LONDON: Japanese Special - Koya and Yoshino

I have developed a certain predilection for Japanese food, and even more so because of the abundant sushi and ramen places back in Singapore. Then I come to London, land of rushing workaholics and sandwich eaters, and weeks can go by without my having a single piece of sushi or bowl of miso soup. Last week, however, Jinx visited from Singapore and we had the most intensely Japanese-foodie day. 

First was sashimi lunch at Yoshino (see below), then we had an udon dinner at Koya. I've always loved my ramen, and udon's never really registered in my mind as something to order for some odd reason. Needless to say, Koya has changed my impression of udon. My hot udon came with a small side dish of a thick walnut miso paste, studded generously with walnuts, which went perfectly with my mushroomy udon. I couldn't have been happier on a cold winterish-autumn night. 

Kinoko: mushrooms with walnut miso

Prawn tempura udon - with the beef from Marc's udon included. 

I love poached egg.

Yoshino

What was supposed to be a quick lunch before ice-skating at winter wonderland (pictures on facebook) turned into a much longer affair when the dishes at Yoshino turned out to be surprisingly good. If you're ever struck with a serious sashimi craving and you're willing to splurge, I highly recommend the Chirashi Sushi platter - it comes with 7 varieties of sashimi, including my favourite yellowtail.

Curry Tempura Rice

It's always a good idea to order something as simple as curry and rice at a good restaurant because chances are, they're going to do it extremely well. 

Fatty Tuna Sashimi

Wagyu Grill - this was fantastic. 

California Spicy Tuna Rolls, California Organic Salmon Rolls,
Crispy Jumbo Tempura Prawn Rolls, Calamari Tempura Rolls 

Koya

49 Frith Street  

London W1D 4SG

Yoshino

3 Piccadilly Place

London W1J 0DB

Lunch & Dinner
Mon ~ Sat - 12:00 to 22:30 

LONDON: Euphorium Bakery

Banana tart with mashed banana filling (: 

In my quest for a replacement guitar along Islington (don't ask, it's a long story), I chanced upon Euphorium Bakery. I came back the next day with Bong and we ended up having lunch and tea there. Turns out the Islington branch we went to was the main bakery that supplied all their other branches. In fact, the bread was so fresh and so intensely bready, I daresay it was comparable to the french bread I had in Paris. 

Despite it's popularity with mothers and crying babies, the bakery turned out to be strangely conducive study-wise when I went back again on a friday afternoon. Somehow cafe sounds -of coffee being made, orders being taken and lilting conversation-  fade into a placidly calming white noise when you're completely absorbed in something. I've come to find that the remedy to a mounting stress outbreak over seemingly indecipherable coursework is the simple joy to be found in a good sandwich or a satisfactory tart. 

Our lunch...

pull-apart pork with apple sauce

apple, walnut, brie and grape sandwich 

I don't care, someway somehow I'm going to make these work as the light fittings in my future house. 

Bong's creative powers at work: potential new trademark for euphorium bakery? 

...and tea after

Euphorium Bakery
202 Upper Street Islington
London N1 1RQ
t: 020 7704 6905

Opening Times:
Monday - Friday 7.00 am to 10.00 pm
Saturday/Sunday 8.00 am to 10.00 pm  

AMSTERDAM: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate

I may have stopped eating potato chips and drinking soft drinks, but I could never give up chocolate. Whether it's coco powder in hot milk (or blended avocado and milk) and honey, or chocolate bits in my cereal or just chocolate cake, it pervades the segment of my life that revolves around food. We came across this stall set up in Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam in all it's happiness-inducing chocolatey glory and, though most of the trip was a rush to explore the city in the little time we had, we spent an abnormal amount of time here mulling over which chocolate pieces to get. 

Truffles at Albert Cuyp Market 

"I don't know which ones to get!" - Sue Wei 

Last day in Amsterdam 

Metropolitan Deli: Not particularly dutch a cafe, but we were drawn to it like moths to a flame. Before even stepping into the cafe, the familiar bittersweet smell of chocolate consumed our senses and resistance was futile. 

Milk chocolate pistachio cake - so good we melted at the first bite

There were literally humongous chocolate blocks sitting on the counter and a fondue fountain behind it - no wonder it smelled so heavenly. 

Autumn in Amsterdam

Reading weeks should be extended. There isn't enough time to do essays and run around europe trying to absorb all of its quirky shops, eccentric people, famous artists and of course, ever present in our holiday plans, food. With my precious canon slowly dying (my charger was left in Singapore) I snapped sparingly and only at moments when I was happiest. 

I have never wanted a dog more in my life after meeting this one

By the Van Gogh Museum

 

Suewei and her most ANTM pose: Tyra would be proud