Kissaten Japanese Retro Coffeeshops 喫茶店

It might come as a surprise to some that Japan, the home of matcha, actually has a diverse and deep coffee culture. The Japanese love their coffee. And, they have a unique, venerable coffee institution known as kissaten 喫茶店 which literally means "tea drinking shop" 🤔

Basics of Sake 101 for Beginners • 5-Minute Primer 日本酒

I have been drinking sake (Japan's national drink) casually, socially for a long time. Enjoyed it but was never quite au fait with the vast subject and its many intricacies.

Heng Heng Noodles House @ Senja Hawker Centre in Bukit Panjang 兴兴面家 • 信佳小贩中心

It was my first time at Senja Hawker Centre but I didn't come here for Heng Heng Noodles House.

Burong Isda Pampanga • History of Philippines Fermented Rice

To many Filipinos and the outside world, Pampanga, Luzon is the foodie capital of the Philippines. Pampanga is best known as the birthplace of the world famous sisig dish. Sisig is chopped meat, fat and skin from pig head sautéed in sizzling margarine with onion and vinegar. 

Conveyor Belt Sushi @ Sado Benkei Pier Bandai, Niigata City 廻転寿司 佐渡弁慶 ピア万代店

Once we arrived in Niigata City, Tomomi our gracious host whisked us off to Bandaijima Fresh Fish Market.

Sushi-yoshi Tsuruhashi Korea Town Osaka • Make Sushi with Heart! 寿し吉 金本実留

Went to Sushi-yoshi Tsuruhashi 寿し吉 located at the Korea Town area in Osaka.

Kobe Wagyu Yakiniku @ Pound Sanjo-Kiyamachi in Kyoto 肉听 三条木屋町店

One of the must-do things in Japan for BBQ beef lovers is to visit a yakiniku restaurant. This trip to Kyoto, we went to Pound Sanjo-Kiyamachi 肉听 三条木屋町店 known for their Kobe wagyu. 

La Bombance @ Nishi-Azabu near Roppongi Tokyo • Kaiseki by Makoto Okamoto

Memorable kaiseki dinner at La Bombance with owner-chef Makoto Okamoto.

What is Fried Porridge? 炒粥是什么

Have you heard about or tried fried porridge? 

Oh my, what oxymoron is fried porridge? 🤔

It is what it is, rice porridge stir fried in a hot wok! 😂

Datouxia Big Prawn Noodle 210 Hougang @ Kovan MRT 大頭蝦大虾面 • Formerly @ 304 Ubi

Buddy Don jio-ed me to try the prawn mee at 210 Hougang, just 5 minutes walk from Kovan MRT station.

History of Takoyaki Osaka Grilled Octopus Ball 🐙

Takoyaki or Japanese grilled octopus balls are found around the world, for example in Singapore night markets or pasar malam where they are very popular. 

HOOP Coffee＆Share Roasters Osaka Shinsaibashi Station

I like the diversity of the unique coffee scene in Japan. 

Taiyaki • History of Must Try Japan Fish Shape Cake 鯛焼き

Whenever I have a chance (not enough 🥺) to visit Japan, I would make sure that I eat at least one taiyaki before leaving 😄

Osechi Japanese New Year Feast for Tastebuds & Soul

2025 began in a very special way for me 🙏 For the first time, I experienced New Year's Day in Japan and the Japanese tradition of Osechi Ryori or New Year Feast.

Jomon Yakitori Shibuya Tokyo • Japanese Soul Food 博多串焼専門店ジョウモン

Jomon 博多串焼専門店ジョウモン | Japan, 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−19−2 ムルギー 階3階 🚅  10 minutes walk from Shibuya station ☎ +81 36 416 1633 🕖 5pm - 11:30pm

Jomon is an atmospheric, lively yakitori in backstreet Shibuya, Tokyo. The food was nice and sake selection was good - we had a great time here. 

Duck Ramen Billiken @ Asakusa Tokyo 中華ソバ ビリケン

Stumbled upon Billiken Ramen while walking from my hotel to Senso-ji temple at Asakusa. It's a lucky find as its specialty is duck ramen and I love ducks 😋

Ginjo Ramen Kubota in Kyoto 吟醸らーめん久保田 本店

In Kyoto, we checked in at popular Ginjo Ramen Kubota. 

Wanton Noodles & Origin of Ramen • Rairaiken at Yokohama Ramen Museum 淺草 來々軒

I always wondered how ramen came about. Intuition tells me that it may have Chinese roots. Sometimes, when Singaporeans describe a good soupy bak chor mee, they say it is like ramen. I was also similarly inclined, but just learned in Japan that it is a misnomer.

The precursor of Japanese ramen is another Chinese noodle dish.