Esthee H.

Address:

삼겹살 literally means 3 layers of meat (usually thick and fatty), so it usually is pork belly. However, sometimes pork ribs or beef are served as part of the menu too.

The meat is usually neither marinated nor seasoned, and cooked on a grill right in front of you.

The most common accompaniments for 삼겹살 are lettuce and sliced raw garlic, sliced green chili peppers, shredded green onions, sliced raw onions, and Kimchi, of course. Most people will grill the garlic, onions and Kimchi together with the meat. When the meat is done, dip the cooked meat in Korean chili paste, and wrap it with the accompaniments in lettuce and put the entire thing in your mouth. That's how the locals do it, and definitely the best way to enjoy 삼겹살 too!


Here's what regular 삼겹살 looks like.




팔색삼겹살 which literally means 8 different flavors of marinated meat, is however, the real deal when it comes to grilled meat!

Check out their menu here.




From left to right, starting from the top row:

1). Ginseng Sauce
2). Wine Sauce
3). Pine needles Sauce
4). Garlic Sauce
5). Herb Sauce
6). Curry Sauce
7). Soy Bean Paste Sauce
8). Hot Pepper Sauce
9). Regular Pork Belly

A single portion of the meat is priced at 10, 000 KRW (~10 USD).

That works well if you're in a small group and can't eat too much but I'd really suggest you get the set meal at 30, 000 KRW which has all 8 types of meat in it.



Or you can go for the more expensive set at 43, 000 KRW which includes seafood/chili pepper paste soup.

This was served before the meat so I guess it's like an appetizer sort of dish. We finished it all, though we're both not huge fans of spicy soup.



Here's the highlight!

Dug into the food even before I managed to snap a picture of it. Who could resist fatty meat sizzling hot on the pan?

While everyone is clubbing outside, we searched so hard for this place. #삼겹살 #koreanfood #korea #seoul #hongdae

A video posted by Esthee (@estheehan) on Oct 3, 2014 at 8:37am PDT

Oh yeah, 팔색삼겹살 is located in the Hongdae district which is famous for it's nightlife, so it's a perfect place for supper after hitting the club!

We didn't though. Went straight for the food.
#gettingold #boringmuch

Today's a chilly day, feels like it's about to rain through the night. It's just the sort of weather that makes me crave for a bowl of soup with noodles. On days like this, it's got to be oriental style soup with flour noodles to do the trick.

My earlier post on Monster Cupcakes in Seoul has sorta got me into a my post-Korea trip mood so I guess I'll be sharing more about what's worthy of checking out in Seoul. :)

So how does a bowl of hot, soupy wheat-flour noodles sound to you right now?

Picture taken from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Presenting to you, 명동교자 (MyeongDong Gyoja)!

What is 칼국수 (Kalguksu)?

Kalguksu (literally "knife noodles") is a Korean noodle dish consisting of handmade, knife-cut wheat flour noodles served in a large bowl with broth and other ingredients.

It is traditionally considered a seasonal food, consumed most often in summer. Its name comes from the fact that the noodles are not extruded or spun, but cut.



Side note: I've never truly understood the logic behind having hot soupy dishes in summer and ice-cream in winter. Can someone enlighten me?

Where to find the best 칼국수 (Kalguksu) in Seoul?

You don't have to go to great lengths for this legendary restaurant. It's located in the heart of Seoul, in the midst of the popular shopping district, Myeongdong!

Address:

29, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Myeong-dong 2-ga)

서울특별시 중구 명동10길 29 (명동2가)

Directions:

Main Branch

Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 8.
Upon exiting the station, turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil Road.
Go straight about 150m to arrive at Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자) on the right.

Myeongdong Kyoja Branch No. 1
From Myeongdong Station (Exit 8), turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil Road.
Go straight about 280m to arrive at the restaurant on the left.



The signboard is in Korean so if you can't read Korean, this is how it looks like.

Picture taken from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Since you'd most probably be visiting Myeongdong if you're in Seoul, I'd say give Myeongdong Gyoja a try. It's worth a shot. Extremely filling and will definitely energize you after a long day of shopping. In fact, the portion is so huge that despite sharing a bowl between two people, we were still quite stuffed!


