Seeking an unpretentious bowl of happiness....

With a sudden drop of 30 degrees on the thermostat, despite all the required readings at hand, my subconscious mind helplessly drifted towards the bowls after bowls of savoury broths that never failed to impress at each meal I dined in Vietnam..under the immense heat of the summer months.


To those who have traveled to this unique paradise, Nguyen Thi Thanh at 23 Hoang Sa shouldn't sound foreign.


Despite the famed drawn by Anthony Bourdain's "A Cook's Tour" that was aired a decade ago, it was to my delight that such fame is still well deserved. It is often reality that most eateries that their quality decline at steady rates from time zero when their fame was exploded, but this "Lunch Lady" resisted such temptatious fate. As simple as this bowl looks, I was surprised that with a single sip of the broth, I was transcended to a state of happiness....it was unpretentious, the perfect balance from the freshest local ingredients.


Some might not agree, but it is an experience that can hardly be discovered here in the east coast. Whether it was the ambiance, the company, or the genuine nature, I simply miss that bowl of happiness!

A little taste of Hokkaido - Nouvelle Pâtisserie Japonaise Kitakaro 北菓楼

Nouvelle Pâtisserie Japonaise Kitakaro 北菓楼

One of the notable pâtisseries from my southern Hokkaido trip....and being situated in Otaru 小樽, the history and hospitality of the location only made Kitakaro that much more memorable. This gem hides within a gray stone complex, and if it wasn't for the honey floral aroma that disbursed from within, I would have mistaken it for a historical Japanese bathhouse, grand but eccentric....


As I walk inside the tunnel that spanned the broad walls, the welcoming lights emerged into sight, followed by elegant displays of their signature sweets. The aroma intensified....unique combination of fragrance from honey, eggs and flour could only be the results of on-premise baking! With a few broken Japanese phrases, and a little squeezing through the immense crowd waiting to exchange their gold for the delectable, I have arrived to the kitchen for the demonstration of their most priced item - Baumkuchen 妖精の森, which translates to "The Fairy Forest"....the tree-ring pattern of the cake represents the forest, whereas the golden sheen on the cake, the inviting aroma, and the exquisite flavour of this signature piece could certainly live up to the enchanted beauty of fairies.

With just one tasting, I was sold....the delicate flavour of maple and honey balanced well with the sweetness and buttery richness of the cake. It was moist yet light in texture....delightful with a cup of Earl Grey and lemon *will speak more about my devotion to Earl Grey as an ingredient later....

The Japanese are known to have intricate inspirations for their machinery designs....and they have done it again....a special oven just to achieve the perfection of 妖精の森....words alone wouldn't do justice here....heh....please check out the video featuring the making~!