Yokohama: Hayashiya Chaen (林屋茶園)

I was in Japan for a weekend fangirl getaway in the beginning of January. My trip was super short that I didn't get a chance to leave Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama, which is not bad at all since Yokohama is already kinda like "one stop service" for everything that Tokyo has.


Because my time was so limited, I planned my food schedule like crazy. So as soon as I arrived Yokohama and sorted out my luggage, I went for dessert at Hayashiya Chaen (林屋茶園) which is a branch of Kyo Hayashiya (京はやしや), famous Japanese green tea dessert shop from Kyoto, at Sogo Yokohama.

I ordered Hojicha parfait set which comes with a drink of your choice (I chose yuzu tea). Hojicha parfait seems to be one of the most famous menu at this shop. Hojicha is a type of green tea that has been roasted so the colour is more like brown-redish. The taste is lighter than normal matcha and has less caffeine too.

The parfait came with one scoop of Hojicha ice cream and vanilla soft serve, fresh cream, banana, peach, moji and hojicha jelly. I really love hojicha ice cream, the taste was actually strong but very pleasant - kind like matcha. Too bad they only provided us with one scoop, I wish to have more! The combination of everything in that cup is great anyway. And yuzu tea, so refreshing!

This place is definitely recommended for all sweet tooth or ice cream lovers. Anyhow, if you are not in Yokohama or Kyoto, Kyo Hayashiya also has branch at Haneda Int'l Airport so you can also try it there!

Hayashiya Chaen (林屋茶園) 
Sogo 10F
Yokohama
website: http://www.kyo-hayashiya.com/



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Kobe : Moriya (モーリヤ)

Oh my, I didn't realise I have been abandoned this blog for ages. Well, same excuse as ever - please accept my apology!

When I planned to go to Kobe this summer, Kobe beef was top on the priority list that I must conquer. After some research, I decided to try Moriya (モーリヤ) since they have lunch set menu with decent price.

I arrived at the restaurant at 11.35pm and the shop was already crowded. Moriya do have other branches around so if this one is full, they will take you to other branches so no worry. I got seated at the counter so got a good view of teppan chef cooking for me and others!

I ordered 菊安土井 (KIKUYASU DOI) (A4, BMS value No. 6 or 7) SIRLOIN STEAK 170 g for 6,200 yen. They then brought out the meat to show me first. The chef just kept encouraging me to take more photos of the meat. He then asked how I would like my meat to be. I always like my meat medium rare but decided to ask what the chef would recommend for me, he also suggested medium rare.

While chef prepared to cook my meat, the soup and salad were served. Soup was cold Vichyssoise (potato & leek) which was perfect for summer day. Though I'd prefer one at Triplets Brasseries more.

Chef cooked the garlic first, then vegetables and meat. He suggested I should try with salt first then try the meat with wasabi. I really like having the meat with wasabi as it brought out the sweetness in meat. 

I know Moriya is not the cheapest place in town for beef but it was still a great experience for me. I definitely wanna try higher rank meat next time when I'm in Japan or Kobe!

Moriya (モーリヤ)
Kobe, Japan
JR station: Sannomiya
Website: http://www.mouriya.co.jp/en/head/index.html

Osaka: Hokkyokusei 北極星

I think secretly I am a fan of Omu-rice coz I am always drawn to Omu-rice whenever I go to Japan (since we didn't get decent Omu-rice restaurant in Bangkok until recently). Hokkyokusei (北極星) was one of the place I found from reading Kat's Our Adventure in Japan blog. It has branches in Shinsaibashi and at Daimaru Umeda so it's very convenient for me as I was based around Umeda when I stayed in Osaka.

Hokkyokusei at Daimaru Umeda was located in B2F and has about 10 counter seats. Their menu only focus on omu-rice or omlette rice with different meat; chicken, pork, beef, mushroom, crab, prawn, ham and shellfish.

I ordered beef omu-rice. The sauce may look like it's just a ketchup but it isn't. It's tomato sauce with some onions and seasoning. Inside the egg is fried rice with beef and ketchup. It's quite home-taste. It's definitely a comfort foood. I guess if you are a hungry shopper, this is definitely good for quick and tasty meal. Another choice for omu-rice in Umeda area.

