Autumn Food in Perth

Posted May 27th, 2010 in Perth WA | 2 Comments »

It’s really getting cold in Perth ~….  (do I say this too much? :p )

I really miss kotatsu: which is a wooden table with electric heater built in, and covered by a heavy blanket.  People in Japan spend most of the day around this kotatsu.  We don’t stay inside of the blanket, as it’ll get really hot, but we keep out legs and sometimes half the body inside the blanket and watch tv.  Most of the case we fell asleep after few hours…

I like winter, love the cold air and the snow.  It was snowing heavily when I was born, my mum says.  I was born in February, and the road was frozen when my mum had to rush into the hospital.  It was very early morning, around 2am, and the outside was pure white because of the snow.

One thing I don’t like about winter is the short daytime.  The sun shows up late, and sun goes down early.  It starts to get dark around 5pm these days.  So, if I want to take some pictures I need to do it before 3~4 pm and it is quite a rush to me.

In this cold weather, what I miss is the hearty Japanese winter food.  You can enjoy some of them, including sukiyaki and oden at some Japanese restaurants.  Or, you can simple make them by yourself!  Check out delicious Japanese beef curry recipe from here , or add tomato and arrange it into a soupy Japanese curry like this recipe here.  I also recommend white stew (in Japan we call it “cream stew”) in winter.  Check the recipe here.  Making them are very easy.  You can buy a packet of roux from grocery shops, and you’ll just need to add some vegetables and meat.  Leave it overnight for deeper, developed flavor.

If you want to make oden, the best place to go for shopping is Emma’s Seafood grocery store in Northbridge, I think.  They sell many Japanese products including oden seasoning, and also fish cakes for oden are available inside the store.  I sometimes buy 1 kg of them and do oden party here 😀  You’ll also need konnyaku, daikon radish, firm tofu and boiled eggs etc for oden.  The best thing to add is gyu-suji (bits of beef tendon) if you can find!  Great with warm sake.


The Raw Food and Smoothie Bar

Posted May 23rd, 2010 in Eat out in Perth | No Comments »

After reading the reviews of The Raw Kitchen, I was excited to try out their food at Raw Food and Smoothie Bar in Fremantle Markets.  All the food they serve there are raw (uncooked), including sweet nuts and chocolate balls and delicious pizza.

When I arrived the stall, the owner couple (I believe) looked so busy as there was a line of people waiting to order.  The hand-written menu board, the showcase of ready-made food and the cook books of healthy food arranged on the top of the counter.. although the shop is small, everything around there looked so simple and natural.

As my turn came, I ordered one of their “raw” smoothie, Bananarama, which contains fresh banana, almond milk etc.  He opened the fridge and put a couple of banana and some ingredient into a blender, and few seconds later my smoothie was done!

Wow..  it looked so thick!  Freshly made with real banana…

I loved the taste, I must say.  Especially, knowing that there is no “unwanted” or “additional” ingredients used, I’m glad that I tried.

The pizza looked so nice too, but my stomach was pretty full from the lunch I had just few minutes ago and I only had a space for 1 glass of smoothie then.  I’d like to try out their food and sweet on my next visit.

I love their concept, being eco and animal friendly.  The owners have a strong passion for raw food, and they believe that health can be achievable by eating nourishing food.  Their greatest passion is for the education of kids, and they offer a variety of workshops and information classes where people can learn what’s so good about eating raw food.

This is the place where you can enjoy the real healthy food made by people who care.


Cherry and Coconut Slice

Posted February 5th, 2010 in Food, Perth WA | No Comments »

It’s the same recipe as Coconut Slice, and I add dried cherries in stead of jam.

I love dried cherries, they are juicy and nice to be added to baked sweets.  I usually buy them from Kakulas Brothers in Northbridge ( website ) or Kakulas Sisters in Fremantle.  I like these shops as you can buy ingredients as much (or little) as you want.

They sell various types of flour, dried fruits, nuts, beans, coffee, seeds, cheese, olives etc etc.  You can scoop those food into plastic bags and buy at the counter (like a self-service grocery shop).  It’s good if you want to just try out the food (even if just 10 g of spicy Macadamia nuts, you can)

They also sell some exotic snacks from Europe, Asia (including Japan) and elsewhere.  At Kakulas Sisters in Fremantle, they sell home-made cakes such as cheese cake and poppy seed rolls too 🙂

These retail shops opened just a year ago or so, but they’ve been doing wholesale service for more than 30 years.

