Kitty Solo in Japan 2015 Day 4 and 5

Busy busy this week orienting the students! It's really fulfilling to show them the joys of eating the foods around here. But first off is the usual start....Mister Donut!!!

Strawberry Donut

So this was not a Pon de Ring. It was more like a traditional donut. It was still very light. The glaze itself only had a hint if strawberry product flavor. Pon de Ring still remains supreme. 

Shio buta don with hijiki salad and potato mochi

I love lunch at Japanese university cafeterias. They are so cheap and really good!!  I'm not trying to say it's super gourmet but you can easily get a nutritious and delicious meal for a bargain. This tray was only $4.

Late Night Takoyaki Stall

I was really tired at the end of the day and didn't have the energy to expend to hunt for a restaurant. Luckily there was this cute little stall right by my apartment was still open. I knew I should have waited until I got to Osaka.....but nah.

Soy Sauce Takoyaki

So there was a soy sauce flavor option! I decided to try that instead. It was a tad salty but it's nice to get away from the slather of mayonnaise from the traditional takoyaki sauce. Can never go wrong buying takoyaki from anywhere in Japan.

Salted green onion and tuna onigiri and a box of fruits milk

I admit it. I broke my mantra. Due to class schedule....no Mister Donut is open early enough for me to grab. This will have to do. If you ever come to Japan, definitely take the time to try the variety of rice balls and flavored milk. Though by flavored milk I mean flavored milk products to accommodate lactose tolerant population.

Taco Truck

It's Taco Tuesday! We just had to try it ....for science of course. Japanese interpretation of a taco. This truck got the basics down....ground beef....lettuce...some culinary creation with grilled onions. I forgot to take a picture but good job Taco Truck.

Hojicha Shaved Ice

We returned to Nakamura Tokichi for a bout of green tea goodness. I mean where else can you get hojicha shaved ice? It was also very smart that they give you the syrup in a gravy bowl so you can pour as you eat. That way it doesn't just pool at the bottom. Another perfect way to beat the heat

Green Tea Jelly with Mochi, Chestnut and Red Bean; Served with Green Tea Ice Cream and Cake Sample

In addition to a hojicha parfait I also ordered this combination set. I couldn't taste much of the green tea in the jelly but it was still so refreshing and the complementary red bean, sweetened chestnut, and mochi dango made it that much more......relaxing. Their green tea ice cream is the best I have ever had yet. You can really taste the green tea!

Cold Sencha with Traditional Japanese Sweets

It is best to sip this slowly. Initially I was taken aback by its bitterness but after each sip I appreciated its light and crisp flavor more and more. Taking a small bite of the sweets provided offered a palate refreshing break in between.

Cake and Tea Set

After much meandering around, my companions and I stopped at Ogawa Coffee around the Kawaramachi area. We needed a break and this place seemed as good as any other.

Earl Gray Shortcake with Peaches

This cake  though. Look at this gorgeous beast....its soft supple juicy peach bits filled whipped cream and moist delectable tea cake...I would certainly order this again. It's not everyday you find these kinds of flavors at your local coffee shop.

Miyoshi Hakata Nagahara ramen

Hard Working Mom and Pop Shop

Don't Forget the Toppings

Chashu Ramen

This was one of the places I wanted to hit during my trip and by stroke of luck I found it while wandering around my apartment area. It is small and simple looking but don't let this exterior fool you! It's a treasure chest!!! With treasure in the form of deeply rich broth that's not overly greasy but so so so flavorful and perfectly not too hard not too chewy ramen noodles along with tender pork and spicy bamboo that just melts with the broth in your mouth with every bite....all for less than $7. PLUS I highly recomend using the toppings to enhance your experience ...especially the rice puff looking one. It has a deep roasted taste that just soaks up the broth the moment it hits your bowl but when you bring a spoonful of soup and roasted rice puffs in your mouth.....I can't even.....

京都府京都市中京区石屋町115 辻田ビル1F

Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Ishiyacho 115

Kitty Solo in Japan 2015 Day 3

It was a new day and another round to Nishiki Market! Basically brunch consisted of the following (not including repeat warabi mochi, ichigo daifuku....) :

Duck and Green Onion on a Stick

Again, get a duck on a stick. On top of that I had another duck on a stick (same as yesterdays). The green onions were a great addition and grilled well enough that it brought out a sweet taste.

Hojicha Soft Serve

I jump on any chance I get for hojicha (roasted green tea) flavored things. Today's item was soft serve which is always a great treat any time on a hot summer day in Japan.

Fish on a Stick...

....with Cheese!!!

Saw a crowded stall and wanted to see what the hullabaloo they were selling. It was various fishes on a stick with an assortment of flavors/integrated pieces (e.g. octopus bits...onions...). But I chose cheese. It was good the first couple of bites..but that processed cheese though....couldn't stop thinking about Velveeta....or this one dish in the college cafeteria I fondly remember of....The Troutwich: breaded fish fillet with cheese in the middle. There you have it then....fish and processed cheese are meant to be.

