Saturday, May 31, 2025

Stinky Tofu 臭豆腐 (Chau Dau Fu)... Homestyle πŸ˜‹


Stinky (smelly) tofu 臭豆腐!!! Once you've amassed tofu-eating frivolity, for the true tofu connoisseur you must go for the king πŸ‘‘

White cubes age for days in a fermented brine made up of simply dried or pastes of shrimps or fish, garlic and cooking wine, or fermented milk and an addition of vegetables. Traditionally, the whole brine mixture is left to fester for up to six months in an open earthenware. Then the tofu cubes are rinsed, and left to dry before they are ready to be deep-fried into delightful putrid notorious stink bombs.  The strong odour is mainly in the cooking, and it subsides quite a lot once the tofu comes out of the oil. This is an infamous Taiwanese or Hong Kong street food I would wait in line any day for, even hours at our crazy crowded Asian night markets than to ever attempt brining let alone cooking it at home... until now.

Soo.... I have been reading up on a bunch of Hong Kong cookbooks inspired from my recent Asia travel. A Chinese vegan recipe on chau dau fu caught my attention fast, as the only fermenting agent is fermented beancurd fu yu itself (which I already have in my fridge) and eliminate the strong fishy smell that compounds during fermenting and frying. And my family will never go for it. My husband actually ordered a portable induction burner to arrive during the aging process. He said firmly "you are frying that outside" with a wrinkled nose.

Well, as you will read on there was nothing to get all rattled up about.  In fact, my twins, hesitant at first gave me the approval nod when they tried it, one bite after another. I will absolutely be making these again!


So, a bit of recent backstory. This is the real Taiwanese deal at Mei Nung Beef Noodle House in Markham. Several weeks ago, my kids were appalled by the aroma assault as we headed in (with their first hit at Mel Lastman Square's Asian Night Market passing by last summer which swore them off ever trying), and now they were walking into and immersing in it. They thought we were there for beef noodle soup but the main event (for me) was the fried stinky tofu. Their unrelenting chuckles and gags had me apologizing to the waitress, but they agreed it was less smelly when the generous dish arrived at our table. The smelly waft in the air from the back kitchen frying is what does many of us in. The twins each took a small bite and shook their heads no, my youngest left the restaurant to get some "clean" air leaving my husband and I too much to share, but we finished them. 

The Taiwanese version has a crunchy fermented coating (airy inside) and has a sweet savoury oyster sauce to dip alongside pickled cabbage as a refreshing cold accompaniment. HK version is fried the same way but sauteed in the sauce to completely coat. Next time, I'll add a bit of dried shrimps to "enhance the flavour" πŸ˜„!

Fried Stinky Tofu at Mei Nung Beef Noodle House

This sans seafood recipe is such a great compromise to the authentic full-on flavoured fermented fried tofu. Not smelly frying, just smelled like frying if you get what I mean :) It can be vegan without the sauce or opting for a vegan oyster or just soy sauce. I prefer drizzling the sauce over top to keep some parts crispy.

Stinky Tofu Chau Dau Fu (Vegan)
Makes 12 pieces 

400g firm tofu, drained
6 prepared fermented beancurd (fu yu), mashed with a fork
3 Tbsp. fermented beancurd liquid
2 Tbsp. Chinese cooking wine (such as Shaoxing)
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
4 cloves garlic, minced 
1/2 tsp. salt
Cold water to cover
2 to 3 cups of neutral oil, for frying

Note: look for fu yu brined in a jar in the Chinese sauce grocery aisle

Sauce:
2 garlic cloves, minced 
1 tsp. grated or minced fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. oyster sauce (vegan option available)
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. cornstarch mixed in 3 Tbsp. water

Slice the tofu into 12 equal pieces, about 1/3" thick. Let drain for 1/2 hour to remove excess liquid.


120 year old heritage fu yu brand Liu Ma Kee

Take a 1L clean jar, add the fermented beancurd paste and liquid, cooking wine, rice vinegar, garlic and salt. Give it a shake. Now gently place the tofu slices, one by one into the jar to fit. 


Add water enough to cover with one-inch head space in jar and seal with lid. Turn the jar bottom up and then top several times to mix well. Store in back of fridge for one week (do not be tempted to open).