Kakulas Brothers in Northbridge started selling freshly brewed take-away coffee since few month ago.  You can also purchase the coffee beans from there, and there is a grinding machine if you want to grind the beans.

  

<Kakulas Brothers>  

183 William Street, Northbridge, WA 6003  :  08 9328 5285

<Kakulas Sisters>  

29-31 Market St., Fremantle, WA 6160  :   08 9430 4445

90 Hillsborough Drive Nollamara WA 6061  :  08 9440 6642


Korean Food

Posted January 5th, 2010 in Perth WA | No Comments »

Last night I had takeaway food from Perth Kimuchi.  I like vegetable kimuchi (cucumber, daikon radish etc) but in-law bought squid one.

The Bulgogi meat is tender, and very nice.  I love Korean food… similar to Japanese food, but spicy and healthy 🙂

I’ve never been to South Korea, but many Japanese people go there for shopping and eating.  Things are cheaper there than in Japan, and the food is so delicious…  The flight is actually cheaper than flying within Japan sometimes.

I love all the Korean food.  Korean cuisine uses lots of vegetables, and some of the vegetables are used as medicine around the world.  

By the way, I had a funny experience in a Korean restaurant in Northbridge few years ago.  I had used to eat Korean food often in Japan and I knew most of the food on their menu.  I wanted to eat Korean chilled noodle (韓国冷麺) , so I ordered “can I have this Korean chilled noodle please?”  Then, what the waitress said to me was ” oh no no no, you shouldn’t eat it.  It’s not nice!”  … why they put it on the menu if the food is not nice? :p  I was little shocked.  I think, they thought I’d never eaten Korean chilled noodle before.  And, I assume that they thought many foreign people don’t like this dish (?) .  I told them ” I think I will like it, I used to eat Korean chilled noodle in Japan very often.”  Then they allowed me to order this dish and I did enjoy it.


First Weekend 2010

Posted January 4th, 2010 in Perth WA | No Comments »

How was your long holiday?  I assume many people headed down south, or flew somewhere else.  I stayed in Perth all day during this holiday.  After Christmas there’s huge post Christmas sale everywhere, and shopping centres were packed with lots of people…   I’m kind of happy to know that some shopping centres open Sundays from 2010.  I’m the type of person who always find something I need to buy on Sunday :p

 

  

On the last day of this holiday I had massage at Vanilla Face + Body Spa in Scarborough.  I had a voucher, but my husband didn’t want to get anything (as I told you before he doesn’t like getting massage etc).   So I had to use up this voucher by myself!  I made appointment for Shirodara few weeks ago.  Lucky I didn’t book for body massage… my whole body was aching from the sunburn I got after BBQ party in South Perth.  

Shiradora is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment where a fine stream of warmed oil is gently poured on to the ‘third eye’, includes a scalp and facial pressure point massage.  This hypnotic treatment deeply relaxes the mind, settles the central nervous system, and has recognised benefits for headaches, insomnia and sinus conditions. (from Vanilla website)

I wanted to try this treatment since reading my friend’s blog.  She said “everyone who gets Shiradora will sleep during the treatment”.  I was curious if I’m really going to fell asleep.  

On the day, I wasn’t really sleepy.  My body was rather excited after shopping and two cups of coffee.   The warm oil was little tickling first, but then the movement and head massage really led me to sleep!  I woke up many times by hearing myself snoring :p  

It was a relaxing holiday for me after all.  Now I’m back to work.


Perth Kimchi

Posted December 29th, 2009 in Perth WA | 5 Comments »

This kimchi shop opened its door just one month ago in Myaree.  Although the shop is new, customers keep coming back to buy the fresh delicious home-made kimchi.

Kimchi is traditional Korean pickled dishes made of vegetables with varied seasonings.  The most common kimchi is the spicy Chinese cabbage variety.  Cucumber and daikon radish are also popular kinds.  Kimchi is eaten as it is as a side dish to steamed rice, but is also used as an ingredient to make some of the delicious Korean dishes, such as kimchi friend rice, kimchi jigae (kimchi soup/ steam board), topping on bibinba or Korean cold noodle.  

