My Gutsy Birthday Get-AWAY (Part 1)

Last June, I celebrated my milestone birthday with a special gift for myself: a two week Southeast Asian solo backpacking trip.  It’s just actually two countries – Thailand and Cambodia, but that’s already a major feat for me since I haven’t for the life of me done anything as radical as this – ever.

It took a lot of guts, and I admit I did feel anxious and scared since I was going to be traveling alone most of the time.  But thanks to two of my most FFFs (favorite female friends) on the planet – their advice, kindness, concern, and generosity allayed my fears of venturing into the ‘unknown.’

I Can Do This!: My route (which took years in the making – at least inside my head) started from Bangkok to South Thailand, back to Bangkok, then to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to Phnom Pehn then back to Bangkok (shown as the red trail on the map above)– which is a rough estimate of 600 miles worth of traveling, or more than 36 hours of total travel time on the road. (Map courtesy of geology.com)

June 6 to 10, 2010: I met up with my awesome FFF#1, CP after touching down on Bangkok.  At dawn of Saturday, we took a 9 hour bus-ride (via Lomprayah Bus Tours) to the south.  We were headed for a small island off the coast of Thailand where CP currently lives (with due respect to her and the other expats’ privacy – I won’t mention the name of the island but a hint is in the map above.) We reached the port by noon and finally arrived on the island via a catamaran. I was to spend 5 wonderful days here…

The view I get to see each day from CP’s cottage on top of a cliff on the southern part of the island.  The only way you can get up here is to hike or ride a motorbike.

One of the houses built by an expat, located also on top of the cliff overlooking the bay below.  Most cottages on higher ground are usually occupied by expats (for better viewing points and tranquil environment) while locals prefer to live near the shore.

CP took me around the island (stores, restos, cafes) on her trusty old motorbike. A lot of the expats have businesses here, mostly catering to tourists.  CP who is also an expat and a yoga practitioner had set up a natural and organic products store (above) which was at that time getting fixed up.

What better way to sample Thai food than an authentic home-cooked meal? CP introduced me to her friend – a cool, tattooed Thai lady – who happened to be a great cook. She invited us over for a fantastic lunch at her house. Above is her delicious spicy amok or mok (steamed curry).

She also served us a splendid salad concoction of greens, coconut milk, chilies and shrimps…

… and her Tom Yum Soup (all natural ingredients and no flavor enhancements) was absolutely divine!  It was my first Tom Yum and will surely be hard to live down. Kob kun kaa, Kanokarn!

Spent one morning kayaking around the south bay. The waters were choppy a bit but it was a good work-out.  Off to the distance is what the locals call ‘Shark Island.’  We didn’t get to see sharks – the supposedly harmless, shy black-tipped ones- that used to frequent these parts.

Taking a respite from kayaking, CP went off for some deep sea snorkeling while I, just to be safe (and in case those sharks came back – harmless or not), was content in snorkeling in shallower waters.

On the balcony or the ‘yoga deck’ of a cottage owned by CP’s good friend BLB… offering a breath-taking view of the South Bay where we spent the day snorkeling and kayaking.  So wonderful to practice yoga here and to meditate. Really idyllic….

To be Continued: Part 2 – South Thailand

 

FDC#13: A Special on Comfort Food

The FooDorama Challenge: I Watch It, I Try It!

(=^･ｪ･^=))ﾉ彡。･∵゜:;，･゜∵: ○ ;，･。∵゜:;，。･゜

Jdorama Inspiration: Shinya Shokudo

Shinya Shokudo (深夜食堂 or The Late Night Diner) is a 10-episode drama that was shown past midnight on TBS and MBS for the Fall Season of 2009. As its title suggests, the drama takes place in a unique, night-shift diner in one of the alley-ways of Tokyo’s busiest municipality, Shinjuku.  The dimly-lit diner is run by its cook who goes only by the name of  ‘Master’ (played by Kobayashi Kaoru). He opens the diner from 12 midnight up to 7 am with a menu that offers goodwill and just one dish – tonjiru (pork and vegetable soup).  If a customer wishes to order something else, the Master will whip it up only if he has the ingredients available.  The stories told in this drama are those of the customers that patronize this humble eatery.