One week later, remove jar from fridge (the water has turned cloudy and murky) and gently open lid. "
The pleasant aroma is slightly funky, definitely garlicky with a wine undertone. Otherwise, nothing strong whatsoever. Reminds me of whiffing a jar of fu yu."

Watch my jar reveal after a week of fermentation

Gently remove the tofu slices onto a strainer to let dry for 2 to 3 hours. Place onto paper towel-lined plate to dry further. Discard jar liquid. Meanwhile, prepare your pot for deep-frying.


Heat a small pot over medium-high with 2 to 3 cups oil (cook in small batches to save on oil usage). Oil is ready when a wooden skewer inserted emits rapid bubbles shooting up around it. Gently place tofu in the oil, and cook 6 to 7 minutes until golden brown crispy. Remove onto clean paper towel-lined plate to absorb oil. Repeat with remaining tofu. Remove frying oil from heat and let cool completely.



Prepare sauce in a small pan. Ladle 1 Tbsp. frying oil in pan over medium heat; add garlic and ginger and cook for one minute. Add oyster sauce, mix with wooden spoon then stir in cornstarch slurry and mix well until thickened.


Arrange fried tofu onto a plate and slowly pour sauce over top. Garnish with green onions and serve hot.



Crispy on the outside and soft fluffy on the inside


FULL RECIPE:

Stinky Tofu Chau Dau Fu (Vegan)
Makes 12 pieces 

400g firm tofu, drained
6 prepared fermented beancurd (fu yu), mashed with a fork
3 Tbsp. fermented beancurd liquid
2 Tbsp. Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing)
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
4 cloves garlic, minced 
1/2 tsp. salt
Cold water to cover
2 to 3 cups of neutral oil, for frying

Note: look for fu yu brined in a jar in the Chinese sauce grocery aisle

Sauce:
2 garlic cloves, minced 
1 tsp. grated or minced fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. oyster sauce (vegan option available)
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. cornstarch mixed in 3 Tbsp. water

Slice the tofu into 12 equal pieces, about 1/3" thick. Let drain for 1/2 hour to remove excess liquid.

Take a 1L clean jar, add the fermented beancurd paste and liquid, cooking wine, rice vinegar, garlic and salt. Give it a shake. Now gently place the tofu slices, one by one into the jar to fit. 

Add water enough to cover with one-inch head space in jar and seal with lid. Turn the jar bottom up and then top several times to mix well. Store in back of fridge for one week (do not be tempted to open).

One week later, remove jar from fridge and gently open lid. TGently remove the tofu slices onto a strainer to let dry for 2 to 3 hours. Place onto paper towel-lined plate to dry further. Meanwhile, prepare your pot for deep-frying.

Heat a small pot over medium-high with 2 to 3 cups oil (cook in small batches to save on oil usage). Oil is ready when a wooden skewer inserted emits rapid bubbles shooting up around it. Gently place tofu in the oil, and cook 6 to 7 minutes until golden brown crispy. Remove onto clean paper towel-lined plate to absorb oil. Repeat with remaining tofu. Remove frying oil from heat and let cool completely.

Prepare sauce in a small pan. Ladle 1 Tbsp. frying oil in pan over medium heat; add garlic and ginger and cook for one minute. Add oyster sauce, mix with wooden spoon then stir in cornstarch slurry and mix well until thickened.

Arrange fried tofu onto a plate and slowly pour sauce over top. Garnish with green onions and serve hot.

Stay tuned for my next post on how to make HK Cha Chaan Teng Cafe's popular satay beef noodle bowl!
 


Thursday, May 22, 2025

Thai Pork and Basil Stir-Fry (Pad Gra Prow)

 
Pad Gra Prow (Thai Basil Stir-Fry)... has my stomach a-growl πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­πŸ›πŸ€€ 

Semi-fresh from my travels, you bet I have Thai food on the tip of my tongue and now fingers, finally making this super simple quintessential stir-fry dish in Thailand with ground pork. It's a budget-friendly, comfort food dish that is temptuous whenever I sit down at a Thai restaurant and crack open their menu. But need not to go to a restaurant for this no more when it's unbelievably easy to whip up at home. Each spoonful explodes with flavour and aroma from the garlic-shallot aromatics and fresh basil, complimented by the deep-fried egg on top with a runny yolk making the rice oh-so creamy 🍳! The mixture of oyster, thin and sweet soy, and fish sauce flavours the dish darn achingly scrumptious! And you gotta have some of 'em fresh Thai bird's eye chilies for kick 🌢πŸ’₯


