yelp! of Hong Kong) banh mi shop in Fortess Hill. <br />
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Mr Vietnamese is pretty decent and I'm sure I will return to try the other variations. It's a very small shop with a few places to sit and enjoy your made to order sandwich. The bread is spot on with the fillings hitting all the right notes, though lacking a bit of punch. <br />
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Mr Vietnamese <br />
Shop 9, G/F, Wang Fai Mansion, 2-12 Wang On Road North Point<br />
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Take the tram to the Fortress Hill stop. Walk down Oil Street, turn left on the street after Electric. It's the shop with the green awning. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kO2euyHVsHw/T1OEunCqAII/AAAAAAAABpk/IoSLm15RLaY/s640/blogger-image--1307070130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kO2euyHVsHw/T1OEunCqAII/AAAAAAAABpk/IoSLm15RLaY/s640/blogger-image--1307070130.jpg" /></a></div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-45321432293618419052012-03-01T23:12:00.001+09:002012-03-01T23:12:08.685+09:00Hong Kong, I'm Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcU-fwJO1wQ/T0-CBN5tl1I/AAAAAAAABpU/TXKjbomntRc/s1600/SAM_8396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcU-fwJO1wQ/T0-CBN5tl1I/AAAAAAAABpU/TXKjbomntRc/s640/SAM_8396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have to be honest. I kind of hate the blogger platform. I was just tooling around with Tumblr and was oh so tempted to jump ship, but then I realized that I've had this blog for FOUR YEARs. That's an amazing feat for someone like me. I've kept this up from New York, San Francisco and Tokyo, why stop now, right? </div>
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So here I am. In Hong Kong. Bloggin' away. My first impressions of the city are mostly positive. The vibe of the city feels very downtown New York (both Tribeca banker fancy and Lower East Side gritty) with a touch of SF Chinatown thrown in the mix (sassy old people and hills). I think I'm going to like it here though I'm sure, just like with Tokyo, there will be days I absolutely hate it. So bear with me! </div>
<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-23430420580914315102012-02-25T00:05:00.000+09:002012-02-25T00:05:05.667+09:00Last Meal Tokyo :: Tonkatsu Tonki<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FutOf3B7Jk/T0eelFM0FoI/AAAAAAAABpM/6l_pYQ1gaCs/s1600/SAM_8391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FutOf3B7Jk/T0eelFM0FoI/AAAAAAAABpM/6l_pYQ1gaCs/s640/SAM_8391.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello from Hong Kong! It's been a busy few days but we're all settled in our temporary apartment in the Hong Kong Mid-Levels. I'm taking a quick Dim Sum break to share my final Tokyo meal, dinner at Tonkatsu Tonki in Meguro. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUOeqwAAdmk/T0eeeFF4PjI/AAAAAAAABos/aOgwOFdVBS4/s1600/SAM_8382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUOeqwAAdmk/T0eeeFF4PjI/AAAAAAAABos/aOgwOFdVBS4/s640/SAM_8382.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tonkatsu Tonki has been a Meguro institution for generations. It is still family owned and operated, with most of the family still working in the kitchen, frying up <i>katsu</i> like you've never had before. They make their own <i>tonkatsu</i> sauce and each meal comes with some of the best <i>tonjiru</i> soup you'll ever have. A close friend, SS, introduced us to Tonki and it has since been our go-to <i>katsu</i> shop. Her family is from Meguro and they've been regulars at Tonkatsu Tonki for generations. Literally. On any given night (they're not open for lunch) you'll see a long bench full of people waiting for a seat at the counter. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOlTBN7xkN0/T0eehvtGSMI/AAAAAAAABo8/kUrEGnQXQSs/s1600/SAM_8387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOlTBN7xkN0/T0eehvtGSMI/AAAAAAAABo8/kUrEGnQXQSs/s320/SAM_8387.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So yes, this is what we chose as our final meal in Tokyo. For this special event, we were seated upstairs in one of the private tatami rooms. I ordered the <i>kushikatsu</i>, which is deep fried pork and leek. Blammo always goes for the <i>hire </i>cut. Per usual, it was perfectly crispy and delicious and we made sure to take advantage of their free refills on soup and cabbage.</div>
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Looking at these photos make me miss Tokyo a lot. That's not to say that I'm not excited for what Hong Kong has to offer. The food here doesn't suck. But I'm certain I won't find <i>katsu</i> as good as Tonki. If you're in Tokyo, stop by and have some on my behalf. Who knows! It may turn out to be your choice for last meal in Japan too. </div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'MS Pゴシック', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Tonki Meguro, とんき 目黒店 </strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'MS Pゴシック', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1-1-2 Meguro, Tokyo</strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'MS Pゴシック', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">JR Meguro Station, Southeast Exit, 4 minute walk</strong></div>
