Recipe: Shrimp in Savory Sauce Over Rice

Mar9

One of Chan’s favorite dishes is Hokkien Fried Rice. It’s a fried rice dish with a thick savory gravy on top – loaded with whatever you want in the gravy. I found a YouTube channel and her recipes look pretty good and legit so I decided to try to make this recipe as a first try. It’s just over white rice but to me that’s totally fine. Having the savory gravy over fried rice feels a bit wasted to me because the fried rice will then just have none of it’s own flavor left. Save yourself the effort and calories and just eat it over white rice.

I followed her recipe exactly but just doubled it. We really enjoyed it! Chan’s only note was to maybe add just a bit more white pepper next time. Also, I had access to MSG so in it went. Just a sprinkling. I’ll link her YouTube recipe video below!

Sauté the shrimp!

Add the whites of the green onion and garlic to sauté with the shrimp

LOL, it’s hard to start taking pictures when I’m at the gravy stage of the cooking. It’s just chicken broth and cornstarch mixed together and then you throw in the beaten egg while you’re stirring. Mine came out much thicker looking and browner than hers but that’s probably because I got the shrimp super browned on my end.

Recipe Credit: Cook! Stacey Cook: Shrimp in Savory Sauce Over Rice

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Mixed Plate Friday

Mar6

Zero Sugar Double Stuf Oreos

Been wanting to try the zero sugar Oreos since they were announced! Found them at Safeway (that’s where I see all the new items stocking first) and I was lucky to have a coupon to get these pretty cheap! I didn’t read the bag carefully and was kind of mad that it was one of those non-ziploc closures. I didn’t realize until after I opened it that it was individually packages! What a perfect treat! 2 cookies per package. So how is it? Good! It is actually not too sweet (translation: perfect for Asians) and it doesn’t have a weird zero sugar aftertaste. Would be great if they start making this in Oreo thins too! Would recommend!

U-Choice In

I can happily report that U-Choice In is just fine. It was temporarily closed this past week for a red placard but we checked it out when they re-opened with the green pass. Chan said that this will be the cleanest it’s been in a while and that’s a pretty good point lol. We had some for breakfast this morning and are doing okay so far! You’re welcome for the temperature check.

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Hilton Hotel Eats – Nagoya, Japan

Mar4

Another Hilton Hotel means Jenny taking in all the perks from Chan’s membership! What does this mean in Japan? Buffet Breakfasts baby!!!! I’ll just put all the pics from our trip here and let all the judging happen within this one space (no judging me outside of this post but also please be nice to me).

There’s an Executive Lounge in the hotel but the food is kind of junk. I think that’s just a quiet room for you to relax if you want to! Probably best for folks who have to wait for check in or had to check out early. Here are some sandwiches they had at the bar.

Do I eat like a child? At times, yes. And do they cater to children since they are a family hotel chain? Yes. Yes they do.

Ogura Toast

The hotel was pretty cool about also offering up local specialties in Nagoya. Here is the special order Ogura toast. It was just alright, not my kind of thing. I do like that they used smooth an, sorry, I am picky!

Their buffet selection is always so vast, a good variety of American and Asian foods!

Another specialty but I forget the same. It’s basically a rice ball smothered in red bean and either grilled or baked. It was just alright (sorry!).

Unagi Omelet

Damn, I really like noodles.

Another video to end the post! The Hilton Hotels in Japan always puts up an impressive holiday train! Here’s a quick video of the one in our hotel.

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Kiharu – Kyoto, Japan

Mar2

A trip to Japan means a repeat visit to Kiharu! You can read my previous post here. I didn’t take a lot of notes this trip around but you will see there are some similar dishes from the last visit. Great experience as always. Chan bought some Hawaii omiyage for the taisho and he was so tickled and happy! That’s always fun.

Green Pea Soup, Tofu wrapped in Fried Mochi Bits with Yuzu Miso

Had this dish last time, was just as good as before. Fresh peas with fried mochi bits? WHY NOT. Great starter to the meal.

Shirako (V’s Favorite Dish)

LOL sorry, I had to put that in there. This restaurant is an omakase so you don’t choose what you eat, I didn’t order it I swear! Was good though. LOL

I forget what kind of fish this was but wow, this dish was so good. He braided the fish meat together to create such a pretty look! The fish is a bit salty but I think the squeeze of the citrus provides a wonderful contrast. One of my favorites of the night!

