A Day Trip to New York

Hello everyone! It's been quite hectic after co-op started for me, but I finally found some time to post!

Last month (September 2011), I had the chance to go to New York for a day trip, and here's what I was introduced to while I visited St. Marks in East Village. This particular area has lots of Japanese shops, so I was super excited to go and explore :]

1) Otafuku
236 E. 9th Street, New York, NY 10003
This place is famous for their takoyaki! They also sell yakisoba, okinomoyaki and edamane. There is no seating in the shop because it's basically a whole in the wall. The prices range from $5-8. In my opinion, it's as close as takoyaki can get in terms of street food. To learn more about what takoyaki is and how you can find it here in Philly, check out my previous blog here.

Food for Two - Hiatus

Hello everyone!

Thank you for following my blog this summer! I really appreciate all the support everyone has given me. :]

As my school term ends for the summer, I am bombarded with finals this week! After finishing my finals, I plan to take a break before coming back to this blog. I have a ton of things to sort of in my room [& life because school takes your social life away] before I start my co-op position in the Fall.

So, to my many readers! Please stay tune for new blog posts this Fall 2011!

P.S. The picture is of my sleeping black cat, David. Isn't he adorable?

Happy om nom nom-ing! :D
Amy

[Sweets] - Homemade Truffles Recipe

As I mentioned in my earlier post, it's never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts. Below is a simple recipe I use to make truffles as gifts to others or a snack for myself.

I suggest you make it in a cool environment or during the colder climates because the mixture doesn't form as well when it's warmer. Also, if you love Nutella like me, then you can add 2 spoons into the mixture or melted chocolate for a hazelnut taste.

Ingredients

• 1 package of Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 package of Oreo cookies or equivalent
• 2 package of Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate OR 2 bas of Nestle's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Tools

• 1 small ziplock bag
• 2 quart sized ziplock bag OR 1 half gallon ziplock bag
• Large bowl
• Wax paper
• Large tray
• Microwave-safe bowl
• 2 Forks

Kim's BBQ Restaurant

Barbeque, or BBQ, is the method of grilling meat, poultry and veggies over a grill with wood or charcoal outside. It's extremely popular during the summer time, especially on July 4th in America.

We all know about BBQ, but have you ever had it indoors? How about Korean-styled?
Korean BBQ isn't that different from the regular BBQ that we know. You're still grilling meat over a grill that's either running on gas, charcoal or wood. However, what makes Korean BBQ different is the type of meat that's grilled, the food that accompany your meal and the way you eat it.

There are two types of meats used in Korean BBQ---marinated and non-marinated. There are a few different marinated meats: galbi, joo mul luhk, and bulgogi. Galbi is the most popular one, and it's marinated with soy sauce, water, garlic, sugar and sliced onions. For non-marinated, a few types are: chadolbegi, samgyeopsal, and deungshim. To me, the main difference between the two is that marinated meat has a juicy texture and more favor than non-marinated.

[Utensils 101] - Unique Cookie Cutters with Recipe

Every year, that "time of the year" comes rolling around, and you need to find a gift for your friends, families, co-workers and all the great people in your life. Even though it's still August, it's never too soon to start thinking because it's not easy to think of new gift ideas without breaking the bank nowadays. Plus, with the world becoming more tech-savvy, it makes things worse. So, what's something you can give to people without:

1. Breaking the bank
2. Doesn't look too cheap
3. They'll appreciate it one way or another 

Last holiday season, my sister and I came up with an idea that we thought would work and still make the gift receivers happy. What was it? It was baked goods! We made cookies shaped in trees, stockings, bells, snowmen, gingerbread people, etc, along with chocolate covered Oreo cookies and brownies.

We made hundreds of these cookies, chocolate covered Oreos and brownies! Then, we put a few of each into boxes with tissue paper and wax paper lining the inside. The boxes we used for the adults were 3D Christmas gift boxes and for the children, we used gingerbread house treat boxes. Both of the boxes were purchased from http://www.orientaltrading.com.

Chinese Hot Pot

In last week's post (Click here to read!), I talked about fondue with cheese, bourguignonne, and chocolate. However, that's not the only type of fondue that exists in this world. As I mentioned before, the word "fondue" is now used with anything that is associated with dipping food into a hot pot of liquid. Well, in the Chinese culture, we have something called "hot pot."

Hot pot? What in the world is that, and how is it similar to fondue?
Hot pot is also known as Chinese fondue, and it refers to the method of cooking the food. It consist of a open pot with a soup base that's placed in the middle of the table on a portable stove. The food that would be placed in it to cook would be placed around the pot. Similar to fondue, hot pot is meant to be eaten together and everyone shares the communal pot to cook their food. However, instead of using long stemmed forks, we use chopsticks and wire skimmer to cook and take the food out of the pot.

Fondue @ Melting Pot + Restaurant Week

Have you ever fondue? What's "fondue" you ask? Well, let me explain...
Fondue is a dish of melted cheese served in a pot over a small fire, and is usually eaten with others. You eat it with bread, veggies or chips attached to a long stemmed fork that's used to dip the food into the cheese. This fun and delicious dish originated from Switzerland.

As fondue grew popular, the word "fondue" eventually was generalized to other dishes where food is dipped into a communal pot of hot liquid, such as chocolate fondue or bourguignonne fondue.

Fondue sounds fun and delicious! Where can I try it?
The first time I tried fondue was at Melting Pot during the January 2011's restaurant week event in Philadelphia. During this time, the deal was $35 for 4 dishes. The dishes included a cheese fondue as a appetizer, salad, bourguignonne fondue as the entree and chocolate fondue for dessert.

