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One Day Trip for Waffles

September 18, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

Soft and sweet inside, crispy on the outside, layered with fruit, drenched in chocolate, maybe just a bit of sugar on a rare day, or hell, slide on some ice cream. The forever battle between Pancake vs Waffle will never end, but we can compromise with having both. Some days I’d like a thick stack of buttermilk pancakes, but on a rainy, moody night, vanilla scented and pearl sugar studded waffles heals my soul.

Homemade Leige waffles, you claim my heart

So much talk about waffles, I almost forgot we would be going (daydreaming) to Belgium. Known for chocolate, fries, beer, and obviously waffles, Belgium is the lesser known gastronomic stop you should be taking on your European tours. To people outside of the EU, Belgium is overlooked by larger surrounding cities (might I say, overrated) like Paris and London. Though the larger well known cities are deserving of their global names and a definite stop for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I do recommend researching surrounding cities and town for a quick pit stop and fully submerging one’s self in the trip.

I was in Paris when I decided to take a trip to Bruxelles/Brussels to meet up with old friend. I had planned a one day trip, early train/late train so that I could get the most out of seeing my friend. I knew with the time restriction we would have to stay in the city, but I had previously looked up the map just to get an idea of what there was to do.

I stepped out of Gare du Midi on a quiet Sunday morning when even the birds were just waking up and a single lone stranger was walking down the street. The Marolles Flea Market (Marché aux Puces des Marolles) was open and was the source of hustle and bustle outside of the station. Clothes, knick-knacks, fruit, you name it, it’s probably there. From the market, I walked up to the Mont des Arts area.

It’s quite a rare site to see, a city centre completely empty. I passed by the Tuin van de Kunstberg Park as well as the Klokkenspel nearby. A twirl around the Parc de Bruxelles and Palais de Bruxelles, I found myself at a local bookstore, Filigranes. This bookstore is extremely large; instead of floors, it just expands and doesn’t stop. (A bit like a marshmallow that’s being microwaved. No?) There’s a cafe inside as well for snacks and well needed coffee.

The time came and I headed to Grand Place (Grote Markt), the golden market square. I met my friend and we began our wandering around the city. If you’re a bookworm, architecture nerd, or just like cool spaces, Tropismes, is a beautiful shop to hang out in. In the same area, the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert (Galeries Royales Saint Hubert) is a tourist area, but stunning nonetheless. This covered shopping mall has a cinema, never ending restaurants, chocolate shops, and more. Right next door for my bakers and kitchen queens, there is an International Home of Cooking kitchen supply store. Dille & Kamille is another home goods store that will leave your luggage bulging the minute you step inside. Unknown to many, Brussels is a large base for comics, from comic books stores to a comic strip wall.

So, after all of these things to see, you’d need a place to rest your legs and fill up your stomach, right? Belgian beer. It needs no introduction, no explanation. But please, save me a glass. I was told that meatballs were a specialty in addition to the fries, and that I couldn’t leave before I had a large glass of beer. Croquettes are also common and seafood are often seen on the menu. After a relaxing lunch, don’t forget to hop in chocolate shops for samples (and maybe a few boxes for the way home) as well as the street side waffle vendor.

Between the light and crispy Brussels waffle and the dense, sugar encrusted Liege waffle, you’ll never have to seek them out because the nose will help find the way. There’s nothing more satisfying than sinking your teeth into a sugary delight that warms your hands and mind.

City centre is also packed with museums. From fine arts to fashion to musical instruments, these museums are a great way for families and children to hide out in a rain shower or a breather day. Just for fun, you could also do a tour of all the Manneken Pis statues.

That’s all for this post, please leave comments and questions and take a look at the tips below!

Hugs~

Tips:

Though planning a trip to the well known cities may not be your ultimate dream destination, it will cut your plane costs by 1/3 at times. It was a lot cheaper to fly into Paris and then take a train to Belgium than it was to fly directly to Brussels. Trains are well used and safe in the EU, and is the best way of transportation in Europe. Check out: Spain.
Early morning and late night trains are the cheapest, though don’t just take my word for it. You can use an app like Omio to check train schedules for the cheapest train as well as pick your seat.
Pack for walking; Brussels is a rather small city and you can definitely see the city in a day by walking, or using the city tram/bus.

