I love aged pu-erh tea 普洱茶. Its woody, musty aroma evokes images of misty rainy mornings in the wilderness. The first sip of freshly brewed pu-erh tea always makes me sigh contentedly, close my eyes and take a deep breath as I slip into a state of bliss and calm. Which is like the effect…
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It was summer but the skies were grey and the wind gave me goosebumps under my jacket. We had arrived at the entrance of the ramen shop. Sliding the door open, we stepped inside. The air was thick with humidity, a warm welcome and respite from Sapporo’s chilly streets. It was only 5pm but the…
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My dad used to work in sales and his job required him to meet clients around Singapore. This also meant that he could arrange his schedule such that he could either pick me up from or drop me off at school when I was in primary school (depending on whether my classes were in the…
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In Belgium, there is a certain bakery-cafe chain that claims that the tartine is a “signature Belgian open-faced sandwich”. I don’t understand what is characteristically Belgian about a piece of bread with various ingredients piled on top. If you ask me, a Belgian tartine looks like a Norweigian smørbrød or Russian buterbrod! Asparagus, green and white,…
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Did you know that your stomach, when empty, is about the size of your fist? As the stomach is a muscle, it expands and contracts when you consume food. The human stomach can stretch to around 40 times its original size, to around two litres, after a huge meal. I have a hearty appetite and…
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I love a good Turkish breakfast. Who wouldn’t? I’ve only been to Istanbul thrice. It has always been for work but each time I was able to extend a few days to explore the city. Home to some 14 million people, Istanbul is HUGE. There are so many parts of Istanbul that I’ve yet to…
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All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast – John Gunther I cannot agree more with Gunther. What about you? I think that the traditional Turkish breakfast is one of the best ways to start the day. The Turkish word for breakfast, “kahvaltı“, which is derived from “kahve altı” which literally means “before coffee”. While I don’t need any…
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There are some things in life that cannot be rushed – such as stretching in the morning, reading a poem… and making char siu 叉燒. When I was in primary school, my dad would pick me up after class and we would have lunch together. We often went to a nearby kopitiam where my cousin and her…
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I love alcohol-soaked fruits. My taste for boozy fruits started when I was a kid: Rum and raisin ice-cream was a regular treat after piano classes. Then came along brandied cherries, prunes in armagnac and pears poached in red wine as I got older. I like desserts that combine alcohol and fruits. For instance – black forest…
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