Sanrio’s beloved Japanese character, Cinnamoroll is floating into Singapore and landing at Kumoya, for a special limited time pop-up café collaboration from 17 May 2017 to 13 August 2017.

The collaboration is with Kumoya, Singapore’s first Halal-certified Japanese-French café is to mark Cinnamoroll’s 15th anniversary.

This collaboration will see the cafe being transformed into a Cinnamoroll theme wonderland, with a specially commissioned Cinnamoroll theme décor. 

Diners can enjoy delicious special limited-time menu has been curated and styled by me with the kitchen team at Kumoya. 

The selected Main Courses, Desserts and Beverages will all carry the themed Cinnamoroll character.

Definitely not to miss this unique experience and a must-visit for fans of this cute fluffy character. 

Campaign Date: 17 May 2017 to 13 August 2017

Location: Kumoya @ 8 Jalan Klapa Singapore 199320

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Opening Hours: 

Tuesday – Thursday, Sunday 12.00pm – 9.30pm

Friday and Saturday 12.00pm – 10.30pm

(last order 30 minutes before closing)

Price Range: $7.90 – $21.90

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One more day to Mother’s Day, why not show your love by whipping something special in the kitchen?

Using a wide variety of Japanese products at Isetan Supermarket, I prepared this Panda Bento lunchbox.

Some of you may have seen my live demo session last week at Isetan Scotts, it was really awesome to be up close with everyone and I hope you had fun seeing how the homely dishes can be easily prepared and enjoyed the food sampling!

Below are the recipes for this cute Panda bento.

All ingredients used in this recipe can be found at Isetan Supermarket.

Tamagoyaki

Ingredients

• 2 Eggs (Mangetsu Noukou)
• 10ml Shiro Dashi
• 10ml Water
• 1 tsp Caster Sugar

Method

1. Crack eggs into a non-reactive bowl. Add shiro dashi, sugar and water. Mix well. Try not to introduce any air into the egg mixture as air bubbles in the egg will hamper achieving a smooth egg roll.
2. Pour out a layer of egg mixture in the tamagoyaki pan and cook over low heat. Cover the pan when cooking to ensure even cooking of the egg.
3. When cooked until the edges are slightly firm, roll the egg from top end towards yourself. Push the egg roll to the top of the pan.
4. Pour in another layer of egg mixture and cook the second layer. When slightly firm, roll it up together with the first egg roll and push the combined roll to the top. Repeat until all the egg mixture is used up.
5. Serve.

Basic Dashi stock

• Approx 5 inch long Kombu Seaweed, with slits cut along the sides (Yamada Saomae Kombu)
• 400ml Water
• 3g Shaved Bonito Flakes, Katusobushi (Marutomo Hana Katsuo)

Method

1. In a pot, soak kombu in water for 15-30 minutes.
2. Over low heat, bring kombu and water to a boil and let simmer for 1-2 minutes.
3. Take off heat and remove kombu.
4. Add in bonito flakes and bring to a boil.
5. Simmer for 3-4 minutes on low heat.
6. Sieve out all the solid ingredients and set stock aside to cool.
7. Serve.

Basic Miso Soup

Ingredients

• Approx 2 cups of Silken tofu and or vegetables
• 450ml Dashi Broth
• 1.5 Tbsp Miso (Marumo Aoki Mutenka Shiro)
• you may add thinly slice pork meat (Momoiro Pork Shabu Shabu ) if you like
• spring onions or parsley (optional)

Method

1. Bring dashi stock to boil, add in vegetables.
2. Add meat if you like.
3. Lower the heat
4. Put in 1.5 Tbsp Miso into strainer and mix using chopsticks to dissolve the miso
5. Add tofu and mix gently.
6. Turn off heat and serve.

Stir Fry Momoiro Japanese Pork

Ingredients

• Approx 5-6 slices of Momoiro Japanese Pork
• garlic clove 1 pc, minced
• onion, 1 Tbsp
• Nissin cooking oil
• 1 tsp japanese soy sauce
• 1 tsp mirin
• 1 tsp cooking sake

Method

1. Heat frypan. Add about 1 tsp of cooking oil, and fry garlic and onion until garlic aroma is released and slightly brown and onions are slightly brown and caramelised.
2. Add in sliced pork and sauteed quickly until about 80% cookied.
3. Add in soysauce, mirin and sake.
4. Stir fry until seasoning coats meat evenly and pork is cooked.
5. Serve

Panda Riceball

Ingredients

• Japanese rice approx 90-100g
• seaweed 1/2 sheet
• Furikake (optional)