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<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-31948050200426080162012-02-13T23:19:00.001+09:002012-02-13T23:19:59.806+09:00Hello Kitty x Hooters :: Only in JapanDon't forget to tip your waitress. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2NME0TEi1jc/TzkcCSkq4_I/AAAAAAAABog/Ho6-0L0vhi4/s640/blogger-image--1257256383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2NME0TEi1jc/TzkcCSkq4_I/AAAAAAAABog/Ho6-0L0vhi4/s640/blogger-image--1257256383.jpg" /></a></div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-75553159067102664142012-02-13T23:15:00.001+09:002012-02-13T23:16:20.347+09:00Raw Horse Meat :: Nay or Neigh?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOf3SQ0iKIE/TzkZNDaf4zI/AAAAAAAABoY/Um6-7vOjsD0/s1600/SAM_8214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOf3SQ0iKIE/TzkZNDaf4zI/AAAAAAAABoY/Um6-7vOjsD0/s400/SAM_8214.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I had a work party on Friday night. Our first course was raw horse meat (<i>basashi). </i>Everyone's reaction was about the same: </div>
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<i>"Ohhh, yum. Sashimi...hmm..or beef? Do we cook it? It's what? Horse meat? Oh wow. Do we cook it? No? You just eat it raw? Oh. <silence>" </silence></i></div>
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Since I'm leaving Japan soon and I've never had it, I had a few pieces. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. People complain that it is chewy but what do you expect? It's raw meat! I much prefer <i>basashi</i> to raw chicken, which I have had in Japan as well. I have not been confronted with whale meat yet and am going to do my best to avoid it in our final week in Tokyo. </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-66553576717345650682012-02-09T00:13:00.004+09:002012-02-09T00:13:57.861+09:00Photo of the Day 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYCVVZwVNJE/TzKPT_vWuUI/AAAAAAAABoQ/VakT3KYYRz4/s1600/photo+of+the+day.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYCVVZwVNJE/TzKPT_vWuUI/AAAAAAAABoQ/VakT3KYYRz4/s640/photo+of+the+day.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm attempting a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13737757@N04/sets/72157628809709819/">photo of the day project </a>over on Flickr. Check it out sometime! I always say that I want to take more pictures. Setting an achievable and measurable goal for myself is really the only way you can make sure I'll get something done. It is a sad but true fact. But if that's what it takes for me to start snapping more pictures, then so be it. I'm also trying my best not to use grimy iPhone meal photos because that's lazy.<br />
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My goal each day is to capture something that either sums up the events of the day or is remarkable. I'm still trying to decide if I want to include text descriptions for every photo. I'm kind of leaning towards no but I just can't help myself sometimes.<br />
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In any case, I hope you follow along and enjoy!the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-44006575393884901882012-02-04T19:07:00.002+09:002012-02-04T19:07:58.934+09:00Hello Gotochi Kitty, Hello Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVOJbzS4YGY/Tyz8YOL2whI/AAAAAAAABmw/2DhxhqTXC-w/s1600/SAM_8151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVOJbzS4YGY/Tyz8YOL2whI/AAAAAAAABmw/2DhxhqTXC-w/s640/SAM_8151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You know what's the worst? The physical act of moving. It's just...blech. Who needs it?! I'd say the two worst parts of moving is cleaning the kitchen and cleaning out the miscellaneous closet. The kitchen stinks because you throw out a bunch of food and you feel like a wasteful horrible person that hates the earth and starving children. It also smells awful. Do you know what it smells like when you pour maple syrup, fish sauce, vinegar and jam down the drain? I do.<br />
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The miscellaneous closet - we've all got one. You know the one I'm talking about. It's the one that's filled with random stuff you can't get yourself to throw away but can't use on a daily basis. I'm pretty sure there's a Friends episode about this closet. The one bright spot in cleaning out the Misc Closet was finding my collection of <a href="http://www.itoyoshi.net/kit_whaten.html">Gotochi Kitty</a><span id="goog_606941131"></span><span id="goog_606941132"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> keychains.<br />