Stonehenge

August 23, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

A while back, I had the chance to jump on a bus and take a tour of Stonehenge and the city of Bath. Honestly, I wasn’t as excited for Stonehenge because a ton of rocks, well, that’s just the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever heard of. As it was the first stop, I was more than ready to step off, take a quick glance, and move onto Bath. It’s probably one of the most photographed sites in the world and most visited sites in the UK, so it makes you feel like you’ve been there already, right? How many history textbooks have Stonehenge in it, or rather, how many don’t?

When our group actually got to the area, we learned that we had to take a shuttle to the Heritage site and then walk ourselves. The museum and tourist info site are where the shuttle bus is located; you can learn the history and take a quick break in there. The shuttle bus takes about ten minutes, plus or minus some, to actually get to the stones.

From far away you can spot the stones and it’s actually amazing to see in person. I guess you could say I felt the magic from seeing one of the wonders of the world; it’s similar to saying I went to a castle compared to actually going into Neuschwanstein. Part of it, I think, is also the mystery surrounding how it was built. You can’t help wonder how and why, and also just savor the ancient beings in front of you.

Stonehenge was actually opened to the public with no boundaries but visitors were climbing on the stones and even scenarios of graffiti made the officials rope it off. When the solstices come by, I have heard there are large parties organized to see the sunrises, so plan accordingly! The walking path can get quite muddy, especially if you go after a rainy day.

My favorite picture from Stonehenge. Looks like we’ve traveled back in time.

The stones themselves range from one to a few stories high, depending which one you walk by. According to the experts, there used to be more standing, but just like how they were made, many people don’t know where or how they got there. Many helpful placards are spaced out on the walk and it helps explain the history and background of the site.

I went in February a few years back so I definitely needed a coat, but on the bright side, there weren’t as many tourists as I’ve been told. In the summer months it can be hard to walk down the path without bumping shoulders. I remember it was pretty windy but a peaceful walk. It does really make you wonder how they came to be and what happened while the stones were being constructed.

I would recommend going here if you’re exploring London, but I would combine it with another tour. It’s a good day trip if you go to Stonehenge along with a nearby site like Bath or the Cotswold. I gotta say, I had an amazing and hilarious tour guide, so that just amped up the experience for me as well. Go to Stonehenge to soak in the experience and history, not just to say you’ve been. The stones also are a good photographing subject; expect to get NatGeo quality pictures soon!

Hugs!

Arashiyama: Bamboo Forest

August 16, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

The Bamboo Forest is famous for its lush and towering poles of bamboo, perfect for nature photographers and family outings. One of the most visited sites in Japan, this place is known for cherry blossom viewing and monkeys on the mountaintop. I was luckily following a friend and didn’t have to plan much, though I do say getting there was a bit tricky.

We were leaving from Namba, so we had to take a train or bus to Umeda Station. You can think of Umeda as the main center for all trains and buses. From there, we took the Hankyu-Kyoto Line to Kami-Katsura Station, switching once from the Rapid Express to Local Line. We then walked from the station to the village next to Arashiyama. It sounds simple, but when we were there, it was a hurricane of people and stations.

The village/town surrounding the forest is small and walk-able. I first went to tackle the forest before my energy was drained. We wanted to get to Kameyama Park first before the tourists started flooding in for the day. This park is the one you always see when people mention Bamboo Forest. The long walkways are lined with bamboo, leaves stretching up to a light arch above your head. There were many groups there, from the young ones on field trips to elderly strolling to families on a trip. This short spot was definitely crowded, but as we walked further away, the crowds disappeared.

We walked past two observation decks (大河内山荘庭園嵐峡展望台), and found a tea house, high on top of the mountains and enclosed by the forest that requires a small admission fee. When you go on this route, the fee includes a cup of soothing matcha tea and some sweets along with it. I definitely recommend this! Walking through this path, there’s many opportunities to take pictures, admire the scenery, and take in the healing effects of the forest.

We also encountered a few temples along the way, a hidden cafe, and a lake on the other side of the forest. I do recommend walking a bit further to explore the area because sometimes you’ll find something new! There are many signs that will point you in the right directions, along with the distance it will take you to get there. It’s hard to get lost, but if you do end up lost, just follow the pathways!

