Nagoya Tri @ Summer Fest *Shirakawa-go & Takayama*

On our second day trip in Nagoya, my brother offered to drive us to another town area. Here's our second day trip itinerary:

1. Nagoya, Yokosuka ---> Shirakawa-Go (Gifu)

2. Shirakawa-Go ----> Takayama

3. Takayama ---> Yokosuka

Shirakawa-go is one of the most beautiful and eye-catching place that I've been. The view is so serene which will leave you a peaceful mind to stay in. It is also a declared UNESCO World heritage site in 1995. They are famous for their traditional gasshozukuri farmhouses, some which are more than 250 years old. Also, there are still residents who are residing in the village and well equipped with schools, restaurants, fire brigade and hospital.

With some research done, Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms. I shall let the pictures do the talking. :)

The farmhouses with paddyfields.

So peaceful and calm by just looking at it isn't it?

This is probably the cleanest drain I've discovered and living fishes are in the drains.

This is how their ancestors build the farmhouses in the olden days.

My brother is overjoyed with the Matcha Ice cream on his hand. It is famous and we've tried Shoyu (Soy sauce) soft serve too, which taste delicious with its milky taste.

Us captured with moments of beauty in the village

Our 2nd destination is in Takayama's Old Town. This old town with shops and coffee houses are well-presevered which dated since Edo Period (1600-1868). This city was once thrived as a wealthy town of merchants. Some of the restaurants or businesses (one which I remember vividly is a home-made Miso shop) have been in business for centuries.

A cafe shop on the Takayama Old Town, Sannomachi Street.

Our Dinner! Ramen Ramen Ramen. One of the must-eat food in Japan. This is a family restaurant in the nearby neighbourhood of my brother's home. As the price here is 'reasonable' and is famous for its Ramen, so...let's drool over the pictures. Hehe..

Yup.. It's all in Japanese Language for restaurants in suburbs. I really do need my personal translator.

Karage - Japanese Style Fried Chicken.
I would say it is the so-called 'Uncle Bob' for Japanese style. Crispy fried chicken and without the juice dried up from deep frying the meat is one of the Japanese favourite dish. I do realise that they love to eat fried meat, such as the above ones. And I do agree with their deep fried dishes taste good as you know they did a good job in Tempuras too. :)

One of the chef recommended Ramen - Ramen with Japanese style Char-Siew and Miso Broth.

Another chef recommendation - Miso Ramen with Vegetables.
You would see the thick miso in it with some chili oil and lots of sliced onions. Very strong flavor of miso and with the combination of Ramen texture. I would give a two thumbs up!

Nagoya Trip @ Summer Fest

Nowadays, I believe you would see lots of promotion on air fares, especially during the H1N1 flu days. And there was it, when my mom spotted the JAL promotion fare from KL - Nagoya for only RM1500. Believe me, it is a very cheap flight, as the normal would cost about RM3500+. So, I decided to join her to Nagoya, as a visit of my brother who is currently studying in Japan and also to take a short break away from the country and hectic work.

Our first day was a tiring one, but yet filled with excitement. We transit in Tokyo (Narita Airport) for 8 hours, and so, we decided to go through quite much of trouble in order to get out of the airport for a short visit to the nearby neighbourhood. After that, we took on the flight to Nagoya and headed to AEON (*Jaya Jusco's parent company) mall for our dinner.

The sky view at 5am on the plane.

Early breakfast at 5am.. too much to digest, but it is a very healthy one though. No oily / nasi lemak you can find here. ^_^

AEON Mall -- Tully's Coffee. Since it was early and the shops weren't open yet. We land our foot in this famous coffee chain shops for a cup of Soy Latte. A cup of coffee a day makes my day happy!

Mochi Selection in Narita Airport

In Japan, you will find lots of mochi, chocolates, chocolate biscuits selection which are tax free and deliciously looking...Good for friends and families as souveniors.

After our arrival in Nagoya, 4th largest city in Japan, my bro picked us up from the airport to a newly built large shopping mall in his neighbourhood, AEON mall. The above photo is a lane with all kinds of cuisines served restaurants.

We walked along the restaurants, with interesting food display and it took us quite awhile to browse and choose what we would like to have for the dinner.

Finally, UNAGI rice! A must-try dish in Japan. According to my brother, this restaurant is famous for its unagi. And since I'm an unagi fan, I insisted we try it out.

Since my mom's a vegan, she picked her choice ---Vegetable Tempura with Zaru Soba Set. Don't underestimate vegetable tempuras. They are just as crispy deep fried as the meat tempuras. Soba (Handmade bucklewheat noodles) are one of the japanese' main dish and they're very healthy too. I love the texture of the noodles..

Brother's choice of unagi set. It comes with side dishes - vegetable pickles and miso soup.

I chose the Unagi Rice Set specially for Ladies. It came with grilled unagi on topped of the rice, with some side dishes, vegetables, tofu and vegetable pickles.