Yuzu Citrus Honey Drink

On a hot summer day there's nothing like a tall glass of lemonade. But why not mix it up a little and have an ade out of yuzu, a type of citron that's very prevalent in Japanese cuisine. Like any citron it has a sour taste but it also holds its own unique flavor (just like how lemons and limes are not the same). I can only imagine how fantastic it would be to make cookies with yuzu zest........must try when I come back home. For science.

Bento Dinner

Today our students were arriving so we had to stick around the hotel to check them in throughout the day. Even if you're not going out to a restaurant there are still MANY things to explore to eat. Things like bentos are great cheap eats that give you a lot of varieties and flavors (this bento advertised it had at least 30 flavors....but I think I only tasted 15).

Kansai Dashi Shoyu

Not to mention the snacks!!! Where else are you going to find super awesome chip flavors like Kentucky Fried Chicken, grilled beef tongue, clam butter. I shit you not I have tried all those flavors mentioned. Japan is a super fun snack country.

Green Tea Pon de Ring

Okay so I broke my mantra and the Pon de Ring was the last thing I ate in the day. But I still had one....and today was green tea flavored glaze. "Green tea". Sad days for false advertisement. The doughnut itself was plain. Still had its chewy goodness.....it was only laced with lies.

Kitty Solo in Japan 2015 Day 2

Rule number one in Japan: Always start your morning with a Mister Donut.

Original Pon de Ring (left) Shrimp and Corn Pie (right)

I've already raved plenty about the Pon de Ring. This morning I also tried the shrimp and corn pie.

What the.....macaroni in my pie! It didn't taste bad but it's a gimmicky flavor. I don't know if I even really saw or tasted shrimp anywhere. The "pie" dough part was good. Otherwise.....Pon De Ring still reins supreme.

Afterwards my friend and I went to a famous area around Shijo Kawaramachi called Nishiki Market. It's similar to a farmers market in a sense where there are just stalls and stalls of specialty food items being sold. Many of them come in portable snack sized forms so instead of lunch I had a smorgasbord of little treats. They are pretty cheap too! Most snacks range from $2 to $5. 

Store Front of the Tea Shop 

Matcha Warabi Mochi

Nothing like strong matcha powder covering a cool sweet jelly...be careful not to accidentally inhale some of the green tea powder. This shop also sells green tea ice cream.

Store Front of a Rice Shop

Inari Zushi with....

...Pickled Vegetables!

Grilled Musubi with Green Onion and Miso

I love me some rice food items whether it comes in a pocket of tofu or grilled with sauce. I really like the inari zushi because the tofu pocket wasn't overly sweet and the pickles were great at giving the rice flavor without overpowering it. As for the rice ball....initially the flavor may seem very strong with miso, but every bite into this warm delectable made me want to eat it more as the misos taste dissolves into the center's plain rice.

Store Front of an Eel Grill Stall

Various Grilled Items From Quails to Stuffed Fish Collars

Grilled Duck Meatball

Throughout Nishiki Market you'll find a large number of stalls that will sell things on a stick...primarily meat on a stick or sashimi on a stick. This duck on a stick was wonderful. Get a duck on a stick. You won't be disappointed.

Perfectly Round Strawberry Daifuku

Delicious Insides of Strawberry Daiduku

No matter what if you find a place that sells a strawberry daifuku. Stop what you're doing and buy it. And then take a bite out of its soft mochi flesh and release all of its glorious stawberry guts and red bean organs to spill into your mouth. Because that's what buying a strawberry daifuku means: a battle victory in your mouth.

Store Front of an Egg Shop

Dashi Egg Roll

Another wonderful treat is these dashi tamago maki....otherwise known as a multilayer rolled up egg with a subtle taste of dashi. It makes my heart grieve that I can never make this as well at home. So I ate my feelings instead.

Pointoiru Restaurant

For dinner my friend and I wandered around Kyoto station. We wanted to eat there since we were expecting our companion to arrive from their airport. After much browsing (first world problem...where to eat?) we decided on this place: Pontoiru. It primarily sells spaghetti with varying degrees of Japanese influence. It is located on the 11th Floor and price per pasta dish was around $10. 

Starting with Kombu Soup

Rather than the usual miso soup we are all familiar with...we were served a cup of kombu soup. It had a very mild savory taste which was a great way to get our appetites going.

"Mochi" Pork Spaghetti with Kyoto Fresh Vegetables in Soy Butter Sauce

The menu said mochi ...which I assume was to refer for its texture. The meat was certainly a little chewy, but otherwise I really liked the soy butter taste. There was an onsen egg in there too and mixing the yolk with pasta added a richer texture and taste. I wish pasta in the States were as reasonably priced as this....

Malebranche Cafe

For dessert we hit it up Malebranche Cafe located also in Kyoto Station (can you tell there are lots of places to eat in this station alone?).

Simple Posh Interior

It's very cute and they have a selection of cakes and teas to choose from.