Only for 8,000 KRW! Isn't that such a steal?

And noodles can be refilled though I really didn't see anyone asking for more.


Other things on the menu include:

Bibim Guksu (noodles with red hot pepper paste)
Mandu (steamed pork dumplings)
Kong Guksu (noodles in cold soy milk broth)


Didn't try the other things on the menu because I was so full from the Kalguksu!

Myeongdong Gyoja, highly recommended!

Oh yeah, you WILL BE SATISFIED.

Definitely did for me.

The first time I visited Totto Ramen, my friend was raving about how famous they were and I was like, "Whattttt... ramen when you're all the way in the States?"

I gotta admit I'm pretty ignorant about what's famous in various countries. (Imma be honest, I've never even heard of IHOP or Applebee's until I set my eyes on them but hey you can't blame me. Did you know that Katong Laksa is a local cuisine in Singapore?)

I've been incredibly lucky to be given the chance to travel around the world and discover many things.

Things like what's yummy for my mouth. Wahaha.

Okay, so I was saying that the first time I had Totto Ramen, I really didn't have much expectations since I've never heard of them. Come on, what's ramen in NYC for an Asian who obviously has easy access to authentic ramen?

But it proved to be the best meal I had throughout my 2 days stay in NYC this March 2014.

Now do note that I mentioned it was March 2014 and we all know how bitterly cold NYC's winter could be, so a bowl of decent ramen could definitely perform miracles for the soul. It would for sure revive a frozen body.

I forgot to take a picture inside the restaurant because we were starving after shopping. Also, my photography instincts tend to be displaced when I'm all wrapped up in my winter clothes. (Firstly, I feel so bulky and weighed down by those heavy clothes that it sorta wears me out. Secondly, winter clothes make me look fat so I feel less photogenic.)

Random but hey, here are pictures I took during the same March 2014 trip after having Totto Ramen! Look how happy I was.




I'm sure my taste buds might have been a tad fooled or biased considering the weather, but it sure left me satisfied. Oh, very satisfied indeed. We all were. How can a bowl of hot noodle soup with thick broth and chewy noodles not satisfy you on a cold winter day?

Not the best bowl of ramen I've ever had but definitely good enough, considering it's asian food in America. (Best I've had is Ichiran from Japan and that has remain uncontested as of today.)



And so this time, I've decided to see if Totto Ramen remains as good as my memory served me, on a scorching hot day in June. This time round, I was the one introducing my friends to Totto Ramen and it appears that I wasn't the only ignorant one. But come on, who'd expect to find ramen in NYC so good that people would rave about it so much?

Check out Totto Ramen's popularity here.
https://foursquare.com/v/totto-ramen-51/5284080311d238e02e26711b
http://www.yelp.com.sg/biz/totto-ramen-new-york


Here's information on the both their restaurants just in case you're on the road looking for Totto Ramen and somehow stumble upon my blog.

Address:
52nd Street 366 W 52nd Street (Bet. 8th & 9th Ave) New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-0052
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: (Lunch) 12-4:30pm, (Dinner) 5:30-12am
Sun: (Dinner) 4-11pm

Address:
On 51st Street 464 West 51st Street (Off 10th Ave) New York, NY 10019
(646) 596-9056
Opening Hours:
Mon: 5pm – 11pm
Tue – Sat: (Lunch) 12-4pm, (Dinner) 5-11pm
Sun: 12-9pm




Visited the one on 52nd Street, between 8th&9th Ave this time. Went as early as we could knowing how fast the line can form even before their opening hours. We were there almost 45 mins before opening hours and there were already 3 groups of people before us.

If it's your first time to Totto Ramen, do note that 52nd street looks rather unpromising and quiet for a famous restaurant but it's there. You might have to search a little harder as it's a level below ground level. Here I am taking a picture from ground level of my friends chatting with the customers in the line before us. (The girl so coincidentally lives in Singapore and is back in NYC visiting her grandpa and both Grandpa and her loves Totto Ramen so here they are!)



When you arrive, do put your name on the Waiting List board instead of simply joining the line because that's how the restaurant runs. You won't get a table unless your name is on that board so don't waste unnecessary time queuing up for nothing!