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At the very end of any day or weekend trip in Japan, I've always made sure to pick up a new keychain. Every prefecture or region in Japan has their own Gotochi Kitty - a little figuring of Hello Kitty dressed up as something that region is well-known for. There's usually a few to choose from. For example, Kyoto is well known for their geishas and temples, so you can choose a Kitty dressed up as a Geisha or posting next to a temple. Some of them are boring like Kyoto's and others are hilarious. Like the port town of Kobe dressing up Hello Kitty as a pirate. Or the one I picked up in the beach town of Shimoda, where Hello Kitty is tan.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfJdekLfJ3k/Ty0CTH3W_fI/AAAAAAAABnY/hmR8uqIuCGw/s1600/SAM_8152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfJdekLfJ3k/Ty0CTH3W_fI/AAAAAAAABnY/hmR8uqIuCGw/s200/SAM_8152.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vlh5Sm3jD0/Ty0CKjYfAnI/AAAAAAAABnQ/nw_f6vK72cM/s1600/SAM_8154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vlh5Sm3jD0/Ty0CKjYfAnI/AAAAAAAABnQ/nw_f6vK72cM/s200/SAM_8154.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4j8x4v9oMBY/Ty0CUalhY-I/AAAAAAAABng/VHMOnRPOOdk/s1600/SAM_8153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4j8x4v9oMBY/Ty0CUalhY-I/AAAAAAAABng/VHMOnRPOOdk/s200/SAM_8153.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Souvenirs are silly and useless, but I'm glad I started this tradition. I took a little break from packing to go through all the keychains I've collected these past 2 years. They're good reminders of the funny memories I've made with friends around Japan. I haven't collected them all and I'm sure I never will but there is one I have yet to pick up which I'll be sure to do within the next coming weeks. My home of 2 years and an adventure all to itself, Tokyo.<br />
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<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-234535834324333972012-02-03T00:46:00.000+09:002012-02-03T00:46:07.717+09:00Cleaning Out the Kitchen :: Booze!If you ever need an excuse to throw a big party and get all your friends wasted, move out of your apartment. I'm not a huge at home boozehag, but for some reason, over the years, we've accumulated a lot of hard alcohol. There is apparently a 100% import tax on liquor in Hong Kong so we figured it was best to push it upon all our friends in Tokyo for one last hoorah in our apartment. And being that we had just entered the year of the Dragon, we made it Lunar New Year themed...kind of.<br />
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This was definitely the most people we've ever had in our apartment so I was busy playing host and didn't have time to take a lot of pictures. Mental photos are not so helpful for blogs, but trust me when I say that it was a fun time!<br />
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Ordered Peking Duck to go with Kimchi Fried Rice (to help get rid of rice), Scallion Pancakes (used up all my flour), Gyoza, Fried Mochi and various kinds of liquor. </div>
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And the day before, I found some Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcake mix my sister gave me a long time ago. Not exactly Lunar New Year's themed but everyone loves red velvet and why the heck not? I did find yellow star candles to at least <i>try</i> and make it New Year themed, but I think that fact was lost on everyone. </div>
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By the way, I also made another batch of the Momofuku Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cornflake cookies. You should really make some and bring them to work or give them to the man or woman in your life because people LOVE this shit. I mean, seriously, it was the hit of the whole evening and it was competing against the like of free booze. </div>
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<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-83478362235446512272012-02-03T00:34:00.002+09:002012-02-03T00:34:40.691+09:00Cleaning Out the Kitchen :: Kraft Mac & Cheese<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I got the blues...</i></div>
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You know, not every meal can be gourmet, 100% homemade or healthy for you. In fact this one was none of those things! I've been working from home all week in preparation to our slow move to Hong Kong. I had a little bit of milk, a little bit of butter and a whole lotta Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, so I bit the bullet and made it for lunch. And you know what? It was pretty tasty. Until it wasn't.<br />
