Personally, I have never been a fan of pork chops; because when I had them they were normally dry, bland, and overall underwhelming. So when I am searching for pork recipes for dinner, it could sometimes be a hard task. Until I was introduced to this crispy Taiwanese pork chop recipe. The pork chops are marinated in a soy sauce base (ideally overnight) which helps tenderize the meat and inject it with lots of umami flavor. Then it is battered in tapioca starch and deep fried, rendering a crispy exterior and a flavorful juicy interior. I loved this recipe so much that I have now included it on ..read more

There are two quotes that have been drumming through my head for the past month. "If a man knows not which port he sails, no wind is favorable" and "idle hands do the devil's work". Each follows the same fundamental message, if a man lacks purpose his life and mentality will reflect that. This message has been top of mind because I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move abroad and travel for a year. However, upon further retrospect, while it was an incredible journey and feat, I was running from something rather than toward something. This is a haunting revelation that I believe I alway ..read more

Dan Dan noodles are a staple Sichuan dish and have a pungent and nutty flavor. Legend has it, in 1841 Chen BaoBao carried a pole on his shoulder with baskets on each end and then headed to the market in Zigong. One basket held the ingredients while the other basket held the cookware. People quickly fell in love with the smooth and delicious noodles in the flavorful Sichuan broth. When Dan Dan noodles were later introduced to the city of Chengdu, the Hawkers added minced meat for a spicy and umami flavor. As the popularity of the dish spread throughout China, other ingredients were incorporated ..read more

Tuna salad sandwiches are a great lunch option if you want to eat something quick with protein. Another plus is you can probably make it with ingredients that are already in your pantry. This is a recipe that I have perfected over the years; it is savory and a little tangy. Put a few slices of cheese on top and pop it in the oven for a tuna melt! I would not recommend bringing this to the office/school because of its strong smell. But since most of us are still working from home this an easy alternative to eating out. Just make sure you keep your mouthwash close by. So dig out those tuna cans ..read more

For my last birthday, I was lucky enough to have a special dining experience at Sushi Hayakawa. It is an intimate and traditional Japanese sushiya gem nestled in bustling Buford Highway - an area known for its vast international cuisine dining options. Chef Atsushi Hayakawa is the founder and head sushi chef of the restaurant. He conducts the omakase experience as much as an entertainer as he is a chef. For the duration of the HONKAKU OMAKASE ~ 本格的な寿司, which spanned over approximately two hours, Hayakawa was constantly engaging with diners, asking questions or offering life anecdotes. Hayakawa ..read more

Tteokbokki are chewy and delicious rice cakes simmered in a sweet and spicy gochujang-based sauce with fish cakes. People often add an assortment of other ingredients such as ramen, hard-boiled eggs, green onion, seafood, mozzarella, and more. It is a widely known snack and comfort food in Korean culture. When shopping for rice cakes, try to opt for fresh or refrigerated ones rather than frozen ones. I will still keep a pack in the freezer so that I can make tteokbokki whenever I am craving it. I have even found instant Tteokbokki sauce packets in the asian market, all you have to do is add ri ..read more

In Japan, soba noodles are a staple summer dish because they are both light & refreshing. Soba noodles are made out of buckwheat and they can be found in most grocery stores. There are different types of buckwheat noodles depending on the ratio of buckwheat flour in the noodles. Ju-wari Soba (十割そば) are noodles made from 100% buckwheat and have a dry & rough texture which makes them brittle & more prone to breaking. Hachi-wari Soba (八割そば) are made from 80% buckwheat and have a smoother chewier texture but less buckwheat flavor & aroma compared to ju-wari. The meaning of Zaru in ..read more

My mom used to make mushroom linguine for my family growing up and it was one of my favorite meals. The mushrooms are coated in a rich cream sauce and you can just barely taste the hint of dry white wine lingering on your palette. If you are like me and try to pick up mushrooms whenever you go to the store, this is a helpful recipe to have, since they go bad so quickly. Pair it with white wine and a fresh salad or seafood to really pull the meal together. Ingredients: 10 oz. baby Bella mushrooms, sliced 1/3 cup parsley, chopped 6 oz. linguine 1 lemon zest & juice 3 cloves garlic. minced 1 ..read more

This Korean pepper steak & rice recipe is a perfect lunch option. You probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge already. The freshly cracked pepper compliments the corn and steak well. It is almost too pretty to mix all together but this dish is proof that something so lovely & delicious does not have to be difficult to make. I recommend trying this the next time you have leftover steak & rice that needs to be eaten. You will not regret treating yourself to such an umami lunch! Ingredients: Thinly sliced sirloin steak or marinated short ribs freshly ground black pepper ..read more

Have you ever wondered how to make Tiramisu? It is a delicious espresso Italian dessert that only requires minimal ingredients & effort to make. However, it does require 8-12 hours to chill. The literal meaning of "Tiramisu" in Italian is "pick me up" and "cheer me up". This is because the two main ingredients are caffinated chocolate & espresso. Ingredients: 4 eggs, whites & yolks seperated 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup mascarpone 1 3/4 cup good espresso 2 tbsp rum or cognac (Kahlua) 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder about 24 ladyfingers shaved chocolate fo ..read more