I love kimchi, it’s a great accompaniment to a beer 🙂  

She gave me a free sample, and I really loved her kimchi!  Very fresh, unlike those packaged kimchi you see in grocery shops.  There are some unique kimuchi such as squid kimuchi as well.  (see my dinner photo)  She, the owner, is from Busan, South Korea, and she makes her kimchi everyday at the shop.  No wonder the kimchi is so fresh.

Plus, Korean BBQ dish, Bulgogi (beef and pork) is also available there.  You may need to go there in the morning as this item is very popular 🙂

This shop opens 6days a week, from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00.  If you like this spicy Korean pickles why not try some?

37 Hulme Court, Myaree WA 6154 /  (08) 9317 8688


Seoul Mart Korean Grocery Shop

Posted December 18th, 2009 in Perth WA | 2 Comments »

The second largest Korean grocery shop, after Hi Mart, in Perth is Seoul Mart, I think.  Seoul Mart started its original shop in Perth few years ago, and now there is one in Myaree, and one in Southlands shopping centre.

I’ve been to all of them, but I didn’t like the Perth shop.  When I went there the staffs were very rude!  On the other hand, Myaree and Southlands shop staffs are very polite and friendly.  I’m not sure if those 3 shops are owned by a same owner, or different, but I really don’t feel like going back to the Perth shop.  (but Perth shop does monthly special sale and things are cheap!)

The owner (I think) at Myaree shop is a very very nice guy.  He serves customer with smile and try to answer any questions customer may have- most of the items are written in Korean, so non-Korean customers need some assistance !  At Myaree shop, they do vcd/dvd rental service of Korean drama / film as well.

Out of those three, I think Southland Seoul Mart is the biggest one.  They sell not only food but also some household stuff such as rice cooker, grilling plate (for Korean BBQ) and stationery.  The staff at Southland are friendly too.  The shop is next to Reject Shop in Southland Shopping Centre.

Seoul Mart City (open 7 days)

Shop 4-5, 544 Hay St (on Pier St) (08) 9221 0322

Seoul Mart Myaree

Shop7, North Lake shopping Centre, 67 North Lake Road Myaree WA

Seoul Mart Southlands

Shop76, Southlands Shopping Centre Willetton WA


Bagelier Bagels

Posted December 3rd, 2009 in Ume's Interests | 13 Comments »

It’s been more than one year since Bagelier started its business.  Actually it wasn’t easy for the first few months…  I was surprised to know that people here don’t really like hard, dense, crusty bagels.  They prefer it soft and light. In my opinion it’s not a bagel though…  

Because of that, I had to change my recipe to match their needs.  The bagels at Bagelier were first very dense and heavy, but now they are lighter.  It’s almost impossible to make all the people love my bagels because everyone has different taste!  Ummm..  I’m happy to receive any comments or feedback of Bagelier’s bagels so that I can know the current recipe is good or bad.

Oh by the way, Wasabi & Green Tea in Victoria Park started to sell Bagelier bagels in store 🙂  If someone just wants to try out few bagels, you can buy from this shop.  I think they sell bagels frozen though… but there is no problem as bagels can be kept frozen for 3 months.  You just need to defrost, and either heat up in the microwave or toast.

Well, anyway I think I’m going to start promoting Bagelier products here on this blog.  So, please don’t feel annoyed :p


Wondering Around Northbridge

Posted November 26th, 2009 in Perth WA | 5 Comments »

The other day I was wondering around Northbridge after visiting one of my friend from TAFE. It was a fine day, and I thought “hmm maybe I feel like Vietnamese”. I go to Tra Vinh often, but the restaurant was full of people waiting outside, so I just went to Vinh Hong which in on William St. I come here sometimes too, love eating fresh bean shoots with some kind of sweet miso-like paste.

I had rice noodle with braised beef, and my husband had pork chop rice (as usual :p) The rice noodle was delicious. It came with sour chili sauce, and I didn’t know how to eat … so I dipped the noodle in the sauce to eat. It was fine, but in the end I just poured over the sauce on noodle and enjoyed it all :p

After lunch we started walking around the area. I had nothing I wanted to buy, but all the fruits market (?.. small shop), Asian butcher and grocery shops were fun to look around.

On Brisbane St, I found a cute cake shop and a stylish zakka shop.

