Wagyu Bacon Cheese Japadog at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

We're home! If it's your first time at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and you're looking for a place to eat BEFORE security, I recommend Pajo's Famous for Fish & Chips. They're a local food chain based in Richmond, BC. I also highly recommend you try Japadog, which has a store in the food court area near the Domestic Terminal. Anthony Bourdain had their food in one of their trucks in Downtown Vancouver, so if you're in YVR, Japadog is worth the visit.

Japadog at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

We tried for the first time the Wagyu Bacon Cheese Japadog for early dinner before heading home. It reminds me of a bacon cheeseburger but on top of a delicious Wagyu beef hotdog and between soft buns. I love it!

Wagyu Bacon Cheese
Wagyu beef, melted cheese, bacon, and Japanese mayo.

Wagyu Terimayo from Japadog
Wagyu beef, fried onions, teriyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, seaweed

We also ordered the Wagyu Terimayo and Japanade. I love the Japadog Lemonade. The tartness of the lemon is such a good palate cleanser from the savoury oily hotdog sandwich.

Japanade
Japadog Lemonade

Below is a list of all the Japadog variants we tried so far in alphabetical order:

Avocado Ebi Tempura Goma Miso Turkey Hot Dog Karaage (Hot Dog) Kurobuta Love Meat Kurobuta Okonomi

Kurobuta Oroshi Kurobuta Terimayo Spicy Cheese Terimayo Wagyu Terimayo Yakisoba

About Japadog:

Japadog is a food stand that originated in Vancouver, Canada and is known for serving hot dogs with unique Japanese-inspired toppings.

Catch of the Day: Why Lucky Louie Fish Shack is a Must-Try at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

When I booked our flight for this vacation, I knew we would have a layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). I was searching for one-must try food stall or food item inside the airport and couldn't find anything quite useful.

If you're like me and have a layover at SEA, don't miss out on trying Lucky Louie Fish Shack. Located in the central terminal, this seafood spot serves up some of the airport's freshest and most delicious fish.

During our two hours layover, we started with Pallino pizza. Then, I was craving fries and was looking for McDonald's, but it was temporarily closed, so we ended up at Lucky Louie Fish Shack.

3 Piece Fish & Chips Pub-Style Wild Alaska Salmon served with crinkle fries and Rock the Boat Tartar from Lucky Louie Fish Shack

I was apprehensive of their fish & chips because we have a handful of great joints in Vancouver, so my expectations could be unfairly high. Plus, when we visited in 2016, all the fish & chips we tried in Seattle could be better.

This is why I am pleasantly surprised that the Salmon Fish & Chips from Lucky Louie Fish Shack inside SEA lived up to my expectations. The fish & chips offer the flavours of the Pacific Northwest. The fish is perfectly cooked, with crispy, light and tender, flaky flesh. Their Rock the Boar Tartar sauce is so delicious. It has a creamy, tangy, slightly sweet flavour that compliments fried fish and fries.

3 Piece Fish & Chips Pub-Style Wild Alaska Salmon served with crinkle fries and Rock the Boat Tartar from Lucky Louie Fish Shack

My sweet-tooth husband asked that we get the Sweet Waffle Fish (I guess that's more descriptive than calling it tiny Taiyaki). It was soft and perfect on its own.

Sweet Waffle Fish from Lucky Louie Fish Shack
Creamy cheesecake filled with salted caramel dip

Boarding for our flight is about to start. Can't wait to come home!

Pallino | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

We're almost back home! But, before that, I will give you a detailed account of how the day went before the pizza in Pallino at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

I woke up at 4:00 AM to take a quick shower and finish packing. Then, at around 5:30 AM, my Auntie (I don't put names of people in my blog) toasted pandesal and prepared hot chocolate and coffee for a quick breakfast. Then, at precisely 6:00 AM, we left their beautiful home in Murrieta, CA.

We arrived at Ontario International Airport (ONT) minutes before 7:00 AM. I was slightly worried because I didn't do a web check-in. Thankfully, the Alaska Airlines counter person was accommodating and pleasant. After checking in, we hugged Auntie and Uncle before proceeding to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and security checks.

We walked around ONT to see food options, but I was still full from breakfast. However, our flight felt delayed, so I got a Ham & Cheese Sandwich from the Hudson store and gobbled half. My husband decided to eat his half on the plane.

