Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

Nestled in the heart of Vancouver, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka beckons with the promise of authentic Japanese flavours and a warm, inviting ambiance. We delved into a delightful experience on our recent lunch visit, exploring their menu. Our journey into Japanese culinary bliss commenced with takoyaki. These savoury octopus balls, perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, teased our taste buds with their umami-rich goodness. The drizzle of sauce and a dusting of bonito flakes added the perfect finishing touch to this classic appetizer. Takoyaki  from Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Hubby opted for the Shio Cha-Shu Ramen, a hearty bowl that promises comfort in every slurp. The star of this dish is the succulent pork, slow-roasted to perfection until it practically melts in your mouth. The generous portion of pork, coupled with the soul-soothing broth, made each spoonful a journe...

In a world filled with countless fast-food chains, there's one that stands out not just for its food but for the unique experience it offers. Jollibee, often dubbed the "McDonald's of the Philippines," has made its mark internationally, capturing the hearts and palates of people from around the globe. And if you have yet to have the pleasure of trying their offerings, let's take a closer look at two of their popular items: the Spicy Fried Chicken and the Aloha Yumburger. The Warm Welcome Walking into a Jollibee restaurant, you're greeted with an ambiance that's vibrant and welcoming. The playful, bee-themed decor sets the stage for a cheerful dining experience synonymous with Filipino culture. It's not just a meal; it's a celebration of flavours and a warm embrace of Filipino hospitality. The Spicy Jolly Crispy Fried Chicken First, let's talk about the Spicy Jolly Crispy Fried Chicken. Jollibee's take on...

It's Thursday, and I crave pizza after a long week of working and going to the office. Thankfully, tomorrow is work from home day. We went to the Boston Pizza, 5 minutes walk from our home and got a pizza that was not just a pizza but a whole flavour adventure. That's precisely what Boston Pizza's latest creation, the Carbonara Pizza, offers. This culinary masterpiece combines the beloved pizza base with the classic flavours of carbonara pasta, resulting in a slice of heaven for your taste buds. At the heart of this culinary marvel is Boston Pizza's signature pizza dough, smothered in fragrant garlic butter. This sets the stage for a symphony of tastes that unfolds with each bite. Carbonara Pizza  from Boston Pizza Signature pizza dough smothered in garlic butter and topped with loads of cheese, grilled chicken, smoky bacon, Alfredo sauce, and Parmesan. ...

Happy Saturday! I'm still dealing with jetlag and a major KFC craving hit, so I decided to order some for delivery. In our order, I included 10 pieces of the new Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets and my trusty Variety Bucket, which comes with 8 pieces of chicken, 4 chicken tenders, and a medium serving of popcorn chicken. Variety Bucket  from KFC 8 pieces of Canadian farm-raised and hand-breaded Original Recipe chicken, 4 white meat chicken tenders hand-breaded in our 11 herbs and spices, medium Popcorn chicken, large fries, and 2 dips. Unfortunately, the Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets and the chicken tenders turned out to be quite salty. Even after reheating, the saltiness was hard to ignore. Thankfully, the popcorn chicken and the classic secret recipe fried chicken tasted as delicious as usual. 10-piece Nug...

Leaving London today was both happy and sad. We started our day with a big breakfast at Hilton London Metropole's Tyburn Kitchen. It was filled with various breakfast foods like croissants and English breakfast items. After eating, we returned to our hotel room for a short nap. But my husband woke me up because he worried we might be late for our flight. We also napped on the Heathrow Express train. Steak & Ale Pie  from Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen After going through the usual check-in and security, we shopped for chocolates and biscuits. Then, we decided to have lunch at Big Smoke Taphouse and Kitchen in Terminal 2. Why did we pick this restaurant? It has British classics: Steak & Ale Pie and Bangers & Mash. Bangers & Mash  from Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen 3 Big Smoke ale sausages, creamy mas...

Ah. It's our last night in London, and after such a satisfying dinner at Apoy , I decided to hang out at the bar in the lobby of Hilton London Metropole. I asked the bartender if he could make a Pimm's Cup. It is the #1 must-try food item in Fodor's Essential England guidebook. A little background: Pimm's Cup is a quintessentially English cocktail, originating from England in the 19th century. It was created by James Pimm, who ran an oyster bar in London! Pimm's Cup from Bow Bar From a taste standpoint, it is sweet and something I can drink all day. I love it. I also ordered their Flourless Chocolate Cake, and it was so amazing. How can chocolate cake be this good? It's sweet, decadent, and smooth. Flourless Chocolate Cake from Bow Bar After hanging out at the bar for an hour, enjoyin...