Something that I have forgotten and want to share is a cafe that houses a foot bath on the side. This cafe is located near Togetsukyo Bridge, facing the river. It may or may not still be there, but this cafe has plenty of sweets and iced desserts on the menu. For a small fee or a purchase of an item, you can get admission to the foot bath. They also include towels for a small fee. This was a great way to relax and unwind the muscles from walking up the mountain. If you can find this place, please let me know!

On the other side of the river is the Monkey Park Iwatayama. After climbing the staircase, the monkeys are visible on the mountain top. There’s an amazing view and panorama of the city. You can also go to the Ichitani Munakata Jinja Shrine along the way. Many people don’t know about the Monkey Park and I would definitely recommend going since Arashiyama is so far away from the city.

Who would I be if I didn’t mention restaurants or shops? I do admit I have forgotten a lot about the things I’ve eaten and what the shop names were, but not to worry! After walking for that long, I had stopped at a Soba Shop いわを, that is located on the main street. This was a choice I will never forget because it was the best soba I have ever eaten. I was tired and hot and sweaty and we had rounded the corner to see this soba shop. We went in and ordered, and I might have had a spiritual experience. A portion of cold and chewy noodles with the perfectly seasoned dipping sauce melted my exhaustion away. This shop has two levels and is located towards the end of the street. From the outside, it’s a simple shop, but don’t be fooled! A tip is that if this soba didn’t fill you up, just around the corner is a hidden collection of street food shops. Small eats and drinks can be found in that small alcove!

The main street is filled with restaurants and souvenir shops everywhere you look. I recommend getting an ice cream cone from one of the stands, especially Cremia! This brand is only found in Japan and tastes super creamy due to the higher milk fat compared to other ice creams. (I personally would go for the matcha and original Cremia and don’t tell my friend or I’ll get hit.)

Fruity dango, refreshing ade, small Japanese pastries are just something that made it to my stomach that day. There are many small shops that offer snacks and street foods that it’s easy to be full by just walking down one street! In the middle of the main street, there are two main food halls where you can find food. The local Arashiyama train line station houses the same shops as would any other train line, but it also public bathrooms for visitors. You can watch the local line chug its way down and sip on a seasonal drink on bench. This is also known as the Hannari Hokkori Square.

Directly across from this station is the Shoryuen Shopping Mall. A bigger and upper scale market, this place is two levels and houses things from food to souvenirs to handmade items. It’s a great stop for gifts and souvenirs. A picture-esqe open market, this mall has individual stores on both levels and easy to walk around. The first level also has many public benches so anyone can come and sit to relax.

My last stop before boarding the train back to Osaka was obviously dinner. We had walked by this restaurant once and came back since we were intrigued the first time. A vegetarian shop, Saga-Tofu Ine restaurant is known for tofu and their set menu. They make tofu in different styles and it is pleasing to the palette as well as the eyes! The highlight was the tofu skins in the bamboo container. We were seated on the second floor so we had a great birds eye view of the main street. You can get many great pictures of people in kimonos and people running rickshaws. They have various branches around Arashiyama, so keep an eye out!

This was one of the highlights of my trip and it was great to think about it again. As many people who go to Osaka or Kyoto already have this on their list to go to, I urge you to do the same! It may seem overrated or tourist dependent, but it is definitely worth the trip. The charm isn’t just in the Bamboo Grove, but the area surrounding it. The main street is a small picture of what it was like back in the day of Japan and the temples behind the Bamboo Forest get overlooked. Mingei Teika Folk Art store, Ogura Pond, Nison-in Temple, and Ogura Saten Shikian are just some of the hidden places to explore.

Hope you had fun reading and many hugs~

Bath: England’s Own Venice

August 14, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

Who’s ready for a relaxing, steamy, sulfurous bath? The rotten egg smell really does wake you up. I was so excited to visit Bath and tour the Roman Baths. I’m not really sure why I was so hyped up for it, but thinking back, it may have been the small-town feel and the architecture.

Located in Bath, Somerset, The Roman Baths are made up of several buildings like the Great Bath, temple, and many indoor baths. The whole building is set up like a museum so you can follow a path that will let you see just about everything. Starting with the Great Bath, this large outdoor bath was used in older times and still steams on a brisk February day. Surrounded by Roman statues, the bright green of the pool is an amazing sight to take in. The geothermal springs warm the pools and give it the slight sulfur smell as you walk through.

