Nagoya in Spring 2016

I could take some time off work to travel and after doing some research online, Nagoya is a foodie heaven!

Here's a documentation of what I ate and I was sure to try most or all of the famous Nagoya delicacies.

First Day

Hitsumabushi - Essentially grilled eel eaten 4 ways. 

Restaurant: Atsuta Horaiken
Price: 3,600yen

Unfortunately I did not enjoy it as the grilled eel has more of a burnt aftertaste.
I would much rather prefer the usual affordable Unagi don available anywhere.

Second Day

Local breakfast

Restaurant: Komeda Cafe
Price: 800yen (Coffee 400yen + Free Toast, 400yen Shiro Noir)

Shiro Noir is a warm danish pastry topped with ice cream and to be drizzled with maple syrup.
I enjoyed this very much as the ice cream complemented the pastry very well.

However, I don't feel anything special about the toast. Same goes to the coffee. 

Misokatsu - Deep fried breaded pork topped with miso sauce

Restaurant: Yabaton - The popular chain restaurant
Price: 1,188yen

This was a decent dish, I was glad that the sauce weren't too salty.

Warabimochi 

This is the softest thing ever! Melt in your mouth goodness and it's not too sweet!

Shop: Kawaguchiya
Price: 310yen

Tenmusu - Prawn tempura in the rice ball

I enjoyed this more than I expected as it's simple and delicious, none of that fancy stuff.
The pickles at the side (Kyarabuki) was just too little, I needed way more of that delicious pickles.

Restaurant: Tenmusu Senju
Price: 720yen

Third Day

Prawn Sandwich

Restaurant: Konparu
Price: 930yen

Much pricier than expected, however it was really really good eaten immediately!
The prawn were really juicy! Though it was messy but it's worth the mess.

Sugakiya ramen

Restaurant: Sugakiya
Price: 320yen

It is indeed a comfort food. Was interesting eating it using their special spork.
I would eat this again and again!

Forth Day

Ankake Spaghetti

Restaurant: So-le
Price: 650yen

It was an awful experience for me, firstly hating the sauce did not help as I didn't like the gooeyness and taste of it. I felt bad to leave the restaurant with a plate full of spaghetti.

Oyakodon - Chicken and egg with rice

Restaurant: Torisanwa
Price: 1,167yen

Hands down the best meal I had in Nagoya. The egg was soft and apparently the chicken is of the Cochin poultry, which is a top quality breed from Nagoya. It was indeed very very delicious.

Souvenirs

Crispy caramalized sweet potato strips 

Shop: Imokaren
Price: 594yen

Took 1 from the tester and I was hooked. I bought 2 packets of those home.

Red bean pocky - Super delicious!

6 pieces of chicken wing (990yen)

2 sets of this. 

Just had to microwave it for a little bit, it's soft but not too salty, perfect with rice!

Chicken wings flavoured Jagabee! However it's too peppery for my liking. 

I didn't manage to try the Miso Nikomi Udon and Kishimen. Hope there'll be a next time. 

That's all for my Nagoya trip, I can't wait to plan another gourmet trip to another part of Japan! 

Living in Niseko during March

March was exceptionally busy for Niseko! We didn't expect this rush of guests, we were wondering why so many people decide to come during March? 

Snow condition during March aren't as powdery as December to February, it even rained heavily one day. But to our surprise, after the heavy rain, the next day we had heaps of powder and it was actually the best powder day for this whole season! I went skiing and actually enjoyed myself despite falling down and had my ski buried under the powder and I spent quite some time to dig it out. Fun times!

March has been quite a sweet surprise to us! We're glad! 

Organised farewell party for one of our colleague. Happy to see plenty of food on the table!

Wedges cooking station

Also organised end of season's staff party! 

It was super fun to plan the party, go shopping, and prepping for the food. Great bonding time between the girls as well :) Overall, spent about 20,000yen for everything! 

Also baked brownies but failed miserably! But so happy that some of my colleagues mentioned it tastes good that it's so chewy! :')

Brought Yee Sang from Malaysia for my friends who missed CNY. Great bonding session among us, also to invite other foreigners to try this out, I would say all of them were pleasantly surprised that it's delicious!

Colourful mess

Tried out cooking Korean food! Chicken and toppoki in spicy sauce. Success!!

 Baked brownies together with friend and it was superb!

Perfect with a scoop of ice cream!

Was adventurous one day at lunch where I made kimchi pancakes! It didn't taste good though...

 Roommates gathering again, korean style soup!

 Spent my last night in Niseko at a sushi party!

Made mini pancake for colleagues and I. 

I really enjoy cooking breakfast, breakfast in bed is like the best thing to wake up to.

Continuing on my journey in healthy eating. 

(Leftover strawberries by guest, and left over milk by guest, mix em up for a meal!)

Found hairy crab in the guest room!

Hairy and yummy. 

Not a single cent spent on any of the above shown pictures. Super blessed!

Dessert buffet at my favourite restaurant! 2 savoury food were served as well - Curry rice and hamburgers. 

Started off with desserts!

Had chicken curry rice + pickled cabbage in between dessertts

Ended with desserts again.

Massive udon!

The day has come!!! Finally it's White Day!!

Can safely say I didn't expect to reap such reward! Definitely made my day to be showered with sweets!

The above is self-rewarded though :) Can't get enough of cakes!

Also self rewarded! My fav lemon tarts!

Towards the end of March where the snow was pretty icy and it was so foggy!

Took a long time for me to descend the mountain.

I miss Niseko terribly and miss my workplace, my colleagues, my roommates, and the unforgettable 3 years in Niseko. Those 3 years has no doubt been the best time of my life.