Spicy Kimchi

Banchan

Banchan

Ah, banchan, one of the reasons why I love Korean food!  At spicy kimchi, they usually only give 4 side dishes, but they switch it up everytime.  I wish they gave more, but their prices for the main dishes are generally cheaper than other Korean restaurants in the area.  My favorite side dishes are the beansprouts, fish cake, and cucumbers!  They're all pretty yummy, so I always get refills hehe.

Leek pancake

This is one of my favorite dishes because I LOVE ONIONS AND LEEKS and anything in that family.  I have a friend that doesn't like onions, and it's like YAY more for me!  So this is a perfect appetizer for y'all onion lovers.

Shrimp noodles

Knife cut anchovy noodles

Their noodle soups are all strong.  They have a deep seafood soup base that is pretty addicting.  Plus, they use hand-made knife-noodles, which are thicker and more chewy.  

Udon noodles

Japche glass noodles

Yayy this is one of my other favorite dishes here.  There's just so much STUFF with the glass noodles— spinach, mushrooms, carrots, onions... you name it!  Every bite is like a party in your mouth and everyone is invited. 

Kimchi fried rice

OHOHO I am getting hungry just writing this post, and I just ate lunch haha.  The kimchi fried rice is another great dish.  The fried rice itself is perfect with the kimchi — not too spicy and not too sour.  (And not watery, which is how it turns out when I make it at home.)  It's topped with a grilled egg....and you know the best part.......poking that yolk and watching it ooze out all over your rice.  And then eating the rice, of course. 

Bulgogi rice bowl

If you're low on budget, you can get a pretty large size bulgogi bowl for just 4 bucks!!  The bulgogi itself is very tender so it's easy to eat, and the sauce is slightly sweet.  And just look at all those onions.  

Labokgi

Labokgi is pretty much deokbokki (rice cakes) with ramen.  I usually like to add ramen with my deokbokki, just so I can have more texture in the dish, and also because my jaw gets kinda sore chewing all that deokbokki! Haha.

This time, I gathered up all my courage and ordered medium spicy.  Why?  I don't even know, but I regretted it as soon as the dish came out.  Just look at how red it is!  It was like 90% spicy, 10%.  After 2 bites, I was already dying as if I had just watched Titanic.  But then again, I have super low spicy tolerance. Any one else that just can't handle spicy but really wants to??

Anyway, this is my favorite place to go to for Korean food.  It's a family-owned business, and they are all super friendly!  And they play Kpop MV's, which is always entertaining 

Spicy Kimchi

1381 S Diamond Bar Blvd 

Diamond Bar, CA 91765 

(909) 396-9968 

myspicykimchi.com

Ji Pin Restaurant

I know, I know, another Taiwan post.  Seems like I've been living in Taiwan for almost a year now, but trust me, it was just one summer!   I have a ton of more pics, but Taiwan is soon coming to a wrap.  For this adventure, join me through a dim sum experience like no other!

Interior

Tea is always warm!

It was actually a fire under the teapot, so your tea was always the right temperature!  The staff here are super friendly and attentive, so your tea pot (and tea cups!) are always full!  Great service!

Bamboo shoots

The bamboo shoots were lightly sauteed with a mild, refreshing flavor.  The perfect way to start off the meal!

Shrimp dumplings

Chili sauce

You know how normal dim sum places give you a small plate of red and yellow sauce?  I usually only eat the red chili sauce just to add a little spice to my dim sum.  Here at Ji Pin Restaurant, their chili sauce is hardcore!  Imagine a chili sauce that is made to order.  Yeah, kind of what it tasted like!  They should seriously consider making it into a soup haha

Shark fin dumplings

Shrimp rice roll

Rice rolls are one of my favorite dim sum dishes.  The roll itself was very chewy, and I loved how the sauce wasn't too soy sauce-y/salty.  It had more of a roasted aroma too it, which made it stand out from the hundreds of rice rolls I've eaten in the past.

Salty egg and pumpkin

Luffa, pork and wood ear

No, not a loofah for scrubbing your lovely legs.  Luffa (a type of squash), has a soft yet crunchy texture, quite similar to that of wood ear (a mushroom.)  I thought it was pretty genius to put the two together.  

Fried daikon rolls

Oh my gawd, daikon!  I never thought about mushing up daikon and frying it as a roll, but man, it was so delicious!  The soft texture of the daikon played well with the flaky crust.  Definitely a must try if you come here, because I've never seen this anywhere else before!

Leek dumplings

Fish on tofu

We came with a friend who frequents this restaurant quite often, and she custom ordered this dish for us.  Imagine a long, tiring day at work.  It's 9 pm and you finally get to go back home.  The first thing I would do?  Plop down on my memory foam mattress!  Yeah, best feeling in the world.  

That must be how the fish feels, lying on top of that silky bed of tofu.  The tofu was the star of this dish – so soft, yet rich and egg-y at the same time.  You could also taste hints of black pepper, my fav!

Egg tart

Red bean soup

Egg Custard Bun

Haha for you loyal readers, does this look familiar?  Sadly, I didn't capture the inner flow-y goodness like Jocelyn's, but it was definitely bursting with that egg custard innards.