Gender separated pools and common/sitting areas are some of the rooms you can walk through in the tour. It’s very informative and you can even taste the water in the Pump Room. Fair warning though, it tastes a lot like liquid metal and does not leave a pleasant aftertaste. I haven’t seen so many teenagers scrunch up their faces in my life. While you can’t dip your toes into the Roman Baths (and you probably shouldn’t*), there are many spas located right around the corner of the museum that offer similar experiences.

Let’s talk about the small town itself. The Royal Crescent Houses are one of the popular sites to walk around because of the distinct architecture and apparently housing some of the wealthiest people in England. Bath is also known for the Sally Lunn buns, which is a large bun that used to be regularly eaten for breakfast in the past. They still make it the same and for a small price, you can purchase them at the shop itself. If you walk around city centre, there are quite a few glass stores. I was told that Bath was also known for their glassworks and I couldn’t resist buying some for myself.

Walking around, you’ll also notice the large parks and canals that make you think of Venice. It’s such picturesque place, I definitely recommend to visit. A random thing I learned that the smokestacks on the buildings were a symbol of wealth back in the day, though correct me if I’m wrong. There are so many little stacks on houses and it probably meant that there were more fireplaces or meals to heat up, which was only affordable if you had the money. I do distinctly remember being told that some of them don’t work (😉).

At the end of my trip, I went into a liquor store to collect some local spirits before I left. I bought a small bottle of botanical gin, a bottle of Bath’s whisky, and sampled mead. I do regret not getting the mead because it was deliciously sweet with no alcohol taste. All of the alcohol was made locally and it’s a good gift to take home (for yourself, of course).

I wholeheartedly miss Bath and recommend it to anyone who is willing to look for a day trip away from the city. Stonehenge (previous post) and the Cotswold are nearby, as well as Shakespeare’s birthplace—Stratford-upon-Avon. Bath is so charming and takes you back in time as you walk through the streets.

If you plan on going, or have been before, don’t forget to leave a comment!

*The last known person who went for a swim in the baths got meningitis and died, and the baths have been tested for pathogens, so don’t go wading in those waters!

Hugs!

Kimchi Tofu

July 6, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

Crispy and golden, yet delectably soft tofu holding up a spoonful of aromatic and spicy kimchi, it’s the perfect bite for a night in.

Sometimes at the beginning or end of the day, you scour the pantry and fridge just trying to figure out what to eat. There must be some treasure at the back of the fridge, right? On these particular days, I find making tofu + kimchi the perfect dish for a lazy or worn out soul.

Nowadays, fermented foods are taking the world by storm. New food fads, diets, or just plain ol’ adventurous eater will encounter sauerkraut, kimchi, or natto. There are many health benefits that come with eating these types of foods, but I won’t get into that. I’ll leave it up to you and this informative book to aid you into further learning.

Back to the main star for tonight, pan fried tofu with stir fried (or refrigerated) kimchi is the perfect combination in any season, meal, and event. This dish can be easily made at any time of the day and provides satisfaction all the way!

Essentially what happens in this dish is lightly pan frying the tofu slices until they’re crispy on the outside then tossing the kimchi in the pan afterwards to soften and enhance the flavors of the cabbage. And that’s it! A quick and simple side dish to accompany your lunch or dinner, or maybe a simple plate for a quiet afternoon.

(2 servings; Time-20 minutes)

You’ll need:

1 package of firm tofu
1 cup of kimchi
salt
oil
sesame seeds (optional)
sesame oil (optional)

Drain the package of tofu and cut the tofu into slices (8-12 slices, depending on the package).
Pat dry on a plate and sprinkle salt on both sides. Leave for 5 minutes.
Drain the tofu again, being cautious not to break the tofu!
Heat up a pan and add 3 tablespoons of oil.
Add tofu slices into the pan, making sure the tofu slices are coated with oil on the bottom.
The tofu will start to turn color on the bottom, signaling that it is browning up to a wonderful crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Flip over when golden.
Cook on the other side.
After the tofu is done, arrange on a plate and let it rest.
Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1 table spoon of neutral oil into the pan.
Add in the kimchi, fry up until fragrant and translucent.
When you see the kimchi is softened, arrange onto the same plate as the tofu. Sprinkle on some sesame seeds.
Eat!

The variations on this is that you can also add in other vegetables with the kimchi to make it a more robust and filling dish. Kimchi can also be eaten straight from the jar or box, so you can fry up the tofu and add on fresh kimchi if you are in a hurry.

