During my second visit to Kobe city in Feburary, I was so surprised by the experience. Aside from the deeper understanding of the city and I really fell more in love with it. Honestly even more than i anticipated.

Kobe is a vibrant city of old traditions and the modern. So you might ask, what was so special?

Along the streets, you will find the must-go large shopping zones and Japanese brands, while the hidden alleys reveals quaint little stores unique to the city, old food stores selling yakitori sticks, gyozas and more.

The Kobe port, right next to the Meriken Park, offers a immense large space for groups and families to hang out, sporting a newly opened sea-facing Starbucks store, and the famous “million dollar nightview” from the Umie mall side. Kobe at times, reminds me a little of Tokyo, but with much less of the crowds and gentler in nature.

Here are some of the Kobe city highlights which i recommend for your itinerary. I tried to broadly categorise them but some of the stores/spaces are multi concept, so do read the full recommendation.

STAY

Immensely popular with the Japanese visitors, Hotel Konigs Kron Kobe (Website Japanese / or book through Tripadvisor here)  which sits just a stone throw away from Sannomiya station embodies fully the Japanese kawaii culture and the love for sweets.

Konigs Kron (Website Japanese) is actually a well known sweets/omiyage store in Kobe with some 50 years of history. About 3 years ago, they opened this super popular hotel.  Their cute bear mascot, is seen peppered around the hotel, guaranteeing you super photo-friendly, selfie-friendly spots.

Everything was so cute, and even if you are not a morning person, DO NOT miss out their breakfast. It features a jaw-dropping spread of freshly made bread buns and sweets. It’s quite a girls’ and family haven – or sweets lover haven. Because of their popular desserts, their lunch buffet is also ever so popular, with daily queues as early as 11am outside the hotel.

EAT

Surrounded by sea and mountains with clean water, Kobe is known for high quality produce and ingredients, and equally – delicious food.

During one of the nights, do hang out like a real local Japanese at this popular 100 years izakaya － 八榮亭. Sitting inside a cramped little store, enjoying freshly prepared grilled meat sticks passing over the heads of the customers is quite an experience; not to mention also delicious.　

八榮亭 Address: 2 Chome-6-15 Shinkaichi, Hyogo, Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture 652-0811

Situated a short walk away, is 夫婦ぎょうざ gyoza store. Handmade with love, I easily finished 10 pieces on my own while my Japanese associates ate15 pieces each happily.

夫婦ぎょうざ Address: 〒652-0811 Hyōgo-ken, Kōbe-shi, Hyōgo-ku, Shinkaichi, 2 Chome−5−5 ライオンズプラザ神戸 112

In the day, head up to the top floor of SOL mall not only for a panoramic garden view, but to dine at the TOOTH TOOTH Garden Restaurant  . Was amazed at the use of the fresh produce and ingredients in well executed Western-Japanese dishes.  The beautiful black/white colonial setting also makes this a delightful lunch getaway with friends or for  business lunches.

TOOTH TOOTH Garden Restaurant Address: 〒651-0087 Hyōgo Prefecture, Kobe, Chuo, Gokodori, 8 Chome−1−6, 神戸国際会館

Of course, we must not leave Kobe without eating Kobe beef! If you are at Arima Onsen area, then definitely must go for 花子宿 (Hanakoyado), the ryokan offers a luxurious kaiseki course dinner meal with Kobe Tajima beef. 

Reservations is recommended. (Reservations here).

Hanakoyado Address: 〒651-1401 1007,Arima-cho,Kita-ku, Kobe,Japan

For a more kawaii experience, why not visit Cafe Otogi and get transported into the land of fairytale. Takes lots of photos of the pretty space and their instagrammable  Alice Tea Party Set.

Cafe Otogi Address: 3 Chome-12-4 Kitanagasadori, Chuo, Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture 650-0012

DRINK

For all beer lovers, you should also definitely get your hands on Kobe locally craft beer band – Rokko Beer (Website). Their successful brewery is expanding to meet the demands!

