cow tongue

I've been hooked on yakitori ever since my cousin took me to this joint on St. Marks Place called Yakitori Taisho.  These days, I constantly think about going back for some delicious Okonomiyaki, some bacon-wrapped quail eggs, and a cold glass of Japanese beer.  I've already been twice since my first visit, and I still get lulled to sleep by the thought of snacking on some tender, soft cow tongue.
 

For my first meal, I had smelt, bacon-wrapped scallops, bacon-wrapped quail eggs, and shiitake mushroom.  Everything was perfectly grilled and retained a good amount of juice to the bite.

The highlight was definitely the cow tongue simmered in radish stew. The flavor reminded me of the kind I'm accustomed to at dim sum, while the mustard green sauce on the side added a nice kick to the meat.  The cow tongue was ultra-soft and tender, and I can't say I recall ever having cow tongue with such perfect texture.
 
 

all is going rather unwell

My brain is numb, and I haven't been able to bring myself to start writing my papers.  At least I'm back in London, though.  It's also nice to see that some things, such as the persistent raining, don't seem to go away no matter how much time you give it.

Here's a fun fact I read somewhere today during my hours-long procrastination tangent!  Never get sushi on Mondays.  Because most fish markets are closed on Sundays, your meal will most likely be leftovers from the previous week.  Working on the same logic, the best times to get sushi are on Tuesdays, when ingredients are most likely at their freshest.  I don't know how applicable this piece of information is for your locale, but it's worth considering the next time you have a sushi craving.
 

the good and the bad of sour

I'm in an inexplicably sour mood right now.  And it's not the good kind of sour either.

The good type of sour is found in lemonade.  It brings you back to summer days in California without air-conditioning, where the only reprieve to the oppressive heat was to be found in a nice, cool glass best enjoyed in the company of friends and family.

The good kind of sour is found in bowl of Hong Kong-style borscht.  It at once confuses you.  You're not sure whether what you're having is more European or Asian, but you don't let it bother you for long.  What's important is that it tastes good, and sometimes, that's all you really need to be concerned about.

Tonight, however, I'm exhausted and likely too delirious to enjoy any taste worth savoring.  Only this bizarre mood is quite literally putting a sour taste in my mouth, so I may need to invest in a drink soon.
  

sunday, so gluttonous

On Sunday, I ate six times within a period of ten hours.  I had a waffle and yogurt for breakfast, a sandwich and coffee for lunch, fish sticks for an evening snack, dumplings for dinner, a frozen yogurt for dessert, and a pizza at midnight.  I often wonder why I'm not morbidly obese, but I guess I'll be getting there soon enough.  I'm not making any apologies, though.

For dinner, I decided to try New Culture Revolution in Islington, a restaurant specializing in Northern Chinese cuisine.  They try to set themselves apart from other Chinese establishments by putting an emphasis on healthy, high-quality ingredients at an affordable value.

I had the pork and chive dumplings because someone on Yelp gave them high reviews.  To be honest, though, I didn't think they were any noticeably different from those at other restaurants.  They were good; the filling was well-seasoned and tasted home-made, and the dumpling skins were thick, yet not doughy in texture.  However, I couldn't pinpoint where the "quality" came in.  If anything, I was disappointed.  For one, the portion was so small!  There were only five dumplings in the bowl!  That meant that each dumpling was more than one pound!  Additionally, I was surprised to find green beans and carrots in my soup.  It definitely lowered the authenticity of the dish in my book.

I also ordered black tea, which, according to their menu, aids digestion.  I feel so old sometimes, but I definitely think my stomach can use a little encouragement every now and then.  The tea tasted like pu-er to me, but the menu called it "Pu Nee."  What a fail.  The menu spelled everything wrong (the jiao zi was spelled jiao ji).

Overall, I was only moderately satisfied.  The dumplings themselves were good enough to warrant a possible reconsideration, but considering everything else, I might just move on.

That said, it's time to move on to work, work, work!
 

a small, hidden gem

King's Cross is flooded by a load of quite honestly abysmal take-out joints -- namely those offering kebab and fried chicken.   Although I live in this neighborhood, and there's a provided convenience to eating close-by, I normally forgo this area due to the poor selection.

So it was on a rainy London evening that I, too tired to cook and with no motivation to wander great distances, decided to check out some of the shoddy places in the vicinity.  I guess I was wrong to judge King's Cross so soon because less than two blocks away from my dorm, I smelled something delicious coming from a place called Paolina Thai Cafe!  True to the adage, you should never judge a book by its cover.  On the outside, Paolina's can easily be mistaken as any other run-down joint.  However, to my surprise they serve what has got to be some of the most homely and authentic Thai dishes I have had in London.

The interior is nothing to gawk at, and the open-air kitchen is very reminiscent of Bear's Ramen in Berkeley or Solomon's Market in Providence.  I find that the simplicity of the decor, which reminds me of those you find in old-time diners, really adds a lot of charm.  The atmosphere is at once slightly grimy yet warm and inviting.  It's a place I can see myself enjoying a lunch on my own or having dinner with some friends.

The food was downright flavorful!  I was able to catch a glimpse of my cook, a kind and chatty elderly woman (Paolina?),  dousing my rice with generous globs of what I can only imagine to be fish sauce.  The result was tasty and filling, and what a bang for your buck at under a fiver!  It really hit the spot, especially on a gloomy, damp, and drizzly day.  I'm really glad that I found this place, and I anticipate going back quite often to try the other stuff on their menu.  Another review will be coming shortly.

