Category: Food

Posted in Beauty, Family, Feelings, Food, Movie, Place, Shopping, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I checked out the hotel early to walk to the International Terminal, Haneda Airport.

I usually plan to buy new cosmetics at the airport to cut tax; these are new cosmetics.


I bought these to improve my eyebrows.

 I look forward to trying them on tomorrow. fufufu


I also bought black and blue mascaras and a Quattro Eye Shadow (Tisse Smoky) that I often use – this could be my third one.

It takes 3.5 – 4 hrs to reach Taiwan and I enjoyed the movie, The Man They Called Pirate…


And brunch while I was boarded.


To my surprise, the Taipei Songshan Airport is located in the city.


How convenient! 

It takes only 15 mins from the airport to reach major places in Taipei. 

It was still early to check in to a room so we went to a fortune tell.

I’m lucky because there are a quite number of fortune tellers who are able to communicate in Japanese.

Then we went to Xingtiangong Temple to pray.

We returned to the Grand Hotel; this hotel has three names: in Taiwanese – 圓山大飯店, in Japanese – Maruyama Daihanten (we pronounce Chinese characters in Japanese way) and in English – the Grand Hotel.

There are many good luck charms, Dragons, as many as 220,000 – 230,000 in this hotel.

Since this hotel is so unique, we had a special tour.

This hotel is GRAND because it was a former State Guest House.

This hotel received many VVIPs.

Well, there is a mysterious 85 m man-made tunnel which could be a secret escape tunnel.

However, we don’t know why this was made.


A room is also nice.



And the view from a room is nice overlooking a whole Taipei.


Tonight, we had dinner at the Golden Dragon Restaurant, the Grand Hotel.


I enjoyed these food with a Taiwanese local beer, Golden Medal Taiwan Beer.

After dinner, we took a hotel free shuttle bus to Shilin Night Market.

I’m so surprised to find many Japanese characters on products and Japanese confectioneries, health and beauty cares.

It was an interesting day. 

Good night for now.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I am so stress out in the office and I can use some get a way.


My trip to Taiwan starts tomorrow; however, since we need to check in at the airport early, we decide to stay at the airport hotel, the Park Royal Hotel.


Usually, we don’t have much time to explore Haneda Airport, but after I checked in, I went out.

I didn’t know there is a bridge, Nihonbashi that we can actually walk on.


Shopping and restaurants area is nicely decorated as Little Edo (Tokyo).


I had salad and gratin for dinner @ Bon Gout, Haneda Airport International Terminal.

This restaurant is delicious and reasonable.


I’m full and shops are already closed.

It’s time to go to sleep.

I cannot wait to reach Taiwan🎶

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Tokyo

Foodie Report

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, I had Kakiage Morisoba (mixed tenpura with cold soba) for brunch @ Sarashina Horii Sohonke, Azabu Juban.


This soba shop is always busy and with no exception, we waited for our table.

If you like soba, this restaurant is highly recommended.

It’s worth waiting!


I went to Wet Aging Beef Korean Barbecue, Nikugen @ Roppongi for dinner tonight.


American beef is aged to enhance its flavour and tenderness.

It’s different from Japanese wagyu beef; I looked at it as a skill.

Beef could be cheap but manage to enhance it by maturing it.

If you are so used to Japanese wagyu, you might not like it, but please consider this is a different beef!

Another uniqueness of this restaurant is recommending to grill beef for one minute by using an one minute hourglass.

But to be honest with you, some meat require more than one minute to cook.

We need to pay attention. hahaha

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Place, Tokyo

Ohanami (Sakura Viewing) Party@Satindoll, Nakameguro

Posted on by sonokotchi

Two weeks ago, I was here to enjoy gorgeous Sakura viewing at Megurogawa (Meguro River).

Today, Somei Yoshino is almost over.


But Yaezakura (double-flowered cherry blossom) are in the season.

Yes, I managed to Ohanami tonight.

I joined a gathering at Satindoll, Nakamegro.


I enjoyed Being with friends and eating delicious handmade food.

Master is a professional saxophonist and Mama san is a great chef.

They always welcome us with a warm hospitality. 

If you are looking for a place to enjoy food, drink and music, this is the place! 

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Japanese Food, Tokyo

Spring has come!

Posted on by sonokotchi

It is a nice night to walk, just right in 20C.

Sakuras are fully bloomed; everywhere is nice in pink.

Walked down to Azabu Juban and had Kyoto Style Okonomiyaki at Yocchan.


Master Chef is mother of two business partners (sons).

I forgot to ask how their okonomiyaki (Japanese style pancakes) are in Kyoto Style.