This is a good vegetarian option for those who are looking for a Meatless Monday, or want to slowly adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, without leaving out the spices or taste. If tofu is the foundation of this dish, then kimchi is the main topper for this, but you need both for it to work out. Many people have a nice bowl of steaming rice on the side and maybe a few pieces of roasted seaweed for a complete meal. Whatever way you decide to mix and match, I’m sure it’ll come out wonderfully!

Hope this post was helpful and please leave any questions/comments below~

One Day in Madrid

July 4, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

At the end of my Spain trip, I stayed in Madrid for one day to see the city before I had to fly home. Thinking back, I should’ve scheduled more days in the capital but when I was preparing this trip, I didn’t know better. That being said, I also had no image of Spain to begin with and it was honestly a spontaneous trip. But that’s the charm of traveling, isn’t it?

The train brought me from Malaga to Madrid’s Atocha Station in the morning and I stayed in Centro for most of the day. I picked a place that was close to Atocha because I also had an early morning flight the following day, so my itinerary was limited to nearby neighborhoods. I wanted to go to the palace, hit up the markets, maybe go to a museum, and obviously the royal palace. Sadly, that’s not what happened.

Museums take a while to walk through and admire, and I didn’t want to use up my precious hours in a museum (though I wouldn’t have regretted going to Thyssen Bornemisza). I tried going to some markets, though they turned out to be morning markets only and closed at noon. With this many unfortunate events, where did you even go, you might ask.

After leaving my stuff at the apartment, I walked to Hola Coffee. They’re known for their aromatic coffee, minimalist interior, and satisfying brunch items. I opted for an avocado toast and latte (because how basic can you get, but also can’t mess it up). The place looks small from the outside, but is a lot larger when you walk through. The front is the cashier and ordering station, then you wind through benches and seating which leads you to the bathrooms in the back. The shop is perfect for a quick munch or a secret hide out corner to read.

I passed by Mercado de San Fernando, but most of the shops were closed and only a few customers were lingering around. It’s a neighborhood market that locals frequent, so it’s a good spot to see what local fruits and vegetables are offered. There’s a second hand bookstore in there as well with cheap novels and magazines. I also recommend Mercado De San Miguel as it was on my itinerary, but I couldn’t go. After that pit stop, I had to go to a bakery, because if I didn’t, who would I be?

La Mallorquina is a well known bakery in the middle of the city that offers cakes, pastries, cookies, everything and anything that you could think of! There are many Spanish delicacies as well. I was there early afternoon and it was pretty crowded; I couldn’t see what was in the display cases unless I poked my head around like a suspicious meekrat. There are cakes on one side of the shop and pastries and sweets on the other. I got two ensaïmadas because I couldn’t resist. They were the size of my face! There are no words to describe how wonderful it was to be in there and be surrounded by so many desserts and sweets!

When I saw that Primark was a few blocks away, I had to go. Next to Grand Via Station, this is one of the biggest stores I have ever been to or seen. It has five floors spread out to look down on a wide atrium. Primark is a cheap place for clothing and accessories, as well as home and kitchenware. Their blankets are the softest and silkiest clouds you’ll ever feel!

After being inside for so long, I decided to take the last hours of my afternoon at El Retiro Park. This park has a lake, botanical garden, rose garden, library, and a glass palace. Sounds pretty perfect for a stroll through, right? I walked by the Estanque Grande del Retiro down to the Palacio de Cristal. There was an exhibition held inside with free admission. The palace is beautiful inside and out, and many people take pictures for formal occasions there; a girl was taking her Quinceañera pictures on the front steps. Nearby, the Cecilio Rodriguez Garden has peacocks roaming around, so definitely check that out!

The rose garden was my next stop, La Roseleda. This fenced in garden has roses from all over the world, categorized by country, region, color, and more! It’s a great date place because it’s quiet and has a great atmosphere. The garden is spaced out so you can do a full circle and see most of the flowers. You can’t help but take a few pictures in such a beautiful place!

The botanical gardens, Real Jardin Botanico, would have been my last stop in the area, but one of the entrances was under construction and I couldn’t find any other entrances. From the pictures online, it’s a stunning place so I also recommend it if you want a break from the city or need a breather. Next to this place is a small street of book shops, Cuesta de Moyano. It’s a great place to browse and look for souvenirs!

