Eats@Osaka

Saturday, June 15, 2013 | 7:03 PM | 0 comments

Eats@Osaka!

551 Horai is a famous Chinese restaurant in Osaka. However I only had the chance to visit their take-away stalls while we were going to take the JR. Gyoza (Pan fried chinese dumplings), Butaman (Meat bun) and their Shumai (Steam Pork Dumplings) some of their signature dishes. Both bf and I have a thing for Gyoza and Shumai, so when we saw the queue (moving quite fast) at this take away stall, he prompt me to go get some too.

Usually the bf will ask me to try first and when I took my first bites of both the Gyoza and Shumai, my eyes were beaming, showing him that I am very satisfied at the bf and he was like "Nice?" I took the whole box of Shumai from him, giving him the scheming look and said "No, not nice and you better don't eat." And he knew right away that I am in LOVE them, hehe.

The display of their food items,packaging and pricing at the takeaway stall.

The meat in the Gyoza is very tender, juicy and mouthwatering, the skin gives a little crisp from the pan-frying. Its very addictive! *I wish I can have some now*

We usually dip the Gyoza with slice ginger and vinegar but THIS GYOZA do not need any dip at all! Well you can still dip if you want to.. but if you are on take away, its kinda hard.

15 pieces of Gyoza in a box at 390 yen (About S$7)

Its super worth it! Compared to any Japanese restaurants especially in Singapore.

Its not small size kind of Siew Mai that we have for Dim Sum. This is different!

The texture and taste of the Shumai was just right, no overly meaty or oily.

It made me crave for more and I could not choose to eat between the Gyoza or the Shumai first.

12 pieces in a box at 600 Yen (About S$11).

Slightly on the pricey side but its totally worth the money!

When I researched online, many mentioned that Okonomiyaki (which means Cook what you like) is a dish that is a must try in Osaka.

I did not want to try initially because the bf does not eat cabbage/vegetables so I know I have to finish it on my own.

But when I walked past, this small outlet of Sakura Okonomiyaki, I could not resist to try after seeing the Chef cooking some up.

Okonomiyaki is a fusion of both a pancake and a pizza. It has a mixed of ingredients and its savoury and crispy at the same time. I forgot how much this meal cost us but its definitely worth a try!

This is the teppanyaki table that they cook the Okonomiyaki live in front of you.

The Chefs at work!

There is a bar counter to dine if you are alone and two to four seater seats are also available.

Most shops will actually cook it for you especially when you are a tourist and they will top the Okonomiyaki with Aonegi (seaweed flakes) and mayonnaise.

Funfact:

In Tokyo, people cut the Okonomiyaki in pizza slice form and in Osaka, they cut it into squares.

Labels: 551 Horai, guo tie, gyoza, Okonomiyaki, Osaka, pan fried dumplings, shaomai, shumai, siewmai, steam dumplings, stickypots

PanaMAX Roll-on gel

Friday, June 14, 2013 | 1:38 PM | 0 comments

I have this amazing product that my Dad bought me recently, it's called PanaMAX, it's like the yoko-yoko balm just that this is in gel form. I swear it works at least 5 times better than a salonpas.

*Please note: this is not a sponsored product*

I really like how the shape and size of this PanaMAX roll on is, it's lightweight and circular in form, easy to place in a lady's handbag/working bag/totes and all.

PanaMAX Gel used for fast relief of aches, sprains and can also been used for sports injuries.

Every 1g of the gel contains 10mg of Diclofenac Sodium and the menthol is meant for a soothing cooling relief for the user.

The packaging and the applicator.

I used about 1-1.5 turns for my knee joint area and roll over the knee area with the applicator and it feels comfy while I rub and knead on the joint.

After my first application, around my knee joint, the gel was absorbed quite quickly into the skin. The menthol effect was gone as soon as the gel was absorbed and there is no after ointment smell or sticky feeling.

I can't wait to say this but this thing really WORKS a wonder! I have been having a very bad knee these days and the tension and pain gets worst during rainy days and cold places.

It's been three days since I started using on my knee and back and I practically work and sleep in air-conditioned rooms. There is no numbing or any pain at my knee joint so far since I started applying on those areas.

You can also apply on the areas mentioned above in the picture and I will be trying to apply it on my shoulder tonight!

Note: It is also written on the box that a maximum of 16g of gel should be used a day.

The only con about this product is the bottom knob which you turn for the gel to come up. I am not sure if all the bottles are like that, but when I did not control the speed I was turning the knob, the gel comes up too much too quickly.