Method

1. Using cling wrap, shape one large round rice ball. You may wrap some furikake inside the riceball if you like.
2. Then make a smaller rice ball, closer to oblong shape for Panda’s body.
3. Make 2 small round rice balls, and 4 smaller pieces of rice balls for the ears and limbs.
4. Trim 6 roundish pieces of sushi seaweed.
5. Wrap the small riceballs from step 3 with the sushi seaweed. You could make slits around to help the seaweed adhere better to the riceball. And rewrap inside the cling wrap to shape it.
6. Assemble in the bento box together with the side dishes such as the tamagoyaki and stir-fry pork, fresh lettuce, cherry tomato, mizuna vegetables. Recommend to drizzle some Kewpie Japanese sesame sauce on the mizuna salad – so yummy and easy to whip up.

 Isetan Supermarket

Website https://www.isetan.com.sg/ 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Isetan.sg/ 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/isetansg/ 

Locations:

Isetan Scotts Supermarket
350 Orchard Road, Basement
Shaw House, Singapore 238868
Operating hours: Sun to Thur | 10am – 9pm
Fri, Sat & eve of PH | 10am – 9.30pm

Isetan Jurong East Supermarket
3 Gateway Drive, Basement
Westgate, Singapore 608532
Operating hours: Sun to Thurs | 10am – 9pm
Fri, Sat & eve of PH | 10am – 9.30pm
*selected items are not available at Isetan Jurong East Supermarket

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Are you also excited like me that the new Smurfs movie is coming to theatres? woohoo~~

GIVEAWAY

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Did you know that Meiji Run is back this year? Known as the most delicious race :) finishers of the race would receive a delicious treat including Meiji Hamper on top of their medals.

Since the race is happening, I think we can afford a little treat now (and burn the calories later :P) haha.

Sharing the recipe for these cute and delicious Meiji Chocolate Waffle sticks. Crisp and chocolately, just like how I like my waffles.

Try them for a party or when you need a perk me up.

Meiji Chocolate Waffles Recipe (watch recipe video here)

Ingredients

• Meiji Dark Chocolate Bar x 1
• unsalted butter 30g
• medium egg x 1
• sugar 30g
• Meiji milk 100ml
• salad oil 2 Tbsp
• cake flour 100g + baking powder 5g
  Toppings:
• Meiji Hello Panda
• Meiji Fruit Gummy
• Meiji’s Poifull

Method

1. Melt chocolate and butter in a microwave at approx 300W (low heat) for 20 seconds. Alternatively you can also use water bath to melt the chocolate butter mixture.

2. Whisk egg and sugar until thick and fluffy.

3. Add in Meiji milk. Then add in the chocolate butter mixture from step 1.

4. Add in salad oil.

5. Sieve in the flour together with the baking powder. Mix until incorporated.

6. Cook the waffles in the pan for about 2-3minutes on each side.

7. Let it cool slightly, divide into strips.

8. Make a slit in the middle using a small knife. Insert an ice-cream stick.

9. Pipe on freshly whipped cream. Add your favourite toppings like Meiji’s Hello Panda, fruit gummy and Poifull.

Enjoy this cute and delicious Meiji treat!

And dont forget to sign up for the Meiji Run! 

You can pick a more leisurely 5km Fun Run or if you are into competitive race, then the 10km Competitive Cash Back Run will be up your alley.

Race will take place on 20 may 2017 (Saturday) 3pm to 8pm at Sentosa (Palawan Green).

Register has started at http://www.meijirun.sg/race-info/. 

What’s more, at the race, there are also activities including movie screening, Japanese food fair, Lucky Draw and photobooths. Sounds really fun!

And my fellow yoga enthusiasts can join in “Meiji Yoga”, a mass yoga session in which participants will be treated to Meiji Amino Collagen before their yoga session and a Meiji Breakfast, which includes delicious Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt served with fruits and it’s newly launched Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt Drink.

On top of that, participants can even enjoy a short spa massage or manicure at the sponsor’s booth.

Yoga (Amino Collagen Hour) 7:30am – 9:00am

Meiji Breakfast & Spa (Bulgaria Yoghurt Hour) 9:00am – 10:30am

Entitlements

Post proudly brought to you by Meiji.

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One of the trend that hit town around mid last year in Japan was Mosiac Bento.

Through geometrical neat arrangements of the ingredients, the result was a highly attractive elegant sushi bento.

I fell in love with the mosaic bento design. So so gorgeous and  not to mention, easy to achieve too. Just prepare a variety of ingredients that you like, colorful will be best, and cut them into squares and arrange them in the box.