Wine lovers, fret not, as you can take a drive out to visit Kobe Winery (Website), visit the vineyards and buy some of the locally made wines! If you like, you can even be a member of the vineyard and own a small patch of the vineyard and have your own grapes for wine!

Kobe Wine also produced the 1000 limited edition Grand Kobe Japanese Premium Brandy, so exclusive that you can only get them in certain countries like Hong Kong.

VISIT/DO

Arima Onsen, is possible the most famous onsen in Japan, being the most ancient at over 1300 years old. A short drive from Kobe city centre, or by train, gives you the chance to soak in their famous Kin-no-yu, where the onsen spring waters has the highest amounts of iron and resembles almost a gold color as a result of that.

This is of course not the first onsen ryokan I have been to in Japan, but I have to say I was blown away after soaking in the Kin-no-yu 金の湯 onsen bath at Hanakoyado ryokan (Website) . The temperature was perfect, (some of the other onsens I have visited were just way too hot) and it leaves my skin nicely moisturised (without being overly waxy) and most importantly, feeling totally relaxed. It was so good that after my late night soak, I woke up for a morning soak even before having my Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

They have two private bath rooms, which the guests can use for shower and soaking! Each bath comes with both Kin-no-yu 金の湯 (the golden onsen) and the Gin-no-yu 銀の湯 (the silver onsen). The iron level is very high resulting in the color of the golden bath. 

I heard there are many fans of Farmers Market? I am definitely one. Kobe’s Farmers Market (Website) is opened only on some Saturdays of the month, so please do check the schedule.

Open your eyes (and wallet) to the fresh produce and products brought in directly by the farmers and makers themselves. The edible flowers i bought lasted more than a week (unbelievable), and the eggs (omg the eggs), they were the freshest eggs I have had (no kidding); even after a week, the yolk was still round and fat like a ball after cracking it open! 

Farm to table concept? Farm Circus (Website) is that and more than just that. Located a short drive from Kobe City Centre, it is a multi-concept space that features a retail zone of fresh produce and products from Japan; bakery, ice-creamery, and two eateries.

Both eateries serve very wholesome menus. I had such a good time at Days Kitchen.

Like to get some hands on experience? Why not sign up for a cake decoration session at Hotel Konigs Kron Kobe’s sweets kitchen? You can pick 1 of the 4 menus, check out what I did! And you can the whole cake/tart back~ alongside a nice cooler bag and their exclusive apron!

Fans of Anapanman or families looking for a theme play zone, should drop by the Anpanman Musuem. read more in my older post here.

SHOP / SOUVENIRS

Kobe is popular for several items and souvenirs, here is a list of the must shop items.

Unique and invented in Kobe City, Saku Saku Fruit & vegetable chips are prepared in a vacuum fryer, hence magically retaining the full flavours and colours even after cooked into crispy chips.

These chips are available at SOGO 5F, just a few minutes away from Sannomiya station in Kobe.

To better understand Kobe’s Suma Nori (Japanese seaweed), I followed the harvesters out to the ocean early morning and saw how they trawl the fresh seaweed from the ocean and basically clean, pressed and dry them into seaweed sheets. There is nothing else added to these delicious nori, just pure seaweed!

Do buy some back~

Konigs Kron Kobe - the brand behind the hotel, is well known for their pastry pie cookies. if you are staying at the hotel, then its easy to get them at the lobby; if not, you can visit any of their outlets in the city. I would recommend getting them before heading to the airport.

Ikanago – I cannot say enough again of these delicious seasoned sand eel fish.

Pudding - Kobe is also popular for puddings. So you will see many pudding stores, even pudding flavour KitKats!

The post Kobe Travel – Stay | Eat | Drink | Visit | Shop appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

Excited that from 25th October onwards, SAMURICE will be offering a special menu from their collaboration with healthy Hakata Salt (Natural Sea Salt) from Japan.