Otherwise, it's a really great product to relief some pain & aches.

Plus point of this product is that it is so affordable! This cost about S$7.20 for a 30g bottle bought at Thong Hing Tung medical hall.

I have not checked out the price at other retail outlets, will check it out!

Shiseido Private Sale 2013

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 | 11:02 AM | 0 comments

See you there!

Labels: cosmetics, facial products, orchard, private sales, sale, Sales, shiseido

Being FAT and facing it.

Friday, June 7, 2013 | 8:20 PM | 0 comments

Confessions.

Since the secondary school days, I have always been on the "bigger" size, though I exercise daily, and have home cooked meals every single day except for recess-es/lunch when I am in school.

As I was of a bigger size, I was always being teased of being fat, being called names such as fatty Mitch fatty bombom, giant, fishball and etc. Friends laughed at me when I was enrolled into the then "Trim & Fit" aka TAF Club, I had no one to eat with and always end up scrambling to the library and stay there till recess is over. Besides teasing me, those classmates of mine, loved playing pranks and creating troubles for me so that I will be accused, or get humiliated. Well..they know who they are, one of them even tried apologizing to me over the then popular MSN messenger when we graduated, but the emotional damage is done.

So the next few years, I spent time dealing with my weight issues beside my school work and part time job. I lost here and there but end up putting them back on, still I was a sizeUK 10-12 then. It was a torturing cycle. For the entire 3 years in Poly, I did a very low carbs intake diet ( it maintained my weight through those years +/- 2 kgs), tried a few lost weight loss treatments/programs but never succeed in losing those fatty weight.

Others might just think that I gave up on my weight programs because she is lazy and all she have are excuses. I don't deny the fact that I will feel a little lazy when I am to do my exercise routines, but I did them still, I will also not deny the fact that I have not much of a determination as I was in my so called "serious" relationship to me, which I end up finding out that I got cheated by that man for the 3 .5 years we were together, who has been using me and also went around telling tales after we have broken up.

After the broke up in Sept 2009, I actually lost 8kg within the next 2 months and went down to a size 8 for 3 months (This was the period I first hit the clubs.. at age 20.. and went diligently every wed/fri/sat with my gfs and I never ever had more than a sip of alochol because I am allergic to alcohol)

This is year 2009 Xmas Night

The only full body shot of mine in year 2009

End of year 2009

Then the weight suddenly came flying back to me by March 2010 which I put on unconsciously around 15kg.. which was a very bad thing because I am putting on weight too fast. I also met my current boyfriend (who also put on weight ever since we got together,sigh!) around then, and over the years put on even more weight..probably because of the increased food intake.

This was us when we first got together in 2010.

Sept 2012

March 2013

Now in 2013, I am a size UK 14-16, sometimes 18 for smaller cuts and can you please imagine my pain in buying clothes and dressing up? My gfs complained that I am always in black dresses, black tops, black skirts, black pants and ALWAYS IN BLACK, well truth being I am really very uncomfortable in colourful clothes. My family especially my parents have been nagging over the years that I am growing bigger, and I should cut down on food intake or do more exercises.. I swear I tried and failed, very disappointing I know, because no one is being more disappointed than me.

The truth is I did not have much of a motivation and determination and I LOVE FOOD VERY VERY MUCH. I had to work to earn my own money and attend school and projects, and also I was running very low on $$ to purchase any more programs or products that at times I wish I can just write in and beg someone to sponsor me the products or programs and I will give them the rights to publish/write about my progress for their advertising or marketing needs for FREE if it truly works and shown. But no I did not manage to find the courage to do so except for today now after so many years of procrastinating, I want to be a better me, I got enough of it! If there is anyone out there who is willing to take a chance on me, I am willing to listen, to do and work my best because I really need help!

Losing weight to be seemed so impossible and no matter what I do, I just only gain and gain and GAIN weight! I will also let on to another health issue that weigh gain has caused me.. which is irregular menstrual that I went to see a private gynae who gave me some advices to lose weight and to be on a pill which I lost 4 kgs and had a monthly abnormal period which only last a day or two. After 1 year of being on the pill, I decided to stop the pill because I read that some girls actually died because of this pill and it was banned in some countries since 2013. I am glad that I managed to have my very first normal 5-6 days period the month after I stopped the pill since March 2013 and during this 1 year I have maintained the lost of 4kgs.

Many have given up hope on me, many told me just be me and stop worrying.
But for my sake, for myself, I would like to make a change.