The cake shop sells pretty small cakes and bakes sweets with its own brand. There is a wide table and chairs inside too, I’m guessing customers can also enjoy cakes in store. When I was browsing around, some customers were talking with staff about cakes or something. Maybe the shop can make custom-made cake? They have an up-coming website, so better check it out.

http://rochelleadonis.com/ …. 193 Brisbane St, Northbridge

Next door is a zakka shop which sells unique/antique tick homeware and stationary. I love the atmosphere !

“Life Edition” is a brand from WA, and note books and albums are so pretty and stylish. You may find a perfect gift here for Christmas! 🙂


Grand Opening of Esther’s

Posted October 28th, 2009 in Perth WA, Ume's Interests | 2 Comments »

Again, another good news!  Esther’s, a Chinese style bakery shop in Northbridge, is opening its second shop in Winthrop Shopping Village this Friday October 30.  Esther’s in Northbridge has been there for about 1 year or so (I think) and the bread and cakes are popular among Japanese people too.  

On the opening day, you can buy the first 3 items including buns, tarts, cake slices for $1.00 each.  Sweet bread, pandan cake, savoury buns…  $1.00 each is a really good deal!  The normal retail price applies from the third item.  

This special offer is available only in the shop in Withrop village on Friday October 30.  

Shop 25 Winthrop Shopping Village (cnr Somerville Boulevard &Jackson Avenue)

OPEN 7 days, 8:30am ~ 6:00pm


Gather up for Free Donuts!

Posted October 27th, 2009 in Perth WA, Ume's Interests | No Comments »

I was browsing today’s community paper just now, and I saw a ad of Dreamy Donuts (I wrote about the donuts in here) saying that they are giving away donuts for FREE!!

On October 24 the first Dreamy Donuts store in Booragoon opened its doors, and they are cerebrating by giving away free donuts for 5 minutes every hour on the hour between 10am and 2pm this Saturday, October 31!  This “Free for Five” promotion is only available in Booragoon store in Garden City shopping centre (near Wendy’s, T2 area).  

If you live somewhere around Perth, why don’t you take advantage of this offer?  Free glazed donuts … remember, it limits one donut per person.  The family with lots of kids must go to Garden City this Saturday. 🙂


Wasabi and Green Tea

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in Perth WA | 2 Comments »

There is a newly opened shop in Victoria Park which sells some Japanese products.  The name of the shop is “Wasabi and Green Tea”…  very Japan-like. 🙂

Even though the size of the shop is not super big, the variety of the product is huge!  There are some stationary, kitchen ware, clothes, bags, and even food are available in this shop.

When I visited this shop the owner lady showed me some products, and explained what they are.  For example, the donabe (the first picture above) she sells is not really made of clay, but with aluminium.  Which means, it’s very light in weight and can be used for both gas stove and IH.  

The variety of tea is amazing.  Some of them are directly imported from Japan, and very rare.  Obviously they contain some kind of good vitamins or extracts, = good for your body 🙂

I really loved the small gadgets there, and they are pretty cheap!  (eg: small carry bag from Japan = $2.50)

She told me that this shop’s speciality will be Bagelier bagels!  

<Wasabi & Green Tea>

Shop 4, 9-12 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park (next to a petrol station)

08 9470 5213

Open Monday to Saturday (6 Days)


Kuri – chest nuts-

Posted October 6th, 2009 in Food | No Comments »

I got this muki-guri (roasted chestnuts) from Maruyu Convenience Store the other day.  Maruyu is a Japanese grocery shop located on Barrack street (inside of a building).  Apparently Maruyu in Sydney is much bigger…  This shop sells not only food items, but also some Japan’s cosmetic products such as hair wax, hair die, skin lotion etc, as well as 100 yen items from Japan.  These 100 yen items are sold as $3.00 here.  

I bought this small pack of kuri just because it was cheap, but it also reminded me of Japan.  Kuri is an Autumn food in Japan and it should be in the market right now.  In fact, when I was chatting with my brother on skype few days ago he told me that my dad already bought a bag of roasted kuri from somewhere.  Kuri is pretty expensive, I think it’s about 900 yen for a bag of 500g.  It’s not a high-class food or anything, people still buy it regularly, but I thought it’s a bit expensive snack to buy with my pocket money when I was a kid, and I still have the idea in my head somewhere.    