‘Master’ Class: Kobayashi (left) plays the enigmatic, unnamed cook in this drama based on a manga by Abe Yaro

I was very well-impressed by this drama’s low-keyed simplicity and quiet charm.  Since the diner opens only during the wee hours, it would naturally attract a few but interesting characters as its customers – mostly the city’s nocturnal creatures who work the graveyard shift (a yakuza boss, a stripper, a newspaper delivery boy, a male porn star, etc.).  The warmth and calming atmosphere of the diner is set against the contrasting backdrop of night-time Shinjuku’s cold, lonely and impersonal concrete milieu, so it was natural that these customers would find refuge in it.  And what gives this drama its stroke of genius is the menu – or rather the lack of it. Since a patron can ask for a simple dish (if the Master has the means to make it), he or she orders a favorite comfort food which in turn conjures up repressed or forgotten memories of family, lost friends or past loves that basically inspires the character to remember what was once lost or left behind, deal with regrets or seek a sense of personal closure as well as fulfillment.

With scenes accompanied by Suzuki Tsuneyoshi’s haunting song “Omoi-de,” Shinya Shokudo is an introspective drama that despite the differences in language and culture, it proves that there is something universal about the topic of food that we could all connect with.

Just like the food it features, the drama stimulates feelings of comfort and good vibes.  It is one of the best yet seemingly underrated jdoramas I’ve seen so far (and rightfully deserves a second season, too).

Jdorama Food: Japanese Comfort Food

Comfort food pertains to “foods consumed to achieve some level of improved emotional status, whether to relieve negative psychological affect or to increase positive.”  They can be simple dishes that could be home-cooked (sandwiches or soup) or bought from a store (ice cream). For me, the idea of comfort food is something that can be easily prepared anytime, usually made up of left-overs and satiates those annoying hunger pangs that creep during ungodly hours of the night, a rainy day or during dvd weekend marathons.

The comfort dishes shown every episode are the real ‘stars’ of Shinya Shokudo (the drama even offers cooking tips at the end of each episode).  They include traditional Japanese comfort food like tarako (cod roe – above left) and ochazuke (rice with green tea – above right); and Western dishes like potato salad and egg sandwich.

The FooDorama Special Challenge: Remembering my own Comfort Foods

This is a special on comfort food – meaning, I will refrain from reprising the dishes featured in the drama since they are just too easy to prepare, does not pose much of a challenge and hence, no need to share recipes.  So instead, for this post, I would like to share my very own simple and personal comfort food experiences…

The FooDorama Connection #1: Nekomanma

In episode 2, an aspiring singer comes to the diner and orders nekomanma (literally means ‘cat food’) which is rice with dried bonito shavings and a dash of soy sauce.  It is a super easy to prepare and makes use of leftovers – particularly rice and fish.

My Counterpart: Rice with leftover Maling bits

LOL… I’m guessing a lot of my fellow Pinoys can relate to this. Maling is a brand name of a Chinese canned luncheon meat widely available locally. It is the poor man’s Spam… well, even middle class folks like it, too.  We did have the occasional Spam but Maling was the canned meat we consumed most often while growing up. Yes, I’ve heard of horrible rumors about this product but it’s cheap anyway, readily available and saves you time.  As long as this unsophisticated, much-maligned fare can help ease hunger pangs and gets you through the day (or night)… Lunok na lang, at wag nang mag-isip ng kung anu-ano…

FooDorama Connection #2: Tamago (or Egg) Sandwich

In episode 7, a young newspaper delivery man would order egg salad sandwich at the midnight diner during his breaks.  The Master would prepare it for him along with extra ham sandwiches.  I had to pause from watching this episode in order to make an egg sandwich for myself. There’s nothing like watching a good drama while having the same food that the characters were enjoying.

My Counterpart: The Tasty Adobo Pandesal

Chances are, every Filipino family may have some leftover adobo inside their refrigerator.  This quintessential Pinoy dish is practical, have a long shelf-life (because of its main ingredient – vinegar) and simply delicious.  I remember living on these when I was on my own in Cebu. Usually accompanied with rice, this dish could be made into a sandwich, using adobo pork or chicken from the fridge, nuke it up, shred it into thin flakes and spread it along with mayo on hot pandesal (Philippine round bread).

The FooDorama Connection #3: Butter Rice

In episode 5 (which is probably my favorite), a renowned food critic who is used to eating expensive gourmet food, drops in and orders a simple dish that reminds him of his happy, worry-free life as a young man spent with a senpai he had admired. The dish is that of butter rice – steamed rice mixed with a dab of butter and a drop of soy sauce.