<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-42874714785377040602012-01-26T00:01:00.002+09:002012-01-26T00:01:18.500+09:00Cleaning Out the Kitchen :: Leeks and Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Creamy Bacon and Leek Pasta via the <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/pasta-with-pancetta-and-leeks/">Pioneer Woman Cooks</a></i></div>
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When you go to the grocery store in Japan, one thing you will always notice is the giant green stalks of leeks sticking out of everyone's shopping baskets and grocery bags. Leeks, or welsh onions are a big part of Japanese cuisine. I've talked about this Creamy Bacon and Leek pasta before and was reminded at how easy and filling this dish is when remaking it this week. </div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-13102157562864616362012-01-24T22:13:00.001+09:002012-01-24T22:14:27.177+09:00Cleaning Out the Kitchen :: Quinoa and Fried Onions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Lemon-y Quinoa with parsley and pine nuts (made it up)</i></div>
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<i>Paprika dusted salmon with mint mango salsa (mom's recipe)</i></div>
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<i>Spicy Broccoli in olive oil and fried onions (tried to copy a dish i liked from a restaurant)</i></div>
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I'm especially proud of this meal because it helped me get rid of an entire package of quinoa and the last of my fried garlic, plus it was a healthy Sunday night meal. Even though I hardly ever used it, I'm really going to miss our Japanese fish fryer. It is the epitome of "set it and forget it. Marinate your fish however you like, then turn on the fish fryer and it does the rest - 8 minutes later, you'll have a perfectly cooked and crusted fish filet. </div>
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Shout out to the black flower coaster my mom just crocheted me. </div>
<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-45881448637281073032012-01-19T23:59:00.003+09:002012-01-19T23:59:44.990+09:00Cleaning Out the Kitchen :: Powered Sugar and Walnuts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've finally started thinking about all the practicalities of moving. I had a mental block on it all month but there's really no hiding from it now. It's happening and it is happening soon. Oddly, one of the first things I thought of was cleaning out the kitchen. What am I going to do with all this stuff? Do I take it? Leave it? Give it away? I did a quick inventory of our cupboards and wow, we are really weird. Why do we have 2 boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese (saw it on our first trip to an international market and were probably feeling homesick), 2 kg of cous cous (because we thought eating cous cous made us healthy and fancy) and Betty Crocker instant mashed potatoes (odd Christmas gift from younger brother). </div>
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I'm a bit of a spoiled cooker. I tend to pick something I want to make and just go out and buy what I need without thinking about how practical a whole bag of shredded coconut may be, despite only needing 1/5 of the bag. I blame my mother. I don't blame her for a lot of things because she is wonderful, but I definitely blame her for allowing my sister and I to have anything and everything we wanted from the grocery store. We would just wander the aisles and throw random things in the cart. Shark Bites? Score! Ritz Crackers? Yes please! Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri Mix even though I'm 8 and my sister is 13? Obviously. This kitchen cleaning task will be a really great practice in Home Economics and Resource Allocation. Plus...it actually seems kinda fun. </div>
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Tonight, I made a dent in the 1 kg bag of powdered sugar I had leftover from holiday cookie extravaganza 2010 and a bag of walnuts I bought for the 1 salad I made last week. </div>
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The result? <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/walnut_snowball_cookies/">Nut Ball Cookies</a></div>
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P.S. - Ok, actually, there were a few things my mom did NOT let us have. Mostly, Kudos Bars, any cereal that was the color of rainbows and brown sodas. Though I despised her for these rules at the time, I now see the error of my ways and am thankful that I do not have metabolic syndrome. You're the best mom!</div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-34864645803503342492012-01-18T00:37:00.003+09:002012-01-18T00:37:45.894+09:00Hokkaido New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
17 days ago, we rang in the New Year in Hokkaido, Japan's most northern island. We only made as far as Hakodate and even though it was cold and everything was closed for <i>oshogatsu, </i>we had a great time. On New Year's Eve, we rode the ropeway up snowy Mt. Hakodate to see one of the "top 3 night views in the world." I don't really know what that means, but it was very pretty. </div>