Probably this kuri I bought from Maruyu is not a product of Japan (that’s why it was cheap), but eating this with hot green tea really reminds me of myself long time ago, watching tv with family!  I miss freshly roasted kuri (>v<).


Dreamy Donuts

Posted September 30th, 2009 in Eat out in Perth | No Comments »

Dreamy Donuts was started in Australia and New Zealand, and currently there are 16 shops within Australia.  The shop in Carousel shopping centre (WA) opened just few months ago.  When I saw the sign of this shop in Carousel shopping centre before it’s opened, I actually thought “hmm just another donut shop”.  I didn’t really think that I would want to try them.  

After the shop opened I passed the shop and I noticed that they’re pretty busy.  All the donuts in showcase looked delicious and cute!  

I didn’t still buy donuts from them that time ( :p), but yesterday my sister-in-law bought a dozen of Dreamy donuts and I tried one.  It was really fluffy, soft and moist.  Yes it was delicious, almost like a cake. 🙂   Look at the photo!

I will buy them in the future for sure!  If the price was little cheaper it’d be great though … but I guess it’s the standard price for donuts in Perth 🙁


Fremantle Chocolate Factory

Posted August 26th, 2009 in Perth WA | 1 Comment »

When my partner and I were riding around Fremantle the other day, we decided to drop by this factory and have a look around.  Although this place opens 7 days a week, and has been advertising on one of Japanese news magazines in Perth, it was my first time going there.  

While we were parking our vespa, I saw few Japanese people (I could tell!) going towards this factory.   Hmm seems that the advertising on the Japanese magazine is really effective, otherwise this place is hard to be found and no one would realize there is a chocolate factory in Fremantle – especially tourists. (‘x’)

As we entered the factory I saw Japanese news magazines on a rack, and a sign board on the wall written in Japanese!  Wow lots of Japanese people must come here often.

They sell chocolate with a wide variety of flavors, and the packaging has a logo of “Chocolate Factory Fremantle”, so they make great souvenirs.  There are free tasting chocolate (milk, dark and white), and I tasted white chocolate buttons.  They are pretty sweet.

What I found interesting is that they also sells some molded chocolate : shaped into some animals, gift basket etc.  I thought they are really cute, and I almost bought a treasure box shaped chocolate.  Then I realized “wait, who am I gonna give this to??  I can’t bring it to Japan as it might melt (as it is hot in Japan), and partner’s parents can’t have lots of sugar.”  It would be a good gift if you have someone who loves chocolate.

They also sell some handmade fudge delivered from Margaret River Fudge Factory as well as Morish Nuts products.

You can see inside of factory through windows.

 

Fremantle Chocolate Factory
312 South Terrace (cnr Lefroy St) South Fremantle WA 6162
08 9335 5529
website

Web Catalogs

Posted July 5th, 2009 in Japan, Ume's Interests | No Comments »

Nowadays we can do lots of things online: rent DVD, meet your friends/family, search jobs, transfer money, change your mobile status, business meeting, buy tickets etc… without leaving home.  Still, people sometimes prefer going out for meet-up or shopping of course, otherwise they become hermit crabs!

I like online shopping and mail shopping though, I can look at catalogs at home and enjoy shopping anytime.  But, sometimes things I order look different from what I saw on catalogs or web and it’s the demerit of online/mail shopping – you can’t touch the material, check color with our eyes, and try them on.

I’m browsing few Japanese online shops to buy some clothes and stuff so that I can receive them when I go back home, but I don’t wanna buy pants and shoes online anymore…  Last time I ordered 2 pairs of pants from UNIQLO web shop, and asked my dad to bring them over here (he was coming to Perth).  I was looking forward those pants but I couldn’t fit them, they’re little too tight and too long.  If I go to UNIQLO shop I can get adjusted the hem for free.  And, I can try them on before buying of course.

The site I’m checking out right now is what I was looking for, actually.  This site offers digital catalog online, so you can search each shop’s specials or sale items online.  With this site, I can check what to look for and buy when I get to Japan.

You can even check very local shops, such as Jusco or Joshin if they have any current catalogs out.  It’s good to know what products are on sale before you go shopping so that you can save time to look around.

In Australia there is also online web-catalog site called “Lasoo“, if you wanna check it out.