After a day of walking, dinner must be waiting! Portomarin is a tapas bar that has a great selection of food, diverse alcohol, and easy on the wallet! This bar is generous on the plates and has a beautiful interior to admire. There’s an area for seating, but when I got there, it was crowded that even the standing benches were all taken up! I would definitely recommend it for both bar hopping and sit-down and eating.

If tapas doesn’t really float your boat, then this vegan diner might! Distrito Vegano is a Spanish version of the American diner, down to the bar stools and gingham tablecloths. They offer burgers, hot dogs, platters, but all vegan. This was one of the things I found out while moving around Spain, the Spanish do vegan/vegetarian food really well! Lots of college students occupied the shop, probably because they offer an inexpensive meal for those in school.

Have you noticed that I’ve taken you in a complete circle by now? The tapas bar and vegan restaurant are just down the street from the cafe in the morning! Many of my itineraries are set up this way, so I don’t get tired of moving around, yet still get to wind my way back to my apartment. It’s a good tip for people who want to keep momentum going throughout the day, as well as being able to see a large section of the city/area in a day.

Hopefully that has been helpful to you and entertaining as well! If you’ve made it this far, thanks for going on memory lane with me. The links of the shops and parks are embedded into the names; they will lead you to Google Maps. If you have any questions, comments, random thoughts, please let me know down below!

Hugs~

Summer Carrots

June 28, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

It’s the end of June and summer is settling down on us. I was rummaging through my cookbooks trying to look for something that would beat the heat. A classic side in Vietnamese cuisine is pickled carrots and daikon radish; you see them often in Bánh mì or Bún chả. They’re refreshingly tart and crunchy, perfect for the summer weather.

Pickled carrots and daikon, or Đồ chua, is super simple to make and will for a while. Similar to Korean banchan, I make this in large batches and store them in multiple jars that will last me through the whole summer. Because the veges are nice and tart, it helps to open up the palette and help digest (obviously so you can eat more). There isn’t much needed for this recipe; a simple concoction of vinegar, water, and sugar is all you need!

Đồ chua:

2-3 carrots
1 medium sized daikon radish
2 tbsp salt
1&1/2 cup of granulated sugar*
2&1/2 cup of white vinegar
2 cups of warm water

Peel the carrots and daikon.
Use either a slicer or hand cut them to give you thin sticks, ~0.5 cm.**
Spread the cut vegetables on a pan and sprinkle them with salt. They will release water and becoming bendable after around 15 minutes.
While waiting for the veges, combine the warm water and sugar in a large bowl. The sugar should dissolve.
Add the vinegar and stir.
After the 15 minutes, strain the veges and do a quick wash. Pat dry.
Grab a clear jar and put the veges in the jar; it is okay to compact them in there.
Pour the vinegar-sugar mixture over the veges until they are covered.
Slap that cover over it and after a day of resting in room temperature, you can eat open it to eat.
Refrigerate after opening.

*The amount of sugar you put in will offset the sourness of the veges. I personally like them super tart and sour, but my mom can’t handle it. I had to add an additional two spoons of sugar.

**You can julienne the carrots and daikon. After peeling, cut the veges into thin slices. Keep them in the same position as you cut them. Like a deck of cards, slowly push them out and cut them into lengthwise into strips. There’s lots of videos on Youtube!

Carrots and Daikon perfectly accompany freshly made cheesy potato bread & sardines in tomato sauce

This is the recipe for pickled carrots and daikon! Hope this can help beat the sweltering summer. If you happen to make this, please tell me how it goes and let me know if there are any alterations you’ve made!

Red Bean Buns

May 31, 2020May 31, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

Ah, finally a bread post! I’ve been waiting so long for this, but my indecisiveness was holding me captive. Today, I’ll share some tips and tricks for making red bean buns, Asia’s most popular bread!

Sold just about anywhere in bakeries, red bean buns come in all shapes and forms. In Japan, they’re called AnPan (あんパン), just like the famous superhero Anpanman. Koreans have 단팥빵 and 찐빵, where the difference is baked or steamed buns. 豆沙包 is the best in China and is also called 紅豆包. There are so many variations, it would take forever to get to through all of them!