As mentioned in my earlier posts, I used Fodor's Essential England guidebook to help me decide what to eat in London. It lists ten foods and drinks to try in England, and #10 on the list is cornish pasty. The night before, I searched for "best cornish pasty in London" and found this article from DiscoverWalks.com . The number 1 on the list is Mrs. King's Pork Pies in Borough Market, so I went there today. I couldn't locate Mrs. King's Pork Pies, so I chose Pieminister since I am famished. With a bit more energy after devouring the Steak & Ale British Pie, I explored the Borough Market some more and found Mrs. King's Pork Pies. I chose the Steak Pasty since it looks the closest to the Google search image result. Steak Pasty from Mrs. King's Pork Pies The outside is crisp, golden-brown, while the inside is filled with soft savoury filling. It ...

Happy Wednesday! It's our penultimate day in London, and I decided to take it slow. I realized that exploring two museums a day is too much in this city because they are ginormous with so many galleries and sections. My original plan for today is to visit and explore St. Paul's Cathedral, then cross the Millenium Bridge to the Tate Museum. In my attempt to take it slow, I still took the train to St. Paul's Cathedral and took pictures of the outside. Then, I realized Millenium Bridge was closed for repairs, so I crossed the Thames using Southwark Bridge. I joined a 45-minute free tour on the second level inside the Tate Museum and learned about modern art and the different displays. Afterwards, I went up the 10th floor to view St. Paul's Cathedral on the south side of Thames. I did not even attempt to explore every gallery and every floor of the Tate Museum. It was already 1:00 PM, and I only ate two small bags of potato crisps for breakf...

After nearly a week in London and eating a lot of meat and potatoes (Sunday roast, bangers & mash, and fish & chips), I need rice and Filipino food. I asked Google Maps to tell me the closest Filipino restaurant to our hotel,   and it suggested Apoy | Authentic Filipino BBQ & Street Food, which apparently is inside the Market Halls in Oxford Circus. The Market Halls has 8 kitchens and 2 bars. Stairway to Food Heaven at Market Halls Oxford Circus I ordered Pinoy Pork BBQ Skewer Meal, Kale Laing, and Calamansi Lemonade. For the 20-30 minutes I was eating my meal, I felt like I was back home enjoying Filipino food in Makati instead of the heart of London. ...

I used the list from Fodor's Essential England for Tuesday's dinner. I have already tried the following so far: #2 Fish & Chips #4 Indian food #5 Sunday roast #8 Full English breakfast The #9 on the list of food to try in London is Bangers & Mash, so I searched for the best bangers & mash, and one of the recommendations is MotherMash. After an afternoon at the Victoria and Albert Museum, I arrived at their Soho (26 Ganton Street) location. I chose the classic mash, Cumberland sausage, and traditional gravy from their menu. Classic Mash  -  Each order of mash is freshly prepared using only the finest British ...

I spent the morning walking around and exploring the Natural History Museum. It reminded me of exhibits from the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia in Canada and the Royal Ontario Museum. I enjoyed Red Zone the most because I love information about volcanoes & earthquakes. T. rex beef burger from T. Rex Restaurant Baby gem lettuce, red onion, tomato, pickled gherkin, and spiced beef burger sauce I was tempted to leave the museum for lunch and then just come back, but I was feeling lazy and tired, so I decided to have lunch at the T. Tex Restaurant inside the Natural History Museum. I ordered the T. rex Beef Burger. It is a perfect burger - juicy, well-seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, zesty red onion, fresh tomato, and tangy pickle gherkins.

Happy Tuesday! After an exhausting Monday walking around the British Museum, I am headed to the National History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum today. I decided to look for the best breakfast option upon exiting South Kensington station. I spotted a long line at GAIL's Bakery and decided to grab a couple scones. I munched down on the plain scone while walking to the National History Museum. Plain Scone from GAIL's Bakery I honestly cannot believe I have such a terrible misconception of scones. I had one horrible experience in Toronto and vowed never to order it again. I'm glad I kept trying because the scones from GAIL's Bakery were terrific, and the last few I tried in Vancouver were delicious, too. Plain Scone from GAIL's Bakery Originating in the British Isles, par...

