Kok chai: golden fried puffs filled with sweet peanut bits Yes, the Lunar New Year feasting is still continuing in my household. I got a batch of homemade kok chai delivered to me (thanks, fam!). These golden pastries are also known as mini peanut puffs. If you’re a peanut lover, these are an excellent snack! They’re like fried dumplings but instead of being filled with meat and vegetables, they have sweetened peanut bits. The ones I ate also had yummy coconut pieces mixed … [Read more...]
Lunar New Year 2022
February 1, 2022 Leave a Comment
Happy Lunar New Year 2022! It’s time for snacking! Honestly, some of my favorite treats pop up around this season. I’m a sucker for those nut-embedded and sesame-studded sticks. They have that winning combo of crunchy and sweet. Tang yuan balls are also fun to eat. I didn’t grow up having these around Spring Festival, but I enjoy their glutinous chewy exterior and hidden interior treasure. (It’s no surprise that, of course, I like the tang yuans with peanut butter filling—see above … [Read more...]
Third Time’s the Bubble Waffle Charm
October 22, 2021 Leave a Comment
The first time I saw a bubble waffle was in a Hong Kong-style café. My brother and I were eating together, gorging on delicious Chinese food and sipping addictive iced lemon tea. I noticed other patrons ordering a special dessert which looked kinda like a breakfast item. They were getting odd puffy-shaped waffles. Could those really be that different than the regular ol’ type? The second time around, I ate a bubble waffle. I think it was at a night market in Taiwan. When the delicious pastry … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Mochi Donuts
September 24, 2021 Leave a Comment
Well, I’ve blogged about these treats (filled with cream) before. If you don’t like a cakey interior, you might want to grab a mochi doughnut. It has more of a chewy texture to enjoy. Mochi donuts (with strawberry and cookies & cream flavors) Other pluses? Won’t miss a bite (without the crumbly, cake nature, you’ll be able to gobble up the whole thing)Offers unique flavors (distinct glazes like pandan, guava, and green tea pair well with the mochi flour)Easy to share (fresh ones … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Shoyu Peanuts
November 8, 2019 Leave a Comment
Shoyu peanuts: soy sauce flavored nuts with a crunchy edible shell I wasn't quite sure what to think about these treats when a family friend brought them from Hawaii. Looking at the package, I noticed the label of "shoyu peanuts." Shoyu basically equates to soy sauce, so I was hesitant about the flavor choice. However, when I tried them, I really enjoyed these peanuts. They've got a satisfying savory taste. They actually remind me of Boston baked beans (the red sugar-coated … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Obanyaki
September 6, 2019 Leave a Comment
Obanyaki: mini stuffed pancakes These puffed-up Japanese pancakes open up to reveal delicious interiors. Custard or red bean paste is often used as a filling inside the round treats. They're quite similar to taiyaki, except without the stylized fish shape. Though they're often eaten for dessert, tweaked recipes make them more savory by inserting meat, vegetables, or curry. Want to see how they're cooked? Fun fact: They're named after the Oban coin. … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Arepas
June 22, 2018 2 Comments
I love being part of a writers' group. One of my friends there, Lisbeth Coiman, is Venezuelan. I had the luxury of being treated to her home-cooked arepas. Arepas: tasty "pancakes" made with maize dough I don't quite know how to describe these puffy bits of dough. They're maybe akin to pupusas and have a biscuit-like texture. However, they're not flaky. There's a heartiness to them as you bite in. Arepas can act like bread, and you make sandwiches with them. A lot of times, the interior … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Tebasaki
August 18, 2017 Leave a Comment
Tebasaki: crispy fried wings These fried wings are known for their crispy skin. They're also marinated in all sorts of spices. The ones I tried were from Sekai no Yamachan. Their secret sauce combines soy sauce with other ingredients (perhaps garlic?) and a notable kick from pepper. The restaurant also uses special natural salt from Jiangsu Province, China to add flavor to their chicken. Tebasaki is a nice snack or appetizer that is part of the izakaya (Japanese pub) style of food. I like … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Matcha Crisps
July 28, 2017 2 Comments
Matcha crisps: green tea-flavored cookies For regular followers of my blog, it's no surprise that I'm a green tea lover. My wonderful dad (so sweet!) picked up a package of matcha crisps on his recent visit to Malaysia. If you look closely at the pic, you'll see a "Penang" sticker. These are not British crisps, which are akin to potato chips. I think they're more like cookies. Here are my favorite attributes about them: Not too sweet (it's more of a snacking food) Balanced between … [Read more...]
