[Cook] Sake to Mayonnaisu (Broiled Salmon with Mayonnaise)

I've had Sake to Mayonnaisu (Broiled Salmon with Mayonnaise) in restaurants before. Didn't know it was that simple to make. Salmon, salt, and mayo. That's pretty much all you need. I probably didn't leave the salmon in the oven long enough because the mayonnaise wasn't browned. But the fish smelt too good and we were too hungry. I am sure it'll look better and probably taste even better if the mayo is browned a bit more.


Sake to Mayonnaisu (Broiled Salmon with Mayonnaise)

[Cook] Nasu no Agebitashi (Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Eggplant)

This recipe called for Japanese or Chinese eggplants. But I didn't find these at my local supermarket so I just used regular eggplants. Also I didn't deep fry the eggplants as instructed in the recipe. Instead I just used less oil and sauteed them in a wok. This dish tastes good even when it's cold. I didn't think this dish is spicy at all. But it was savory, sweet, and sour all at the same time. The flavor is quite addicting.


Nasu no Agebitashi (Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Eggplant)

[Cook] Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu with Ginger and Green Onions)

This appetizer dish is super easy, and "should" taste good. But somehow the one I made was pretty horrible. It was so bad that I took one bite and the rest ended up in the trash can. The problem was the tofu. I bought all natural soft tofu from Sprouts (it is Sprouts store brand). Somehow this tofu just doesn't have the right flavor and texture. It tasted rough and had a bit sour taste to it. I have no idea why it was sour. The expiration date was 2 weeks away so I don't think the tofu had gone bad. But I will know not to buy tofu from Sprouts again (although it is still my favorite supermarket). I shall try this again with soft silky tofu from an Asian supermarket.


Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu with Ginger and Green Onions)

[Irvine] [Taiwanese] Boiling Point

Boiling Point
沸點
14140 Culver Dr
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 733-2211
http://www.bpgroupusa.com

The weather has been hot lately. But I don't know why. I have been craving for hot pot almost everyday. So off we went to Boiling Point for lunch.


古早味紅茶加山粉圓 Black Tea w/ Basil Seeds

Lunch special came with a drink. We both ordered black tea. I added my favorite basil seeds ($0.50) to mine.

[Aliso Viejo] [American] Original Pancake House

Original Pancake House
26951 Moulton Pkwy
Aliso Viejo, CA 92653
(949) 643-8591
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com

We haven't been to Original Pancake House for a while, and I really miss their yummy American breakfast.



We got there around 9-ish on this Saturday morning. Only had to wait for about 10 minutes for a table.

[Cook] Tamago Toji Jiru (Stirred Egg Soup)

Tamago Toji Jiru (Stirred Egg Soup) is a very fast and easy dish. In Chinese, we call this "egg flower soup". I made this soup for breakfast. I think it took me 5 minutes, and we had a simple yet delicious soup. The recipe is for 1 bowl of soup. But you can simply double the amount to make soup for 2 as I did (or for 4 or 8 as you like).


Tamago Toji Jiru (Stirred Egg Soup)

[Cook] Kabocha Nimono (Sweet Simmered Pumpkin)

It was my first time cooking kabocha pumpkin. I had such a hard time to cut the pumpkin in half. I asked my sister about it. Her tip was to place the pumpkin in the microwave for a few seconds. I shall try that next time. The sweet simmered pumpkin was soft, sweet, and very yummy.


Kabocha Nimono (Sweet Simmered Pumpkin)

4th of July BBQ

This 4th of July, just as every 4th of July, we went to mother-in-law's house for BBQ with the family.



We took Teddy and Twinkle with us of course.

[Cook] Toriniku Kara-age (Fried Marinated Chicken)

I am disappointed at how Toriniku Kara-age turned out. The chicken turned out to be too salty. I would suggest making this recipe with less sodium soy sauce. But other than the saltiness, it was still pretty tasty. I just had to eat it with rice.