It's my third day (Monday) in London! I ate my Tyburn Market haul in the hotel room and had the rest in my backpack for lunch. I spent most of the day inside the humongous British Museum. Then, I spent about an hour inside the British Library. For late lunch or supper, I decided to walk to the Dishoom location in King's Cross. My husband's co-author, based in England, highly recommended this restaurant. Dishoom did not disappoint. The menu does not have the usual Indian menu I see in Vancouver, so I am uncertain what to get. I asked the bartender what items were saucy and good for dipping. He recommended the Phaldari Kofta, labelled "Chef's KX Godown Special." I also ordered the Dishoom Chicken Tikka because it is something familiar. Phaldari Kofta  from Dishoom Delicious dumplings stuffed with vegetables, paneer, nuts, and raisins in rich home-style sauce topped ...

After dinner at  The Warwick Pimlico GastroPub and Dining Room , we checked out from Park Grand London Lancaster Gate and checked in at Hilton London Metropole. My husband got invited to a summit in the hotel, and his flight, accommodation, and even food are covered from Monday to Thursday. We arrived at Hilton roughly around 11:30 PM. He checked in and received a $35.00 dinner voucher. However, since it's already late, the Tyburn Kitchen is already closed, but the receptionist informed us that we can use the voucher at the Tyburn Market, which is open until 1:00 AM. I chose random baked goodies, which I enjoyed for breakfast and lunch on my third day in London. Scones, Blueberry Lemon Muffin, Caramel Popcorn in Chocolate Muffin, and Banana Loaf  from Tyburn Market They're all delicious. I highly recommend grabbing any of the baked goods with your favourite morning drin...

When planning our trip to London, I checked out all the guidebooks in the Vancouver Public Library and found Fodor's Essential England most useful. It included ten must-try food and drinks in London (#2 is fish & chips , and #8 is a full English breakfast ). I actually could have done better planning on where to try what. We started Sunday at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for The Making of Harry Potter . I took a nap on our way back to London, where we did a walking tour, which I created based on places I wanted us to see: Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and so much more. After our walking tour, we walked to the heart of the catholic faith in London, Westminster Cathedral, where we attended the 7:00 PM Sunday Mass. I am so grateful to God for the chance to participate in Mass in London for the first time in Europe. At the end of the Mass, we were unsure what to have for dinner, then I remember...

I am so happy. I love the Harry Potter series growing up. My dad got me the first five books for Christmas when I was 15, and I have been hooked ever since. I have the books, watched all the movies, and purchased reasonable Harry Potter merchandise over the years. Visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for The Making of Harry Potter is like the mecca of being a fangirl. After the first studio and before the outdoor section, we had lunch at Backlot Café and rested a bit. We're lucky to visit during their Dark Arts special for Halloween, and there are exclusive menu items which we ordered. Of course, this is the only place in London where you can order Butterbeer. Lunch  at Backlot Café The Butterbeer has the colour of beer and the creaminess of butter. The overall taste is like butterscotch or caramel fizz. I love it so much that we got a second one instead of just sharing o...

Good morning and happy Sunday from London! We're heading to Watford Junction Station again to visit the Warner Bros. Studio – The Making of Harry Potter. I am so excited! Before riding the Underground, we grabbed an ultimate breakfast roll from Upper Crust, a chain of coffee and sandwiches in England. Ultimate Breakfast Roll  from Upper Crust It was a satisfying sandwich to start the day. I can't wait to finally visit Warner Bros. Studio.

My husband wrote a book with three co-authors who happened to live in England. We had dinner with them today at Flesh & Buns in Covenant Garden. I ordered the Salmon Teriyaki under the Poke Don menu. It was good. The salmon is perfectly cooked and flaky. It works well with the rice bowl. I love the avocado, too. However, it is not satisfying enough. Or, I am just famished. Salmon Teriyaki Poke Don  from Flesh & Buns Teriyaki sauce, avocado shiso, spring onion, crispy noodles, furikake, and steamed rice Hubby ordered the Japanese Fried Chicken, which came with bao buns. The fried chicken was excellent, and I'll happily eat it with rice. Japanese Fried Chicken from Flesh & Buns Buttermilk marinated, red chilli, BBQ mayonnaise, and carrot pickle Our day one in London is finished. W...

