I just got back from a quick trip to Japan and Korea. I had a lingering cold and I was coming from North America which meant I was stopped, questioned and had a thermometer stuck into me at every port of entry.
But once that was over I got to see my family and friends and enjoy all the food I so dearly missed. Bacon-wrapped mochi was a new one for me, but it works. Juicy, crispy, chewy.... more yakitori shops need to put it on the menu.
This honey toast was a homemade collaboration:
They charged a whopping $6 at the mall food-court, so we instead bought a 1/2 loaf at the next-door bakery, gutted and toasted it, then doused it with honey and ice cream. Results were pretty similar. It's really about how fresh of a loaf you can find.
Soy sauce-flavored Kit Kats, anyone? I've decided to start a Kit Kat collection. There's just way too many random flavors to pass up.
This is actually Cold Stone Creamery. I guess "MARVELOUS CREAM!" does sound better. I wonder what the nickname is...."Maba-kuri"?:
And now to the savory. This is a warm cup of chawan-mushi -- steamed egg-whites and dashi broth mixed with bits of chicken and vegetables. I thought it was quite pretty:
In Los Angeles, a 3-pack of natto will set you back $1.99. At this Japanese market it's 65 cents. Sigh:
Ever wanted to know where bamboo shoots come from? The GROUND!:
This was my first meal in Korea. My brother and I slipped into a random corner shop. The menu was completely in Korean, but that didn't deter me. The place was packed so I knew it either had to be good or cheap; It was both. I hand-signaled the waitress to give us of what the other guy was having. Out came a hot bowl of somen noodles in a very simple broth. I kept adding hot sauce and sweated out my cold:
Some street vendors may have fooled me with bland, meatless potstickers, but this cart was a gold mine for one of the tastiest desserts I've ever had. Hotteok is a fried pancake-donut filled with melted brown-sugar and chopped walnuts. Fluffy, golden, crispy. They can cook it upon order and it's less than a dollar:
This was in the middle of a busy shopping arcade. They're eating the same sort of somen soup I had earlier. Gotta love Asia. Down with sanitation codes! :
The sights and sounds of the Pusan's fish market:
5 comments:
Hey, nice to see you back on your blog again! Looks like you had a tasty trip to Asia. Dem Asian food is cool!
WOW! Asia rules like no other. It's been far far far too long since I've dined upon a stumpy stool. Looks like you ate very well.
Amazing. So much good food and interesting items in Asia! The honey toast looks fabulous. I have never thought of putting ice cream on toast, but I have with honey.
Bacon wrapped mochi sounds like it would become a new trend :). The contrasts of textures would be a sure hit!
So awesome. I can't wait for my trip to Asia.
Awesome! One of my favorite things about passing through NRT airport is the last chance to stock up on unusual Kit Kat flavors. Love the Soy Sauce, although my favorite hands down has to be the green tea with azuki.
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