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We spent the night at a Japanese <i>onsen</i> so that we could enjoy some natural hot spring baths in the cold snowy scenery. After we warmed up with our baths, we had our in-room dinner. And because it was New Year's, we were treated to an unholy amount of food.</div>
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This is <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osechi">osechi</a>. </i>Like most Asian cultures, the New Year is the most important holiday of them all. Japan celebrates the New Year (<i>oshogatsu) </i>according to the western calendar, while other countries like China, Vietnam and Korea celebrate according to the Lunar Calendar. (This year, it is on January 23rd) </div>
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During <i>oshogatsu, </i>families are not supposed to cook or clean. But you still gotta eat, right? That's where <i>osechi</i> comes in. It's a 3-tiered bento box filled with food that can keep for 3 days without spoiling. Families order their <i>osechi </i>meals in early December and pick them up just before the New Year, and they don't come cheap. The contents vary and are heavy on fish and pickled veggies. Many of the contents are symbolic, such as fish roe for fertility and beans symbolizing good health. </div>
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(yes, those are gold flakes on my salmon)</div>
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We were treated to a single tier of traditional <i>osechi</i> foods at the <a href="http://www.hanabishihotel.com/">Hanabishi Hotel</a> in Hakodate. Some of it was good and some of it was...not so good (I'm looking at you slimy thing I still can't identify). But it was a really cool way to ring in the new year, one last time in Japan. </div>
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In addition to our bento, we also had mini-hot pot </div>
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Fresh sashimi</div>
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Roast beef and potatoes</div>
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Hairy Crab</div>
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Miso soup</div>
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Sake and fresh fruit</div>
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What I'm trying to say is that it was a lot of food and I rang in the new year completely satiated and relaxed. If it's any indication of the things to come, I think it's going to be a good year. </div>
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<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-31832926364146394692012-01-16T21:52:00.001+09:002012-01-16T21:52:48.627+09:00Momofuku Cornflake-Chocolate-Chip-Marshmallow "Cookies" :: Toffee x Cookie Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I finally now have in my possession, copies of the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook. Yes, copies plural. My love of all things Momofuku is so widely known that I've made it dead-simple for people to shop for me. To all of you that gifted me with the Milk Bar cookbook, one million thanks to you. I will probably need all 3 copies, somehow, someway. </div>
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People rave about the compost cookie and everyone is obsessed with the cheeky crack pie. Those are amazing, yes. But me? I love the Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies. It is everything I love in a cookie. Super chewy, super buttery, not too chocolate-y and has a nice texture. So naturally, when I got the book, I flipped right to this recipe and started gathering everything I needed. </div>
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And that didn't take very long since I had everything but cornflakes on hand. This is a pretty basic cookie recipe...sort of. Before you start creaming your butter and sugar, you have to make the Momofuku Cornflake Crunch. Basically, you toss a box of cornflakes with sugar, milk powder, salt and melted butter, then bake until you get golden brown crispy clusters. It's not hard, just an extra but necessary step. If you've been to Milk Bar, this is the stuff they crumble on top of their soft serves as a salty-sweet topping. And yes, you can just eat it plain. I know because I've tried. </div>
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After you have the cornflake crunch, it's pretty easy. I would highly recommend refrigerating the dough for at least 3 hours. The book says just 1, but these cookies spread like a motha'f*#%^ in the oven. Mine came out a little funky texture wise: crispy like toffee on the edge but gooey and cookie-like in the middle. Not necessarily a bad thing though! I brought a batch on a ski trip over the weekend and we renamed these "Tookies". </div>
