Maxim's...chinese bakeries...yum

These pictures require no narration. They are delicious, beautiful, and scrumptious.

Flavors include: Tiramisu, Chocolate Mocha, Fruit Tart, Cheese Cake, Black Forrest cake, Mango mousse, Mandarin orange mousse Cake, and Chesnut Mousse Tart

Authentic Noodle Shop

Each year since the age of 4, I have visited Hong Kong at least twice a year if not more and each trip starts similarly. Because my mom grew up in Hong Kong and went through school in Hong Kong, many of my favorite foods are attributed to my mom's local palette.

Hong Kong is known for its famous Wonton Noodles.. or Wun Tun Mien (excuse my cantonese pin yin if i am inaccurate). Its chewy, almost rubber band like texture is what keeps locals addicted to the simple and yet delectable treat. Each trip to Hong Kong of mine included trips to authentic wonton noodle houses which fill the street level shops of older regions of Hong Kong like North Point, parts of Quarry Bay, and older parts of Wanchai.

My most recent discovery is another noodle favorite in Hong Kong! Since i work in Causway Bay, I am absolutely accessible to any cuisine you can think of which is bad for my waistline but delectable for my foodie cravings.

One such famous noodle house which has opened several small shops around HK Island and even Kowloon is known as Nam Ke Noodle House. The Noodle House has a specialty broth which is a mix of Sour and Spicy, sort of blended into a soup base.

The signature noodle which i believe is number 9 is a combination of a sweet and spicy soup base with minced pork, a pickled vegetable, bean sprouts and a wide array of toppings to choose from. Some of such toppings include beef balls, fish balls, beef tendon, and the number one specialty; spring rolls.

The springrolls however, are unlike any other you will find in Hong Kong. These Spring Rolls are actually fish cakes or the same ingredients used to make fish balls and fried into a "spring roll like shape" and then convered in fried bean curd. While everything is fried, the taste is one of a kind.

And Now, pictures! Here's Fiona illustrating her love for the noodles after meeting up for dinner.

Finally, a close up of the local favorite that have locals, and office workers alike line up for twenty minutes on end just for a bowl of noodles, and yes, that includes me :)

Cheers! And Happy Eating!

Shek O Snacks

On a bright and clear 77 degree Sunday... I think this was two sundays ago, I went with some friends to Shek O( 石澳) close in distance to Stanley and Big Wave Bay known for the beachy landscape as well as nice waves for surfers brave enough to venture into the polluted HK Ocean.

When you First get there, you are surrounded on both sides by snack shops. Some of the snacks most famous to the area are Dried Squid pieces that are grilled on a mini toaster like contraption, and curried fish balls on skewers.

Here are some pictures of the Dried Foods available on the side of the street.

Here is a picture of Shek O right before sunset.

The second picture captures Arthur buying the Dried Squid which is slightly chewy, salty and has an oven burnt taste embedded into the flavor. The giant jar holds some fishballs...which are most popularly served with a curry flavored sauce that is sold in a cup.

The Last picture captures all the dried squids, fish, and other dried seafood that people buy to season their foods, or snack on.

Cheers! And Happy Eating!

Hot Pot in TST

Hot Pot on a Friday Night. It was 55 Degrees out and everybody was bundled up like Chicago's harsh Winters already. I walked out in a leather jacket and got looks of death. But, I always have Room for Hot Pot. At Tsim Sha Tsui's famous Hot Pot Offering at 9 pm. Everybody is famished from a long day at work.

The orb-shaped items next to the cup are actually shrimp balls injected with cheese...apparently the restaurant's specialty... but be forewarned... it was not a pleasant experience. Each of us...there were 4 of us proceeded to either a) choke on the hot cheese that exploded out of its soft encasing or b) gag on the gloopy and gloppy mess of cheese whiz with shrimp.

The other items included white turnip, a large plate of sliced beef, mushrooms, wontons, and various fish/beef/...etc balls.

The hot pot base was a pork bone base with corn. A very light but savory base and offered just the perfect amount of delicate sweetness with the addition of corn.

The rest of the pot includes Sausage links(not my choosing), Fried bean curd, wontons, spinach, white turnips, udon, and vermicelli.

Cheers! And Happy Eating!

Week of Nov. 23

1st 4 pictures- Indonesian Maid's Typical Offerings for Dinner.. I guess I'm lucky I don't need to cook after work. Her Eggplant is famous. Its a black bean base sauce and sauteed eggplant. Her Rou bing(ananth's favorite) is a delicious blend of savory pork and the sweet blend of shitake mushrooms melded into an egg pancake-like dish.The fish is steamed with a blend of soy sauce, cooked oil topped with scallions. and the yellow tinted dish is chicken in a soy sauce reduction with sugar.

Last Picture- 1st picture- [Simply Thai(Time Square, CWB)]- severely overpriced and I think the seafood was not fresh. Seafood combination(shrimp, squid, fish, clams, and muscles)

Cheers! And Happy Eating!

food...no introduction necessary

So initially- this blog was meant for the sole purpose of ranting and using as a creative outlet to anger, frustration, anxiety, insert emotion here <--- but as I'm traveling down the path of corporatedom.. I realize that its time to turn a new leaf. Instead, I shall give my fellow corporate clones/my friends still in college something that will perhaps ignite a sense of happiness in their dull and routine lives; food.

The funny thing is.. I didn't ALWAYS have a passion for food. In fact, I used to abhor the activity of eating meals with family. Miraculously enough and fast forwarding time, I grew to love food, in particular good food. My family considers "family time" going to an "all you can eat buffet" in flushing NY(aka east coast Asian food capital). Enough said. Fast forwarding another 4 years to college... and my closest friends became my food confidants. Today, this blog is for them. Whether it was eating at my favorite restaurant on the Urbana Champaign campus for less then $ 10, or preparing dishes at a friend's apt, Food has helped strengthen friendships and build a collection of my favorite college moments.

Additionally, I realize that many of my closest friends were bonded together by food- a love of eating, and a passion for good food. Food...as I see it unites all. While it would be a dream come true to one day host a food show or write for a food magazine/blog/newspaper/magazine this blog will have to suffice. I have always loved to take pictures of food....but seldom if at all do I actually post the pictures I capture. Hopefully, they will make their way onto this blog.

I apologize in advance if my photography skills are not of par but I do not have the skill, finesse, or patience to learn how to take good pictures. Until my first post with food scans..

Cheers! and Happy Eating!