BBQ or NOTHING!

Back in Korea again...
This time, Christoff was only staying for 2 nights, and I was staying for 3 nights (plus one more night on the way from Singapore), so Christoff wasn't going to compromise... His request was BBQ all the way! AND his request was granted.

My mom and my stepfather took us to this BBQ restaurant. The quality of meat was amazing... but we found out later that 1 order was 45,000 WON (almost USD45 per order and we ordered 4 orders). The most expensive meal we have ever had in Korea! But the best part of being in Korea.... We don't have to pay for it!!!

This place had the best Makgulli! And it was nice to meet my junior high friends!

More BBQ! This time, Mayumi (from Japan) treated Jennifer who was nice enough to let us stay with her.

On my way from Singapore, I had another stopover in Korea. I treated Jennifer this time. This restaurant served 20 different kinds of vegetable. It was soooooo goooooood....... Next time in Korea, I am totally going back to this place.

Transit

On my way to Singapore (and coming back from Singapore) from Korea, I had to transfer in Narita. Traveling alone is a different experience. You get to watch people and read more.

This time, I decided to take advantage of traveling alone by 'eating.'
Surprisingly, there was not a lot of option, except for Sushi. I was a bit afraid to eat airport sushi, but I was shocked! Sushi was good and affordable (yes, compared to quality and price of sushi in New York).

Li Qun Roast Duck Restaurant, Beijing

After watching Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservation" on TV, we were determined to find Li Qun Roast Duck Restrauant. We even decided on our hotel, besides the fact that it was right next to a subway station, based on the fact that it was close to Li Quan Roast Duck Restaurant.

We invited my dad to come along to Beijing with us; however, due to my illness, he didn't really get to enjoy time with us. So... we decided to take him out to a nice meal...

I had the address, so we asked a staff member at hotel to point us to a right direction. He marked it on our map, so we thought... 'that's easy.'

Well... we found the intersection, but the direction that we were looking at - there was nothing. Then a group of French people who also looked lost were coming to our direction. As we suspected, they were looking for the same restaurant. I started talking to them thinking they could help us. I decided to go into a little hair salon nearby to ask for a direction. A girl there pointed me to a direction where there is nothing around except for what it looked like a construction zone. As we started walking, they also followed.
Then we started seeing signs that said, "Li Qun, 500 m away."

Without getting a thanks from the French, they also walked into a restaurant first and got a table before us. How rude!!!

But the food at the restaurant made everything worth a while - the adventure & rude people...
I was told that this is one of few restaurants that still use the traditional oven to make Peking Duck. Plus the crepes, green onion, and hoisin sauce make all the difference!

Christoff 20 years later

Anthony Bourdain, a person who enjoys food, alcohol, people, and travelling!

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes, it hurts; it even breaks your heart. But, that’s ok. A journey changes you. It should change you. It leaves marks on memory, on your consciousness, your heart, and on your body. Take something with you; hopefully, leave something good behind.” Anthony Bourdain in Malaysia

Otafuku

This place is for someone who's from Japan or for someone who's been to Japan. The taste of takoyaki, yaki soba, or okonominaki brings you right back to the street of Tokyo.

Otafuku

236 E. 9th Street

New York, NY 10003

(212) 353 8503

Combination of Tokoyaki & Yakisoba at USD8. They only have a bench outside, so be prepared to eat it on their trash can (as seen above) or on the curb. If you are thinking of taking it home... don't do it. Takoyaki is not good unless it's eaten right after it's made.

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/32895095/new_york_ny/otafuku.html

Finally... Ramen

Yes, we finally found it. Best ramen in town! Come on in... you are going to feel as if you were in a little ramen shop in Tokyo!

Rai Rai Ken
214 E. 10th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 477-7030

CASH ONLY

It looks like they just got a slice of Tokyo and dropped it off in Manhattan.

The Best ramen broth in the New York City... Get we get the whole pot to go, please???

Fried rice is not recommended... but their ramen has to be the best Japanese style ramen in town.

Asian Shrimp & Sugar Snap Peas Stir Fry

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon peeled and minced gingerroot

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 pound sugar snap peas, ends trimmed

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1. Combine chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, cornstarch and sesame oil in small bowl; mix well and set aside.

2. In large skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat; add garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

3. Add shrimp and sauté until pink, about 3 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Add sugar snap peas; sauté 3 minutes.

5. Add stock mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until liquid has thickened and is no longer cloudy, about 3 more minutes.

6. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

Makes 4 servings.

Pork Chop with Grilled Peach & Scallion Rice

Use 3-4 peaches for four servings, cut them in half and drizzle 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
Grill cut side down first.

Marinate 4 pieces of boneless porkchops in for an hour or two:

• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 3 teaspoons of chopped fresh thyme
• salt & pepper

reserve 1 tablespoon of mix - later drizzle arugula with the mix before serving

Porkchops are supposed to be grilled 3 minutes on each side but I put them in the oven and finished in the broiller.