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Here's the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/865379/cornflake-chocolate-chip-marshmallow-cookies">recipe online</a>, but get the book! It's filled with a lot of great stories and recipes.</div>
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<br /></div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-28463987056146828342011-12-29T12:29:00.004+09:002011-12-29T12:29:40.414+09:00Year in CookiesA friend's friend is responsible for this and it makes me so ashamed of my lack of creativity and dedication:<br />
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<a href="http://yearincookies.com/">Year in Cookies</a><br />
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Enjoy!the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-27419287822825497202011-12-29T12:27:00.001+09:002011-12-29T12:27:12.089+09:00Last ChristmasAnd so the time has come to say good bye to Tokyo. In February, Mister and I will be starting a new adventure in Hong Kong. (gasp! applause! tears?) I've done quite a bit of moving around, but this Hong Kong move has been unique in that, even though I've known about it for awhile, it kind of snuck up on me. So, here I am, a month and a half before we move, freaking out over having to enjoy every single minute Tokyo has to offer me.<br />
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Party throwing really freaks me out, but I decided to seize the day this Christmas, since it will be our last in Tokyo. We resurrected the KFC Fried Chicken-Fancy Christmas Cake party and I think that this might become one of our first true traditions as a married couple. At least I hope, because it was a lot of fun and not at all stressful. Or maybe next year, it will be a Peking Duck-Egg Tart party? That doesn't sound so bad either...<br />
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<a href="http://www.bestweekever.tv/2011-12-26/2011-remembering-the-year-in-gifs/">Jamie Oliver's Mulled Wine Recipe</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79gR0IYKAUM/TvvZBjNGG6I/AAAAAAAABfg/EAsrT74H8z0/s1600/SAM_7845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79gR0IYKAUM/TvvZBjNGG6I/AAAAAAAABfg/EAsrT74H8z0/s320/SAM_7845.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/04/creamed-spinach-to-die-for/">The Pioneer Woman's Creamed Spinach</a></div>
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Adorable <i>musubi</i> brought by my friend Natsuko. The one on the left is me and the one on the right is Blammo. Aren't these the cutest? </div>
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KFC is really amazing if you eat it once a year. Finger lickin' good indeed. </div>
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Hungary in da house! My Australian by way of Hungary coworker brought some amazing spicy Hungarian sausage. A real treat for sausage lovers in Japan. </div>
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And she made Hungarian cold cherry soup! Perfect for this carb filled meal. </div>
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And of course, in honor of Hanukkah...</div>
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Latkes and Apples (I don't have a blender, so we couldn't make Applesauce - oops.) </div>
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Bacon and Chive biscuits (or "savory scones" as the Aussies refused to call them "biscuits") <i>a la</i> me. Whatever you call them, they were 100 times better than those soggy biscuits from KFC. </div>
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And my favorite part, the Christmas Cakes. Christmas Cakes, while festive and a real crowd pleaser, don't actually taste that amazing. But I enjoy the hunt for the craziest ones and I think I did an alright job this time around. </div>
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Tiny mushroom sized elf/santa. </div>
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Make shift masking tape tree. We asked everyone to "hang" an ornament. I will look back fondly at this picture for years to come. </div>
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Sign of a good party. Along with mulled wine, we also had hot toddies and hot buttered rum. Have you ever made hot buttered rum? It's incredible. Not only because it tastes good, but also because it is dead simple. My sister says that she's messed up every batch she's ever tried to make and I just find that incredible. It is literally just a crazy amount of brown sugar mixed with butter and spices, melted in hot water and rum. She can make a perfect roast that feeds 20 people but can't do that? </div>
<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-40790598856732513952011-12-26T22:51:00.003+09:002011-12-26T22:51:53.744+09:00Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-21275792385562014052011-12-14T23:16:00.002+09:002011-12-14T23:16:52.685+09:00Sip Your Dreams By Drops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chasing dreams and sippin' schochu</div>