Toriniku Kara-age (Fried Marinated Chicken)

[Industry] [Coffee/Tea] Half & Half Tea Express

Half & Half Tea Express
伴伴堂
18558 Gale Ave #152
Industry, CA 91748
(626)965-4800

As usual, we stopped by at Half & Half Tea Express after dinner at Flamin Spice.



Oh no! They ran out of my favorite sesame boba! So I just ordered the No #1 drink on their top 10 best selling list: Milk Drink with Honey Boba and Chocolate Pudding.

[Industry] [Hot Pot] Flaming Spice

Flaming Spice
鍋盆碗裡
18518 Gale Ave
Industry, CA 91744
(626) 964-6569

On Tuesday, Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot has $20 all you can eat special. Since Wednesday is a holiday, we decided to drive all the way up to Hacienda Heights for the AYCE deal. We got there around 7-ish. The hostess turned us away as there were already too many people on the waiting list. Oh well, so we decided to go to the nearby Flaming Spice for AYCE spicy hot pot.



We had to wait for about 15 minutes for a table. A sneaky Chinese lady actually tried to "cut us in line" on the signing waiting list. She put her name on a separate sheet of paper, then put that piece of paper on top of the original waiting list where everyone had their names on it. Dr. P saw the whole thing and called her out for it. She just kept on saying to us "don't worry, you go first you go first." Ahhhh.... rude!

[Cook] Oyako Donburi (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)

This week I am cooking Japanese Food. I have this cookbook "Let's Cook Japanese Food" for a while, but haven't tried any recipe from it yet. This cookbook is written by a Caucasian lady who married a Japanese man and moved to Japan. She learned how to cook Japanese food while living abroad and from her Japanese parents-in-law. The first recipe I made was Oyako Donburi, and it was a huge success. The chicken and egg rice bowl tasted even better than the ones we've had from Japanese restaurant!


Oyako Donburi (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)

[Laguna Niguel] [Fast Food] McDonald's

McDonald's
27331 La Paz Rd
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 643-3326
http://www.mcdonalds.com

My favorite thing from McDonald's.


Fruit Yogurt Parfait ($1.00)

Who says money cannot buy happiness? $1 bought mine!

[Laguna Niguel] [Food Court] Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market
23932 Aliso Creek Rd
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 900-5830
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com

A new Whole Foods Market just opened near our house. Dr. P and I decided to go have dinner in their food court, and do grocery shopping afterward.



Our dinner was from the Asian food court section. Dr. P ordered Spicy Chicken Fun Noodle Soup, and I ordered Vegetable Fun Noodle Soup.

[Alhambra] [Taiwanese] Old Country Cafe

Old Country Cafe
老鄉親
2 E Valley Blvd
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 284-4610

Before going back to Orange County, I stopped by at Old Country Cafe to get some Taiwanese food take-out for dinner.


波霸奶茶加布丁 Boba Milk Tea with Pudding

Got a cup of boba milk tea with boba and pudding for the long drive home.

[Los Angeles] [Hawaiian] Trader Vic's Los Angeles

Trader Vic's Los Angeles
800 W Olympic Blvd #A120
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 785-3330
http://www.tradervicsla.com

After Anime Expo, we decided to go to L.A. Live to find a place to eat.



We settled for Trader Vic's. Their Hawaiian menu looked tasty.

Anime Expo 2012

Went to Anime Expo 2012 at LA Convention Center today. I had so much fun doing people watching. Love all those cosplay people. Everyone seemed so happy there. Here are some of the pictures I took today.

[San Gabriel] [Taiwanese] Yung Ho Restaurant

Yung Ho Restaurant
533 W Valley Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91778
(626) 570-0860

Before going to Anime Expo 2012 today, I stopped by at Yung Ho Restaurant to pick up some Chinese breakfast.


鹹豆漿 Salty Soy Milk

I got Salty Soy Milk and Salty Rice Roll. These two are my favorite Chinese breakfast items. I was quite disappointed at my breakfast though. The salty soy milk's flavor tasted like it was missing something. There wasn't enough green onion, and they've omit the pickled veggies (榨菜). Instead, it was just filled with soggy fried Chinese donut (油條) pieces.