The way I made my red bean buns is having an easy milk bread base and adding in red bean paste. I like having a shiny golden top, so I baked mine. I found it especially easy to have a base that you can build on as well as simple enough to make with limited ingredients. I adapted my milk bread from Woman Scribbles and I will put the link at the end of the post.

Beans, beans, beans! Red bean paste is super hard to make and I don’t think I would ever have the patience to do it. If you want to learn more about it, the movie An (あん), is an amazing movie and you can learn about the process of making red bean paste. So, my alternative is supermarket canned red bean paste! I do have to say though, some of them are a lot sweeter than the ones in Asia, so spoon wisely. I make the bread a little less sweet so that it isn’t as overwhelming.

To sum it up easily, I made the milk bread, bought canned red bean paste, and spooned them in before baking them.

Red Bean Buns

2/3 heavy cream (you can substitute this with 2/3 milk and two tbsp of butter)
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1/3 cup sugar
4 cups flour
1 tbsp yeast
1 & 1/2 tsp salt
egg wash (1 egg & 1 tbsp milk)
1 can red bean paste
optional: sesame seeds

Combine the milk and cream in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.
In a bowl, add together the milk+cream, egg, sugar, flour, yeast, and salt.
Mix together; it will be sticky and get all over your hands, but after a few minutes it will come together.
Knead for 15 minutes, or put it in a bread machine.
Set in a warm place for around an hour, or until it doubles in size.
Grease pans while they are proofing.
After rising, knock back (or excitedly punch down) and knead for a few minutes.
Roll the dough out and make around 12-13 even rolls.
Open the can of red bean paste.
Flatten out the rolls and spoon in red bean paste (just about 1 or 1&1/2 tbsp). (Think of it like making dumplings.) Close them up and pinch the top, roll them around to make it round and place the sealed top down.
Divide into pans and cover for 30-60 minutes.
Preheat to 350F/176C.
Make the egg wash and brush on top of the buns.
Bake for 23-25 minutes, or when the buns are golden and the bottoms are lightly browned.
Cool them on a rack and eat!
**Optional: put sesame seeds on top after egg wash.

Milk bread is really soft already, so it makes for a good covering for the soft red bean paste. This recipe is also fool proof for me; I’ve made it at least 5 times already and they come out to be perfect and the same every time.

The dough is also very moist and sticky and will definitely stick to your hands. My only tip is to keep kneading and punching that dough. After a few minutes it will come together and form a nice ball to knead. Also refrain from adding additional flour because it will harden the dough and it will come out stiffer.

Other recipes also call for tapioca flour, cake flour, or other additions, so be creative!

The recipe I have adapted this from is https://www.womanscribbles.net/milk-bread/

Go and check out her website, it’s amazing! Also, if anyone had any additional tips or comments, please put them down below! I would love to hear about about it.

La Alhambra & Palacio de Generalife

May 30, 2020 ah.rin2 Comments

Oh, quiero volver. Granada is a wonderful place to go, especially if you plan to do a southern Spain tour. The city can be seen within two days, or around 4 to 5 if you want to relax. Granada isn’t that big and I found that out the first day I was there. Many people have the Alhambra and Moorish Market down, as both are major tourist spots. The Alhambra is one of the most visited places in Spain; no wonder considering how much history and artifacts it holds.

It’s recommended that you reserve a ticket online or ahead of time so that it guarantees you a time to go in as well as beating the crowds. The official website says to book at least a month before and I remember I booked the second to last ticket for the end of November. Autumn is usually shoulder season, but there were still many people who had already reserved. I wanted to attend the ‘Generalife at Night’ (castle visit at night!) and they were all sold out for the next two months. It’s amazing and crazy at the same time!

My ticket was for 9am and I had stood in line for the 8:30am entrance and I couldn’t get in! Apparently, you had to wait for your time slot which is basically a really long line with no signs. Good thing the sun was rising and I got some amazing shots! The main ticket gives entrance to several exhibits/castles and you can easily spend a whole day there. I had reserved my last full day in Granada because I wanted to have it fresh in my mind when I left.

The Alhambra has exquisite design and architecture that’s mirrored in other palaces around the area (Royal Alcazar de Seville, Alcazaba de Malaga). They show the enduring history of Moorish influence. I’m not one to give a history lesson, but I can say that walking through the palace halls is an unimaginable way to learn about the past. There’s also guided tours and audio tours available.