By the way, I apologize for the poor-quality pictures.  I only have my phone to use as a camera at my disposal.
 

nothing like froyo to battle a bit of homesickness

I stumbled upon this a froyo place today, and just in time now that I'm beginning to miss California, the sun, and even Brown!  Some may recall that towards the end of last semester, I just couldn't wait to get out.  It sort of brings to mind how caught up I get with planning for the future, and how easily I miss time enjoying the present.

That said, London has been great!  There's always so much happening and so much I have yet to do.  Sometimes I feel as though the city itself is a challenge, something I have to triumph over.  When the weather gets better, I definitely want to spend some time going around on foot again.  There's a certain kind of joy that comes with bumping into things unexpectedly that you can't quite find elsewhere.

I'll be sure to make the most out of my next few months, even as I continue to struggle with papers, exams, and a seemingly never-ending internship application process. 

At first glance, Frae's kind of like Pink Berry in that they only serve a couple flavors with a choice of some toppings.  Being a Californian, I'm more used to the cheap, free-flowing, 12 flavor machines with unlimited toppings.  Frae being nothing of that sort, I went for a smoothie, which was actually surprisingly good.  It tasted healthy if that makes sense.  It wasn't too sweet nor too creamy.  And it wasn't so thick and freezing that it induces a brain freeze every time you manage to suck up a chunk without bursting a lung (Juniper).  It had just the right amount of fruitiness and tartness in my opinion.  I will definitely be back to try their main attraction.
  

where my money goes....

Productivity has hit a new low this afternoon, hence I've resigned myself to taking an extended break on blogspot.

Things here are ridiculously expensive.  Last month before my checks arrived, I was rudely awakened when I saw that I was $500 in debt with no way to dig myself out, and I nearly pissed my pants.  So then, I decided I should re-evaluate my spending habits and buy less in general.

Yet, a month later I'm still not sure whether I've really changed.  There are a few culprits out there, namely these restaurants that keep beckoning me with their delicious, semi-affordable food ('cause we all know good, cheap food don't exist in London).

One of the biggest offenders out there is Hare & Tortoise.  I've only been to the one in Bloomsbury, and already I've been there four times!  It's always packed at peak hours with a long line outside, a sure-sign anywhere that a place is worth checking out.  Their menu serves up popular East Asian dishes, from standard maki rolls to Singapore rice noodles.  Everything is within a good price range, and for 5 to 6 pounds one can expect to leave with a sizable food coma.  Big eaters like myself should be quite satisfied.

As for quality, it's by no means the best, but it's leagues better than your standard Chinese take out.  Having grown up in the Bay Area, I know respectable Asian food when I taste it -- and this is quite good actually.  The flavors aren't lacking, and while not everything is as fresh as they could be, they're all quite solid if not better.  I ordered a Curry Laksa my last time.  It was probably the most stand-out dish I've had there, so I definitely recommend it to anyone with the opportunity to eat here.

"Spicy curry coconut soup with slices of grilled chicken breast, slices of fish cake, prawn and squid. Served with rice noodles, garnished with tofu, beansprouts and cucumber."  Just look at this baby!

Like most restaurants in London, don't expect great service.  It's what happens when no tip is required -- not that I mind much!
  

a haircut to start off a new year

On the eve of 春节, I went on a hasty mission to find a place in central London for a fresh but budget haircut.  In addition to new clothes and shoes, a haircut symbolizes a new start to a better year.  I'm not usually inclined to superstitions, but I guess I can be one with traditions when it comes to Lunar New Years thanks to growing up in a Chinese cultural enclave in the Bay Area.  

The Bay has also educated me to the awesome power of Yelp.  These days, I hesitate stepping foot in any restaurant if I hadn't read reviews for it -- and for good reason!  Last month I unwittingly followed some friends into a random Bangladeshi restaurant in Brick Lane.  For a plate of spice-less, bland-tasting chicken biryani coming close to 10 pounds, it was a gargantuan mistake never to be repeated.  Whenever possible, I will always do a bit of homework before heading out to eat.

Researching is even more imperative when it comes to getting a good haircut.  They say finding your stylist is like finding the perfect girlfriend, and from personal experience this statement is pretty much truth.

The thing is, here in London there are a load of hole-in-the-walls offering 7-pound haircuts.  But like most cheap barber shops around the world, they're all pretty much crap unless you're looking for a basic number 2 or number 3.  So after a night spent looking up reviews, I came upon a place called Headmasters, which is actually a UK chain.  I wasn't so sure at first as I was instantly reminded of Supercuts and how awful they are back home.  However, the Headmasters location near Oxford Street received a ton of good ratings, not to mention that their prices are within my budget.

For about 20 pounds, I now have a sort-of fauxhawk where the sides are buzzed, the top is left long, and the back is shaped like a V.  The stylist who helped me was young and very attentive to the details.  He spent a long time going back and forth, probably from inexperience with my hair-type, but he was very keen on getting my input every now and then, which I appreciated.  In the end, it's not too daring of a haircut, but I dig it.  I think I'll get it a little more defined next time.  It doesn't take long to style in the mornings and that's pretty awesome.  We'll see what happens when it gets longer though.

 

This is the only close-up picture I have of my haircut, taken after I was attacked by a bunch of kids with confetti and silly string at the Nice Carnival.  The peacoat I was wearing in this picture is the new article of clothing I bought for new years.  It was 29 pounds at Zara, which is a good deal in my opinion.  I think the buttons look like T-rex teeth. 

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