There probably won't be a staff out there to remind you to put your name there but he/she would be calling out names from the board. Here's my friend, August, who was so kind telling everyone who just arrived that they had to write their names on the board.



Eunice and I sitting outside, modelling for Totto Ramen while waiting for the restaurant to open. Waited 45 mins WTF.




Watch the line forming quickly over the 45 mins that we were there! This was BEFORE the restaurant even opened on a weekday afternoon at 12 pm. Told ya they were popular. But as you can see, mostly Asians in the line. Haha. Maybe it's an Asian thing you know. Asians and their need for Asian food despite being away from home, idk.


No upskirt photos, don't worry.


Once we were inside, they sat us quickly. We wanted a table away from the kitchen, but they refused us, saying that we were a 3-people party and tables were only for parties of 2 or 4. Okay, that ONE seat obviously can get traffic moving faster in that small restaurant of theirs but whatever.

We ended up sitting right opposite the kitchen. Layout of the restaurant is like this.


It would have been nice to sit there actually, watching the chefs cook away, if not for the smoke coming from the huge pots of broth giving me a chicken soup facial the entire time. As if it wasn't hot enough outside! I couldn't decide if being under the heat outside or sitting in here was more unbearable.

But I did have a premium view of how the kitchen runs. Stole nothing from their recipe though, the goodness was all in the broth which was already brewing in their pots.


Oh and this guy here glazes the pork meat which they serve in buns. Looked yummylicious but I didn't try because I was full from my ramen but he was busy, serving plates and plates of these pork buns nonstop.
Doesn't look too happy huh? Guess he's sick of his job.


Things we do while waiting.



And things we do even while not waiting. Okay, it was really more of me. August couldn't wait to dig his face into his bowl of ramen, which he did immediately after snapping this shot.



Here's my bowl of Mega Ramen - ramen topped with pork meat, garlic, onion, bean sprouts and scallions. (15.50 USD, the most expensive on the menu)

Wanted to go for the extra spicy ramen which I heard was very good too but it was too hot for me, I didn't want to sweat any further. Shall go for that in winter instead.

Check out my instavideo of the restaurant here.



Finished our noodles fast and got out of there quickly to escape the heat, as well as to give up our seats to other patrons. By then, the line was already longer than before.

Overall, I'd rate Totto Ramen a 7/10 considering it's pretty decent ramen you can find in New York.

In winter when I had it for the first time, it was probably a 8.5/10. I remember it being so heavenly I almost wiped my bowl clean of everything, even the last drop of broth. But then again, the first time's always the best while subsequent visits tend to disappoint as your expectations are harder to meet now I guess.

Both restaurants on the 51st and 52nd street had the same standard of ramen but I think the one on 51st street is bigger so you will feel less claustrophobic. But since both are really quite near to each other, you can easily walk over to the other restaurant if the line at one is ridiculously long.


Do note Totto Ramen's reservation policy! (information taken from http://tottoramen.com/)
We apologize for the inconvenience but Totto Ramen does not accept reservations, does not allow take out, and we do not deliver!

You are definitely missing out if you've never had this or if you've had but didn't like it.

Or perhaps you've tried, and in spite of all the rave that has been going on about these food carts that have ridiculously long lines throughout the day, and you still didn't like it....

All I can say is, you probably went for the wrong one.

Either that, or you're just one weird one. (obviously, since it's so darn legendary by now)

Because the Halal Guys definitely offers downright amazing food that will make your tummy happy and leave you asking for more.

As I'm typing this, I'm already drooling as I think about this plate of this chicken and lamb platter.

How can a food cart by the street of Manhattan serve such amazing, amazing food?!
It's just a food cart.

Okay, let's be honest. Of all places in the world, NYC is definitely not one of the places that pops up in your mind when it comes to good food from food carts.

And yet the Halal Guys top my list when it comes to my list of must-have-food-from-all-over-the-world.

For an asian who loves steaks and seafood and pasta and everything cooked western-style, plus I really don't care much for rice, this Chicken and Lamb over Rice is really something.


I'm not gonna go into which food cart is the best and how to locate the best since there are so many imitation carts all over.
For that, do refer to http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2012/10/best-halal-cart-53rd-street-6th-avenue-street-food.html and http://midtownlunch.com/2007/11/15/debunking-the-myths-of-the-most-famous-chicken-rice-intersection-in-new-york-city/. These guys have done some serious homework in determining the real deal and sharing their findings with others, which I have got to give them credit for.

