Japanese Food Tripping

a big serving of Butao....

Lately, I've been getting hooked on Japanese food.. No raw fish for me though, but I have taken a liking for Japanese noodles or "Ramen" as they call it,  Japanese chilled cream buns,

Sukiyakidon which is a rice-based meal with flavorful braised beef strips & egg topping, of course, the different types of  Maki rolls ( I love the Philadephia cream cheese maki rolls at Tempura), and who would ever forget the shrimp & veggie tempura, dipped in sweet gingery soy sauce? (Tokyo Tokyo makes me come back for more of their  Sumo meals)

Hattendo Japanese Chilled Cream Buns...

I may have some Japanese blood in me and I just didn't know it. (^_^)

A must-try during the weekends...

Attempts At Bento-Making

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Wheneve I see Bento pictures on Pinterest, I find myself gawking like silly. I used to think, these moms were incredibly artistic and passionate to come up with amazing food designs that sometimes turn out too beautiful to eat.


Little did I know I'd be looking for cookie cutters and playful little forks myself when my own kid starts going to school.

I didn't take any Bento seminars like some of my friends so I had to rely on instinct and whatever little creativity I have stashed somewhere. I got Ching a few egg molders, some candy-like forks & toothpicks at Japan Homes..

My daughter doesn't  eat much on her own so I need to make her snacks more enticing. My first attempt was to make a ham and egg sandwich with the aid of an egg molder I got from my friend Ghia.  It was fairly acceptable for a first-timer but my kid barely nibbled on it. It was frustrating..

chicken nuggets with cheese in the middle.

Next, I got a smal box of chicken nuggets with cheese and fried them to a golden crisp and stuffed some pretty little forks in the middle. I packed this neat little container together with a smalll tetrapack of strawberry milk and a small water bottle. She returned home with only one uneaten nugget. =)

The other day, I got Ching some big round grapes that I pitted and sliced, & of course, I shoved my ever-cute forks in the middle to hold the grapes together. Along with some cookies and jello, off she went to school carrying this in her lunchbag.

I have yet to think of a few more snack-hacks that my kid would eat. Preparing Bento can be real fun, I just hope I can do this the whole year. =)