My Counterpart: Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice)

If I could order something from the Master, it would be this: the simple sinangag or left-over rice stir-fried in oil and chopped garlic, with a dash of salt and pepper.  One of my early childhood memories is watching TV alone and eating fried rice, cooked and lovingly served by my mother. I remember the rice was so good I ate 2 to 3 plates of it without eating anything else – just the fried rice. I also recall feeling contented and happy as any care-free preschooler at that time. That is why after watching Shinya Shokudo, it made me contemplate on how I long for those times, and how I miss my mother, and so, well… I ended up crying like a baby… *sighs*

The feelings attached to one’s own personal comfort food may differ from one individual to another.  Whether to make us remember our moms, or wax nostalgic for those happy youthful times, or simply unearthing lost emotions forced to be buried in exchange for steeling ourselves up as a way of self-protection against life’s harsh realities, enjoying simple comfort food more or less, is a humbling experience that helps reconnect with the child within us.  It’s this simple food that reminds us of things that may mean little to others and yet this is what we treasure for it fills us up (physically and emotionally) even for just a fleeting moment.

How about you… What’s your comfort food?

P.S. This post is dedicated to my beautiful and kind MOM. I miss you so much – and not just because of your fried rice (^^)… Love you always and happy birthday!

~(=^‥^)ノ☆ おやすみニャ。｡o.ﾟ｡*･★

————————–fodocha

My FooDorama Challenge Links

Coming Soon – FDC#14: Taiyaki (Jdorama Inspiration: Shinzanmono)

FDC#12: Omuraisu (Jdorama Inspiration: Tumbling)

FDC#11: Bibimbap (Kdrama Inspiration: Full House)

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Info Sources: Comfort food (wikipedia); Jdorama (dramawiki)

Jdorama Photo Credits: (MBS, meshiya.tv)

 

Omuraisu: Worth Tumbling For! (FDC#12)

The FooDorama Challenge: I Watch It, I Try It!

ﾎｯﾌﾟ!ｽﾃｯﾌﾟ!ｼﾞｬﾝﾌﾟ!⌒v⌒v⌒v⌒ミ(ﾉ￣⊿)ﾉ

Jdorama Inspiration: Tumbling

Tumbling is one of the new dramas currently being aired on TBS.  It is about a struggling high school club that does men’s rhythmic gymnastics (yes, there is such a thing).  The club starts out as a four-man group until the school’s rough bad boy delinquents headed by Azuma Wataru (Yamamato Yusuke) join in.  The guys face obstacles and ridicule as they try to prove their worth and dedication to the sport while resolving differences within the group and  strengthening bonds with each other as well.

I’ll Tumble for Ya!: OMG… men in tights! And with a pose like this… who can possibly resist Tumbling? lol

In the tradition of Japan’s sports manga, Tumbling looks like the usual I-don’t-care-what-you-say,-I’m-gonna-practice-hard-til-I-succeed kind of story.  However, it is unusual with its choice of sports – rhythmic gymnastics for men (which I learned is quite popular in Japan) since RG is more known to be largely performed by women.  So basically, Tumbling is more like the movie Waterboys (a group of HS guys doing another sport dominated by women – synchronized swimming) of which I am a loyal fan.  Anyway, the drama is still ongoing so I can’t give a full review on it yet.  In the meantime, it is great to see Yusuke and the other actors do their own tumbling, handstands and other routines which are obviously not easy to do. Good job, mina-san!

Jdorama Food: Omuraisu

Omuraisu (also known as omurice) is short for “omelette rice” which is exactly that – omelette and rice. It is one of the Japan’s well-loved western-styled dishes.  It is made of fried rice (usually consisting of chicken and tomato sauce) with omelette that is either placed on top of the rice or wrapped around it.

The FooDorama Connection: Omuraisu is shown so far in almost every episode since Wataru’s mom (Otsuka Nene) owns a diner that seems to specialize on this dish (because it’s the only food i’ve seen her served so far!)

Wataru and his friends would usually hang out at his mom’s diner and bond over a meal of omuraisu after grueling hours of stretching and tumbling (either that or fighting with other gangs).

The omuraisu served in Tumbling with ketchup on top.

Another favorite jdorama of mine that showed omuraisu was…

Tiger and Dragon (TBS, 2005): Meeting at a western -styled diner, Yakuza henchman, Tora (Nagase Tomoya) and rakuga master, Don-chan (Nishida Toshiyuki – above left) would often end every episode with their funny running gag – the ‘exchange of debt payments’ (hard to explain – basta, watch it na lang!) while having their usual orders of omuraisu.