For me, I obviously prefer them cute and kawaii. ;P haha so I made quite a no of mosaic bento designs.

The Sanrio one above remains one of my favourites.

When October month was around the corner, I made a Halloween inspired Mosaic Bento.

Knowing that some of you may not really consume rice in your usual diet, I made a sandwich mosaic bento too.

During my trip to Bangkok (Thailand) to teach cooking, I discovered a quaint little tea store that sold really lovely homemade spreads with flavours like matcha, houjicha and even pickled sakura.

They tasted amazing and also had lovely colors. So I used them for this animal theme sandwich mosaic bento.

What was even more amazing was that my Mosaic bento creations caught the eye of the producers of Bento Expo – a special bento programme by NHK World  again.

So they came over to film me and my bento making for the programme – Special Episode.

If you missed it, don’t worry. You can catch the episodes again at https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/bento/

The filming took place around the December period and the first episode was slated for airing during Christmas period, so I made a Christmas theme mosaic bento. 

I also did a twist on the regular square/rectangular mosaic bento and made another version in a round tingkat bento. 

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Follow my bento creations, food art and food styling journey on my Facebook my page here or my Instagram here.

More info on my three cookbooks  ‘Kawaii Bento’  here ,  ‘Kawaii Deco Sushi’ here and Kawaii Sweet Treats here!

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Kawaii Burger Bread Buns.

I love baking these super cute burger bread buns – Miffy, Winnie the Pooh and Pikachu! Which ones do you like the most?

Really happy that they turn out well.

I have been making cute bread buns, but I think the Winnie the Pooh one was the first few.

Using honey instead of sugar in the recipe, it yield a lovely lingering aroma of honey in the soft buns. Sweetness is not overpowering so the buns are still great for mini sliders like here.

For a healthy choice, I had apple ‘fries’ at the side together with some salad.

Over the last two years, my baking journey has intensified. I guess the plain reason is because I enjoy creating (eating :P) and sharing the goodies with my friends and colleagues when I bake. Plus I have a much better oven now.

I used to bake with the old tabletop oven – a hand me down from my mum.

Finally upgraded to a full size oven early last year  –  a 60cm Turbo Incanto Oven TFM8627.

Nothing against the tabletop oven, but it does make a difference in terms of heat distribution, functions and space (more space!!!), areas where a full size oven is advantageous.

Most of my baking creations are breads and pastries like tarts, choux and cakes. I noticed that I rarely make macarons, icing cookies, glazed donuts and cupcakes though, haha – I think its because I prefer eating the former ones more.

It only makes sense to make what you enjoy more right? :)

I think this is the one thing that comes through in homemade food – the love and effort we give in.

At the peak of the Pokemon phase last year, I was inspired to make pokemon buns.

They came out equally cute. I love that I can take out my Pokeball bento box and use them too. The mini pokeballs are made from quail eggs,  cherry tomatoes and seaweed.

I even posted the recipe on my instagram here.

Even without the bun fillings, they still look adorbs right?

And of course, Miffy cannot be left out!

I am such a bunny person.

The trick to getting these buns such nice color and not overbrowning, really comes down to the baking temperature. More of these tips will be shared in my next cookbook – yes a teaser! it will be on bread and will be super kawaii.

Using my Miffy vegetable cutters, I made matching potato wedges to complete my Miffy Burger Buns set.

Got my hands on these cute Miffy wax paper from Kiddyland at Harajuku.

Hope you enjoy this post on my homemade Kawaii Burger Bread Buns!

Follow my bento creations, food art and food styling journey on my Facebook my page here or my Instagram here.

More info on my three cookbooks  ‘Kawaii Bento’  here ,  ‘Kawaii Deco Sushi’ here and Kawaii Sweet Treats here!

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Miniature Bento. Real edible miniature food!

I think the miniature food trend has been really popular in the last 2 years. I tried a few myself and also posted videos on my Instagram.

What is it like making miniature food? I have to admit that it is quite a unique and engaging experience for me personally. It is not surprising why there are content creators solely focused on creating miniature food.

When I received the collaboration request from McDonald’s Japan (マクドナルド). I was so thrilled!

I proposed that we could feature edible miniature bento of their McDonalds’ meals. They loved the idea.

We did a series of 3 postings, featuring the hotcakes breakfast set, their burger set and nuggets with apple pie.

Everything is edible! Ok except that tiny white wrapper of the hash brown.

