Light, Sweet, and Healing (Snow Fungus Dessert Soup)

We’ve been dealing with lingering dry coughs in our house lately, the kind that leaves your throat scratchy and uncomfortable. The weather has been all over the place, so I did what my mom always did and made snow fungus dessert soup, 糖水. So What Is It? It’s a light, slightly sweet Chinese dessert soup…

Sweet Moments in Hokkaido

If you’ve ever been to Hokkaido, or had it sitting on your travel wishlist, you’ve probably heard people go on and on about the food. Especially the ice cream. Honestly, I used to wonder what all the fuss was about. How different could it really be? And then I tried it. So I get it…

A Sweet Summer in Hakodate

This summer we had the chance to visit Hakodate, and it turned out to be such a memorable trip for so many reasons. One of the best parts was getting to try Snaffles cheesecake again! Twelve years ago, I had my first taste of Japanese cheesecake from Snaffles and I instantly fell in love. There’s…

Hearty Eats: Braised Short Rib Ragù

Braised short ribs might just be one of my all-time favourite comfort meals. They’re rich, hearty, and exactly what you want on a cozy night in. What I love most is that while they feel fancy, the process is actually really simple. You just let them slow-cook on the stove or in the oven, and…

Baked Alaska: A Timeless Classic Dessert

The first time I tasted Baked Alaska was at a restaurant in Hong Kong, and I was hooked instantly. Even though I’ve loved it for a long time, I hadn’t actually tried making it myself until recently. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought it would be a fun surprise for my husband and…

Chinese Turnip Cakes (Lo Bak Go)

Every year, my mom would make big batches of Chinese turnip cakes, and they were always a hit. Friends, family, neighbours, everyone loved them. I remember how much work went into making them. There was all the peeling, grating, chopping and steaming, and then finally, the best part: slicing them up and pan-frying them until…

Smashed Potato Bites

Who can resist crispy smashed potatoes? They’re a favourite in our house, and my boys never seem to get tired of them. The edges turn golden and crispy in the oven while the centres stay soft and fluffy. Add your favourite toppings, and you’ve got a snack that’s hard to pass up. I usually keep…

Pandan Ice Cream: A Taste of Comfort and Nostalgia

If you’ve never tried pandan before, homemade pandan ice cream is a lovely place to start. It’s one of my favourite flavours, and it brings back memories of growing up with my mom’s cooking. Pandan has a very distinct taste, so I know it’s not for everyone. Some people describe it as a mix of…

Soul-Warming Homemade Kare Udon

Kare udon is a family favourite in our house, especially for my husband, who absolutely loves it. Lately, I’ve been spending more time making things from scratch, and one of my recent kitchen projects has been working on my own homemade curry roux. Store-bought curry cubes are convenient, and we still enjoy them, but there’s…

Easy Shanghai Noodles

Shanghai noodles were a regular dish in my house growing up, and I was usually the one going back for thirds. Now that I’m the one making them for my own family, I appreciate them for a different reason. They’re quick to make, everyone enjoys them, and I know my boys will actually sit down…

The Perfect Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

There’s something about the smell of fresh bread baking that just feels comforting, especially when it’s a batch of these pull-apart dinner rolls. I’ve been baking for years, and this is one of those recipes I keep coming back to. I’ve made little changes along the way to get it just right for our family,…

Beef Pepper Rice

Back in 2011, I was walking through the streets of Hong Kong when I came across sizzling beef pepper rice, and it quickly became a favourite. I still remember that first bite. The sweet and savoury flavours worked so well together that I kept going back for more. It was one of those dishes I…

Traditional Homemade Potstickers

Making potstickers at home is easier than you might think, and once you get the hang of it, they’re fun to make in big batches. The smell of them cooking always takes me back to my childhood. My mom used to make huge batches, and there were almost always some tucked away in the freezer….

Gamjatang in Your Kitchen

I used to think making gamjatang at home was way too complicated. I remember a friend from high school telling me it was one of those dishes that was easier to order at a restaurant because of how long it takes and how many steps are involved. I took that to heart and never really…

Celebrating Dongzhi: Tang Yuan and Togetherness

December can get pretty busy. Between the colder weather, holiday preparations, and everything else that seems to pile up before the end of the year, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush. But there are certain traditions that bring me back to what I enjoy most about this time of year: making food…