The FooDorama Challenge: Trying out Omuraisu!

I find this dish not really strange and new since I have been having fried rice and omelette throughout my whole life.  But I guess presenting it in a novel kind of way made me feel excited about it – plus the fact that I do love fried rice along with fluffy scrambled eggs! Yummm…

How to make the raisu in omuraisu: Saute chopped garlic and onions in a pan.  Add meat, preferably chicken (but I used ham instead).

Then, mix in the other ingredients: sliced mushrooms, green peas, chopped bell peppers, tomato sauce, and some ketchup.  When ready, add in cooked white rice and stir.  Season with salt and pepper. To enhance flavor, one can mix in chicken bouillon (finely chopped into powder), a bay leaf, and/or Worcestershire sauce. For me, I used a lil thing we call magik sarap.  Adjust the amounts to your liking. Then, set aside on a plate when done.

To make the omelette: beat 2 eggs in a bowl and season it with salt and pepper. Pour it on the same heated pan you used for the rice, making sure to spread it evenly throughout the surface.  As it cooks, place a cup of the fried rice in the center. Bring the top and bottom edges of the omelette over the rice.  The tricky part comes when placing it on your plate: place an upside down plate on the pan, turn the whole thing over so the plate catches the omuraisu.

Actually… This is what it looks like after transferring it on a plate.  My omelette was almost turning brown since it had sat on the hot pan for too long (because I was busy taking pix! Hee-hee…).  Anyhoo, I adjusted it using my hands – tucking the edges and shaping it for a better, neater look.

Whew! My first attempt at Omuraisu for FDC#12 – done!: It turned out pretty ok for a first try, I guess.  Garnished with parsley and drizzled with ketchup.  The presentation looked really inviting.  As a breakfast meal (for us Pinoys, this is preferably served as a good hearty breakfast with hot coffee), it would really start your day right just by looking at it. You can write/design ketchup symbols and messages on it like hearts and smileys.  Your kids and spouse would love it!

Open up and say…Mmm!: My first omuraisu was fantastic! They all went so well in your mouth – the rice, the omelette, and even the ketchup!  You got to eat it fast though because it does taste better if it’s warm.

Yup! Omuraisu is definitely worth tumbling for!

HereGoes~。°｡ヾ( ･_･)ﾂ⌒Y⌒Y⌒ ミ(｡Ａ｡)⌒v⌒v⌒ミ(ﾉ￣v￣)ﾉ゜°YATTA!!!

My FooDorama Challenge Links

Coming Soon – FDC#13: An FDC Special on Japanese Comfort Food (Jdorama Inspiration: Shinya Shokodo)

FDC#11: Bibimbap (Kdrama Inspiration: Full House)

FDC#10: Agedashi Tofu (Jdorama Inspiration: JIN)

———————————– fodocha

Dish info source: wikipedia

Recipe source:  CookingWithDog

Jdorama info: dramawiki

Jdorama photo credits: TBS (Tumbling); TBS (Tiger and Dragon)

 

Aja… Aja… Bibimbap! (FDC#11)

The FooDorama Challenge: I Watch it, I Try it!

AjaAja~Fighting!! \(ｏ^-^)尸~”☆ミ☆ミ

Kdrama Inspiration: Full House

Based on a Korean comic novel (or manhwa), Full House is a very popular drama first aired from July to Sept. of 2004 on KBS2.  The 16 episode romance/drama starred Rain as Lee Young Jae and Song Hye Kyo as Han Ji Eun.  Both characters coming from different worlds somehow met, clash, and eventually agreed on a one-year contract marriage with terms and conditions that may benefit both.  The deal was that she (a down-on-her-luck aspiring writer) will get her house back while he (a famous actor) uses this marriage to spite the woman who had continued to ignore his affections. The story then unfolds as the two struggle to keep their deal (as well as their growing feelings for each other) a secret.

Full House is so far my most favorite Korean drama, though I don’t get to watch a lot of kdramas since I prefer jdoramas for their fast-paced, and shorter story lines.  There is something about Full House that gets to me – cheesy yet adorable; funny yet painful to watch especially those heart-tugging crying scenes of both Rain and Hye Kyo; and that rare unique chemistry and perfect casting of the two lead actors.  The beautiful beach house (where most of the story was shot) is said to be the third most important lead ‘character’ in the story and I agree.

The house (at left) was the “MacGuffin” (the defining aspect) in the story and that in itself made it come alive – quietly watching over the two characters – maybe even chuckling at their petty squabbles like a wizened grand patriarch.