The Miami Bakehouse

Posted April 29th, 2009 in Eat out in Perth | 2 Comments »

It’s been a while since Miami Bakehouse opened its second shop in Melville.  They represent themselves as a winner of more than 300 awards, and their range of pies is amazing: more than 30 pie varieties.  Crab & Feta, Big Breakfast, Chili Beef and Stockmans (combination of kangaroo, camel and emu!!) are just examples…

All the bread are baked fresh every day, and they have a huge range of cakes / sweet items at the counter as well.  You can either take them away, or eat in.  They serve nice coffees and other beverages to accompany those baked food.  You also can choose to get gourmet rolls if desired.

Last week I went to Melville shop with my friend, and had a wonderful time there.  

My friend had decaf soy latte with coffee eclair, and I had skinny long mac with danish.  

There’re about 8 tables inside, and 5 tables outside.  

I definitely would love to try one of their famous pies – probably Seafood Medley!  combination of prawns, fish and scallops served in a lemon pepper sauce… sounds yum!


Bagels in Perth

Posted April 21st, 2009 in Food, Perth WA | No Comments »

I’ve been eating bagels quite often lately.  This Bagelier is an online bakery shop settled in Metropolitan Perth, which deliver freshly baked bagels and other baked sweets right to your door.

I love bagels, but I also miss Japanese style bread.  I hope someone open a Japanese bakery shop in Perth!  Japanese bread are different, and there are many many flavors.  Is there bakeries owned by Japanese bakers within Australia?  

By the way I love my Cranberry x Cream Cheese bagel at Bagelier.  Green Tea flavors are also nice.  After toasting they are nicely crusty and I can enjoy the hard crust as I like.  Personally I love very crusty bread, or very chewy bread.  The bagels from bagelier are nicely chewy and reasonably hard when you heat up.  If you have a small oven toaster it makes them nicely crunchy and chewy!  You can buy them in bulk and keep in the freezer, in this way you can enjoy a bagel anytime 🙂


Modern Japanese Beauty Salon

Posted April 18th, 2009 in Ume's Interests | 2 Comments »

I noticed my skin and hair condition got really bad since I came to Australia.  I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who feels that way.  The biggest cause of this, I believe, is the air.  The air here is really really dry!  My eyes need eye drops every half an hour, and my skin looks like it has scales on it.  That’s way I can’t neglect to use body lotion after shower.  I think UV and water are also the causes.  Water here is hard, and water in Japan is soft.  I don’t know what difference it causes to our body but I definitely feel my hair is softer and moist in Japan.  Here, even though I use same shampoo from Japan I feel my hair is very dry.  Well, so I have to put a little more effort to maintain my body in Perth.

Actually I seldom go to a beauty salon to get massage or some kinds of treatment.  It doesn’t mean I don’t like it, it’s just because I don’t wanna spend lots of money on myself.  I’m pretty sure lots of girls like getting massage and beauty treatments.  Don’t you?  I am too.  So when I feel “oh my body really really needs some help…” I go out to get my body rescued.

This beauty salon MC Beauty is located in Northbridge, and the owner Mrs Mako is a professional beauty practitioner.  All the staff there are highly skilled Japanese beauticians and some of their machines are directly brought from Japan.  That’s why I only go to this place in Perth.  I feel safe!

I’ve been there few times for IPL, but today I experienced their special facial treatment.  It was my first time to get facial treatment in my life!

Oh my gosh… it was soooo nice.  I almost fell asleep.  Seriously!  This special facial treatment has 14 steps, and they massage my decollete, shoulders, neck and legs/arms too.  These steps include deep-cleansing, peeling, ion innovation, buble cleansing, mask, spinal electric massage etc…

The skin care they use is 100% organic naturally produced in Australia, (a brand called Janesce) and I loved the scent of rose.  They said to me that rose extract actually helps reviving body tissue too.  They of course have other than rose if you don’t like the rose scent.

Now my skin looks very different.  Smooth and moist.  After the session they said that my body age accorning to the spinal electric thing is 42!  Oh no…  They taught me some strech and massage techniques so that I can do it at home.  It’s nice that I can see the analysis of my skin level and body condition in a graph.  The staff are very friendly yet professional, that’s the reason why I wanna come back here in the future.