It appears that the recommended one would be the cart that says "We Are Different" so I'd try search for that next time.

The one I had claims to be the original but well, I really wouldn't know. All that matters to me was that I was having good chicken and gyro (which also means lamb) over rice.
It was good enough for me so I don't know how any other is gonna beat this.

If you're gonna try this, it's right opposite the main entrance of Magnolia Bakery at Rockefeller Center. Cross the road, turn left and walk straight down. It's also opposite the Manhattan Hotel at Times Square.

I know I'm bad at giving directions. I should give the address but it's hard when there could be like 3 of such stalls along the same street!

If it helps, look out for the "We are the Original" on their stall and shirts?



Okay it says here on his shirt that they're on the 6th Ave and 52nd Street.



Do note that the red spicy sauce is VERY VERY hot, so you might wanna go easy on that. Mix your sauces with the meat and rice and taste heaven with each mouthful!




One huge platter for the cost of 6USD!

Piping hot and good food along the street (which didn't give me any stomach upset), plus you're not forced to pay tips for lousy service as you do in restaurants, and they're generous with its serving as well as the sauces that come with it! Why not right???

Oh I already miss this. :(

First up, sorry for the hiatus as #estheetheexplorer has been busy touring the world. (not that I should be apologizing to any loyal readers who are dying for updates because there really aren't any anyway. But hey, stats show that my Babyface Candy Glow Tint Bar/Nakhon Thai/Chicken Up reviews are still bringing in good traffic though no one gives a damn about my travelogues. Now that is just major sad since this blog is meant to be my travelogue.)

But that shall not deter #estheetheexplorer anyway!

Today's post is gonna make you salivate but you won't regret it.
Because I regret not having been enlightened before.
So I'm gonna be this good kind soul to enlighten others now.





Now, if you live in New York City and you've not heard of this...

Or if you've been watching American TV, and you've also not heard of this...

Or if you live in New York City, watch American TV, have a sweet tooth, and you've still not heard of this....

Or if you're travelling to New York or already in NYC....


It's time you start living and listen up now.

Because I'm about to introduce the most AMAZING, most FABULOUS, most DELICIOUS, most AWESOME thing that you can put in your mouth.




MAGNOLIA BAKERY'S CHEESECAKE IS DA BOMB!!!



It's so darn good just by thinking back upon my first taste makes my world stop momentarily so I can relieve the moment.

I'm not kidding.
The first time I tasted their Red Velvet Cheesecake, I tasted orgasm.
I SWEAR.

Okay, you get the gist. It's that f*cking good.

What have I been doing all these while?!?!

I don't know why I've been to New York so many times and have never discovered this gem. Especially since it's done so well that it's been featured on big screen such as Sex And The City, and The Devil Wears Prada, and has also been franchised all over United States, and soon to be all over the world.

Here's when they shot Sex And The City!
This is where the original bakery is - Bleecker Street, on the corner of the West 11th Street, Manhattan, NYC.

Photo by: nypost

I didn't manage to visit the original bakery though.
Why go far when I could get my happiness at Rockefeller Center?
That's merely 10 minutes walk from Times Square and mind you, I'm a slow walker.


Ta-dah!!! Presenting to you, MAGNOLIA BAKERY @ Rockefeller Center!



Step inside and you'll be presented with a array of colourful, yummylicious cakes of all sizes behind the counters, waiting for you to pick them up. Trust me, I'm not a huge fan of cakes but these were like a dozen of small little things shouting at me to bring them home.

Well it's hard not to, when a simple Vanilla cupcake is described in this manner - Vanilla: rich, buttery, old-fashioned cake with a light crumb. Our most popular cupcake.

Or like this - Lemon: lemon cream filling with lemon meringue butter-cream.

Or this - Pistachio: pistachio cake with pistachio meringue buttercream topped with pistachios.

Now that's only three out of what, 20 cupcake flavours?! You tell me how to pick like that!!!

It just makes you wanna try everything!

Marketing huh.





And boy, we were only talking about cupcakes earlier on.

Wait till we get to the cakes.