There was a Pinoy version of Full House (it was terrible!) shown on GMA network last year.  One of its faults (among many) was that it failed to recognize the significance of the house (as a ‘character’) completely ignoring it, thereby our local version lacked charm and depth… it was – to be put it bluntly – ‘dumb-sized’ to fit the masses… hay naku. Don’t bother if you can’t deliver, will ya? Grr! .\/.

Kdrama Food: Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a well-known Korean dish that simply means “mixed rice.”  It is made with various sauteed and seasoned vegetables and chili pepper paste (gochujang) mixed together with warm white rice.  One can add an egg and meat if desired.  If curry rice is the dish frequently served in jdoramas, I think bibimbap (along with kimchi) is the most common dish being eaten (and with so much spicy gusto!) by characters in kdramas.

The FooD0rama Connection: In episode 7, Ji Eun (Hye Kyo) makes and eats bibimbap as Young Jae (Rain) looks at it with half- scorn and half-playfulness, calling it ‘dog food.’

But eventually… When his ‘cook’ (Ji Eun) wasn’t around, Young Jae mixes up left-overs from the fridge and makes himself some bibimbap, too. But Ji Eun arrives and catches him eating what he just derisively called dog food.

“Aigoo! Why are your arms so long?” 🙂 This cute scene is one of my faves: In his surprise and embarrassment at being caught by Ji Eun, he choked on his food, numbing his right side and so gets an arm massage from his young ‘wife.’

Ji Eun’s big bowl of Bibimbap: rice mixed with pickles, kimchi, beef, gochujang, etc. in a metal bowl.

The FooDorama Challenge: Finally my own Bibimbap!

I think I ordered bibimbap in a Korean resto before but I hardly remember how it tasted like.  I’ve seen it being served in other kdramas (the bibimbap scene in My Lovely Kim Sam-Soon was absolutely mouth-watering) many times so I promised myself that I will get to have something like that at home someday.

There are 2 ways to make bibimbap – the formal way when serving guests (sauteeing and presenting each ingredient before mixing) and the simple way (just throw in a bowl whatever’s in the fridge and mix them all up).  I decided to try out the formal way first.

One can choose any ingredient. I chopped up vegetables into strips or julienne style.

You also need chili pepper paste or gochujang which is available in SM supermarkets.

The ingredients were seasoned with salt, and separately sauteed in sesame oil.  Afterwards, I placed them on a tray so my lunch companions can get the ones they like for their bibimbap: shiitake mushrooms, carrots, cukes, and bean sprouts (not in picture: spinach and ground beef).

Bibimbap for FDC#11 is done!: You can present it like this for your guests (and for yourself).  In the center, I put a fried egg (sunny side-up) on top of white rice. The ingredients are placed around it so the colors are presented in a visually appealing manner. Garnished with sesame seeds and served with gochujang paste and sesame oil.

My bibimbap all mixed up: Dog food? Of course not! 🙂  But with all those carbs, I’m just wondering why they say this was the diet food of Gwyneth Paltrow. I placed a few amount of gochujang since I do not want it to be too spicy. Still, the smell of sesame oil and chili paste lingered in my breath hours after I ate. Nevertheless, it was good! I just wish I had a stone bowl so it can keep on warming the rice while I eat… Or a metallic bowl so I could make-believe I’m in a korean drama scene – lol!

Aja! Aja!… In the following days, I still made bibimbap but in the informal way – using leftover food.  The spiciness can really make you want to eat more though so I was careful not to over-eat.  It was still fun and delicious!!!

…Fighting!: How about you? What drama do you think has the best bibimbap scene? Click on this poll and vote!

P.S… Special thanks to my guest ‘chef’ for this FDC post – PawPaw! xoxo

~letssing! ♩♫♬（●￣(ェ）￣●）PapaBear ♡ (￣(エ)￣) MamaBear ♡ (ó㉨ò) BabyBear♩♫♬

My FooDorama Challenge Links:

Next: FDC#12 – Omuraisu (Jdorama Inspiration: Tumbling)

FDC#10: Agedashi Tofu (Jdorama Inspiration: JIN)

FDC#9: Sekihan (Jdorama Inspiration: Hotaru no Haka)

 

 

 

 

 

———————————- fodocha

Dish info source: wikipedia

Recipe source: foodnetwork

Kdrama info source: wikipedia

Full House photo credits: KBS2

Shooting location photo credit: visitkorea