Here was what I used:

• Hotcakes – real hotcakes made tiny, topped with tiny piece of butter and drizzled with maple syrup
• Hash brown – fried egg, mcd’s logo on the wrapper is made from egg and tomato
• Happy meal box – carrot and egg sheet

Ah who love apple pie? :P

• Apple Pie – tiny piece of puff pastry, wrapper is made from cucumber, crabstick, egg sheet and black sesame seed
• Nuggets – real tiny pieces of fried chicken

Lastly the burger set!

• Drink – cucumber and deep fried pasta stick, tomato and egg sheet for the logo
• Burger – mini round sausage, sesame seeds, cheese, chicken, lettuce
• Fries – carrot and egg

I look forward to share more creations with you!

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Follow my bento creations, food art and food styling journey on my Facebook my page here or my Instagram here.

More info on my bento cookbook titled ‘Kawaii Bento’  here and my 2nd cookbook titled ‘Kawaii Deco Sushi’ out now in stores here!

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Tsum Tsum Sushi Rolls! One of my new year resolutions is to give my  blog greater attention and more love. After my leg injury last year, it has been rather difficult getting back my mojo to blog regularly – an affair that I used to do almost daily.

So starting today, I will be sharing many of the postings that I have made but had not the chance to post them here. I have been posting much more regularly on my Instagram than my blog over the past one year :P.

Many of you would know that I enjoy making decorative sushi rolls, also known as kazarimaki sushi. My second cookbook ‘ Kawaii Deco Sushi’ was dedicated solely to recipes for decorative sushi rolls.

I also like to create Disney characters in my sushi rolls. Especially Tsum Tsum characters.

Being cute and roundish in shape – making them easier to be replicated in sushi rolls.

To start the week, let us enjoy some lovely Disney Tsum Tsum Sushi. I cannot decide which ones I like better, so here a compilation of some of the Tsum Tsum sushi I made.

Frozen series~~~ Elsa the Snow Queen, Anna and of course, the adorable Olaf.

We have good old Winnie the Pooh and friends!

Here is Mickey and Minnie together with Donald and Daffy. 

And not forgetting the Disney princesses – Tinkerbell, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.

Ever since I started my journey in bento making, I remained very thankful to the various opportunities I have received.

So imagine my excitement when I was invited to Tokyo to teach a kazarimaki sushi  workshop. Thank you Japan Awaits for hosting me.

I hope I will have the chance to teach in Tokyo again soon.

Here are some photos from the workshop from one of the sessions. It was so much fun teaching everyone – thank you so much for coming.

Final shot of the Tsum Tsum sushi created during class!

Follow my bento creations, food art and food styling journey on my Facebook my page here or my Instagram here.

More info on my bento cookbook titled ‘Kawaii Bento’  here and my 2nd cookbook titled ‘Kawaii Deco Sushi’ out now in stores here!

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Known as the Little Kyoto, Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa prefecture. Filled with beautiful historical houses, geisha and samurai districts, traditional arts and handicrafts and beautifully preserved gardens, Kanazawa is one of the most significant cities of the Edo period.

With the new shinkansen (bullet train) line directly linking Tokyo to Kanazawa, it is now so easy and (much faster) to travel to Kanazawa.

Kanazawa Gold Leaf

Did you know that Kanazawa produces 99% of all gold leaf in Japan, and 100% of domestic silver and platinum leaf?

Feather thin at 0.1 to 0.125 millionths of a meter, Kanazawa’s Gold Leaf is extremely well known for its superiority. It never oxidises or changes color, and so thin it will disappear when you rub with your fingers.

Once you arrive in Kanazawa, you will soon notice gold leaf being used in everything (almost), from food, arts and crafts to interiors.

And yes, Kanazawa is the only place you can enjoy gold-leaf-wrapped soft serve ice-cream, and even gold-leaf castella cake. These have been on my bucket list, ever since I read about them on a Japanese site.

For the gold-leaf-wrapped soft serve, highly recommend Haruichi located at Higashi Chaya district. The creamy milky ice cream is to die for, not to mention the opulence enjoyment of Japan’s finest gold leaf.

If you prefer something different, at Kanazawa station, a café retails silver- and gold-leaf wrapped soft serve ice-cream. 

The Gold castella cake is available at Kanazawa station too. You will see an entire hall filled with well-known omiyage, food and other souvenir stores selling Kanazawa products.

I was literally squealing in joy when I managed to get my hands on these cakes. They even come in limited time cutout shapes, like these ones I got.

Kagaonsen

To the south of Kanazawa city center, just 30mins’ train ride, Kaga Onsen (加賀温泉) is well-known for its collection of four hot spring towns. Highly regarded as the onsen destination by the locals, you can choose from a variety ryokan stays with baths.

