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Mixed Plate Friday

Sep30

Ahi, Avocado, Tomato, Cheese | $8.85
smoked ahi gourmet spread, carrots, lettuce and sprouts

I was poking pretty hard on Earl’s prices two days ago but can you blame me? I got this sandwich from Andy’s last week and look at the price and size of the sandwich! Can always count on Andy’s to make a great sandwich. Great deal.

Chantilly Parfait | $5.49

I’ve told you folks about the Berry Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods. I loved the cake before but the most recent iterations have left me wanting more…almond! Well, I can’t just buy whole cakes anytime I have a craving so I was so excited to see that they sell a parfait version! It’s located in the cold cases by the cashier. Oh man, did this one deliver. The almond flavor was strong and greatly missed. I enjoyed every bite.

Char Siu & Roast Duck on Rice | $16.00

I’ve been wanting to try Sandy’s Cafe since they opened in the Chinese Cultural Plaza for years now. We did a take-out order in Chinatown so I decided to bite the bullet and order this. I read that their char siu and roast duck is good and sells out fast so I got them both! This whole plate is still cheaper than that Earl sandwich. Hahaha, sorry I keep dogging on the price of that sandwich but I just can’t help myself. The char siu was delicious, tender morsels of meat. Their marinade was a bit sweeter than I’m used to but I didn’t mind it! The roast duck was good too, not the best I’ve ever had but good.

Have a great weekend folks!

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Mixed Plate Friday

Sep23

Just wanted for be fancy…

Yummy soft tofu slathered in goma dressing and chili oil. Delicious!

Vegetable Board | $15.00

Grilled Marinated Vegetables, Quinoa, Avocado, House Pickled Vegetables, Roasted Beets, Grilled Asparagus

I had this over the summer for dinner at Tango Contemporary Cafe. I enjoyed it a lot! But gosh, was I eating healthy or what?

Lunch Bento | $10.00
marinated boneless short ribs, wing dings, kielbasa sausage, shumai, taegu, takuan, fishcake & kimchee

We ordered bentos from Taka’s Box Lunch for an office retreat and I thought the price was pretty good! I was trying to call them all day on a Friday and sent them a message on Instagram with no response. It was a bit frustrating but I finally got a hold of someone on Monday morning and was able to put my order in. I heard they are pretty busy on Fridays so I understand. The orders all worked out and I thought it was pretty good. I like laugh at wing dings and ribs – the “s” makes it sound like you get more than one. You don’t. It’s okay, still worth it.

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Mixed Plate Friday

Sep16

Just no.

Edomae Nigiri Sushi (9pcs) | $11.49

I got this set from Nijiya Market, I say this is a pretty good price for the sushi set! Tasted great, and yes, that’s oyster right there! Would definitely recommend this!

Yakisoba (Fried Noodle) | $7.49

Another dish from Nijiya and yet another winner dish! I enjoyed it!

For any Yoku Moku lovers out there, I saw this display at Nijiya University! No need to wait for Neiman Marcus and now no more Shirokiya (sad face).

Okay last share is purely silly, I’ve talked about my love of miniatures and found this cute miniature Yeti Cooler from a crafter online. I put the cooler onto my miniature cart from Daiso….but wait!

I added my cute Rement drinks into the cooler and yes…THERE ARE ICE CUBES INSIDE. It’s the little things (literally) that bring a smile to my face, it’s okay to surround yourself with things that make you happy. Happy Friday!!!

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Mixed Plate Friday

Sep9

Anko Spread with Butter

I got this so long ago from Costco, not sure if they even carry it anymore! I was super curious about it and I got curiosity got the best of me. I’m not a big toast person anyway but still got it. It’s good! I still have almost full jar in the fridge because like I said, I am not a big toast person lol. I enjoyed eating it with sliced fruits like below.

In June, I had this huge urge to adopt a cat. I don’t know why. I just really really wanted to so we visited the Hawaiian Humane Society and I was enamored with this cat. He was a new addition, rehomed (boo) but absolutely beautiful cat who was SO chill. That’s the kind of cat I need, chill. He barely moved lol but something in his face – is there a sadness? I don’t know. I even imagined taking him with me to work to chill as a work therapy cat. His name was Paco and I think I got to see him 2 times before he was adopted. I knew he would be a fast one to go, I hope his new family is treating him well. Oh, and I got over my urge of getting a new pet. For now.

