I know, avocado toast. But I haven't had good avocado since forever so... Fresh chunks (note: not mash) of avocado, perfectly poached eggs and just that hint of sourness and bitterness from the burnt lemon. Perfect for a workday getaway (ignoring the fact that the office is just 200m away...)
Usually not a fan of deconstructed anything but this was goooood. Meringue not too sweet, lemon curd sufficiently sour and the biscuit crumble had just that right amount of salt to pull it all together.
We had one of our best meals of our trip in this tiny izakaya in Hida Furukawa called Makkun, run only by the chef, his wife and his mother-in-law. We were told by our Airbnb host that this was his favourite izakaya but they didn't speak an ounce of English. But since we had a friend who took Japanese lessons before we decided to take the plunge. They weren't kidding about the no English at all but man the food was sooooo good and reasonably priced. We had the okonomiyaki, tamagoyaki, pork belly with ginger, tofu steak and maguro gyoza and fried sweet potato.
That fried sweet potato was mindblowing - it was coated and fried like a potato chip and seriously soooo good. The tofu steak, a local specialty, was also insanely good with a savoury sauce topping the soft tofu. Even the simple dish like the tamagoyaki was perfect. And the chef's wife, who was the hostess, was so friendly and earnest despite the language barrier and play-acted for us her toy retractable knife. Such a great experience in this small town (compared to the more touristy Takayama) - we really felt almost like locals!
Literally the prettiest kaisen don I have ever eaten. There are many stalls in Omicho Market serving fresh fish and sushi but we came here on a recommendation from a friend - and this was the only stall we saw with a queue outside. Fanned out beautifully, the cuts of fish were fresh and thick. Even the octopus, which I'm not usually a fan of, was excellent. The rarely-seen kazunoko (herring roe) was also crunchy and delicious. All around yum. All that fish, including uni, crab, and scallops and GOLD FLAKES (which Kanazawa is very known for) for less than S$40!
This coffeeshop is known for the coin prata but its other treasures include this toasted French loaf with kaya and butter and the chicken rice stall run by a young couple. I looooove this toast - the crusty exterior yields easily to fluffy and soft bread slathered with just the right amount of butter and kaya. The French loaves are not always available - they are delivered in the mid to late morning I believe. And bring tissue - butter dripping onto your hands is almost a sure thing.
The only shop in Takayama Old Town to have a snaking queue is this shop selling Hida beef sushi. From left to right: lightly seared and topped with charcoal salt, lightly seared and topped with soy glaze and ginger and spring onion, and gunkan style topped with a raw quail egg. Each piece had its own distinct taste, and the condiments each complemented the delicate yet rich Hida Beef. The beef was sooooo tender and barely required chewing. Seriously good value (900 yen for this Set C). The sushi is handed to you on a rice cracker plate that is 100% edible and also very yummy. Limited seating in the shop next door, you have to order, grab and go. All part of the charm.
This was soooooo good and only $8. Forget the fact that it isn't really a cake. Generous chunks of apples and raisins hiding beneath impeccably flaky puff pastry. The ice cream was of course perfect with it.
This was soooooo good and only $8. Forget the fact that it isn't really a cake. Generous chunks of apples and raisins hiding beneath impeccably flaky puff pastry. The ice cream was of course perfect with it.
Added $1 for an onsen egg with tobiko. Super yummy. Soft, perfectly cooked salmon topped with punchy ponzu marinated garlic and mentaiko. Rice had great texture too. I want this place to succeed but the question is whether it will survive in the long run, what with the (probably killer) rent, the fact that the shop wasn't full when we went, and the relatively high prices of the bowls ($16.90 and above)...
Made a trek down here since we heard Anthony Bourdain was here filming a few months back. Pretty good soup and well cooked noodles but not super kickass. But at least we didn't feel thirsty after, and for $4, it was really decent.
Added $1 for an onsen egg with tobiko. Super yummy. Soft, perfectly cooked salmon topped with punchy ponzu marinated garlic and mentaiko. Rice had great texture too. I want this place to succeed but the question is whether it will survive in the long run, what with the (probably killer) rent, the fact that the shop wasn't full when we went, and the relatively high prices of the bowls ($16.90 and above)...
Waited one hour for this - and it was totally worth it. Hidden at the back of the wet market, this is one of very few stalls open in the evenings but follow the smell of burning charcoal and you'll find MANY tables with people waiting patiently for their fish head steamboat. When the trolley comes round for you to make your choices of side dishes, you know your fish head steamboat is about to arrive. The soup is thick and rich with that kickass smokey taste. Generous chunks of super fresh fish and yam. The side dishes are excellent too (get the braised egg and the duck wings!). Help yourself to free refills from the kettles of soup at the front of the store. Super shiok. (Tip: If you're too hungry while waiting.. get some food to go from the excellent Whampoa Drive food market less than 200m away to eat first.)