As soon as I fastened my seatbelt, I fell asleep. It's a skill. I slept most of the flight from ONT to SEA. However, I woke up when we took off because the turbulence was quite bad. According to the weather forecast, strong winds were expected in Southern California that day, so I did expect some shaking but not as much as we experienced.

We arrived in Seattle shortly after 12:00 NN. We exited at Gate N and had to take a minute train ride to the Central Terminal because our departing flight was at Gate C. We walked around to check the food scene. They have a good size food court in the Central Terminal. There are a lot of stores focusing on locally-produced products like coffee and chocolates.

We can't decide on what to get and go for pizza. I wanted pasta too, but it seems like a lot.

Pallino Pizza

Pallino Veggie
Eggplant, zucchini, red & yellow bell peppers, and roasted tomatoes

We ordered the namesake Pallino Veggie pizza. It's Neopolitan-style pizza, and they have an oven behind the counter. There was quite a wait. The bottom of the pizza was soft, while the crust was crispy. It's a good, relatively healthy pizza choice with all the vegetables on top.

A slice of Pallino Veggie inside Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

I also ordered Ivar's Clam Chowder. Ivar's is an institution in Seattle, so if you didn't have a chance to visit the city but want to have a taste of Ivar's, this is the best. I actually love Ivar's Clam Chowder over their fish and chips.

Ivar's Clam Chowder
Northwest-style white clam chowder with bacon, 8 oz serving

I am craving fries, so we'll walk around and see where I can get some near our gate.

What to avoid and try at Hibachi Grill Buffet in West Covina?

We had late lunch (early dinner) in Hibachi Grill Buffet at 1003 S Glendora Ave, West Covina, California.

I took photos of each plate and will tell you which one to avoid based on the pictures. Unfortunately, they don't label any food, so it's hard to know which item is what.

Plate number 1. Avoid any sushi. They could be better.
I recommend the chicken wings and cheese wonton. The spring rolls are alright.

Plate number 2. Almost everything on this plate is delicious. I'll happily come back to eat everything again except for what looks like saucy pork. It tasted unusual.

Plate number 3. I liked their fried rice so much I came back and had it again. I didn't like what looked like a clambake. It was warm but didn't have any taste to it. The salmon was delicious and a must-try. The clams and grilled chicken was alright.

Plate number 4. The fried fish was crispy, but the sauce was bland. Meanwhile, the spare ribs looked so good but had no flavour. The other pasta-looking seafood was acceptable. The best things on this plate are grilled chicken and sesame seed balls.

Plate number 5. The best thing on this plate is the fried banana and maybe the breaded shrimp. The pastries are alright. The macaroon is decent too, but a bit too sweet.

Plate number 6. You can try the soft-serve ice cream if you're still hungry.

Overall, Hibachi Grill Buffet is a decent spot for a reasonably priced buffet.

Midnight Snack from In-N-Out Burger: A Classic California Staple

After our food coma late lunch (or early dinner) at Outback Steakhouse, we rested at home. Then, we went to Pechanga Resort Casino. My aunties love to play slot machines.

After gambling, we went through the In-N-Out Burger drive-through. If you've ever visited California, chances are you've heard of In-N-Out Burger. It is a popular fast-food chain serving fresh, made-to-order burgers and has a loyal following for its simple menu, high-quality ingredients, and friendly service.

Cheeseburgers from In-N-Out Burger
Toasted buns (freshly baked using old-fashioned, slow-rising sponge dough),
Cheese (our American Cheese is the real thing),
Beef patty (100% American beef, no additives, fillers, or preservatives),
Onions (freshly sliced or grilled),
Lettuce (fresh, crispy, & hand-leafed),
Spread (our own recipe, unchanged since 1948), and
 Tomato (a slice from only the plumpest and juiciest).

It's a classic delicious burger. The patties are made with 100% pure beef cooked to order and served on a perfectly toasted bun.

In-N-Out sets itself apart by using fresh, high-quality ingredients. The produce is delivered fresh daily, and the potatoes for their hand-cut fries are peeled and sliced in-house. No wonder it got stale as quickly as it did because we drove home before enjoying it.

French Fries
Fresh, hand-cut potatoes prepared in 100% sunflower oil.