Okay, can you see which sticker I am laughing about? Hint: it’s easier if you read it out loud. Another hint, I am an immature child with dumb jokes. Let me know if you got it. Happy weekend to you!

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Mixed Plate Friday

Sep2

Maple Dijon Crunch Chopped Salad Kit | $2.98

You can find this salad mix at Sam’s Club. I don’t know if I shared this but I’ve been a Sam’s Club fiend for the last two years or so. It’s just an easier place for me to get in and out of for groceries and they have cool seasonal stuff and a lot more brands. Another plus? Super cheap salad mixes! I saw this last week and had to get it to try!

Well, it’s not bad but not great. Diced Apples? More like apple wedges. I mixed the entire salad together and tried it – to me it was a bit too sweet. So I removed the apples as I ate because I didn’t need it to be doubly sweet. I just noticed the salad mix has chicken in it and I could barely taste/feel chicken pieces. Hmm…buy at your own risk.

Mini Chicken Katsu Curry | $8.95

I finally got it Jalna! This time, Liliha Drive Inn gave me the right order! Pretty big portion for a mini. It tasted great and my craving was satisfied. Do I want it again…?? I’ll be good for now and hold off.

Wife Cake | Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery

Sorry I don’t have the price. They don’t have an online website and when I am in there ordering – I feel like pressured out to get my order in quick and get out. They always have a line but I lucked out on my visit when I got there I didn’t have to stand in line but boy did a line grow when I was ordering. Have you folks had wife cake before? I remember this from my childhood when my aunts got married, I guess it’s traditional to have these for weddings? How would I explain this? It’s like a Chinese style manju. I remember when I was a kid, I liked the wife cake and always wondered if I would like it now.

I don’t. Well not this one anyway. I wasn’t a fan of this filling, they called it the traditional wife cake. I saw other varieties but I decided to go for the traditional one since I figured that’s what I had before. I shared with my coworkers and one of them said it was a bit like fruit cake. I remember the one I had as a kid almost had a savory sweet filling. Maybe it was a different bakery? Different filling? I really can’t say.

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Clubs to Join!

Aug27

As I promised, here are the Parks and Recreation clubs that may be of interest to you! All online through zoom and no cost!! Please join us!

Book Club

If you like reading and discussing books, here’s an online class for you! Participants, along with a moderator, will select a book and meet weekly to discuss it. Through discussion, we hope to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the books.

Registration Link

Movie Club

If you like watching and talking about movies, here is an online class for you! Discussions will occur virtually and will be moderated. We hope this discussion group will lead to a greater understanding and appreciating of the films we watch. Previous discussions have centered on Asian-American and foreign-language films. Please join us!

Registration Link

Atlantic Magazine Discussion Group

The group will select and read an Atlantic magazine article per week and meet weekly to discuss them.

Registration Link

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Mixed Plate Friday

Aug26

I went to Las Vegas in April, I’ll share some pictures soon although it felt like eons ago. Also, I came back from Vegas with Covid. I guess not everything that happens in vegas stays in vegas. Well, no one wore their mask in Vegas and every time a door opened, I got such a strong smell of pakalolo that I think perhaps I would have tested positive for it had a drug test been administered.

Anyway, obviously Trader Joe’s was an absolute must. This Cacio E Pepe sauce was kind of all the rage back in April so I got it. It’s not worth it. Don’t waste your time, luggage space and like chance of it exploding in your luggage. It’s super bland – it’s basically an alfredo sauce. Just go eat alfredo at a restaurant, it’ll probably be way better.

That’s me trying to make it look better with some steak. Also, these are not udon noodles – they are the special pasta that is like a thicker spaghetti and it’s hollow. Bucatini! That’s what they are called. Anyway, thumbs down.

Speaking of covid, during the last government free giveaway of covid tests – I placed my order and got this. I never got this brand before AND they only sent me two of these and these boxes only contain one test each. I was supposed to get 8 total tests! Well I submitted an inquiry with USPS and they took a while but came through and sent me my brand new 8 tests.

I wanted to post this because this test is AWFUL. If you ever have to buy a test, don’t buy this one. First of all, you can only use this test if you download an app on your phone and the app requires you to give your personal information. I hate that. Then, you see the testing stick on the box? It works as a bluetooth to your phone so basically you can’t touch your phone for 15 minutes because it is being used for the test result. It is all so stupid. And guess what? In the end, it tells me they couldn’t figure out a result with my test. WHAT A WASTE OF MY TIME. Anyway, I already have the app and have one more of these dumb tests left. Don’t use these.