Yes, this restaurant use Kyoto leeks – I love it!

Sauce looks so thick, but has less taste.

Pancake is thin…? How…?

I learned this week that we can enjoy the same dish in many different ways by region: Kyoto Style Tempura, Kyoto Style Okonomiyaki.

Interesting…

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Japanese Food

Buta Shabu (Pork Claypot)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s still nice to eat Nabe (pot dish); therefore, I cooked a pot dish, Buta Shabu (Pork Claypot).

Swing a slice of pork in hot soup to cook (not to over cook) and eat with two different sauce: sesame dressing with Chinese chili oil, and ponzu (citrus soy sauce), daikon (white radish) and bannou negi (chive).

Last I had a small potion of udon (rice noodle).


It’s not a reward day or cheating day. 

But how can I refuse this…?

Posted in Beauty, Cooking, Feelings, Health

Long Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s a long day today.

I left office 7:45 pm and reached home past 8 pm.

I went to grocery shopping because I didn’t feel like buying food outside.

I was exhausted, but I was in a cooking mode.

I cooked chicken in black vinegar.

And I bought Carparica Sparkling Water from Romania as my treat.


I’m trying to cut down on sugar by avoiding fruit.

But I want to have my treat.

I concluded to have a sparkling water.

I finally had my dinner at 10 pm – so late.

I forgot to buy parsley; therefore, I had to be creative for smoothie.

I made a soy milk, tomato and carrot smoothie for breakfast tomorrow.

It became nicely in pink – so romantic!

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Food, Place, River, Travel

Short Trip to Osaka and Kyoto (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had a very interesting day.

We took a Trokko (mountain train) to enjoy Saga • Arashiyama Mountain View.





After this train ride, we will be on that boat to enjoy river cruise.


Next, Hozugawa Kudari (Hozu River Cruise).

A boat will cruise through a rocky and rapid stream.




We waved at Torokko (mountain train) – we were on that train earlier… and…


Normal JR Line, Sanin Line from a boat.


This 1 hour 45 mins journey is so scenic.



Most of trees are Sakura trees in this photo and there are many Sakura trees at river bank.

Wheather Agency already announced Kyoto is Sakura season; however, the recent sudden temperature drop delayed Sakura blooming greatly.

I could viewed Few Sakuras in Kyoto.

I thought we planned to visit Kyoto at the perfect timing, unfortunately, I missed it by a week.


At the end of the river cruise journey, we reached to another famous sightseeing spot, Togetsukyo (Togetsu Bridge).


We enjoyed Kyoto Lunch, Yudofu (Boiled Tofu) there.


After lunch, we returned to city by a train, Randen (Ranzan Line).

Now I’m on the way back to Tokyo by Shinkansen (Bullet Train).


I have visited Kyoto few times, but this is my first time to ride on Torokko, Hozugawa Kudari and Randen. 

I tried many different rides in a day and visited a new area of Kyoto; this trip became so memorable for me.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japan Technology, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Travel

Short to Trip to Osaka and Kyoto

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friends bought a JR Pass to get unlimited access to JR train.

It is advisable to get this pass if you plan to visit many places in Japan.


We planed to visit Osaka and Kyoto this weekend!


It’s sweet to have a Coffee break on bullet train.


First, we visited Osaka.

We went to Dotonbori, Osaka for lunch.


We can find many casual dining places in Dotonbori.

We decided to dine at Genkizushi, Dotonbori, Osaka because varieties of food are served: sushi, soba/udon, tempura,  obento (set menu), etc.


I had a steak and steak only. hahaha


After lunch, we shopped at Shinsaibashi shopping arcade.

It’s fun to hop in and hop out shops.

I bought two pairs of eyeglasses which cut 38% of blue light for heavy user of PC and mobile and 60% suitable for night, especially, before bed time.

I’m trying 60% now and my eyes are not hurt. 

I recommend to buy J!NS SCREEN.

It’s functional and reasonable, JPY 3,000 each.


I saw few Pablo cheese cake shop and at this restaurant, line was short!

We decided to get one for dessert after dinner.


We took a Shinkansen to reach Kyoto (15 mins).

We went to dinner after checked in at hotel.

Kyoto Style Tempra Yasaka Endo.


Let’s get ready!


Kyoto Style means using unique ingredients and cotton seed oil, instead of sesame oil in Tokyo.


After dinner, walked in Gion area and visited Yasaka Shrine.


I love visiting Osaka and Kyoto.

I would love to come back again!

It’s just unfortunate that Sakura is yet to bloom.

Soon Kyoto would be beautiful decorated by Sakura.