I guess it’s time for my once a year, “one month in a single post” recap. July has been busy, especially with hosting the first Si Fang Cai (Secret Supper).  Nonetheless, I was able to get out and explore a little…

I’m not sure who had more fun at the first Si Fang Cai (Secret Supper) – me or the guests. The menu was based (mostly) on Asian hawker food – or “street” food.

The weather cooperated, allowing for drinks and cooking outdoors, before moving inside for an intimate dinner peppered with great conversation.

Everything tastes better when it’s on a stick… And nothing tastes better on a stick than pork belly (butabara). You may be more familiar with the Japanese term yakitori (grilled chicken) – kushiyaki (skewered grilling) is a broader term, covering everything.

Maybe it’s the narcotics in my flu meds, but these are some of the best commercials I’ve ever seen. Seriously. I want Curry Cheese Noodles in the worst way right now. Seriously.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NmhEepxOgg]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnUulabg6ZY]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn34uE-sm0k]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAVTty2UL9Y]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXMzh-tDdp8]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja2ef8RuFck]
Oh, yeah – almost forgot: Kikkomaso! Check it HERE
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja2ef8RuFck&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

Korean Drummer

Vegitarian

Fruit Carving

Thai

Japanese

Bau Ga-Prow (Bangkok Cabin)

Dough Figures (Taiwan)

Steamed Banana Leaves

Shaolin sifu giving marching orders…

Via my friend M. comes Cooking with Dog – a Japanese cooking show, hosted by a dog. More precisely, a poodle, with a coif that for some reason reminds me of Graham Kerr (whose hair actually more closely resembles Ted Koppel – just work with me).

Normally, I’m pretty dismissive of this type of thing, but [...]

I’ve read quite a few mediocre reviews of Waikikie Hawaiian BBQ and had always wondered if the food really wasn’t that good or if people were just going in with the wrong expectations.
After a few hours of mountain biking, HX and I had worked up an appetite and I decided to finally give it a [...]

Tamagoyaki with tomato and smoked salt
I think I’m the only person I know that not only doesn’t gripe when a sushi chef includes tamagoyaki  (a thinly layered Japanese sweet omelette) in a selection. I actually order the stuff. Lately, I’ve been enjoying cooking my eggs this way – I really like the texture it creates. [...]

Lunch with a friend at Tairyou, a Korean/Japanese restaurant just outside the perimeter on Buford Highway. They didn’t offer my standard Japanese lunch (chirashizushi – a bowl of sushi rice with assorted sashimi) so I went with kalbi bento (grilled beef short ribs marinated in soy, garlic and sugar).

Kalbi bento with vegetable and shrimp tempura [...]