The Nama Matcha no Kate Set with Earl Grey Tea

I ordered their recommended special set which includes a tea of your choice. I chose iced Earl Gray. They spared me no expense in giving me a strong and exquisite brew. I was also given ice cubes to keep it cold whenever I poured a new brew into the glass. This set was only $8!!!

Chantilly Cream and Yuzu Citrus Sauce Accompanying the Green Tea Torte

Normally I am not a fan of tortes due to how heavy and dense they are. This torte was definitely  heavy with matcha but it paired incredibly well with the cream and the yuzu sauce. By using these condiments it took away some of that heavy feel of a torte. Plus I love a place that really brings out the matcha taste in their desserts. I highly recommend this cafe.

Doughtnut Dolly

Kitty and Ducky

Doughnut Dolly
1313 9th St
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510)225-9640
http://www.doughnutdolly.com/site/page/home


Doughnut Dolly was next to Farm Burger.  We saw it on our way to Farm Burger and decided this could be our after lunch dessert and snack.  It is a small doughnut shop that specializes in filled doughnuts.  Not my usual cup of tea, but decided to try it anyways.

Doughnut Choices

Naughty Cream Doughnut $3

It was overall a novel experience. It was like eating a cream puff. It was light warm and fluffy but had that chewy doughy fried texture of a donut. Definitely worth trying at least once. Makes a great midday snack if you're in the area. Not to mention Philz Coffee is right next door.  [3.5/5]

Kitty Solo in Japan 2015 Day 1

Embarking on a one month in Kyoto, Japan! Of course there's a lot of eating to be done. However after such a long flight...I didn't really want anything heavy. Since I was already in Kyoto Station I revisited one of my favorite spots with a friend: Nakamura Tokichi

Their signature logo: Ten 

This place is originally in Uji, Japan which specializes in green tea. They opened a convenient store front right in Kyoto Station. You know you found the right place when you see this signature logo on their noren.

Kitsune Matcha Soba

A simple kitsune udon was what I really needed to hit the spot! To be honest I did not really taste matcha when I ate it. But I certainly didn't taste the usual grainy texture that's commonly associated with soba. I would order this again if I wanted something light.

Hojicha Parfait

Matcha Parfait

 There are plenty of places that will do matcha parfait but how many actually do hojicha parfait? Both are just wonderful parfaits though...with the layer of white cream, respective flavored sponge cake, rice puffs (which really adds to the depth of texture on each bite), mochi, respective tea jellies, red bean, and respective tea cream. It was a gentle party in my mouth. 

I blogged about this place a couple years back but this place is so great it deserves a come back. I will certainly come back and try their other items as well. 

Farmburger - Berkeley,CA

Well... we got very, very lazy.  We had to take some tests and entered the adult life (what does adult life even mean.....).  After a long day of work, we just want to veg out and watch tv and play video games.  Took a lot of effort for Kitty and Ducky to get started on the blogging again!

Here we go after a long hiatus...

Kitty and Ducky

Farm Burger
1313 9th St
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510)705-1485
www.farmburger.net

Farm Burger...In Berkeley.

Farm Burger in Berkeley.  As the name implies, it is one of those hip straight from farm to your plate kind of establishments.  All over the wall are pictures of cows and where the meats come from, how happy the cows are, and how well they are treated.  The decor works well with the theme of the restaurant with very rustic and simple wooden tables.  Onward to the star of the show...

Farm Burger with added fried egg $9 + $1

We ordered a burger to be cooked medium rare and we got just that.  The meat was very juicy and tender.  For the most part, it was a decent burger.  I may not have been in the mood for a burger that day.  The burger, as you can see, looks amazing and delicious, but it didn't taste all that amazing to me.  -Ducky [3.5/5]

On a side note, they have a bunch of free sides that you can add and adjust on any burger like pickles, lettuce, mayo, roasted garlic, etc.

Mac 'n cheese with pulled pork cheek $4.50

The amount of mac and cheese they gave us could fit in my hand. The pulled pork was ever so sparingly sprinkled on top. I'd take my money and spend a few more dollars to get quality mac and cheese elsewhere (aka Homeroom). -Kitty [2/5]

Farm Burgers- Fries with spicy garlic, herbs, and parmesan $3.50

The fries were much better than the mac and cheese.  In hind sight, should have just ordered the fries because after the entire meal, we were already pretty full even though we shared everything.  The cheese and the jalapeno peppers were not too spicy and worked really well with the fries.  Reminds me of nachos, but with less cheese.  Could have used more cheese.  The fries were not that greasy and tasted fresh.  -Ducky [4/5] 

Final Receipt

At lunch time, they have a $8.95 deal where you get a Build It Burger, which is a basic burger you customize, with fries and a drink.  There is also a daily combo for $10 with their Daily Special burger with fries and drink.

Overall Score: [3.5/5] All around a decent burger place with decent prices. If our friends were to ask us to take them to eat burgers Farmburger would probably not be the first place that would come to our mind. But if we happened to be in the area...and happened to have a hankering for a burger...then yes we'd wander back in again.