Koso-an is a traditional teahouse in Tokyo and it offers a quintessential Japanese experience that all first-timers to Tokyo should try.
Enjoying a Japanese tea session in a traditional teahouse that overlooks a Japanese garden should be on everyone’s bucket list. Enjoy some quiet moments and embrace the peacefulness while eating traditional Japanese desserts & tea.
And you can do just that at Koso-an. Here’s why you should add the humble teahouse to your itinerary for your next visit to Tokyo.
Harvest is the new kid on the block along East Coast Road, located right opposite i12 Katong. This homely salad and protein bowl bar features an extensive range of fresh ingredients of which you can pick to customise your very own healthy bowl.
Every portion of either the salad or protein bowl comes with one base, one sous vide-cooked protein, three sides, one topping and one dressing. Should you require something refreshing to wash down your food with or simply to cool you down, they also carry a pretty impressive variety of bottled cold-pressed juices.
What is impressive is that they adopt the French cooking technique of sous vide in cooking their proteins—a practice not commonly found in your average cafe. For all you health nuts living on the East side in need of a quick and healthy fix, Harvest is one spot that you should definitely pay a visit to.
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Ask a local where to go for a casual yakitori meal in Tokyo and they would probably point you to Torikizoku. It is arguably one of the biggest yakitori chain in Japan and there are outlets everywhere.
It is almost impossible to not locate a Torikizoku in Central Tokyo; just in Shinjuku alone, there are more than 5 outlets. That they see queues every single night at every outlet speaks of their massive popularity and there is every reason to love Torikizoku.
It is undisputedly the best name to trust when you want a casual, fuss-free, authentic local izakaya experience in Tokyo. And the best part? You won’t have to break the bank for a meal at Torikizoku; everything on the menu—including alcohol—is priced at only ¥298 each. Most of the branches open till 5am daily; you know where to go when you are feeling hungry at night!
Everyone thinks of cha chaan teng when it comes to casual dining in Hong Kong. For the uninitiated, cha chaan teng is a no-pretense, fuss-free local eatery in Hong Kong that serves comfort food at affordable prices. These local diners are everywhere in Hong Kong and you will always find locals dining in those nondescript outlets.
A cha chaan teng is not known for service, unfortunately. It is really a place where you eat and go, or do a few quick readings of your newspapers. That said, the essence lies in savouring a moment of local delicacy amidst the humdrum of the city life.
A trip to Hong Kong is not complete without eating at Cha Chaan Teng. Here is our guide to the best cha chaan teng in Hong Kong that we can always count on for a good local meal.
One local dish that everyone looks forward to trying in Seoul is Budae Jjigae, or also commonly known as ‘Korean Army Stew’. Bada Sikdang is an eatery in Itaewon district that is frequented by locals who are craving for Budae Jjigae.
Bada Sikdang has been serving its Budae Jjigae for over 45 years. What makes the Budae Jjigae at Bada Sikdang unique is the addition of cheese; it may not follow the exact recipe for the traditional Budae Jjigae, but it is an interesting twist for those who are looking for something different.
Other than Budae Jjigae, Bada Sikdang also offers BBQ meats such as T-bone Steak (W30,000 per pax), Beef Ribs (W25,000 per pax), Pork Chops (W15,000 per pax), as well as the signature Beef Sausages (W25,000 per pax).
Drop by Bada Sikdang in Itaewon for a fuss-free Korean stew and you will leave with happy tummies.
Made using a variety of botanicals and spices, gin exudes herbaceous qualities that make it tricky to play around with.
Yet, simplicity is key when it comes to this underrated spirit and something as simple as a gin and tonic is one of those simple concoctions that bears timeless appeal. When it comes to gin—a drink that warrants no unnecessary flair or fancy ingredients—it is always the delicate treatments that work best.
To truly experience the very best that gin has to offer, we strongly suggest leaving it to the masters who have dedicated their lives to perfecting their craft. Here is our list of the best gin bars in Singapore.
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Bali is an Indonesian island that is extremely popular among tourists because within the island itself, there is much to see and do. The island boasts activities catering to both young and old—there are gorgeous beaches, exciting night clubs and not forgetting the wonderful Balinese food.
Towards the southern region of Bali is Seminyak, an upscale area catering to those who are into the latest fashion hauls, fine restaurants, luxury spas and the hottest bars in town. You are likely to find something unique at every turn—be it a lovely concept cafe or an up-and-coming themed restaurant and bar.
Seminyak has so many great restaurants, cafes, eateries and bars and it is impossible to cover the area within three days. For starters, here’s our 3D2N Seminyak Eating Itinerary to show you the best places you should not be missing out.
Nestled within the Sembawang Hills Estate neighbourhood, and the newest addition to the Upper Thomson enclave is Thus Coffee, a chic cafe that offers stellar grain bowls, pasta, brunch, hearty stews and coffee
Not only that, coffee aficionados can take pleasure in knowing that their coffee beans are freshly roasted in-house—something often overlooked at many cafes in Singapore.
Whether its superb coffee, a stellar array of brunch-style eats or simply just a place to escape the midday heat, the newly opened Thus Coffee at Upper Thomson is no doubt a worthwhile spot to check out should you happen to find yourself wandering around the area.