<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-48250677980962877362011-12-13T00:26:00.003+09:002011-12-13T00:31:46.752+09:00Fukuoka :: Home to Hawks and Ramen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last month, <i>my husband</i> had an opportunity to watch the final game of the Japan Series from the owner's box of one of the competing teams. That is not an opportunity you turn down, especially when it means you get a good excuse to take a weekend trip. I myself did not have a ticket to the game, but was happy enough to tag along for the 6 hour Shinkansen ride to Fukuoka.<br />
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<a href="http://www.magnifythelord.org/cma/japan2006/JapanMapKyushu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://www.magnifythelord.org/cma/japan2006/JapanMapKyushu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fukuoka is the largest city on the island of Kyushu. It is known for <i>tonkotsu</i> style ramen, my personal favorite. Typical ramen broth is made with a salt, soy sauce or miso base. <i>Tonkotsu</i> ramen, or Hakata Style, is made with a pork bone based ramen that is milky and very rich. One of the most famous ramen restaurants in the world (not an exaggeration) is <a href="http://www.ippudony.com/">Ippudo</a>. If you've ever waited in that line in NY, you probably know why. Ippudo originated in Fukuoka and serves up a bangin' bowl of <i>tonkotsu</i> ramen. Another famous chain in Japan is <a href="http://fivefooteater.blogspot.com/2010/03/ichiran-ramen-have-it-your-way.html">Ichiran</a>, which I wrote about way back when.<br />
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Going straight to the source. It's what dreams are made of. This humble looking bowl of ramen may have been the best thing I've eaten since moving to Japan. *WHOA* To be fair, there were a lot of factors working in its favor - it was cold, I was eating outdoors and I had just drank a 500 ml bottle of beer on my own. </div>
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<i>"Eating ramen outdoors alone?"</i> you may have asked yourself. Why, yes. Fukuoka is also known for their delightful <i>yatai</i> - outdoor nighttime food stalls. And since I didn't have tickets to the game, I wandered around downtown Fukuoka in search of ramen. As with most places, some of the best food can be found in or near the red light districts. What can I say, pervs just know how to eat. These <i>yatai</i> along the river were just a stones throw away from some pretty seedy stuff. Gross or convenient, depending on who you are. </div>
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Meal of champions. </div>
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Fukuoka is also known for their adorable bite-sized <i>gyoza</i>.</div>
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The opposite of bite-sized - a sumo wrestler. November is sumo season and along with the Japan Baseball Series, there was also a big tournament over the weekend. </div>
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It's really hard to find experimental sushi that is not gross, but I managed for find something really unique and delicious at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant in the basement of a shopping mall. This is raw salmon <i>nigiri</i> brushed with mayonnaise, half-cooked and caramelized with a blow torch, topped with a slice of jalapeno pepper and cracked pepper. I really wish this shop had an outlet in Tokyo because it was amazing. </div>
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Oh yeah, the baseball. Now, as you may know, I am a big Yakult Swallows fan. The Swallows made the playoffs this year and even beat their nemesis, the Yomiuri Giants, to move on to the 2nd stage. That's not nothing. But they eventually lost to the Chunichi Dragons. Needless to say, for various reasons, I was rooting for Softbank Hawks to beat Chunichi. </div>
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This by the way, is a bronze mold of the hand of Sadaharu Oh. Along with being<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naf5uJYGoiU"> a lyric in a Beastie Boys song</a>, he is also the original Homerun King of Japan and former manager of the Softbank Hawks. </div>
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I watched Game 7 from the Stadium Gift Shop with a bunch of die hard fans who were also ticket less. </div>
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And Softbank won! </div>