Sigh. Poor attention to detail on my part led to the mishap of all travel mishaps. My husband and I arrived at Warner Bros Studios, and when the muggle scanned my ticket, she said, "Oh honey, this is for tomorrow." My heart broke at my mistake. I am grateful for my husband. He's been patient and understanding through the whole ordeal. Thankfully, we can easily swap our plans tomorrow for today. After the initial shock, we returned to the city and went straight to the Royal Observatory, then the Tower of London. Before entering the Tower of London, we grabbed a quick lunch at Pret A Manager. The best thing is the chocolate croissant. Yum! The two wraps were all right, and the soup was comforting but slightly bland. Pret's Lasagne Soup Chocolate Croissant from Pret A Manger Swedish Meatball Hot Wrap from Pret A Manger Falafel & Halloumi Hot Wrap from Pret A Manger Pret A Manger is like the Tim Hortons of the UK. They're everywhere! The food is bland but definite...

Happy Saturday morning from London! My husband only has two requests for this trip: to see the Prime Meridian and to eat a full English breakfast. After taking a shower, we were still early for our plans for the day, so I searched for a nearby open, now full, English breakfast from our hotel and found Sandro, which opened at 6:00. Breakfast at Sandro Sandwich Bar Full Monty : Egg, bacon, sausage, beans or tomatoes, and toast Full English Breakfast : Egg, bacon, sausage, beans, tomatoes, & chips Hubby happily ordered the full English breakfast while I went for the full Monty. They're both so satisfying. I now get the charm of beans as part of breakfast. It is quick to prepare and fill. It is likely a remnant of what happened during the war, where it is most affordable and easily accessible to the masses. I am typing this post in the tube on our way to Watford Junction for m...

Our first meal in London was the classic fish and chips, and we went to The Golden Hind Restaurant as recommended by the guidebook. We have excellent fish and chips in Vancouver, specifically salmon. In the UK, salmon is not part of the usual menu, so we ordered cod and a haddock with large chips for sharing. Cod and Haddock Fish & Chips First, I did not expect a long and generous amount of fish. Wow. In Vancouver , the cut is more square(?), while in Seattle, it's like fish sticks . Then, the batter in London is definitely lighter and thinner compared to what I have had in Vancouver. Of course, as expected, haddock is more flavourful than the cod. I thought the tartar sauce was subpar, but the fries are definitely fresh-cut potatoes. After dinner, I was in a food coma and felt exhausted from the flight. I cannot wait to come back to our hotel for much-needed sleep.

We just arrived in London, and I hope to publish this before arriving at London Paddington Station of Heathrow Express. We left Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on time with Air Canada. Dinner meal was served at around 9:30-ish (PST). The appetizers is lemon herb couscous salad and cheese. The cheese is a block of marble cheese, which is always good, while the salad has no flavour. To be fair, the couscous is perfectly cooked and not gritty. For the main course, you have two choices, and we got both! I started with the chicken caciatore with roasted potatoes and bell peppers. The chicken was tender, while the potatoes were a tad too soft. The flavour is acceptable. Chicken Cacciatore with Roasted Potatoes and Bell Peppers  Meanwhile, hubby got the penne pasta with pesto sauce and roasted peppers. When he opened it, the smell of pesto enveloped my nostrils. It smelled so...

We're flying out of Vancouver International Airport today, and I am making recommendations on which one is worth trying. Before security (if you're waiting for someone or bringing someone to the airport), Japadog in the domestic terminal is my top recommendation. If you're flying internationally and want to avoid walking to the domestic terminal, the local Richmond chain, Pajo's , is an excellent choice for supporting local businesses. After security, for international flights, I highly recommend Salmon n' Bannock to get a taste of Indigenous flavours and cooking. We grabbed dinner at Salmon n' Bannock while waiting for our flight. They have a restaurant in Vancouver, so we have tried most of their dishes . Today, we focused on the sandwiches for something light. Hubby and I shared the BBQ Salmon Salad Sandwich and Lox Sandwich. The bun is the traditional soft bannocks. 🤤 They're both delicious and a bit mess...

My husband and I are flying out of Vancouver this evening to visit London, England, for the first time. It's our first time in the continent of Europe. We are excited! Before that, we are grabbing lunch at Sushivan. We both order bento boxes, and they're such a satisfying lunch. I need rice before leaving the comforts of home. Salmon Teriyaki & Sashimi Box  from Sushivan Salmon teriyaki, happy sashimi, appy tempura, salad, 4 pieces California roll, and rice Chicken Teriyaki & Sashimi Box  from Sushivan Chicken teriyaki, appy sashimi, appy tempura, salad, 4 pieces California roll, and rice The unagi, or grilled eel, offers a sweet, smoky richness beautifully complemented by crab meat's delicate sweetness. The cool, crisp cucumber and creamy avocado provide a refreshing contrast, while t...