Sunday in Freo

Posted March 29th, 2009 in Perth WA | No Comments »

This afternoon D and I were wondering around Fremantle area.  I wasn’t looking for anything to buy, but when we stepped into E-shed market I found these wooden plates at a small shop inside of market.

It’s a set of 6: 2 wooden plates and 4 small forks, and they were $2.00.  Yes, $2.00 for 6 pieces.  Pretty cheap, huh??  All the products in the shop are from 100 yen shop in Japan, and they are selling them here at $2.00.  Considering the current currency rate, I think it’s a good deal.  I suddenly remembered how things were nice and cheap in Japan compared with Perth.  If you want to buy this type of thing somewhere else here, I assume that it’ll probably cost around $10.00!

I was already happy when I left the shop, but then one bonsai stall caught my attention.  There were varieties of bonsai trees as well as some ornaments and bonsai instruction booklets.  I decided to buy one bonsai kit: including one bonsai tree, plate, soil, bonsai food, wire (to re-shape the bonsai tree), one ornament and instruction booklet.  It was $15.00.  The lady was so nice, and she taught me how to maintain the tree and soil.  And, she said that we can bring in this tree every Sunday to show her and check how the bonsai condition is.  of course free of charge.  I was so lucky that I came here today!  If you are interested in bonsai, check out her website  Bonsai Palace.  It’s got lots of tips and hints for growing beautiful bonsai trees.

I love this turtle ornament.  So cute 🙂


Do you like bagels??

Posted February 11th, 2009 in Food, Perth WA | 10 Comments »

   

I wrote a post about bagels here, and I’ve tried bagels at the Trackside Bakery down by the Perth Train Station as Angie recommended me.  I loved the whole “bakery smell” 🙂  Freshly baked bread…  yum!  and bagels are really nice! but I wish there are more bagel shops in Perth.  

I’m starting to wonder… do people in Perth know what the bagel is??  I mean, of course some people should know, but is it like 20% of the population??  Not so many shops sell bagels, does it mean people here prefer soft & light bread?

Personally I love hard, crusty and difficult-to-tear-off type of bread.  I can get those hard crusty bread from my favorite bakery, but sadly they don’t sell bagels on regular bases 🙁

Do you like soft bread, or hard bread??


Jakarta Trip 2008 -Food-

Posted January 27th, 2009 in Eat out in Jakarta, Jakarta | No Comments »

Now I finally have time to look back my trip to Jakarta and write about it on Umeboss 🙂  I was staying in Jakarta for 6 days before flying to Japan (for my Japan trip posts, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. or see photos.)

That was my second visit to Jakarta.  The first time was one year ago (2007): I stayed there in Christmas and New Year’s day.  I have to admit that I experienced a huge culture shock in the country :p  Indonesia (Jakarta) was quite different from what I was imagining in my head.  There were actually lots of shopping malls, lots of restaurants (many cuisines: Japanese, Korean, American, Chinese, Indonesian etc) and more!  And everything was inexpensive.

Most of the famous franchises (like Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Burger King, Starbucks, etc etc….) were there.  I could even find Beard Papa\’s ! (cream puff franchise started from Osaka Japan)  You could get almost anything in Jakarta.  That was a surprise!

Since I was in Indonesia, I wanted to try original Indonesian food.  Nasi Lemak? Gado Gado? (are they Indonesian?)  Unfortunately, however, I was taken to Chinese restaurants most of the time.  I’m actually sick of Chinese:(  I eat it in Perth all the time!  I wanted to try something exotic.  So I asked them (in laws) to go to an Indonesian restaurant.  Then, they took me to this place called “Java Kitchen”.

It’s a franchise restaurant and this place serves Java food.  Nutty peanuts sauce Satay, Tahu Kacang, Sop Buntut (oxtail soup), mixed plates with a few dishes…  I had a mixed plate of coconut rice, Ayam Goreng (deep-fried chicken), Kacang (peanuts), Sambal (chili), boiled egg etc.  The sambal was really really spicy!!  I love spicy food and usually eat sambal at home in Perth too, but chili sauce in Indonesia was much spicier.  Do they use different type of chili or something? Anyway, even though I couldn’t finish those sambal, I enjoyed whole dish 🙂  Hot climate, hot food.  I love the combination!

