Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I Miss RAMEN !


I'm a ramen person, and after backed from my Tokyo trip I even craved for Ramen DAILY ! 
it's not that I don't want to blog, but my blog storage has hit the quota, I need to pay, buy storage in order to blog... 
which I don't think I want... still figuring what's the next path... 

I love the Real Traditional Japanese Ramen, but not the ' localized ' which we can easily order in any random Japanese Restaurant...
those usually can taste the heavy MSG taste and instant noodles instead of daily handmade fresh noodles...
the Pro-Japanese Ramen, soup based is usually cooked long hour with Pork-bones, we called it Tonkotsu (Pork) soup... 
optionally add on Miso / Shoyu / spicy paste etc...
it's rich, nice, tasty with the tender handmade noodles... 
oh no~ what a great combo !

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during my January Sg Trip...
my fren brought us to this Santouka Hokkaido Ramen opposite Somerset...
it has few branches in others places...
it's something consider more economic and with reasonable price in Singapore... 

don't get shocked with menu below, showing $ 19.50 - 20.50...
as it's for the special Pork Cheek Meat set...

there're cheaper range set which come with Ramen + Rice which I think quite worth...


I tried the Pork Cheek Meat, with Spicy Ramen Set...
the meat is more tender and well-flavored compared to the normal Cha Shu of course... 




I always give Extra Marks if the Ramen served with half-boiled Hot Spring Egg ~
tastes Totally Different...
thumbs-up ! 


this is the set comes with a Big Bowl of Ramen and Garlic Fried Rice / Normal Rice...
the traditional eating way, is to finish the noodles quickly, and pour the rice into the still-hot-soup and eat...
I would say the portion is too huge for a lady, thus, can be a sharing of 2... 


and place a side order - Gyoza
and it would just be nice...  :)


it opened outlet in Malaysia too, at Tokyo Street - Pavillion KL... 
I went in July, tasted same, not bad...
but it won't be considered as 'economic / reasonable price' here in Malaysia...
minimal spending, RM 30++ per pax/ bowl after tax... 



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backed in end of 2011, another specialized Japanese Ramen Shop opened in Paragon, Gurney... Goku Raku Ramen
it's a happy news for me !
however, I always claimed that there are Too Many GREAT foods in Penang...
I only managed visit Once so far, keep wanting to re-visit but " No Chance " !

the price range is cheaper than Santouka KL...
around Rm 18.90++ (small bowl) - Rm 25.90++ big bowl...

it tasted not bad but I couldn't recall or describe much about it since it has been so long since I had it...






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my Top Favourite still backed to Ippudo Ramen which having A Lot of branches all around the world... 
most 'reachable' for me would be Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan where it originates from... 

there are 2 outlets in Singapore...
1 in Mandarin Gallery another in UE Square...
daily Long Q during lunch and dinner time !!!!!
that's the crazee part !

I finally tried it during my Singapore Trip in September !!!
the Q was extremely long even we went at 5-6pm - early dinner ! 

but it's wOrth ! 
we ordered 3 different to try... 
the original, spicy and Miso... 
the hot spring egg and cha shu need to add-on separately with additional charges...  but it's a must ! 


when I went to Tokyo, I happened to spot Ippudo Cup (Bowl) noodles from 7 Eleven...
as can see from the packaging...
I supposed it's collaboration between Ippudo and 7 Eleven, as I couldn't find it in Family Mart or Lawson...
it's not cheap though... 
after converted, should be rm 15-20, I can't remember... 


it even comes with pieces of dried Cha Shu... 
haha.. so pro...
but of cuz the soup won't be as tasty as how we tasted in the shop...


I did not try Ippudo Ramen in Tokyo, as too many choices in too short period...
so hate Malaysia / Singapore such a 'commercialized' countries...
when things come here, serving portion must become smaller and lesser...
everything need to extra order, extra charge...
unlike those in Japan, what you eat worth the price you paid !! 

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we touched down Tokyo at 11+ pm Japan Time...
by the time we checked in and settled down, it's 12 midnight d...
luckily there are alot of eating places opened till late night within walking distance from my hotel around Shinjuku...
while we were walking around, struggling where to settle our super Late Dinner,
I saw thie Keika Ramen which recommended to me by my Japanese Counterpart before...
without hesitation, we just hopped in !


most of the restaurants in Japan are very tiny and with limited spaces...
there's vending machines like this outside every Ramen Shop...
self-ordered, paid, and with the little coupon / receipts you pass to the kitchen helper, they will serve your ramen shortly...
very efficient and convenient ! 


people keen to say foods in Japan very expensive...
but to be fair, if we compare Apple to Apple...
a bowl of Delicious ramen like this, costs me 850 yen, which is around Rm 30+...
the portion is huge and tastes AWESOME !
so tell me if it's worth !


again there's Combo Set of Ramen + Garlic Fried Rice + Gyoza... 
costs around 880-900 yen....
which total enough for sharing between two ! 
so so so yum ! 