It is a lovely experience for visitors and residents alike, and gives tourists with a local bathing experience that is one of a kind.

HigashiChaya and Samurai district

The best way to explore and experience the Edo history of Kanazawa is through a personalised tour with a local guide.

Through Expedia.com.sg, I booked the Samurai & Geisha Districts, Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en Garden Tour.

Taking a beautiful stroll along the well-preserved walls and entrances of Samurai family houses, I so wish I was dressed in Kimono. I would’ve gotten some seriously lovely pictures!

Our local guide also taught us how to recognise the architectural designs that marked these Samurai family houses.

Continuing our journey, we reached Higashi Chaya District, my favourite part of the tour.

Intimate streets with wooden lattice geisha houses, I enjoyed strolling through the geisha teahouses now filled with local stores selling Kanazawa products, wares, omiyage souvenirs and food.

We took a midday respite for lunch at Ushioya for their Fired Buri Yellowtail Sashimi bento, thanks to the recommendation by the local guide, Yamamoto san.

Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenroku-en Garden

The second part of our Samurai & Geisha Districts, Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en Garden Tour, was to see the beautifully restored 16th century Kanazawa Castle. 

Once home of the feudal lord Maeda Toshiie and his family, this white tile roofed castle is a beautiful sight to behold!

Nature lovers would also enjoy Kenroku-en Garden, for its lush greenery and peaceful tranquillity. 

Omicho Market

If you love local markets, fresh seafood and produce, then you must visit Omicho Market.

Omicho Market is the largest fresh food market of Kanazawa. I really liked how it had all the right vibes without being overly crowded, unlike Kyoto’s Nishiki market or Tsukiji in Tokyo, which can be teaming with tourists and overwhelming for any traveller.

Like all fresh food markets, the market is lined with speciality stores selling the freshest local seafood and produce; you can even find kitchen tools, clothing and flowers. Store owners and workers cheerfully shouting out the best deals to attract customers, locals buying produce home, here is where you can experience the real hustle and bustle of Japanese market activities.

Also spot seasonal produce such as these Matsutake mushrooms, the most expensive mushrooms known for its earthy flavour. One of the hardest to cultivate, these mushrooms are only available during the autumn season.

Before you leave, remember to try the popular Kaisendon (sashimi seafood rice bowl) at Omicho Market, almost every single sushi restaurant serves this popular dish.

We went for the well-known Yamada Sushi and queued for about 20mins before we got a seat. Just look at this overflowing bowl of sashimi! 

Shirakawa-Go Tour (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

If you are in Kanazawa, it is also a good opportunity to visit its UNESCO world heritage site – Shirakawa-go. Famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some are over 250 years old!

Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer”. You would notice the signature steep thatched roofs, resembling the hands of Buddhist monks pressing together in prayer. And because of this unique architecture, these roofs can withstand large amount of heavy snow during winter. 

Visiting during winter and snowy season is popular for that dreamy picturesque view of the thatched roofs covered with thick layers of snow.

If you want a fuller experience, you can even choose to do a short stay at Shirakawa-go at one of their farmhouses serving as minshuku.

******

Many thanks to Expedia.com.sg for the experience!

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In 2 days time, Gudetama Cafe is opening (soft launch) at Suntec City.

You would have read my earlier post about my collaboration with the cafe and the menu highlights.

I helped in the co-creating the menu and food styling for the cute dishes featuring Sanrio’s lovable egg – Gudetama.

You must be excited about how the cafe is like and the menu.

Gudetama cafe is divided into 2 sections, one is decked up in warm wood and many gudetama designs while the other has a garden feel, well suited for Singapore.

Walking into the larger section of the cafe, a cute Gudetama with mint leaf greets you at the door. Holding a mint leaf, Gudetama is shielding himself from heat in sunny Singapore :P

Some of my favourite features include this super super hilarious and cute egg crate table.

SO CUTE LAH! I want to hug all the eggs and bring them home.

Another favourite spot of mine in the cafe are these egg shaped booth seats and the egg shell chairs with sunny side up table tops.

If you love natural lighting, then the smaller section of the cafe will cheer you up with its vertical greenery, oh yes there is also a cute gudetama figurine for the best photo opportunities.

Want to see what they serve and the super cute Gudetama menu?

Check out my earlier post about Gudetama cafe Singapore collaboration here.

Gudetama Cafe Singapore
Soft Opening 30 Nov 2016
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-361 Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
Opening hrs: Mon-Thur 9am to 10pm | Fri-Sun 8am to 10pm, *Last Order 930pm

Facebook http://ww.facebook.com/gudetamacafesg

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gudetamacafesg/

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