April 11th, 2011 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
Named after the sound of sake as it’s poured into glass, Toku Toku is a new izakaya in Glebe. As you’d expect, a shortage of Japanese alcohol is not one of its problems. It’s an inviting spot on Glebe Point Road – an airy space with big windows, black-stained timber and high-patterned cushions; the courtyard […]
February 22nd, 2011 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »
In case you ever get Dumpling Burnout in Ashfield, it’s good to know that there’s an alternative to jiaozi and wontons on Liverpool Road. A new Japanese place has opened and I sure hope it has a longer survival rate than the previous sushi and udon eatery that sprung up (and just as quickly vanished). […]
December 31st, 2010 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Travel | 6 Comments »
Flower-shaped monaka from Toraya Tabi Bagel in Tokyo doesn’t have a closing hour. The shop opens at 7am and the doors shut once the last bagel is sold. Sometimes this happens in just one whirlwind hour, as I learnt through Justine. To visit this tiny bakery, you may have to play tough with the snooze […]
December 25th, 2010 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Travel | Leave A Comment »
For any Twitter-weary people out there, here’s a case for the defence: it helps you find amazing places to visit overseas. During a research-binge on where to eat in Japan, I posted this throwaway tweet: “In Japan, ham is considered a vegetable” -> OK, my attempt to find good vego-friendly places to dine at in […]
October 20th, 2010 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
So I’ve been pretty late to the Crave Sydney Food Festival game. But thanks to the diary-synching powers and ultra organisation of Amy from Pretty Pretty Yum Yum, I got to enjoy the Sugar Hit dessert special on offer at Azuma Kushiyaki. It’s two bento boxes of awesome, and its crowdpulling power has led to […]
June 25th, 2010 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
Amy Richardson – who started her wonderful Pretty Pretty Yum Yum blog while living in Osaka – is one of the most Japanese-savvy people I know. So when she tipped Teriyaki Boy in Balmain as her fave place to get her tempura/agedashi/sashimi fix, I knew I had to try it out. And yes, this cosy […]
February 24th, 2010 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
Here’s how it happens. A few weeks ago, Dan Hong, the award-winning chef of Lotus (and self-confessed sneaker whiz), passed by a new restaurant being set up and sent out this tweet: Izakaya opening soon in newtown!! Win As an izakaya-convert, I instantly wanted to know more. I didn’t know Dan at all, but I […]
January 26th, 2010 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
There’s always going to be buzz and build-up when you discover one of your favourite eateries has opened a new joint. Long-time breakfast favourite Cafe Ish in Surry Hills now has a (not-so-identical) twin. The name’s the same, yes, and the location’s only a few blocks away, but this kid has a later curfew, is […]
October 13th, 2009 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Here’s a little blog candy for you. This was one of the Wasabi Macarons that were given out at the Adriano Zumbo session at Sydney International Food Festival, where the pastry chef blew the secret on Margaret Fulton’s birthday cake (it’s going to be several shades of vanilla) and delivered his ever-sweet take on Japanese […]
October 8th, 2009 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | 7 Comments »
If there are songs that you play over and over again, there are also recipes that can possess you like an unstoppably catchy number. This year, my high-rotation favourite has to be a certain noodle dish, courtesy of cookbook writer Kanou Kumiko (also, known as Yumiko Kano/Yumiko Kanoh), but I never would’ve discovered it if […]