This is a great restaurant to bring your significant other for a date! The restaurant is decorated in red, black and wood with dim lighting that creates a romantic mood. What makes it even more romantic is the cornered seating made especially for two people! It's super cozy!

Noboru - Japanese & Korean Buffet Restaurant

Sushi and sashimi taste the best when it's fresh and made right in front of you! But, if you want cheap sushi in Philly, I guarantee you that it's not going to be fresh at all.

So, where should you go for fresh sushi and sashimi that's made in front of you, plus it's worth the price?

I suggest going to Noboru, a contemporary Asian cuisine sushi buffet. It's located outside of Philadelphia, but it is definitely worth your time to go there for all-you-can-eat sushi! I know, the words "all-you-can-eat" and "buffet" doesn't always bring out the best thoughts all the time. But based on my experienced with Chinese buffets around the city where they serve food altered to suit the taste of "Americans," Noboru gives you a different and better buffet experience.

Even though there are many Japanese restaurants in Philadelphia, I have yet to find one that serves fresh sushi and worth the price. I would hate to spend $30 on a plate of frozen sushi! However, Noboru gave me a different experience! The food is fresh, and they give you a variety of other Japanese, Korean, etc dishes to try! I was introduced to Noboru by a good friend of mine and have been going there for my sushi cravings ever since!

[Street Food] - Tea Egg with Recipe

Tea egg is another great street food that originated from the Chinese (Click here to read more about street food!). I use to go to Philly's Chinatown to purchase these for 2 for $1! Sadly, the place that used to sell these no longer exists.

But, don't worry! You can make it yourself by following the recipe below. Another option is to check out Bian Dang, a Taiwanese food truck, the next time you visit New York!

[Utensils 101] - Udon Noodle Bowl & Buddha Bowl

College---it's definitely the place to find packages of ramen and cup noodles in a college kid's dorm...right?
Let's be honest. College kids aren't the best when it comes to making their own food (unless you're naturally super skilled and knowledgeable, or it's your major). So, what's the easiest and simplest thing they could make after microwavable foods? Of course, it's ramen and cup noodles! All you need to do is boil water, and with the technology to use a machine (electric kettle or water boiler and warmer) to do it, it's half the work for you!

Now that you finished cooking your ramen or cup noodles, how are you going to eat it?
Well, if you're eating cup noodles, all you need is eating utensils---chopsticks, fork or spork would work. But...what about when you're eating ramen?!? Yes, you can use the normal average old bowl, but let me show you something that's even cooler and allows you to do more!

I present you the "Udon Noodle Bowl" from Uncommon Goods! It's a blend of a mug and bowl, which allows it to fit comfortably in your hand. Plus! It has space built at the top to place your chopsticks (it also comes with a pair)! In my opinion, this product is perfect for a college student or anyone in general who loves to eat noodles!

[Street Food] - Eggettes & Food on a Stick

Street food is one of the most popular types of food in the Asian countries! 

But what exactly is "street food"?

It's basically ready-to-eat food and drinks that are sold straight from a vendor on the streets or a small shop. Maru Global, the Philly based takoyaki shop, mentioned in the previous post (Click here to read!) is a great example of  a type of street food that can be found in Japan.

Sometimes these street vendors are seen as "hawkers" that aren't suppose to sell because they aren't inspected by the Health Department. Even if the vendors are inspected, some people still associate street food as unhealthy and unsafe food to consume (similar situations with lunch trucks). But, don't worry! The "street foods" this blog is about to introduce are completely safe and inspected by the Health Department!

1st Takoyaki Place in Philly: Maru Global

Takoyaki...what in the world is that?
It's a popular ball-shaped dumpling that's typically filled with octopus. It originated in Japan as a street food sold by vendors, and now it can be found in Philadelphia!

Chef Ryo Igarashi, the owner and head chef at Maru Global is the first to bring takoyaki to Philly. He is a Tokyo native, and came to America with the dream of opening up a family restaurant to share the wonderful homemade Japanese food he grew up eating. He took his dream and turned it into what Maru Global is today! A relaxed atmosphere with nice soothing jazz music playing in the background, and where the food  is made with a modern twist.

A twist? Does that mean its not traditional food?
Yes, Chef Igarashi gives his food a "twist", but he still serves the authentic version of these dishes. For example, the original takoyaki with the octopus filling (the #1 customer favorite!) is still served, but he takes the basic takoyaki recipe and apply it to new ingredients to create new unique dishes such as his popular chocolate dessert takoyaki!

So...where did he get this idea to make a non-traditional takoyaki that's a dessert?!?
Well, in Japan, people can purchase their own personal takoyaki grill (Want to purchase yours? Click here.). They bring it out during parties and create their own takoyaki by putting anything in there, such as cheese, chocolate, chicken, and whatever their heart desires. So, Chef Igarashi thought: If you can make it, why not? The concept is the same, the grill is the same, it's just the batter and fillings are different! So, why not?

Welcome to Food for Two~!

Hi there! Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog.

I recently started this blog for a communication course that I'm currently taking this summer 2011 at Drexel University. This blog focuses on food, from recipes to reviews in Philadelphia and the surrounding area! I will be concentrating on Asian cuisine because I want to show people that there are other types of food besides the mainstream Asian dishes.

What do you mean by "mainstream"?

When I say "mainstream," I'm talking about the Asian dishes that people typically associate a culture with instantly. For example, when you think of Chinese food, fried rice, kung pao chicken and egg rolls come to mind. Another example is sushi and Japan. I'm not saying that these food aren't great, but I want to show that there is more than what meets the eye!

Coming Soon!

This blog is still undergoing some changes. Please stay tuned for a real post soon!