I’m starting to wonder if he just created our meals from one single fish lol. I have no problems with an all fish night.

Yes, his tempura! I think that’s a sakura leaf fried up with sweet potato slices. Super good. I am pretty sure he is all by himself in this restaurant so he is busy cooking and serving us. Very small space, just the counter for service.

Quick video reveal of the steamed rice with mushrooms. I need help on why my videos become so white washed when I edit it and upload it? UGH! This is why it’s so much easier to post on social media. Actually this video is one of the better uploads upon review.

Another great experience at Kiharu again but this is thanks all to Chan’s friend who makes the reservation and dines with us there. There is no way we could do this on our own not knowing Japanese. Can’t wait to return again during our next trip!

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Mixed Plate Friday (Japan)

Feb27

Japan Filet-O-Fish and French Fries

Happy to report that the filet-o-fish recipe is consistent in all countries lol. Also happy to report that the fries are still in these cartons versus the junk baggies we get in Hawaii now. Yum!

Had to try one more trend. Eating the Egg Salad sandwich with Famichiki. I only found this sandwich so well it was a mini sized try.

Here we go! So how was it? Well it tasted like an egg salad sandwich stuffed with awesome chicken patty. No complaints here man, what did you think would happen when you combine to ono things together? Yum!

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Moumou Tei – Nagoya, Japan

Feb25

I took a break from Japan posts and completely forgot that I have so much more pics to share! So I’ll slowly finish up some posts with you folks. This was Chan and I’s first meal in Nagoya! We tried out Moumou Tei which was conveniently located very close to our hotel and oh my gosh, it was so good. One of my favorite meals of the trip!

We were placed into a private room and seated right in front of a window? I have never had a set up like this before. Chan and I sat side by side staring out onto the street lol.

Banchan

I don’t know much about the restaurant but it seemed to be a fusion of both Korean and Japanese cuisine. No complaints here!

“Almost Salad”

Don’t ask me why they call it almost salad, it was from their website that was probably google translated. Just to let you know, it was fully a salad to me lol.

Beef Tartare

You already know I liked this. Come on.

Here’s the grill!

Mmm salted beef tongue…

Raw Japanese Yolk with everything!

Meat, meat, and more meat

Favorite dish of the night coming up…

Oh my goodness, I am salivating as I look at these pictures. The waitress cooked the block of meat for us and I wondered if it would be overcooked. Not at all. Look at how glorious and marbled this meat is. Of course we ordered the egg yolk! It was a great dish, my only regret is that it was at the end of the meal when I was feeling full already. I couldn’t enjoy it as ravenously as I would have liked!

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Sushi Que – Honolulu, HI

Feb23

You know the drill, Sushi Que is my favorite omakase sushi joint right now. We make a reservation every time we return. It’s pricey but not pricey for what you get! Good people running a really good sushi joint. If you are able to make a reservation, please do! It’s well worth the wait. The food and service was of course spectacular. Unfortunately there was a very loud and drunk party seated behind us which made it a bit harder to enjoy the night.

Seafood Bouillabaisse

SO GOOD. Deep in flavor and umami. Super super super oishi.

A newish dish! Haven’t had this before, I think it was like a crab roll. Oh my, every morsel was delicious. I loved it!

Assorted Sashimi

The usual Himalayan salt block with the sashimi slices for the night. I forget each sashimi but the torched piece was so good!

House-made Miso Butterfish

Super tender with a nice sweet miso sauce. Tasted like how I feel like home cooking in Japan would taste like. It was wonderful.

Octopus! One of my favorites because I watch the taisho throw each “sucker” down on the cutting board. It must be a method to make it tender? Not sure.

Saba!

Ikura!

Uni

Great quality uni – so sweet and clean tasting. I can get spoiled easily eating here!

Negitoro with Takuan Roll

Ankimo (Pupu Style)

This was an order after the omakase was complete. They don’t serve it up with ponzu sauce but hey, they way they make it is much better. They serve it with super thin slices of cucumber which offers a nice crunchy fresh taste contrasting with the rich creamy liver. Yum!

Otoro

Final bite! Also an order outside of the omakase, so good!!

Fresh Fruit

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Mixed Plate Friday

Feb20

Mei Mei Chinese BBQ Roast Duck & Ginger Chicken with Rice | $15.00

We had a hankering for some Chinese roast meats and came out to Chinatown to grab some grub! I’m sad to say, Mei Mei seems to have gone down in quality. The chicken and sauce was alright, the duck was super bony and just not as good as before. They used to serve this rice plate with choy sum but this time it was won bok. It was a bit of a bummer but I believe in second chances and won’t give up just yet! But man did this make me want to hit up Kevin’s Kitchen again for some roast duck!