Serve porkchop on arugula with peaches

Green Onion Rice
In medium heat, with 1 tablespoon of oil, add 4 thinly sliced green onion for 3 minutes
Add 1 & 1/2 long-grain rice / 1 can of chicken broth / 1cup of water
Season with salt & pepper
Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer

Cook until rice is tender and liquid is gone (about 15 minutes)
Remove from heat covered for 10 minutes, add chopped cilantro.

Pork with Basil & Thai Sausage

Thai sausages can be purchased at any Thai grocery market. These were purchased at Sripraphai Thai Restaurant:
6413 39th Avenue, Woodside, NY.
These were fried for about 3 minutes. Squeeze a little bit of lime juice...

Start stir frying Shallots and garlic then put ground pork, string beans, & basil, stir fry for 10 minutes. Then add a table spoon of fish sauce, a teaspoon of sugar, salt & pepper, stir fry for another 2 minutes & add tomatoes.
Serve over rice...

Di Palo's

If you are looking for fine Italian Cheeses, meats, olive oil, and coffee, this is the place.
The store also makes their own Mozzarella.

Di Palo's
200 Grand Streeat @ Mott
New York, NY 10013
(212)226-1033

Hours
Mon-Sat 9AM-6:30PM
Sun 9AM - 3:30PM

Jing Fong

Best Dim Sum in Mahattan!

Jing Fong Restaurant

18 Elizabeth Street @ Canal

New York, NY 10013

(212)964-5256

Hours

Mon-Sun 10AM - 10PM

Dim Sum

Mon-Sun 9:30AM - 3:30PM

Payment

American Express

MasterCard

Visa

You can spend $10 per person and be absolutely full!

Nha Trang Centre

This is not our favorite Vietnamese affair in Manhattan but food is acceptable.
A big plus is that they are able to accomodate large groups and accept reservations.

Nha Trang Centre
148 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
(212)941-9292

Hours
Daily 10AM-10PM
(they close promtly)

Payment
American Express
MasterCard
Visa

Brunch at Home

Open Sandwich with Prosciutto, Tomatoe, Egg, Red Onion, and grated Edam

Pio Pio

Our regular take out restaurant...

Order whole or half chicken with beans & rice.
Their secret sauce will never let you eat chicken without it again...
(full chicken with combo of rice & beans - $13.00: feeds two people plus leftover)

Pio Pio

1746 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10128
(212)426-5800

8415 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11372
(718)426-1010

Ox Tail

Ox Tail with greenbean casserole & rice

Ox tail is stewed in water, beef broth, garlic, onions, & oregano for 3 hours.

Taste of Singapore

Chili Crab at Annual Chili Crab Festival turned out to be horrible, so we were headed to Chinatown back in Mahattan.

Singapore Cafe always takes us back to Singapore...
Order Chili Crab, Hainanese Chicken with Chicken Rice, & Kueh Teow

Desserts are very refreshing as well.
Coconut pudding & Singaporean Ice are recommended.

Singapore Cafe Incorporated
69 Mott Street @ Canal
New York, NY 10013
(212)964-0003

Pot Bing Soo (Shaved Ice with Red Beans)

Korean bakery sells shaved ice with red beans
You can either eat there or get it as take out (take out is much cheaper, $5.99)

Koryodang

31 W. 32nd Street @ Broadway
New York, NY 10001
(212) 967-9661


39-02 Union Street
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 762-0369


156-19 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 762-0104

Specialty Sandwich with Caprese Salad

Summer meal by Christoff Frazier

Sandwich's ingredients
French baguette
Tomatoe
Red Onion
Dijon Mastard
Watercress
Rosmary Prosciutto

Caprese Salad
Tomato
Basil
Fresh Mozzarella

Once the assemble is done, season with salt & pepper and drizzle olive oil & balsamic vinegar

Nepal

Nepal was one of the most beautiful countries that we have ever been to, and people that we met were just amazing.
Nepal has changed our life forever and we'll try to stay true to what we learned in Nepal.

The below link is the daily journal:
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Kathmandu/blog-54508.html

Airplane meal... Beer or water (nothing else)

Our first meal in Nepal - no menu...

Hanging out with locals at a Momo restaurant

Momo's saved us from hunger...

Momo - Tibetan dumpling
It was our daily meal...

The color of spices was 10 times brighter than what we are used to...

Finally... a restaurant with a menu (momo again)

Incredible India

On our way to Nepal, we had to spend a night in New Delhi.
It was the best layover we have ever had.
Food was incredible and we promised each other that we would come back...

Dinner - Egg Curry & Mutton Curry

Briani Rice with Rotti

Fried Rotti (breakfast #3)

You know you are in India when you could get Samosas at the airport