Japan is famous for its rice. The rice is small in size and rather round in shape. It taste like sticky rice and very moist. As you might have already know that Japanese rice is very expensive in the market. Same goes to the rice in the Japan local market price, they are expensive too.

The above paper instruction shows the customer on how they're suppose to eat unagi rice. Firstly, add in the ready served spring onions and dried seaweed, place the sliced unagi on top of the rice and add in some soup, stir it slightly. Serve and Eat it.

This is what I did according to the instruction, without the soup yet.... The fragrance of the unagi is fantastic and the taste is delicious..Sauce is a mixture of Mirin and Japanese Soy Sauce.. Yummy~~

Homemade Strawberry Cupcakes

Strawberries are sweet and juicy and is a favourite fruit for home or commercial use as a theme for desserts. Shing wanted to make a cupcake for one of her best mate's birthday and so, what you see in photos are the final product. We also attach the recipe for sharing and hope you'll enjoy baking a lovely cupcake for your friends and loved ones to try :)

Strawberry and Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients(For 12 cupcakes):

For the Cupcake:

125g unsalted Butter, at room temperature
125g Caster Sugar
2 Eggs
125g Self Raising Flour
2 Tablespoons Milk (Whole or semi skimmed, not skimmed)
3-4 teaspoons of Strawberry Jam

For the Swiss Meringue Buttercream:

4 Egg Whites
250g Caster Sugar
250g unsalted Butter
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
4 Tablespoons seedless Strawberry Jam

For Decoration: 6 fresh strawberries, each halved

Preparation Method:

For the Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan oven 170°C/375°F/Gas Mark5.
2. Line a Muffin Pan with 12 paper cases.
3. Start by making the cupcakes. Beat together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, flour and milk and beat until well combined and smooth.
5. Spoon the mixture evenly into the 12 paper cases.
6. Spoon a little jam onto each cake and, using a cocktail stick, swirl the jam into the batter.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
8. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.

For the Swiss Meringue Buttercream

1. Place the egg whites and sugar in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir constantly to prevent the egg from cooking.
2. After 5-10 minutes, when the sugar has dissolved, remove the bowl from the pan of simmering water and whisk until the meringue has puffed up and the mix is cool.
3. Add the butter and vanilla to the meringue and whisk until the butter has been completely incorporated into the meringue.
4. At first, the meringue will collapse and look curdled, but don't worry. Stop when the mixing is smooth, light and fluffy.
5. Beat the jam into the buttercream.
6. Spoon the buttercream into a piping bag and swirl onto each cupcake.
7. Finish off with a half cut fresh strawberry.

And here's the final product!

Freshly baked out from the oven

The finished product!

Upclose and feeling really hungry looking at it hehe...

My verdict: The cupcake tastes really good as the texture and taste is perfect. I enjoyed the cupcake very much. If you do not like sweet creams then maybe try considering reducing the amount of caster sugar. Hope you guys will enjoy this recipe!

Subak @ Kampung Penchala

My sister overcame an article in the newspapers on Subak, with a title 'Dine With Nature'. Therefore, we went online to checkout its website. Found the restaurant's setting rather interesting and we were also curious as it's situated in the middle of Kuala Lumpur City. I was thinking and wondering if there is really a Dine With Nature kind of restaurant nowadays in the city??

I was eager to try it out and search for this restaurant that serves fusioned Balinese food and Western dishes. Also, it was one of my good friend's birthday last week, so, I thought it would be a great place to bring her out for her birthday celebration brunch. Since I thought it might be kinda 'nature friendly' place which you can meet lots of mosquitoes, we decided to visit during noon. Well, nevermind the mosquitos, it would be good and fresh to have dine in a place as such once in awhile rather than having a lunch in a crowded mall. :)

The exquisite fine dining Subak Menu

100% Purely Squeezed Orange Juice RM10

'Blue Ocean' Soda Drink RM7

Appetizer Trio RM25

3 pieces of Fried Calamari Rings, Javanese Style Spring Rolls and Fish Goujorns. Yes, it's good for those who want to try bits and pieces. But believe me, it's rather too small as an appetizer..as it's Delicious.

Ibu Yati's Gado-Gado RM10

A Balinese Gado-gado, which is one of my favourite salad as I love peanut sauce. It's a traditional vegetable salad served with its homemade special 'bumbu' peanut sauce, with a touch of spicyness in it.

Balinese Fried Rice with Grilled Seafood Skewers RM25

Fragrant Balinese Style fried rice served with seafood skewers with sunny side. The fried rice wasn't a spicy one as I've expected, but, taste good enough as it has the 'Wok Hei' in it.

Spaghetti Carbonara with Pan-Fried Salmon and Green Lipped Mussel RM36

Rich cream and cheese flavor of carbonara topped with Pan-fried Salmon is a dish that you can't missed. I personally do love Salmon fish ALOT! So, i insisted Bran to order this. Though there is only two mussels in it, but it's enough for its portion as its a creamy pasta and we tried not overload ourselves.