I went to pick up dinner at Asian Mix the other day and of course by 5PM, no more roast duck or roast pork. What shocked me more? They ran out of chow fun! How?? I saw at least 3 customers just walk away when they were told no more chow fun. That’s crazy. Finally after I got my food, I drove out and realized Kevin’s Kitchen was right next door. Doh! I forget sometimes that Times Beretania has the Kinau entrance too. Shucks. Anyway, the Asian Mix food was just alright. The crispy gaugee was super junk with a very dry and mealy stuffing. I don’t plan to return to Asian Mix anytime soon.

Truffle & Pop Original “Cheesy” Truffle Popcorn | $12.99 (!)

I picked up an order from ‘Ili‘ili Cash & Carry which is now also operating with Hoiliili Market By Farm Link. By the way, I don’t know why Yelp is reporting them as closed. They are very much open and you can order on their website for pick-up! Love the local market and produce so I bought some fresh produce and spotted this at check-out. I’m a sucker for popcorn and truffle. Well found out it was $12.99 but hey, it’s a local vendor that makes this. Realized when I got home that cheesy was in quotation marks. LOL, right away I knew that meant brewer’s yeast in place of cheese and I wasn’t super enthused. Well I tried it today and guess what? It is actually super good! Is it worth $13? Well, if you ever find yourself wanting to support local…sure! I’m just here to report that buggah tastes good!

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Frog House – Waikiki, HI

Feb18

Does Frog House count as being part of Waikiki since it’s on Kalakaua? But it’s before you even hit Don Quijote. We haven’t been here in ages, months and months ago. It’s hard to tear myself away from work to go out to lunch since the return parking situation is not ideal. I am happy to report that the owner is still as nice as ever and remembers us! Not much details because I am always so busy to eat and not taking down details. I’ll try my best to remember!

Assorted Banchan

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, hands down the best restaurant banchan. They always make different ones and I love all of them! And look at how generous they are – 7 of them! And she will ask if you want refill if you eat most of it!

Stir-fried Webfoot Octopus and Pork Belly | $29.99

One of our favorite dishes of all time to order. We weren’t feeling bossam that day so we got this dish. Man it was so good. Give me some rice and this dish and I would totally scarf it all down. No worries, I shared this lol. It was delicious! Perfect wok-hei taste.

Yukaejang (Mild) | $14.95 (Lunch Special)

Soondaeguk (Korean Sausage Soup) | $14.95 (Lunch Special)

This was my dish! There was a lot more offal this time around, not that I’m complaining but I guess I wasn’t feeling the crunch of pig ears this time lol. It was still delicious and I still drank it up! So happy to return and eat their food again, comfort food at its best!

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Mixed Plate Friday

Feb13

Da Island Dragon (16 oz. only) | $11.99
Pineapple, Banana, Vita Coco Pressed Coconut Water, Organic Dragon Fruit Sorbet, Coconut Cream, Nana Sea Moss Gel-Pina Colada, Koko Kai Simple Coconut Yogurt, Organic Agave, Coconut Flavor, Organic Coconut Shreds and Activated Charcoal


Unless you’re living under a rock (ha pun not intended), you would know that Bretman Rock collaborated with Down to Earth to create his own smoothie. We were looking for a nice refresher so curiousity got the better of me. I like that they allow you to order online before heading down. We went on a very off peak time so my order was ready when I got there! So how was it? Well, it’s a good smoothie. That’s about all I got. Sounds like it’s got a lot of good stuff in it – though I could do without the coconut shreds. Would I get it again? For $12? Probably not but glad to have tried something on trend.

The Wrecking Crew Pac | $15.95
Fried Chicken, Portuguese Sausage, Fried Fish, Chili, White Rice and Mac Salad

Wow another trend for Jenny lol. Jason Momoa is doing a special collaboration with Zippy’s for his newest film and he is a huge Zippy’s fan. And you know what? Brada has great taste, he put everything I want into one plate. I always want fried fish and a piece of fried chicken. And for prices today, I think this price tag is pretty good for the food you get (especially for Zippy’s). I would get this again and hope they would consider keeping it on the regular menu!

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