Thai Pork and Basil Stir-Fry (Pad Gra Prow) (adapted from Kiin by Nuit Regular)
Serves 4

1/3 cup neutral oil
4 eggs, cracked individually into small bowls
2 Tbsp. oyster sauce
2 Tbsp. thin/light soy sauce
2 Tbsp. sweet soy sauce (kepas manis)
1 Tbsp. fish sauce
3 shallots or 1 small onion, thinly sliced
7 cloves garlic, minced
1 - 2 Thai bird chilies, thinly sliced
2 lbs. ground pork (use medium for a bit of fat)
4 long green beans, cut into 1-1/2 inches
2 long red chilies, or 1/2 red pepper, cut into thin strips
Ground white or black pepper, to taste
holy basil leaves (about 2-1/2 cups packed)


To fry the eggs: heat a small pan over high heat for two mins. Add 1/4 cup oil. Slowly slide one egg into the oil, reduce the heat to medium and fry until outer edges turn crispy and brown about one minute, and cooked to desired doneness. Remove onto plate with slotted spatula (to drain excess oil). Repeat with remaining adding more oil as needed.

In a small bowl, stir together oyster, soy and fish sauces. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet/wok over medium-high heat for two mins; add 2 Tbsp. oil, shallots, 
garlic and Thai chilies and fry for two mins. Add the green beans and red pepper/chilies and cook for another minute. Crank up the heat to high, and add the ground pork, spread around skillet breaking it up into small bits and allowing it to crisp up for about three mins.


Add the sauce mixture. Stir-fry for two mins. until pork is cooked. Tear the basil into the skillet, and stir-fry until wilted. Add ground pepper.


To serve, divide the steamed rice between four plates; spread the rice. Top with pork and basil mixture and deep fried egg. Serve with fish sauce at the table.


To jazz it up, I added slices of crispy cucumber and tomatoes, plus bonus- πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­ Manora shrimp chips, home fried as a crunchy accompaniment 🀀!


My kids' foodie classmate was coming here to hangout and mentioned his favourite Thai dish was tom yum going, so... but of course. Dinner on me a la Thai- pad Thai, tom yum goong soup, mango salad, fried Thai shrimp chips and some homemade roasted pork belly.


And to cap it off a refreshing new Asian dessert I created- mango coconut pudding soup πŸ₯­πŸ₯£ with prepared coconut pudding, fresh mangoes, coconut strips and crushed ice swimming in coconut milk. Love the refreshing textures! It's becoming a fave in this household! Perfect for beating the heat this summer!



FULL RECIPE:

Thai Pork and Basil Stir-Fry (Pad Gra Prow) (adapted from Kiin by Nuit Regular)
Serves 4

1/3 cup neutral oil
4 eggs, cracked individually into small bowls
2 Tbsp. oyster sauce
2 Tbsp. thin/light soy sauce
2 Tbsp. sweet soy sauce (kepas manis)
1 Tbsp. fish sauce
3 shallots or 1 small onion, thinly sliced
7 cloves garlic, minced
1 - 2 Thai bird chilies, thinly sliced
2 lbs. ground pork (use medium for a bit of fat)
4 long green beans, cut into 1-1/2 inches
2 long red chilies, or 1/2 red pepper, cut into thin strips
Ground white or black pepper, to taste
holy basil leaves (about 2-1/2 cups packed)

To fry the eggs: heat a small pan over high heat for two mins. Add 1/4 cup oil. Slowly slide one egg into the oil, reduce the heat to medium and fry until outer edges turn crispy and brown about one minute, and cooked to desired doneness. Remove onto plate with slotted spatula (to drain excess oil). Repeat with remaining adding more oil as needed.

In a small bowl, stir together oyster, soy and fish sauces. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet/wok over medium-high heat for two mins; add 2 Tbsp. oil, shallots, 
garlic and Thai chilies and fry for two mins. Add the green beans and red pepper/chilies and cook for another minute. Crank up the heat to high, and add the ground pork, spread around skillet breaking it up into small bits and allowing it to crisp up for about three mins.