Subak's Curry Mee with Fresh Water Prawns RM18

Another Asian delight dish served as its house specialties for those who prefers closer taste to local food but yet, fusion with Balinese style.

King Prawn Char Koay Teow with Chives and Bean Sprouts RM18

A rather different type of Char Koay Teow with soupy style in it. I guess the last char koay teow I had with quite abit of gravy in it was 'Key Char Koay Teow' in Seberang Prai.

Of course, not to forget to capture a few more shots with the birthday girl, yin.

Forgive me for having the photos with us in it, as we were overwhelmed with the outdoor settings...

For a new experience to dine in restaurant with good food and fresh air, I would recommend this restaurant. Oh yea, and also if you don't mind the friendly nature friends or animals (such as squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies and mosquitoes around) enjoy their day as well. Good food and Good place to hand out with your family or friends during the weekend. It would be a great dining experience for you.



Business Hours:

Mondays to Sundays including Public Holidays
11am till 12 midnight

Contact: 03-77299030/9031

Address: Lot 3213, Jalan Penchala Indah Bukit Lanjan 60000

Website: www.subak.com.my

Rakuzen @ Hartamas Shopping Complex

Sri Hartamas is a town area where you can see Japanese and Koreans wandering around the township and shopping malls. From that, you can see quite a number of Japanese and Korean restaurants in Hartamas. Rakuzen is one of the japanese restaurants which I visited quite a few times in that area and I was craving for Jap food. And since I thought of having it somewhere near my home, so, Bran suggested to go for Rakuzen in Hartamas shopping complex.

It was written there 'Shuka no Umami' - the beverage and wine list

Wide varieties for the Lunch Set & Lunch Bento Special Sets

Japanese Table Settings

Photo taken on the ambience and seatings of our opposite tables which looked exactly where we're seating on.. Nice isn't it?

Salmon Maki coated with Fish Roe, served with Japanese Mayonaise. Myself and Bran love salmon, and I would say the fresh salmon slice was nicely wrapped with the seaweed and fish roe. (RM 16)

Chicken Katsujyu Zen Lunch Bento Set (RM22)

Bran's choice for his lunch set, side dishes include: fruits, chawanmushi and some pickles (cucumber, white radish and cabbage)

Mini Udon with Soft Shell Crab Zen Set (RM28)

This is a HUGE brunch set for me..It has a mini udon, a bowl of japanese rice, chawanmushi, crispy fried soft shell crab, special mirin mixed with vinegar sauce, some pickles and white radish and fruits.

This is my favourite dish - crispy fried soft shell crab. Look at the nicely presented soft shell crab. With a bite of it, the texture of the crispy crab tasted like potato chips.

As far as I know, there is alot of Japanese customers who visit this restaurant as the sashimi here are fresh and are well presented. Also, this restaurant is often crowded with customers during weekends and during 'peak hours'. So, to be on the safe side, it is wiser of you to make a table booking.

Tel: 03 - 6201 2060

Address: Rakuzen Hartamas, P-17, Plaza Ground Floor, Hartamas Shopping Centre (Near Toys' R US)

'Perfectly Heaven' Chocolate Cupcakes with Oreo Cream Cheese

Chocolate cupcakes or Chocolate Cakes aren't my favourite dessert flavour. But, it's Bran's favourite dessert. So, I did promise myself that down the road, I have to be a good baker in Chocolate desserts that can drool him and that he will say to me 'THIS IS DELICIOUS!'.. Well, this time is another attempt of me baking chocolate 'cake'. I found this recipe from a famous baker blogger through the net and I thought it was a good idea to have some Oreo flavours in it too.. It was Bran who suggested that I make some Oreo Cream Cheese for the frosting instead of a normal Buttercream. So, here is the result...

Fresh from the oven - Hershey's Perfectly Heaven Chocolate Cupcakes with my own addition of Oreo bites in it.. Yummy~~ Trust me, the smell of it is irresistable...

My first attempt to add in some frosting on top of the cupcakes since I've got myself Wilton's piping tips. It was rather disappointed as I guess it was the cream cheese abit too runny, should've added more powdered sugar to create more consistency and to stiffen up the frosting. Also, it was the oreo bits which are not being processed finely that caused the failure of the swirl. Will try it better the next time.

Here's the recipe for the above end result if you're interested in caking.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa (* I used the Natural Unsweetened Cocoa)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 8-10 Oreo cookies, crushed or put through food processor (optional) - My addition

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans (For cupcakes or other pan sizes, see variations listed below.)

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.


VARIATIONS:

ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.


THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.


BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.


CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz package of cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 C butter, room temperature
• 3-4 C powdered sugar (use more or less depending on how stiff you want the frosting to be)
• 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 3/4 C crushed Oreos (I crushed them in the food processor to be sure the pieces would be really tiny and wouldn't get stuck in my piping tips. If you are going to spread the frosting, it might be fun to use bigger chunks of Oreo.)