Talking about chili sauce, I want to mention about KFC in Indonesia again.  (my previous post for KFC is here)  Yes we went to KFC again to enjoy those chicken with steamed rice.  There were 2 huge bottles of chili sauce at the counter so that customers can pour on their plates as much as they want.  According to my observations, the avarage amount of chili sauce people got on their plate was 1/2cup (125ml):1 piece of chicken + chips + steamed rice. :p

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There was a place where I really wanted to go back to on this trip.  This cafe sells special coffee, called Kopi Luwak : coffee berries which have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of the Indonesian Civet.  This process takes place on the islands of Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago.  It sounds little gross to drink something came from animal’s droppings, but this coffee is actually very expensive product. (few hundreds buck per pound (450g)!)

When I went to this cafe last time I didn’t try “pure” Kopi Luwak, so I went there again to try one this time.  One cup of Kopi Luwak was about AUS$7.00, I think.  It had nutty rich flavor.  Whilst drinking I was thinking “who came up with this idea??” :p  So curious…

You can browse more photos of my trip in Jakarta here

 


Retro Collection

Posted January 19th, 2009 in Ume's Interests | 4 Comments »

My interest in retro things started when my fiance took me to explore an old book shop.  He originally loves vintage stuffs and has some collections at home. 

In the book shop, I found several old cooking books in a shelf.  They are secondhand.  Some of them are pretty dirty, hand-written, very old-fashioned layout and illustrations.  I wouldn’t like someone’s secondhand cooking books, but they seemed very used and loved.  Some of them are published in 1900 and still readable…

I suddenly felt something inside me.  These old books have been in people’s kitchens for more than 100 years.  By reading them, I could go back in time and felt the differences to present days…

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We bought this retro-looking popcorn machine the other day.  This is actually not a real vintage stuff, but we just love its looking.

ポップコーンマシーン

This machine makes pretty good popcorns without oil.  Actually popcorn is not my favorite snack but I’ve been enjoying it 🙂  Good accompaniment to DVDs.



Finally… bagels!

Posted December 28th, 2008 in Food, Japan | 3 Comments »

One of my best friend in Osaka started a business this May 2008, a bagel shop 🙂  I’ve been checking up her blog from Perth everyday and thinking “aaa… I wish I could get nice bagels in Perth…”.

I don’t get to see any bagel shop in Perth.  I think there is none??  I only see bagels at a corner of supermarkets and some bakeries…  Not many people seem to know what bagels are too. (surprising!)

Bagel is one of my favorite food, I love its chewy texture (>v<).  This friend lived in America for about 2 years, and she loved American bagels.  After she got back to Japan she couldn’t forget the taste and texture, so she started making them up by herself!  According to her blog, she loves tough, chewy heavy texture like I do, so her bagels seemed perfect to me 🙂

To taste her bagels was on my To Do List in Japan, and today I finally had the chance!!  I met her in Osaka last night and she gave me some of her fresh bagels… 🙂  I was so happy♪  (thanks yutsuki♥)

If you live in Japan and love bread/bagels, why don’t you try them♪ Available through online Sysouer Bagel Recommended!!


Borders x Gloria Jeans Coffee

Posted October 11th, 2008 in Perth WA | No Comments »

Today the sky was filled with white cloud.  I was going to ride to Perth city for shopping, but after hearing thunder from the sky I changed my plan to drive instead.  

There is a book shop “Border” in the city and I love going there.  Sofas, chairs and tables are provided to customers, so you can grub some books from the shelfs and sit down & read.  You can, of course, purchase books, but you can also read books without purchasing them:p 

“Paperchase” products are available as well so if you are looking for some unique gift cards/stationery you can definitely find here!

As you know Perth is quite small city, and to my knowledge, this book shop is the only one which has a cafe inside.  There is Gloria Jeans on the first floor and you can drink, sit down and read books/magazines.

Iced White Chocolate

Iced White Chocolate

When I was ordering this drink I saw a poster on the wall.  “Free Eco Bag when you buy four coffees”.  Ahhhhh I want to get the eco bag, but there is no way that I can finish 4 coffees by myself:p  Using this eco bag will definitely reduce the wastage of paper trays and I think it’s a great idea.  Maybe I should offer my  manager to get some coffees from Gloria Jeans on Monday and get this bag :p