Add the sauce mixture. Stir-fry for two mins. until pork is cooked. Tear the basil into the skillet, and stir-fry until wilted. Add ground pepper.

To serve, divide the steamed rice between four plates; spread the rice. Top with pork and basil mixture and deep fried egg. Serve with fish sauce at the table.



Saturday, May 10, 2025

Pan-Fried Chinese Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Goh)...


Freshly back from Hong Kong, and with the delectable dim sum experience still heavily on my mind and tastebuds, I had a craving for Chinese brunch favourite savoury turnip cake η…Žθ˜Ώθ””η³• lo bak goh. My cousin Pessy who treated us in HK tells me this is her go-to potluck dish and she's mastered it after making it many times and to rave reviews 😍. Also cause I had just purchased a few large turnips to make chicken and pork broth (adds sweetness) and the leftover piece was just the perfect amount to try my hands on this classic. I've made it with my mom several times in the past but somehow it just seemed a lot of effort. With her bringing me some often I was deterred to make it, but not this time :). Crispy brown on the outside, tender savoury on the inside... so hard to resist πŸ˜‹ not to try cooking it myself!


Turnip cake is seen as a good luck food and enjoyed during Lunar New Year because its name symbolizes luck and prosperity. The word for cake "goh" 
糕 is a homonym of the words tall, rising, growth and achieving a higher level. There are several steps to making this cake so it's ideal to prepare it a day or two in advance as you need it to cool completely after steaming (overnight is best) for clean slicing and best eaten pan-fried until crispy.

Pan-Fried Chinese Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Goh) (adapted from Cook With Lau)
Makes 10 to 12 pieces 

2 lbs Chinese turnip, peeled and grated through a large hole grater (do not drain excess liquid)
250 g regular rice flour
1-1/2 cups water
2 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
30 g (2 Tbsp) dried shrimp, rinsed, soaked for 15 mins, drained and minced (reserve liquid)
6 dried shiitake mushrooms, rinsed, soaked for 4 hours, drained and minced
1 piece Chinese sausage, minced
1-1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chicken bouillon
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 tsp. sesame oil
2 pieces green onions, thinly sliced

Note: Choose heavy, fat and firm daikon or turnip that have more water content and are sweeter.




Heat a large skillet/pan on high for a few minutes with 1 Tbsp oil. Cook the garlic and dried shrimp for about 30 seconds. Add the shiitakes; cook for 30 seconds. Cook the Chinese sausage (save some for garnish) for about 30 seconds. Add the turnip and its juice, stir the wok, cover the wok, and cook it for 6-7 minutes. 


Add salt, chicken bouillon, white pepper and sesame oil. Mix the flavours around the wok, cover, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. 



Meanwhile, prepare the cake pan by cutting out a circle of parchment paper to line the bottom with, spreading oil around the inner rim of the cake pan (with your finger or a brush) Note: any type of cake pan (square, non-removable base, etc) works as long as it fits in your steamer.

I used my non-stick 9" springform cake pan 

When the mixture starts boiling, slowly add the rice flour mixture. 
Note: look for the water released from the turnip. Do not pour it all in at once and continuously stir the mixture to ensure you don’t produce lumps for two minutes until thickened. Note: add a few tablespoons water if the mixture is too gluey (reserve the dried shrimp water for this), but not too much unless you want a much softer result. I prefer mine tender but firm. 

Transfer the mixture into the cake pan, flatten out the surface, and spread remaining 1 Tbsp. oil around the surface with a spoon for a shiny and appetizing finish.

Fill steamer to the water limit and bring it to a boil on high heat. Transfer the cake pan to the steamer and cover it. Cook for 20 mins. on high heat, then reduce to medium heat and cook for 20 mins. more.


It is done when a wooden skewer inserted in the centre pulls out clean without gluey debris stuck to it.

While the cake pan is still in the steamer, sprinkle the leftover Chinese sausage onto the pan and cover it for 30 seconds.


Carefully remove the cake pan from the steamer; garnish with green onion.


Let the cake cool to room temperature, and then let it cool in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours.Remove the turnip cake from the pan. Slice the cake however you'd like. If you're pan frying, then little sections are perfect. I cut mine into 10 heartier pieces.



Pan frying is highly recommended. It brings out a nice, crispy and crunchy bit contrast to the tender interior. Heat up a pan with oil on high heat for a few minutes, and then pan fry them for about 4-7 minutes per side until they’re golden brown.