If you know any diets or exercise regime you can advise me on without heading to the gym if possible* as I am too embarrassed still (sorry I have very low self- esteem at the moment).. email me at miixue@gmail.com <3

Labels: fat, losing weight, tcm, weight gain, weight programs, weight treatments

Irodori Japanese Restaurant: A-la Carte Buffet

Monday, June 3, 2013 | 2:05 PM | 0 comments

Our dinner last weekend was at Irodori Japanese Restaurant, as Mom had some vouchers for us to dine at 3 for the price of 2. It's ala-carte japanese buffet and it's very reasonably priced (looking at the free flow of shashimi and others to order) and located at the third level of Riverview Hotel.

Do make a reservation before coming down, as it is usually fully booked during the weekends and festive period including CNY, Mother's day and Father's day.

When we were seated, the waitress came by with the cold tofu appetizer, Green Tea flavoured. It is so yummy that I had to have the boy's share as well, because he does not really like green tea flavoured food. This is a silken tofu dish topped with generous serving of fish roe and tempura crumbs.

There were also free flow of fresh sashimi including salmon, swordfish, tuna, yellow tail and squid. However, we usually order only the Salmon Sashimi and every slice was really fresh.

There are a few photos of my favourites that was not taken because they were too yummy and I totally forgot to take a picture of them. These include the Ebi Mentai Mayo (which can only be ordered once) and also the 4 plates of Shishamo aka Pregnant Fish (4 plates and yet I did not even took a photo). They were so delicious.

Fried Ebi Tempura

Mini Katsu Don

Sliced grilled Salmon with lemon

Soft Shell Crab Handroll

Sushi *yummy*

Grilled Beef Enoki

There are many other dishes to be ordered on their menu, I did not want to keep taking photos and irritate my mom and the boy, so the main dishes are up here. Do come and give it a try, it's worth it :)

Lunch: 11:30am to 2:30pm

Dinner: 6:00pm to 10:30pm

Reservation is preferred: 6737 2002

ADULT: S$35++

CHILD (below 10 years old): S$22++

Food : 4/5

Value : 4/5

Ambience: 7/10

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 | 1:37 PM | 0 comments

My favourite dishes cooked by grandma <3

Simple home cooked fare.

Steamed white promfet (Teochew Style)

Its not spicy at all despite the sliced chilli.

Favourite ngoh hiang, that Ah Ma only make during the CNY period.

Super love all the ingredients she put in these handmade ngoh hiang.

You can steam them or fry them, both ways tastes really good!

As usual, the very expensive $180 can of abalone only opened during festive period.

Just dip a slice with any hot soup / water for a few seconds and eat it, to have the "Q" taste

Braised sea cucumber with mushrooms and scallops.

Another favourite dish of mine *stomach growling*

I love how Ah Ma actually made the sea cucumber so soft and yummy.

Labels: Childhood, Chinese New Year, Teochew

High Tea at Equinox, Swissotel the Stamford

Monday, May 27, 2013 | 10:43 AM | 0 comments

Went on a high tea date at Equinox with my girlfriend recently, and the moment we sat down to enjoy the full view of the Marina Bay, a heavy downpour came and the skies cleared up within 2 hours.

The supposedly magnificent view of the Singapore flyer, Marina Bay Sands and the Esplanade from the popular level 70's view.

Yummy Sandwiches!

I totally dig this appetizer, super yums!

Cakes and tarts available for the day

Pastries and Scones

Egg tarts and kuehs

We used the FAR card to actually a 1-for-1 offer for the high tea buffet, which made the price for the high tea wallet friendly. In my opinion, the price for $43++ per pax without any promotion will not be worth it.

We also feel that the duration for the high tea of 2 hours is a little short for us to enjoy the food.

There is also a free-flow of TWG tea available in the menu for you to choose the different flavours. Flavours such as Bain de Rose and Bourbon Vanilla is also available.

Cooked food such as the vegetarian lasagne, kueh pie ti and laksa are yummy too!

Equinox

Level 70, Swissotel The Stamford

Contact: 6837 3322 ( reservations are required)

High Tea: 3.30pm to 5.30pm

As it is usually fully booked, please remember to make a reservation before heading down!

Do make a request for a window seat, if you would like to enjoy the view outside.

Food: 6.5/10

Ambience: 8/10

Value with the FAR card: 7/10

Labels: Equinox, High Tea Buffet

Merchant Court Hotel: Ellenborough Market Café