The menu will be on sale for a limited period only! Autumn is one of my favourite seasons, and some of the best seasonal produce to enjoy this period includes Japanese chestnuts and mushrooms.

So yes, the menu launched by SAMURICE in collaboration with Hakata salt is everything you would love of Japan’s autumn seasonal flavours with the Chestnut Mixed Rice Onigiri, Chestnut Mixed Rice and Mushroom Tempura Bento!

SAMURICE will also be releasing various Japanese seasonal flavours next year. The next 3 seasonal flavours will also be in collaboration with Hakata Salt.

Available at SAMURICE located at:

-Raffles Place

51 Telok Ayer Street, ＃01-18, China Square Food Centre, Singapore 048441

-Novena

101 Thomson Road #B1-18, United Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 307591

-Tanjong Pagar

7 Wallich Street #B1-07, Tanjong Pagar Centre, Singapore 078884

The post Hakata Salt × SAMURICE – A Collaboration of Autumn Flavours appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

I cannot believe how long I put off getting a dishwasher until this year. After having the dishwasher for about 6 months I can honestly share that it is a must for someone who loves to cook, or host like me.

I picked the BOSCH 45cm Activewater Freestanding dishwasher SPS50E82EU model, honestly I would wish that I have catered for space to fit a larger dishwasher during my home reno works, but this is the largest I can now accommodate in my yard :P

My BOSCH ActiveWater 45cm dishwasher has extra space for large and bulky items, and a height adjustable top basket, so I have the flexibility in accommodating my different cookware and dishes.

After all my bento and baking work, super happy that I can just chuck all the cookware, turn on a button and go do my other chores and work. Truly a saver.

I usually choose to go with the Eco wash mode, a technology that washes the dishes with the most efficient usage of resources.

If you are in a rush, it has a Vario Speed that rinses in half the time. It also has a Glass protection technology so that delicate glassware and china and be washed with special care to prevent glass corrosion.

I also like how clean the dishes are after the wash in the dishwasher. Bosch dishwashers uses up to 70 deg water in the wash process to effectively remove 99.9% of germs and bacteria. And because a dishwasher dries everything, there’s no need for me to even usetea towels.

In the past I always thought that a dishwasher will waste additional electricity and water; only after using it and tracking my bills, I realised that it uses minimal electricity and water as compared to washing dishes by hand.

The dishwasher’s AquaSensor can actually regulate the water usage depending on the type and degree of soiling, using light beams to manage the rinse. Depending on remaining food particles, grease or detergent residues in the rinse, the rinsing process is assessed to evaluate whether it needs to be continued.

Nowadays, even my hubby has learnt to use the dishwasher on his own and even tells me that "just put the dishes in the dishwasher" especially when I cooked up a storm and is faced with a sink filled with dirtied cookware and dishes.

Plus my house looks neater now, heheh, since I can place the dirty dishes out of sight in my dishwasher, keeping my kitchen and the counters cleaner.

The post BOSCH 45cm Activewater dishwasher appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

Giving my blog here some boost of life :P Sharing my experience in Taipei earlier this month.

Thanks to U Hotel Taipei’s project with the tourism department of Taipei, they designed an itinerary where I got to explore the many sides of Taipei, including the less explored traditional routes as well as some of the popular must-trys and must-dos.

Here are 5 things not to be missed.

1. Traditional Market – Shop like a local

Go to the market like a local. The experience of immersing yourself in the Taipei’s day to day life is not only interesting for someone like me who love cooking and food, it would also make a great experience for you and your family. If you have children, it will be nice to introduce to them these experiences too.

Stepping into the markets, the first thing you might notice is the bander between the friendly store owners, and with the local customers trawling the market for the freshest seasonal produce.

This was especially apparent at Dongmen Market (東門市場), one of Taipei’s oldest traditional market. Resembling like a cross between the wet markets in Singapore and the markets in Japan, the tiny alleys are packed with stores on both sides, selling fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood and traditional sweets or food.