And finally, I really have to give it to Ji Pin Restaurant for their excellent service!  They seriously treat you like royalty here... pouring your tea for you, clearing out your table, and changing your plates every few dishes!  To the manager, if you are reading this, thank you for such a great dim sum meal 

Ji Pin Restaurant

2樓, No. 236, Section 4, Xìnyì Rd

Daan District, Taipei City, Taiwan

http://www.jipin.com.tw/

(02) 2700-3311

Clover Bakery & Cafe

I discovered the adorable and delicious Clover Bakery & Cafe while I went to do some grocery shopping in Mitsuwa Market, right next door.  And from then on, I really can't stop coming back.  During my one week Spring Break, I ended up coming here 4 times and I think the employees can recognize me now!

Drink bar

Clover has a warm inviting atmosphere with super kind employees.  I asked if I could snap a few photos and they were very welcoming  The place is homey and has a few tables so you enjoy your burgers and sandwiches over a cup of green tea.

Iced Strawberry Milk

The drink bar is fully equipped with an espresso machine!  Their drinks range from Japanese Green Tea to Carmel Lattes. I've had their Green Tea Latte which is handcrafted very well.  I've also tried their Iced Strawberry Milk which was DABOMB!  Don't be fooled by its simple name, this baby's got real strawberry bits in it!  My favorite drink here :D

All the bread labels are hand written with hand drawn pictures.  It doesn't get anymore adorable than this

They make Japanese breads and sandwiches.

Burgers, Japanese-style!

Danish

Hello Kitty loves Clover too

Sandwiches

Mini Apple Tarts

Custard Cream Cornets

Mini Smiley Melon Bread

The chosen ones

Note:  the following Bread Photo Shoot was over a 4 day span.  I didn't eat them all in one day but then again, I probably could of (hohoho)

The dream breakfast :)

Mini Strawberry Tart

The Mini Strawberry Tart was flaky with fresh fruit and custard sitting in its tummy.  The fresh fruit is really a great plus to the pastry!  It was refreshing to have real fruit.

Strawberry Danish

The bread was soft and had the perfect sweetness.  Once again, real strawberries!  This is the best danish I've ever had. 

Chocolate Mini Pie Croissant

Chocolate Mini Pie Croissant innards

The croissant was decadent with all its buttery flakiness going on and with its chocolate filled inners.  You're biting through the layers of flaky-ness and BAM!  Smooth chocolate glides all over your tongue.  This is some good food porn...mmmm...

Vegetarian Tofu Croquette Burger

Vegetarian Tofu Croquette Burger innards

So the burgers aren't exactly what I picture when I think of "burger" but they're more like a sandwiches made with dinner rolls and hot dog buns.  Oh right, did I mention they bake their own bread?

The Vegetarian Tofu Croquette Burger was made with a delicious dinner roll.  The roll was cut in half then stuffed with a tofu croquette.  And the tofu was filled with all these yummy veggies!

Corn Cream Croquette

Corn Cream Croquette innards

This one's made with a hot dog bun.  It's stuffed with a salad which is kind of like a coleslaw then topped with corn croquettes.

Mini Smiley Choco Melon Bread

Isn't that the cutest thing ever?This is the ideal breakfast bread for Mondays, gotta start your day with something sweet and with a smile!

Can't help but get all giddy when I look at it!  The melon bread has a hard sugary crust on the outside and a soft sweet bread inside. 

Smile!

Breads packaged with love ♥

Almost all their breads and pastries are hand packaged in a sandwich bag then taped.  I feel like Clover is just filled with love; you can see it and taste it!

Mini Custard Cream Bun

Mini Custard Cream Bun innards.  The cream was super fluffy!

Yakisoba Donut

Yakisoba Donut innards

Look how amazing is that? I cut it open and my breath was taken away.  Dude, yakisoba + donut?  Woohoo, heaven!  And Clover doesn't get stingy, this thing is stuffed! 

Red Bean Donut

Red Bean Donut innards

This donut is delicious!!  The outside is lightly powdered with sugar and the insides stuffed-to-the-max with red bean paste.

Yakisoba Bun

The Yakisoba Bun was a monster!  It was huuugee.  There is so much Yakisoba on this bun, I had to use a knife and fork to eat it!  You cut it open and...

Yakisoba Bun innards

...you find treasure!  Surprise, it's Mr. Hot Dog!  Love hitting the jackpot hohoho

Vegetarian Curry Bun

Vegetarian Curry Bun innards

And for the finale, may I present to you...

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Mini Strawberry Cake

Mini Strawberry Cake!  And it's a beautiful.  It's a mini strawberry cake so it's the size of a large cupcake (4 inches), so adorable!  But they also make normal size cakes if you're planning on sharing.

I couldn't stop taking photos of the cake so I have quite a few pics here harhar

Mini Strawberry Cake innards

It was much like a Strawberry short cake.  What I loved the most about the cake (other than its delicate pretty craftsmanship), the cake was not too sweet.  I'm always out searching for a cake that's not overly sweet so I could eat more than a slice.  I ate this whole thing by myself!  (Hohoho, I'm a beast.)  The cream was so rich, it married well with the fluffy cake.  And of course, real strawberries in the middle!

The breads at Clover range from about $1.25~$2.75.  You could pretty much have lunch for about a buck but you're bound to buy more than one item!  Their stuff's too delicious!

 

Clover Bakery & Cafe
4342 Moorpark Ave
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 257-3412
http://cloverbakery.com/index.html