<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-17831162409259390992011-12-09T00:37:00.001+09:002011-12-09T00:38:01.501+09:00Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Blammo-Squidward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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11.30.11, Tokyo, Japan</div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-53094993570914109362011-11-18T00:19:00.001+09:002011-11-18T00:47:29.310+09:00Winter Hot Pot in the Fall :: My First Nabe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love Autumn. I like the drop in temperature. I like taking out my jackets and scarves from the back of the closet. And I like eating soups and stews. Food blogs go soup crazy around this time of year and it makes my belly warm just sifting through all the recipes. There is one dish I have always wanted to try in Japan. More of a stew than a soup, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabemono">nabe</a></i> (nah-bay) is a Japanese cold weather staple. Though it is incredibly simple to make, it is very hearty and filling. This is after all, the dish that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chankonabe">sumo wrestlers eat</a> when they want to gain weight. </div>
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This version I made is probably the simplest type of <i>nabe. </i>I was feeling sick and <i>nabe</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>sounded perfect. I didn't know how to make it exactly, but I knew what I wanted to go in it, so I bought my ingredients and kind of winged it. It turned out great so here's my overly simple <i>nabe </i>recipe: </div>
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Make a simple <i>dashi </i>with water and dried kombu seaweed. You can also use plain water or a low-sodium chicken broth. </div>
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Prepare bite sized pieces of veggies you like. Mushrooms, leeks, tofu and no calorie <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konjac">konnyaku</a>...</div>
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...cabbage, bean sprouts, chinese chives and carrots. <i>Nabe</i> is so popular in the winter that grocery stores stock prepared <i>nabe</i> sets like this one above with pre-cut veggies and instant broth. </div>
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Dice up some meat. My two favorites shown here - chicken and pork </div>
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Once your <i>dashi </i>comes to a boil, remove the seaweed and turn down to simmer. Then start adding your ingredients being sure to add the meats and tofu first, since they take longer to cook. When you're sure the meats are cooked, ladle the contents into small bowls with a little bit of broth and start eating. Usually, <i>nabe</i> is cooked in a clay pot right at the table over a portable gas burner. I don't have one of those and just used my dutch oven on the stove. You miss out on some of the communal fun of family style hot pot, but it tastes all the same. You can add different kinds of sauces to this simple dish, but my favorite is definitely this yuzu ponzu sauce. It's tart, vinegary and delicious. Of late, kimchi has become a popular pairing. </div>
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My favorite part of <i>nabe </i>is how you finish off the pot. Once most of the ingredients have been eaten, add udon noodles to the leftover broth and you have a super flavorful udon soup! Japanese families never waste a single grain of rice, so this is a great way to put that leftover broth to use. </div>
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<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-62321373332640305252011-10-26T21:51:00.002+09:002011-10-26T21:51:30.981+09:00California, I love youSure, sure, this blog is supposed to be about Tokyo, Japan and food food food! And I promise, I'll get back to that sometime.<br />
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When you live abroad, you get asked "Where are you from?" a lot. Most people answer with their home country because it's easier to say that than explain where <i>exactly</i> it is you're from. I always answer proudly, and obnoxiously, "California".<br />
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Here's why:<br />
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<br />the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730176511823878527.post-5695791137942133482011-10-10T23:21:00.000+09:002011-10-10T23:21:42.991+09:00Not So Subtle Hint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0mPYihfCgA/TpL_UXv7aAI/AAAAAAAABaM/WdPdJonnnaM/s1600/51LIb8k9UsL.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0mPYihfCgA/TpL_UXv7aAI/AAAAAAAABaM/WdPdJonnnaM/s320/51LIb8k9UsL.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307720497/ref=s9_newr_gw_g14_ir03?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=18H49J5VC93QTDS9KGX4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846">This</a> comes out 4 days after my birthday. Thank you in advance. </div>the kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04154425335283352568noreply@blogger.com0