If you ever find yourself in California, find time to stop by an In-N-Out Burger location to enjoy one of their classic burgers. It is a quintessential California experience that you won't want to miss.

Celebrating Auntie's Birthday at Outback Steakhouse

Happy birthday, Auntie Di! We wanted to celebrate Auntie's birthday with a nice meal. At around 2:00 PM, Outback Steakhouse was the only steakhouse in the Temecula area that could accommodate our party of seven.

For the sake of this blog, I ordered items marked as NEW. Let's begin!

Shortly after placing our drink orders, the fantastic server brought us bread with whipped butter to snack on. The bread was soft and warm, with a slightly crispy exterior. It came with creamy whipped butter and spread easily, with a subtle hint of salt.

Aussie-tizers

While waiting for our food, my cousin ordered the Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp and Seared Peppered Ahi for the table to share.

Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp

The coconut shrimp was hand-dipped in batter, rolled in coconut, and fried golden. The accompanying Creole marmalade provided a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Unfortunately, the shrimp was overcooked, but I did like the hint of coconut. Overall, not something I'll order again.

Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp from Outback Steakhouse
Hand-dipped in batter, rolled in coconut, and fried golden. Paired with Creole marmalade.

Seared Peppered Ahi

The Seared Peppered Ahi is more my jam. I am more familiar with the flavours and seasonings, like garlic and pepper, but the real winner is the dipping sauce of creamy ginger, soy sauce, and wasabi which complemented the fish perfectly.

Seared Peppered Ahi from Outback Steakhouse
Seared rare with garlic pepper seasoning. Served with creamy ginger soy sauce and wasabi.

Steak and Combos

For our mains, hubby ordered his usual go-to mignon while I went for the new combo.

Victoria's Filet Mignon

My husband ordered the Victoria's Filet Mignon medium rare. Unfortunately, it was overcooked to medium. Unless the eye test is failing us. My cousin ordered her steak medium, but it arrived medium well. Despite being slightly overcooked for his liking, the mignon still has a deep beefy flavour.

Victoria's Filet Mignon with Homestyle Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Seasonal Veggies from Outback Steakhouse
The most tender and juicy thick cut.

For his side, hubby ordered the Homestyle Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Seasonal Veggie, which turned out to be broccoli. The mashed potatoes were creamy and buttery, but there were still chunks of potatoes which changes the texture every bite. Meanwhile, the fresh broccoli was lightly steamed and perfectly seasoned.

NEW! Sirloin & Alice Springs Chicken

I went for the new Sirloin & Alice Springs Chicken. The sirloin was cooked perfectly medium, juicy, and packed with flavour. Meanwhile, the grilled chicken breast topped with mushroom, bacon, cheese, and honey mustard was incredibly satisfying but heavy. It's the kind of meal that made me feel I gained 10 lbs.

NEW Sirloin & Alice Springs Chicken with Baked Potato and NEW Over-the-Top Brussels Sprouts from Outback Steakhouse
Our signature center-cut sirloin with 5 oz grilled chicken breast topped with sauteed mushrooms, crisp bacon, melted Monterey Jack and Cheddar and honey mustard sauce.

The Steak 'N Mate Combos are served with a choice of steakhouse potato and one side. I picked the Baked Potato with all the possible toppings of sour cream, green onion, cheese, and bacon. Despite the toppings, the potato wasn't as fluffy and soft as I had hoped, and it needed more seasoning (especially salt). For my side, I got the NEW! Over-the-top Brussels Sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were indeed over-the-top delicious, creamy, and oily. It was too much.

Tim Tam Brownie Cake

My husband loves desserts. My cousin also has a sweet tooth, and they agreed on the New Tim Tam Brownie Cake, which we shared.

The chocolate brownie, peanut butter, and chocolate mousse layers were rich and decadent. The caramel sauce and Arnott's Tim Tam cookies from Australia added a perfect touch of sweetness and crunchiness to the dessert.

Tim Tam Brownie Cake
Layers of chocolate brownie, peanut butter, and chocolate mousse topped with caramel sauce and Arnott's Tim Tam cookies from Australia.

I took a bite and couldn't stop eating. I am obsessed with chocolate and peanut butter (or just peanuts) on any dessert.

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It was a wonderful birthday celebration with the family. We're grateful for Auntie, a generous, wise, and fun person. Happy Birthday, Auntie!