I love serving Koon Yick chilli sauce on all dim sum


FULL RECIPE:

Pan-Fried Chinese Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Goh) (adapted from Cook With Lau)
Makes 10 to 12 pieces 

2 lbs Chinese turnip, peeled and grated through a large hole grater (do not drain excess liquid)
250 g regular rice flour
1-1/2 cups water
2 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
30 g (2 Tbsp) dried shrimp, rinsed, soaked for 15 mins, drained and minced (reserve liquid)
6 dried shiitake mushrooms, rinsed, soaked for 4 hours, drained and minced
1 piece Chinese sausage, minced
1-1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chicken bouillon
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 tsp. sesame oil
2 pieces green onions, thinly sliced

Note: Choose heavy, fat and firm daikon or turnip that have more water content and are sweeter.

Whisk rice flour (measure 250g on a scale for accuracy) and water in a bowl until smooth; set aside.

Heat a large skillet/pan on high for a few minutes with 1 Tbsp oil. Cook the garlic and dried shrimp for about 30 seconds. Add the shiitakes; cook for 30 seconds. Cook the Chinese sausage (save some for garnish) for about 30 seconds. Addd the turnip and its juice, stir the wok, cover the wok, and cook it for 6-7 minutes. 

Add salt, chicken bouillon, white pepper and sesame oil. Mix the flavours around the wok, cover, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Note: look for the water released from the turnip.

Meanwhile, prepare the cake pan by cutting out a circle of parchment paper to line the bottom with, spreading oil around the inner rim of the cake pan (with your finger or a brush) Note: any type of cake pan (square, non-removable base, etc) works as long as it fits in your steamer.

When the mixture starts boiling, slowly add the rice flour mixture. Do not pour it all in at once and continuously stir the mixture to ensure you don’t produce lumps for two minutes until thickened. Note: add a few tablespoons water if the mixture is too gluey (reserve the dried shrimp water for this), but not too much unless you want a softer result. I prefer mine tender but firm. 

Transfer the mixture into the cake pan, flatten out the surface, and spread remaining 1 Tbsp. oil around the surface with a spoon for a shiny and appetizing finish.

Fill steamer to the water limit and bring it to a boil on high heat. Transfer the cake pan to the steamer and cover it. Cook for 20 mins. on high heat, then reduce to medium heat and cook for 20 mins. more.

It is done when a wooden skewer inserted in the centre pulls out clean without gluey debris stuck to it.

While the cake pan is still in the steamer, sprinkle the leftover Chinese sausage onto the pan and cover it for 30 seconds.

Carefully remove the cake pan from the steamer; garnish with green onion.

Let the cake cool to room temperature, and then let it cool in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours.Remove the turnip cake from the pan. Slice the cake however you'd like. If you're pan frying, then little sections are perfect. I cut mine into 10 heartier pieces.

Pan frying is highly recommended. It brings out a nice, crispy and crunchy contrast to the tender interior.

Heat up a pan with oil on high heat for a few minutes, and then pan fry them for about 4-7 minutes per side until they’re golden brown.

Can't wait to make and bring some for mom. I think she will approve 😊. If you also like taro cake (popular during Harvest Moon Festival) prepared in a similar fashion, check the link under image.

Pan-Fried Taro Cake

Stay tuned for more restaurant-quality but comfort eats made at home, inspired from my trip to Thailand πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­ and Hong Kong πŸ‡­πŸ‡° to honour Asian Heritage Month.



Friday, May 2, 2025

Hong Kong... Home Away From Home πŸ’–

 
We had an incredibly fulfilling trip to Asia in more ways than imagined 😍 with my bro Preserved Dragons. Our main destination was Thailand, but the heart of it is this... it's Hong Kong πŸ‡­πŸ‡° where I yearn to return as we only got a sliver three day sample to and from (Yes,it's our first time). But it worked out in the best possible way. Read on for more...