The palace has multiple sections, but the one I want to point out today is the Generalife Palace. This is the farthest point from the the main Alhambra complex and it takes you around the castle, past lush gardens, to a beautiful villa that has a dark past. In later research, it was named after the people who were forced to build the structure and confined there. It was definitely interesting to learn and read more about.

On the other hand, Generalife is any Disney princesses’ dream. Located on a hill overlooking the city, surrounded by nature and fragrant flowers, this building has long fountains and arching water fountains. There are many balconies/outlook points to take pictures and just take in the view. The main focus of the building would definitely be the long fountains at the beginning and end of the walk.

It is a marvelous view, isn’t it?

The paths are very easily identifiable and well walked so you’ll never get lost. I would recommend getting there either early or enough time before closure to beat the crowds as well as the sun (especially in the summer). Also, golden hour works well with the landscape!

It was quite chilly in November but not unbearable. I’d say around 40-50F/4-10C when I was there. Remember to bring suitable shoes for the day because there’s lots of walking! The palace is also handicap accessible and very accommodating. If your a cat lover, be on the lookout for some of the furry residents who wander around! I spotted maybe around 3-4 cats within the first few hours I was there.

For the complete address: Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain

entering through the Justice Gate: Calle Real de la Alhambra, 18, 18009 Granada, Spain

Hope this post was helpful or a good reminiscing for others especially with what’s going on now. If you’ve been or are planning to go, comment below! I’d love to hear details!

Aquarium of Wonders

May 19, 2020May 28, 2020 ah.rinLeave a comment

When I was in Japan, my friend brought me to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan for a day and it was amazing!! We had planned to stay in the area for the whole day so it was very laid back. The aquarium itself is located a bit far from city centre, but there’s a bus that takes you straight there. I had taken the 60 bus, but the Chuo (Green) line has a direct stop to the aquarium as well.

The aquarium boasts one of the biggest tanks in Asia! There are also many exhibits that represent different areas of the world like the Tasman Sea and Monterey Bay. The aquarium starts off with categorized exhibits, but you slowly realize that they’ve built it so that when you reach the main tank, you are circling it and get to see almost all of the sea creatures inside. It took me about three hours (+/- some) to walk through all of it, but as a science nerd, it definitely wasn’t enough.

The main focus of this post is that the aquarium is located in an area where it’s connected to other “villages,” you could say, that are similar. There’s a LegoLand, Marketplace, cruise ships, and more! The Marketplace has an old-school food alley that is designed like 1960s Osaka. It’s extremely fun to walk through, especially after the aquarium.

The marketplace is specifically called Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho. You can stop for lunch or dinner there; they have things ranging from ice cream to udon to ramen sets. My friend and I settled for sukiyaki for lunch then udon and tamago gohan (egg on rice) for dinner. The restaurants are pretty average for pricing and the food is filling, so I do recommend doing a circle around it. There is a big food modern food court right outside of it as well.

The other place that was a hidden gem to us was that there was a petting zoo right above this food alley/market! It was pretty cheap (3-5 USD) per person. The place didn’t seem too big from the outside, but there were three sections. Outside, there were turtles roaming around and some bunnies and guinea pigs outside. The amount of children and parents that were hanging around weren’t too much, but we did go on a week day.

The first section after entering the main door was Cat Heaven. Cats in hanging baskets, cats on pillows, cats zooming across the beams above us! There was a very comfortable pig lounging in the corner but there wasn’t any intense smells that would make you backtrack. There were also many small to medium dogs hanging out, looking for open arms to nestle in.

One final door and you would enter in to see the Boss. And who is that, you’d ask, is it the llama or the capybaras? This was probably the part that blew my mind because I didn’t think there would be these animals here. The llama was a definite troublemaker because he started munching on the curtains and messing with the tortoise’s tree branches. The capybaras had their own mini island on one side of the room that had a little waterway. I totally forgot there were five kangaroos bouncing around as well. Talk about stimulus overload!

Overall, you can probably sense my excitement over having seen so many animals in one day. I still can’t get over it. I would definitely suggest it to families to are traveling with kids, or just about anyone looking for a chill day. It’s good to get out of the city and take a breather sometimes and this is a great option to have.

Ferris Wheel from the bus. Still miss it so much!

The address is : 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0022, Japan

Please comment if you’ve been or are planning to! I’d love to hear about it!