Goteborg Musubi

My friend kindly shared some slices of goteborg sausage with me. If you didn’t know, the best place to buy it is at Times. They will slice it to the size you specify. Also, they tend to put these sausages on sale during big holidays so keep a look-out. I never cooked these before but it is really so simple and you definitely don’t need oil to heat it up. So fast and easy. The boys loved it cause it’s like eating crispy pepperoni – just add some hot rice and furikake on top and you’re good to go.

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Hello there

Aug19

I would hate to sit here and tell you I’m back to normal posting. I want to be but that might be a bit hard to promise. I did want to post an update and slowly slip back into somewhat of a normal posting schedule.

First off, thank you for all the warm wishes. We have been living with the new normal and there have been some really rough moments in my life these past few months. I don’t want to go into too much detail here but am posting because I am in a better place now.

I hooked up my phone to my computer for the first time this morning and my god, I have too many pictures to sort through. A lot of my dine out pictures are old and I hardly go out now. I have still been cooking so I’ll post both anyway.

One thing I have really enjoyed for a few months now have been a few clubs I joined through the City and County Parks and Recreation – they are all free and completely online through Zoom. They have been run by a great facilititator and the people in the groups have been small in numbers but awesome awesome folks. If you ever have an interest in joining a book club or movie club, I do hope you’ll join us when the new enrollment period starts! Then you’ll be able to “meet” me as well! I’ll post the enrollment information when it opens up! If you have any questions about the clubs, please don’t hesitate in asking me!

A bit blurry photo but look at the beautiful flowers I received for my birthday! I wanted to share this blurry picture because I wanted to show off my Baymax and Mochi dolls in the back lol.

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Happy New Year

Jan11

Hi everyone. I hope you folks had a nice new year and holiday season, if you live in Hawaii…I know you went through torrential rains and loud bombs. I no get why people get enjoyment out of those big bomb sounding fireworks. I get the enjoyment of fireworks in the sky but the bombs…why?

Anyway, without going into too much detail…I had an awful December. A family member had a stroke and we have been adjusting together as a family. The first few days were scary and very touch and go but now we are doing nothing but progressing so I am grateful and relieved. I’ll try my best to post here and there but it’s a bit hard to focus on extra curricular activities at this time.

I’ll end the post with a funny picture I took at work not too long ago. Someone like be funny yah? 🙂

Please take care of yourselves and take care of your health! Mind the ones you hold near and dear as well. Take care.

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Mixed Plate Friday

Dec17

Oahu Noodle Factory | Wide Egg Noodles

Wanted to make a noodle dish at home and wanted fresh noodles so we went to Oahu Noodle Factory in Kalihi. It’s a great deal and while parking is non-existant (unless you know, let me know) – there is an spot to illegally stop your car in front of their shop and run in and out for. Well I did it…but I would always bring a buddy so I can drive around in a circle if needed. I was in luck today! This bag was about 2 lbs, they were charging $2.50 a pound when I was here.

I saw this online a few months ago and was super curious about it. Someone said Costco would start carrying it but it never came to our Costco so I got it when I saw it at Target. Kind of pricey but curiousity killed the cat. It’s pretty good, definitely can taste the coconut oil but just a hint of it. It tastes pretty okay! I’ve only had it on top of toast.

This Mazemen was on sale at Don Quijote for $3.99 so I gave it a shot. It comes with sauce packets, you cook and drain your noodles and mix it with the sauce packets! You have to add your own toppings. It was pretty good! I would get it again should the craving occur.

Acai Bowl | $12.25

One Saturday morning, I decided to head out to Hawaii Kai after my walk to go to Costco and Ross. Well I was a bit too early for Costco so we decided to head to a little cafe for a smoothie and acai bowl. Goes to show you how much I know, Island Brew Coffeehouse in Hawaii Kai is a totally swinging brunch place during the weekends and it was PACKED. It was raining this day so I just wanted for grab and GET OUT. They are also very pricey. Kind of pricey for this huh? I guess I should get used to it…inflation isn’t leaving anytime soon. Was it good? Sure. It’s an acai bowl. Anyway, I would probably avoid this place next time due to popularity and price.

Can I also just add, Ross Hawaii Kai and Costco Hawaii is the most chill and laid back. And HK Ross has all the cool stuff. Okay, have a good weekend folks!

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