The beautiful night skyline at Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour

But first, starting Asian Heritage Month with a big bow to the one and only ☝️legendary Master Bruce LeeπŸ’₯ 


A huge part of this trip was supporting my brother Preserved Dragons' pilgrimmage to cult martial arts film sites to capture precise angle scenes with Bruce Lee and also Jean-Claude Van Damme. And what a trek it was! We visited sites in Hong Kong and Thailand. The most notable and scary was in Ayutthaya πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­, riding our bikes alongside scooters, motorbikes and cars drenched in sweat with the unrelenting heat and humidity πŸ₯΅ 



Here are the gallery of hotspots we hit (photo and text credits- PD): 

Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Bruce Lee Exhibit. 



Bruce Lee Memorial Statue at HK's Avenue of The Stars.



Bruce Lee was transferred to St. Francis Xavier’s College for bad grades and poor conduct in 1956. In two years he would go on to win the school’s boxing competition. 


Victoria Peak’s Lion Pavillion in Hong Kong to capture the infamous Van Damme splits scene in Bloodsport. 


The Wat Mahathat is one of the most important temples in Ayutthaya Thailand. Jean-Claude Van Damme Kickboxer training scenes at The Stone City were filmed there. 


The most iconic site at Wat Mahathat and possibly in all of Ayutthaya. The head of a Buddha statue that was placed here decades ago appears to be embraced by the roots of a tree.

Bruce Lee fans and friends, we were here at Rimtarn Hotel Pak Chong, where Bruce Lee stayed in when filming The Big Boss! Visiting his room #206.



The Boss’ villa (Wat Siri Samphan) and the fighting scenes in the Ice factory (Pak Chong).





My brother's handmade statue of Cheng Chao-An is one of his favourite pieces because of the emotional scene in The Big Boss this pose was inspired from. #walkon 


On our last day in πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­, he got together in Bangkok with Pak Chong's Rimtarn Hotel Pak Chong owner Peter Wises and his partners James and Dr.Tom for a fruitful meeting on future collaborations. I am looking forward to see what's in store gentlemen πŸ‘ŠπŸ’₯ 



Now... what about HONG KONG πŸ‡­πŸ‡°πŸ’•!? With only a few days taste of my mom's birthplace and impromptu meeting my beloved cousin (for the first time), and reuniting with my aunt and husband since my 20s (they visited Toronto), HK's vibe of home-away-from-home seductively beckons me for more!



The way it all happened worked out in the best way. The surprise rush came together so quickly makes me obsessed in digging deeper... to learn about HK's history, culture and food before I revisit to completely immerse in all of it πŸ€—! 




We couldn't have been more proud and excited to finally see, hear, smell and taste what we've been hearing from our mom since we were little. On our second day in HK before we flew to Thailand the next, we were so excited to find this rare night street market by chance on Temple Street (the infamous dai pai dong street), after our beautiful night line views of the Victoria Harbour at the Avenue of Stars.



My brother wanted beef ho fun and steamed white chicken, I wanted seafood and wonton soup, hungry and trying by foot to find a place, we stumbled across this rare busy outdoor food alley turning down Temple Street... off the beaten track due to its energetic vibe when we peered down.


Food was alright, we also had black bean sauce razor clams and deep fried pork intestine with sweet sauce and beer. But where its charm lay were the carefree patrons eating and chatting the night away with friends 🍻. So fantastic hearing and practicing our Cantonese with locals!




Dim Sum and Street Yums

Exquisite and Unique Offerings

Gorgeous dim sum restaurant on top floor of shopping mall: crispy taro nest with quail egg, abalone topped char siu tart pastry, shrimp toast with truffle sauce and refreshing coconut and coffee jellies.

Congee, Soy Sauce Noodle and Soy Milk Breakfast


Siu Mei Assorted Roasted BBQ Deli-
I need to try HK's infamous roast goose next time!

Too many baked goods and pastries = analysis paralysis 😜

The first foray for my kids into Asia should be our roots- HK and China (eyeing next summer) and working on improving my Cantonese (I took regular classes until grade 8 but continue to speak the language to my parents). I just started watching YouTube lessons to practice my conversation and writing, in hopes that I won't be resorting to Chinglish when I do. It's also necessarily good for my community project with more on that later.

Our last meal in HK- what better than wonton noodles 🍜 


Thank you cuz Pessy Chow 😘 for taking such great care of Dan and me, and we look forward to meeting the entire family with mine in the very near future. And ε€šθ¬ι¦™ζΈ― πŸ™πŸ‡­πŸ‡° #50yearslate #betterlatethannever❤️