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here come top fav Ramen for all of us throughout the trip !
we passed by this little corner shop everyday...
decided to give it a try on a random night !

it has different soup-based, which is MISO soup based instead of the Tonkotsu (pork)...


again, we guess the words by the pics and pick our choice ! 


placed order via the vending machine and wait to be seated...


the most precious ingredient in this shop is their Miso Paste...
they put a huge spoonful of miso paste into the bowl, pour in half bowl of soup from a giant pot and stir equally...



they 'grilled' the cha shu a little bit by this little fire thingy...


I considered it as the most expensive ramen among the 3 shops I had during our trip...
this costs us 900 yen, served with only ONE piece of Cha Shu (pork belly)
but never mind, as it's heavenly delicious !!!!!!!!!!
guess the price mainly contributed to their special homemade Miso Paste which I saw a big big packet waiting to be refilled... 


the portion, in term of noodles and soup are biggest among three...
and it served with Hot Spring Egg~ woo hoo~
what so special about this egg...
the yolks is so beautiful orangy colour like a sunset big yolks... 
when u bite on the egg, it's not hard at all but will 'break' and the yolks flow out.. so yum...
the yumminess is not describable...


I share with my aunt, and we both feel just nice...
I finished up All the soup !!!!
my sis and frens had a bowl each, and felt regret after wards...
as way too full !
so super yum !!!!!

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the last night before heading back to Malaysia...
I wanted to have another Ramen dinner !
simply walked into a random shop around Kabukicho...

the soup based and Cha Shu not as yum as the previous two... and it served with normal egg too...
HOWEVER, its noodles are so tender and different from any other ramen shop...
imagine my aunt asked me order another bowl for her, before she even finished the first bowl !
no drama !




the best decision is to have hot hot yummy Soup Ramen during the cold cold weather !
I so so so miss the ramen in Japan...
simply hop into any ramen shop sure serve tasty ramen ! 
I've been craving for it badly !   T_________T 


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wild Honey, Singapore, No place like hOme~

since beginning of the year...
I came across this breaky place - Wild Honey in Singapore on net...
knowing it always long Q daily...
I'm not a morning person, but I love BREAKY...
this place served all-day breakfast.. with wide varieties...

during the visit, I saw a postcard in the restaurant mentioning something about chef of Melbourne etc...
and it tells why I love this place at first sight...
the foods just fit my liking~    :)

I went the one in Scotts Square during my visit in September...
after waiting for 9 mths ! finally ! 


beautiful coffee aroma surrounding the restaurant...
huge range of pastries and dessert near the entrance...
too bad we were just too full to try out the dessert.. 
I believe they taste all good... 








Cafe Cappuccino to begins... 


European... 
eggs Benedict with 2 poached eggs, sauteed mushrooms, Italian prosciutto, and homemade Hollandise Sauce. 


I love benedict.. and it so rare to get it in Penang.. I finished it All-By-Myself ,so cleaned tho I was so fulled !



English...
the usual big breaky...
with scramble eggs, sauteed mushrooms, super soft homemade breads, back bacon, pork sausages, baked beans, potatoes and grilled tomatoes...
I would suggest this to be sharing for 2 ladies... the portion is quite huge for me or my friend to finish alone...


a set to share plus a dessert and 2 cuppa sounds good...


Turkish...
Sizzling pan of spicy Shakshouka (tomato, onion, pepper & chilli) studded with chorizo sausages, crowned with two fried eggs...
I would say not everyone likes the spicy and special flavor of this... it very depends...
it tastes good for me...
dipping the super soft bread into the spicy sauce is just nice... 

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the interior is beautiful, cozy and colourful...
another good photo snapping spot... hehe
there are indoor and outdoor sitting places for smokers...





there are 2 branches in Singapore... look out their site for more info... 