Hokkyokusei (北極星) 
B2F Daimaru Umeda
Website: http://www.hokkyokusei.jp/
JR Station: Osaka


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Osaka: Yamaya (博多もつ鍋やまや梅田店)

 

As a mentaiko (marinated roe of pollock) fan, when I found about Yamaya, a restaurant specialized in Mentaiko, around Umeda where I would be staying in Osaka, I was so eager to try that place out. Somehow, all my meals during my stay in Osaka were booked so I made a dedication to try this place out when I stayed in Himeji instead. (To be honest, it wasn't bad as it was like half and hour train ride for rapid train and that was a free day for me so I didn't intend to stay in Himeji all day as I only have thing to do at night).

Anyway, for Yamaya, at night it's an izakaya or drinking restaurant/bar-ish but during lunch, they sell set meal for office people and others around Umeda area. The price is reasonable like 700/800 yen for a main dish of your choice, refillable rice, soup and salad. The real highlight of Yamaya is that they provide free flow of mentaiko for you to eat with your rice and even have Mentaiko dressing for your salad. This is definitely mentaiko lovers' paradise! 

Anyhow, don't think you would just eat mentaiko like crazy since the taste is actually quite strong. It's quite salty so you only need small amount of it to eat with rice. They also provide pickled vegetable and it did compliment the taste of mentaiko. It's pretty nice and feel quite like a home-made meal.

The main dish I ordered was Buta Shogayaki or ginger pork. The taste was rather strong if you take it only. It's quite nice to have with rice actually. 

If you are mentaiko lovers, Yamaya is highly recommended. If you look for something nice and home-y food in Umeda, let's try Yamaya then!

Hakata Motsunabe Yamaya Umeda (博多もつ鍋やまや梅田店)

Umeda, Osaka, Japan

JR station: Osaka

Tabelog: http://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270101/27054168/

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Singapore: Antoinette at Palais Renaissance

Last week I was in Singapore for a very short break. It was a very productive trip since I met up with many friends and my schedule was so tight with food and fangirl-ish that I didn't even have time for shopping. Okay, only one trip to H&M but that does not count!

Anyway, I have planned this trip actually before going to Japan so I told MK of Sleepwalking in Tokyo about my trip. She said she wanted to go to Singapore as well but had some plan for that week already. Only a week or two before, she told me that she could come for the trip and would meett up with me & her friend last Friday. MK was a ramen-deprived (actually I think she still is - hahah) so we had late lunch at Ippudo SG which review does not need anymore. We did some walking/shopping before heading to Palais Renaissance, like at another end of Orchard Road besides Thai Embassy, for some sweet stuffs.

I believe the real name of this branch is Le Jardin D'Antoinette which really reflects in the decoration of this outlet. It is as if you were sitting in a garden and having nice cup of tea with some desserts. Every detail of this place is quite fancy - even children's high chairs! They are very French-ish!

We ordered some fancy desserts/pastries to try. I must say it is very interesting and not bad at all.

I ordered "FORBIDDEN FRUIT" which described in Antoinette Facebook page as "green apple mousse, green apple jelly, roasted caramelized green apple, maple cremeux and financier sponge". It was very light and refreshing. Taste was not strong so it was perfect when you aren't fancy anything too heavy.

MK ordered "FRAMBOISIER - vanilla cream cheese mousse, raspberry jelly, vanilla creme chantilly, fresh berries, almond crumble". I think it was in an okay standard - nothing fancy about it but I think MK might have other thing to say about this as she hates cream. I asked her why she ordered this then since it had cream more than any other, she just said she likes berries - heheh!

Last one was ordered by MK's friend, LE ROYALE - dark chocolate mousse, almond succes, chocolate genoise with rum, almond hazelnut feullitine. It was very pleasant for chocolate lover who do not like it too sweet. It was very rich and nice. If you love chocolate, this one is definitely worth trying!

Too bad I didn't try their tea as my friend said it was really good but they only have hot tea and to have hot tea when you are sweating from the heat is just a bad idea! This place is definitely worth visiting if you are in Singapore and fancy some sweet!

Antoinette at Palais Renaissance
B1F, Palais Renaissance
Orchard Road, Singapore
Website: http://www.antoinette.com.sg/
MRT Station: Orchard

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