Originally from Osaka, I have never heard of Pablo until a friend mentioned its popularity to me. When I spotted a Pablo shop in Dotonbori, I joined the queue to get some tarts. I bought a box of 3 mini
Kyoto: Matcha Parfait At Tsujiri Honten In Gion
I am not a fan of matcha-anything but I love Tsujiri’s matcha parfaits. Their matcha ice cream is smooth and creamy, with a touch of bitterness. I have always been satisfying my Tsujiri matcha parfait craving at the 100AM outlet at Tanjong Pagar.
Osaka: Duck Udon In Dotonburi
We were walking along one of many covered shopping arcades in Dotonburi when we came across this duck udon shop. It is the quintessential local Japanese eatery – you buy a meal ticket at the machine outside the shop, hand
Kyoto: Ristorante 245 Gion At Shinmonzen Dori
We were introduced to Ristorante 245 Gion by our Kyoto hotel, Hotel Mume. The restaurant is conveniently located on the same street as Hotel Mume on Shinmonzen Dori (several streets behind Gion) which meant that we could get ourselves totally
Tokyo: Motoya Express In Daikanyama
Motoya Express is another favorite coffee joint of ours. We would always drop by for a cup whenever we are in Tokyo. Motoya does not operate out of a brick-and-mortar shop but out of a little mini bus. It is unbelievable
Tokyo: Sandwiches At Hamanoya Parlor In Yurakucho
I do not eat much bread in my diet but whenever I am in Japan, I find myself eating bread almost every day. We usually go to a kissaten close to our hotel (you can usually find one along the streets
Tokyo: Otafuku Oden In Asakusa
The husband loves oden. So do I. It is simple comfort food, best eaten in cold weather (for me) with a mug of beer. Usually, we eat oden in an izakaya in Japan. This time, I wanted to visit a
Tokyo: Cafe Kitsune In Omotesando
We visited Cafe Kitsune for the first time on this trip. The cafe is located at Omotesando – not Omotesando Hills but across the Aoyama main road, on the side where the Prada, Chanel and other branded boutiques are situated.
Osaka: Sushi Dokoro Isshin Hanare (鮓処一心はなれ）
A friend recommended us to Isshin, a small local sushi joint that is yet to be discovered by foodie-tourists. She tells me the food is excellent and the price is beyond reasonable for the quality. I always trust her food
Tokyo: Toranomon Koffee In Toranomon Hills
At Toranomon Koffee (previously Omotesando Koffee) at the swanky Toranomon Hills tower. Pity that the charming machiya at Omotesando has been demolished. The ambience of Toranomon Koffee has a slightly different vibe compared to its predecessor, but no less charming, I
Fabric Shopping In Japan & A Candy Bag Of Handmade Fabric Buttons
Japan is a haven for crafters. Their stationery shops, fabric shops, handicraft shops are places where I can spend all day wandering around in. With the husband in tow, I had to exercise restraint in the amount of time I
Seoul: Cha Masineun Tteul Teahouse In Bukchon
I enjoy walking around the Bukchon and Samcheong-dong area, looking at the old hanoks, some of which are still residential property while others have been converted into shops. It is a place where the old juxtaposes against the new –
Osaka: Biotop Corner Stand
A beautiful cafe along Orange Street that feels like a lush floral wonderland similar to Blute in Seoul. Biotop is a concept store, with a cafe and nursery in one room and clothing, accessories and toiletries retailing in the next room. I