Monday, November 5, 2012

hallOween 2005 vs 2012


I kinda like Halloween since young...
no idea why... Maybe because I like pumpkin !
pumpkin itself, pumpkin soup, pumpkin toys and everything...
lame reason, I know..  -___-""

since high school, my bff and I always tried to plan for a Halloween Costume Partay, but never succeed...
never get to celebrate this event...

till the year I worked as part-timer in Segafredo..
being appointed to in-charge the deco for the event...
tho I was on off day for exam during that particular whole week...
but deco, event, partay, HALLOWEEN... how to reject ???

with all the helpful colleagues... 
I only needed to manage the exterior... and the interior taken care by others...

till today, we all still kinda proud with what we have done for the outlet on that day~  ^^
as been received alot of compliments that night... 
not to me, but whole outlet !


I intended to build a 'wall paper' for the outlet...
I drafted some buildings on A4 paper... 
bought dozens of Sugar-paper, combined altogether to form a big big slice of 'wall-paper'
drew my drafted drawing on it, cut out and stick up on the wall with the helps of the rest... 
replaced the windows with coloured-lantern-glass papers... 
few 3D graveyard... 



 the witch done with wood board...
big piece, drew, cut, spray and tied up but these 2 gentleman...


we only started to set up the interior and exterior deco the night before...
apparently, we worked overnight, till the next day morning...

when all things are up... we reckon the sky not seems very bluish but with grey clouds instead...
that was about 7am in the morning... 
we so worried with my fragile wall papers...

instantly, we came up this idea to combined the black rubbish collector bags as big as the wall...
and this nice gentleman, our 'manager'... 
helped to hang up covering the Whole Wall...
meanwhile, we keen to keep the wall paper as a surprise too...


it rained so heavily in the noon...
something superstitious happened...
we prayed to the sky for a clear weather during evening before took down the rubbish-bag-protector...
the sky turned so clear for the whole night long...

outlet closed at 2.30am daily...
by the time we left the shop was 3+...
RIGHT AFTER, we locked the doors, got up to car, the next seconds, it RAINed so super heavily without any 'heads up'...
I eye-witnessed everything on the wall 'disappeared' within 10 seconds !!

I just couldn't believe it...

it was really a great memorable night... 
after 7 years, every scene still clearly in my mind...

Climax of the night...
was the flash-mod part...
sudden song played, all the staff / ghost jumped up to the bar and danced crazily !


my fren even crazy till walked around the road and scare the passer by...
below picture showing how she ' stopped ' ppl's car on the main road ! 


acting Statue on the roof of the car by the road !




it was fun... and I missed it...

the year after, I was in Aussie...
being nanny at boss's house, didn't follow housemates to parties...

after backed...
every year, we tried to 'find-some-fun' , but always failed !

************************

2012,
me being appointed as part of committee to organize the Halloween Event for Dell Finance !
it was the very first Halloween partay in Dell... and it's with ZERO budget ! 
woo hoo~
delighted ** winkz ~



there's a costume competition... 
and all committees were required to dress up !
with the date crash of my exam...
I need something last minute, low cost and easy-to-make...
I decided to be black swan !



  1. hand made Black Tutu, with 3-4 metres of tulle ( rm 4.5 per M ) + a rubber headband costs me rm 2.90 ; cut into pieces and tied up to the headband one by one for 3 layers...
  2. DIY feather and rhinestones onto my black corset
  3. DIY black swan ugly crown with Glue Gun - whole crown is made by GLUE, painted black, stick some different sizes rhinestone and black sprinkles


pictures with director and bosses...
I was impressed seriously...
never thought so many would turn up with creative costumes and made up... 








only managed to share some photos... 
thought it was only a short 2hrs in-house event...
but all of us had fun and impressed !!!

since I already spent a night to make my costumes...
abit wasted if I only wear it for 2 hrs...
thus, we decided to attend the Halloween Partay at Traffic on 27th Oct... 


the event was kinda boring...
not many people dress up, guess the most efforts must be our gang !
Glad that all my frens just so into character !
without needing any alcohol, we were making so much fun...
a crazie night after all !






this pic clearly showing how ghost dancing Gangnam !

we even off to Soju for second round at 2am !
with our lame-dress-up, walking in Soju in a line...
we can sense many eyes peeking at us, and snapping photos...

we just don't care and went up stage to DANCE !
imagine a Dynasty Insane Princess, Keong Si, Black Swan (a bird, they called it), Japanese AV, Cat, Black and White Roses...
weird combination dancing on the stage...
wtf !
but it was fun...





the best part was we did not take any alcoholic drinks but we seem like totally drunk to do all the crazie stuff !
it was another memorable Halloween to mark my life-calendar...


Trois Canon Cafe @ Chulia Street

Been passing by this cafe for years... always have a thought that ' it can survive for so long, must have some reasons... '  wa...