Sorry I didn't take more upclose shots of the cake because I was too stressed trying to pick one and I'm pretty sure the staff wanted me out of the way as soon as I got my cake.

Not that they weren't friendly, it's just that I'm not too sure Westerners get this thing about Asians and their obsession with photographing every small little thing in life.

Ok back to the cakes, don't they just look pretty sitting delicately on their own stands just waiting to get sliced?

I always go for the ones that are less whole because that would mean that they're the best-sellers! (may well just be monkey-see-monkey-do)
Also, once they've had a slice of them taken out, I would be able to take a good look at their insides so I can tell what goodness there is in them! All the more reason to buy those right?

Being the glutton that I am, I was tempted to buy every single flavour of the cakes/cupcakes/cheesecakes that were available and I would have done so...



If I wasn't down to my last penny that is.


Oh yeah, you heard me right. I had exactly $7 to buy something from here, because I spent my other $6 on Lamb Over Rice at the Halal Guys. And i got this $11 because I made my friend have breakfast with me and I'd pay by credit card so she could pay me back in cash and I'd have cash for Halal Guys and Magnolia Bakery!

Brilliant Plan! How smart, thank you. :)

Since I had $7 exactly, a Cheesecake did just fine.
(FYI: All cheesecakes are priced at 7USD).

And boy, I made the best decision ever in my entire life because this Red Velvet Cheesecake that I bought was the most heavenly thing I've ever tasted.

Way better than Cheesecake Factory's cheesecakes or any other cheesecakes in the world. You guys can all go suck thumb, come learn from Magnolia Bakery instead!

Nope, no picture of my very own Red Velvet Cheesecake because I bought it and devoured it the very moment I could.
To the very last bit of it, ooooo yeahhhh.

However, here's a picture of the cheesecakes I took from the shop!
Uh huh, at the bottom is my Red Velvet baby.




Oh, just so you know, all these goodness from Magnolia Bakery are ALL HANDMADE.

From cakes to cupcakes to cheesecakes to cookies and pies and whatever heavenly edible items, they're all made by hand, on the premises throughout the day.

That's why it's called a Bakery because it's freshly baked and placed on the counter for sale!

Proof of their on-the-spot bakery.



As you can see, Red Velvet is obviously doing very well.

Magnolia Bakery is known for their cupcakes but my virgin experience went to their cheesecake and I must say that definitely didn't disappoint.

I will definitely be back to try the other things on their menu!
(another chance at orgasm, why not? okay sorry)




Here are just some additional information on Magnolia Bakery that I thought might be useful to some of you.

Magnolia Bakery offers customized cakes, makes wedding cakes and offers drop-off catering services.
You can place advanced orders and they even deliver!

They are even Kosher-certified and have gluten-free cake. (not that any of these matters to me but I'm sure it could be valid information for some!)

For a list of other FAQs, check out Magnolia's website over here.
 http://www.magnoliabakery.com/about-us/faqs/

Magnolia Bakery's U.S. Locations:

Will be reviewing on Nakhon Kitchen, a cosy little Thai restaurant in Kovan, Singapore.

Nakhon Kitchen

212 Hougang Street 21 Singapore 530212

For directions:
Nakhon Kitchen on Google Maps



I generally don't do food reviews because everything that goes into my mouth just tastes good to me.

Also, there really are so many food blogs around that I just think my post wouldn't matter.

But as I was wondering what to have for dinner since I was in the vicinity, I googled "good food in Kovan" and various blogs came up.
I then realized that it doesn't matter if I'm no Ladyironchef (who btw gives fantastic food reviews that I always trust), because any other person who bothered to blog about the place only means that the place has something worthy of mention!

So I decided to do a simple review of this place in case someone else googles "good food in Kovan" in future and maybe my blog will help bring one more customer to Nakhon Kitchen.

Ok, this is my third time to this place and I totally get what the rave is all about. It is definitely worthy of a blog post.

First and foremost,
They serve REALLY GOOD THAI FOOD.

'Serving You Authentic Thai Cuisine' - That's what the signboard says.
Well I don't know about the authenticity since I'm not Thai, but what I'm certain of, is that it's good Thai food.

Here's what we ordered. Check out my Instavid here.