VIDEO: How to Make Mochi!

I recently visited Little Tokyo's oldest mochi shop, Fugetsudo. Third-generation owner Brian Kito showed us how to make suama, a multi-colored sweet made of mochi flour. I was impressed by his deft kneading skills, and when it came time for me to try my hand at it I realized I was all thumbs. =/





The 105-year old shop also makes traditional sweets like kuzu mochi, kuri manju, my most favorite ohagi, as well as modern creations like peanut butter mochi. Most cost no more than a dollar each!

More pics here on flickr.

Fugetsudo
315 E 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-8595

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In other news:

• Those white rabbit candies may be toxic.
• The wait for Vietnamese Cajun crayfish will now be longer. woohoo~
  

OMIYAGE #4: Dorayaki

Slap two little pancakes together around a scoop of sweet bean paste and you'll have this traditional Japanese favorite, dorayaki. This particular one is decorated with a dried and salted cherry blossom flower, and the pancake is steamed so that it's nice and fluffy. You'll find them at a store in Setagaya, Tokyo for $2 a piece:




Check out more sweets from Japan HERE.

VIDEO: Pocky and Friends

I made a fan-vid for Pocky and other sweets I found at the local Asian markets. Here's a list of what's featured:

1) [Pocky] Brazilian Pudding
2) [Marble Pocky] Mild & Bitter
3) [Marble Pocky] Rum Raisin
4) [Pretz] Mild Cheese / Sharp Cheese
5) [Kabaya] Kagoshima Sweet Potato pretzel
6) [Koeda] Evening Time, Brandy & Cacao
7) [Pocky] Super Thin
8) [Pretz] Sharp Cheese
9) [Fran] Winter Premium, White Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts
10) [Pocky] Blueberry (with fruit bits)
11) [Fran] Matcha Green Tea
12) F Cup Cookie (to increase your bust size)
13) [Pretz] Bakery Flat Style with Bacon and Cheese flavor
14) [Fran] Banana and Milk
15) [Koeda] Morning Time with Blueberry, Yogurt and Cornflake
16) Original Pocky!!

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In Other News...

• Looking for a professional TV chef to cook in your kitchen? Look here.
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Sweet Lady Jane (West Hollywood)

A while back I saw Mario Batali on Iron Chef whip up an English Trifle. It seemed like the most basic thing -- layers of fluffy cake, cream and berries -- but it was one of the most delectable sights I'd ever seen. I've been on a search ever since. Sweet Lady Jane does theirs pretty well, but somehow I know there's better. I think what gets to me is the over-sized portions. For me, sweets are best in the first eight bites. After that it turns into an unwelcome guest. This one had a 20-bite count, give or take a few.

My grandma had the lemon meringue. I think her eyes were bigger than her stomach when she chose it. Luckily meringues are mostly air, so she got through it without keeling over. Phew~!

Omiyage: Ginza Strawberry

I mentioned this earlier, but I'm starting a new video corner where I feature every Japanese confection I come across. I'm not talking about the common stuff you get at the Japanese market but the classier swag (aka omiyage) that guests bring over in big, fancy boxes. This one is called Ginza Strawberry, a soft, fluffy cake filled with sweet berry cream. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.