For a slightly more comfortable setting, Nanmen Market (南門市場), also another old traditional market in Taipei set in an unassuming building where a maze like arrangement of stores is the best place to shop for dried goods, fruits, seafood, preserved meats and sausages and cooked food.

For the alfresco loving folks, then you will enjoy walking the streets of Binjiang Market (濱江市場).  A little like their local farmers market, the homegrown fruits and vegetables, as well as locally caught seafood are plentiful here.

Plus you can do a OOTD shot here too :P be careful of the traffic though!

For a more modern and comfortable experience of the traditional market, then Shidong Market is the best choice.

Before you leave, don’t forget to go upstairs to their local food court to enjoy some local dishes.

As U Hotel Taipei had arranged for me to create a special bento to be gifted to a underpriviledged family, we picked out some of the unique produce along the way.

Here is the final bento I made for the family. Was really touched to know that they had been fans of my work and the children had really wanted to have a cute bento.

2. Hui Liu Teahouse (回留茶館) at Yongkang Street – Tea ceremony in Oasis 

Most people would know Yongkang Street 永康街 and its alleys more for the food and stores, but amidst the buzz and crowds, you will discover a little garden oasis at Huiliu Teahouse.

After stepping into this beautiful teahouse, I felt like I entered another world and time slowed down so much, all my worries were left at the door.

Pick from a menu of fine tea grown locally in Taiwan as well as homemade sweets. I picked the Da Du Ling tea and the fig cake. Once the tea arrives, Huiliu Teahouse staff will patiently show you the correct way to appreciate the tea. Starting of enjoying the aroma and scent of the dry tea leaves, warming the pot and cups, comparing the scent of the first soak of the tea leaves, the duration of each soak of the tea leaves to make your tea.

It is the sort of place I could just hang out the whole day. Not to mention the teahouse is so gorgeous and well lit by the natural lighting flowing through the windors, making this place perfect for instagrammable photos too.

3. Shang Ying Shui Chan 上引水產 – Seafood Heaven

As the name suggests, addictive? After I visit, I can see why.

This modern fish market was renamed as Shang Yin Addiction Aquatic after its redesign and reopening in 2012 from the old Taipei Fish Market.

Housed in a huge 1983 square meters space, there are 10 different themes such as life aquamarine products, supermarket, theme restaurants and even home aesthetics.

Of course I had to visit their standing sushi bar to ensure the freshness of their seafood. Very popular with the locals, this place can get really busy.

If I am staying in Taipei, I imagine myself coming here very often for all the fresh seafood produce in such an aesthecially plesant modern setting.

There is also a map on their website at www.addiction.com.tw

4. Taipei Fine Arts Museum – love the city, love the art

I must say, this was one of the highlights of my trip was Taipei Fine Arts Museum. We were almost late for our next appointment cause we spent such a long time enjoying the works and exhibits.

I know, this might sound boring to some? But unlike traditional museum, Taipei Fine Arts Museum showcases Taiwanese modern and contemporary art; many of which are very interactive displays and will intrigue both young and old.

So much fun! Many of the works also allow you to be part of the work and take photos.

5. Taipei Food – Whats life without food?

Of course, foodies all love good food. Taipei, is well known like the other cities in Taiwan for its good food. Instead of the super crowded Ding Tai Fung, we went to Si Gua Xiao Long Bao restaurant for their XLBs. They also have an array of side dishes you can pick from.

Visiting during the summer meant that shaved ice was a must! So we had the famous mango ice from Smoothie House at Yong Kang Street. The amount of mango is almost insane! Definitely enough to feed 3 ladies.

If you like cute food, did you know that Taipei has some of the highest concentration of character theme cafes, including Rilakkuma Cafe, Rilakkuma Teahouse, Gudetama cafe, Hello Kitty Steamboat and Chibi Maruko chan cafe just to name a few.

Lastly I want to say that I am so fortunate to be hosted by U Hotel Taipei this time. So super comfortable and so centrally located; I am not just saying it because it is a hosted trip. I have been to Taipei earlier in spring to a hotel which was already quite nice, but U Hotel Taipei was even nicer.

Just check out the view and the size of the rooms! The facilities in the room is also amazing, super huge bathroom with both shower and tub areas. All amenities well stocked and beyond. Ample luggage space and that huge bed was major love.

The service at the front counters and concierge was impeccable too. It was also so sweet for them to even prepare tea (night service) when you return to the room after a day out, and those little free facial masks were also such nice touches.

I also brought home a nice pack of dried mushrooms sold by the hotel, as omiyage souvenir gift sets you can bring home easily.

The post Exploring Taipei differently in 5 ways appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

When I am working on my computer, I tend to snack quite a lot, which is quite bad as it can lead to weight gain, especially since my choices are items like sweets, biscuits and chips.

But I can’t go hungry too right :P

Recently, the Japan Rice and Rice Industry Export Promotion Association (JRE) is organising a one-day event featuring different kinds of rice crackers, also known as rice ‘Okaki’ or ‘Senbei’ in Japanese.

The event featured Japanese rice, and had local chefs create original recipes by fusing Japanese rice with local ingredients in a public cooking demonstration.

The theme of this occasion, “Rice and Shine” is a wordplay of the common phrase “rise and shine”, which was a perfect fit for the aim of the event.

The event shared valuable nutritional information for Singaporeans and sampling of these rice crackers were available too. 

I learnt so much about Japanese Rice Snacks!

Rice snacks is a good example of a healthier snack that is lower in calories (generally between 100-200 kcal per serving), contain adequate amounts of either protein and/or fibre to promote satiety, and preferably also contain vitamins and minerals.

These rice crackers can even be paired with protein foods like tuna, peanut butter or cheese to provide delicious, nutrient dense snack combinations.

There are many different types of Japanese rice crackers that vary in taste, texture, shape and size, with some unique flavours originating from the prectectures in Japan they are made.

Good thing is that, snacks if chosen wisely, can actually help to manage hunger and weight.

So I rather munch on a yummy rice cracker to quell my hunger pangs than to risk bingeing or overeating at the next main meal.

Children, adolescents and active individuals, in between meal snacking can help to meet energy and other nutrient needs for growth, recovery and development that were not adequately covered in the main meals.

If you are watching your calorie intake like me, the rice snacks can be eaten on their own without too much worry as each cracker serving is normally less than 100 kcal.

After sharing so much, its time to enjoy a yummy rice snack recipe. Recipe courtesy of http://eatright.sg

Rice Snack Crab Meat Cake
Serves 8
1 serving = 1 cake

Ingredients
30g soft salad rice cracker
22g sesame rice cracker
2 stalks spring onions
2 stalks chopped Chinese celery
1 nos chopped large egg
1⁄4 cup lightly beaten low-fat yoghurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
120g crabmeat (Drained, flaked and cartilage removed)
150g potato, cooked and mashed
1 tbsp canola/sunflower oil

Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine mashed potato, sesame rice cracker crumbs, green onions, Chinese celery, egg, yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic powder and fold in crab.
2. Place remaining bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Divide mixture into eight portions; shape into 2-in. balls. Gently coat in soft salad rice cracker crumbs and shape into 1⁄2 inch thick patties.
3. In a large non-stick skillet, heat fat over medium-high heat. Add crab cakes; cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve warm with your favourite dipping sauce. Serve 4 pax.

The post Rice and Shine – Japanese rice crackers appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

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

Instagram

Facebook

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

The post Cinnamoroll Cafe appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

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

The post Panda Bento Recipe – Isetan Supermarket appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

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

GIVEAWAY

The post Giveaway – Smurfs: The Lost Village appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

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.

The post Recipe Post – Kawaii Meiji Chocolate Waffle appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

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

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