Sri Lanka

I miss SE Asian food. Since I moved to Shanghai, my palate misses the spices, the sheer heat of bird chili as well as lemongrass and sambal. That was until I discovered Cafe Sambal in Jiashan Market. Cho Chong Gee, the owner, hails from Malaysia and d...

I am consistently surprised by the Japanese culture of innovation. From having the world's most advanced public transport system decades ahead of others -to- cell phones so advanced you can use them (not cash) to purchase a soda at a vending machine, ...

  It's always nice to be recognized, isn't it? Accidental Epicurean was recently featured as Best Travel Food Blog by My Life Scoop. Check it out :)...

I remember the first time I tasted Creme Fraiche. It was my first trip to Paris...too many years ago to mention or else it will easily date me. First it was served alongside a berry tart in a cafe. Then later that week hadwas drizzled over a soup. The...

In this post I am not going to tell you the hottest new resort or the area that just opened up for tourism due to a change in government. It's simply MY list. Dream trips that I have either always wanted to do or feel newly inspired to do. Every year in J...

  It's nice to see something about Wall Street that's funny, for a change. A banker friend sent me this article and I couldn't resist to share. It's a Kevin Roose piece from the NYT where he interviews a dumpling cart vendor who goes to work a...

Thought you might like to read my latest article on CNNgo. Have you ever wondered where chefs eat when they are not cooking? Then read my interview with some top Shanghai chefs about where they chow down when they are not in the kitchen. In the article ...

  I am always interested in the way things work - from ordinary kitchen appliances to operations more complex. I find all the moving parts that come together and make something truly amazing. And when I think about varying levels of complexity , one of...

  Yes, that's right - reindeer. I suppose it depends on where you live, but in some parts of the world it is not strange at all to eat reindeer, say Norway, Sweden or Finland. Even if you have never been to those places, you may have even eate...

  One of my many laments of living in Asia has been the lack of access to craft beers, otherwise known as microbrews - the other laments are silly things like missing multigrain breads, the price of wine, and truly high-speed internet, but I guess this...

You might wonder why I am writing about Swedish bread on my mostly Asian focused website. Well I recently attended a traditional Swedish smörgåsbord dinner organized by a good friend from Bangkok. One of the nice things about living internationally is...

It's that time of year again. The time when the Miele Guide issues its new annual edition. Foodies in the region await eagerly for the pronouncement of the top 20 restaurants in Asia. I continue to think that Japan gets a bit ignored by the Miele Guid...

For many people, Bangkok is a shopping destination. There are so many expansive and extensive malls like Emporium, Siam Paragon, Gaysorn and CentralWorld selling everything from high street, mainstream brands to Prada, Gucci, LV and the usual suspects...

  I am softie when it comes to animals. My usual polished composure melts when I see a cool cat or a cute dog. And now is the time of year for animals in Halloween costumes. It's like cute squared!  Dogs take to it better than cats (which tend to eithe...

  Hi folks - So I started writing for CNN and CNNgo as well and I thought you might want to check out my first article. Have a look. In this piece I talk about the 5 best tasting menus in Shanghai, including: - M1NT - Stiller's ...

There is nothing ordinary about Chef McDang and his rise to become one of the world experts on Thai cooking. Born into the Thai royal family, Chef McDang followed in the family tradition to go overseas to boarding school at 12 years old. Later he enro...

We have our heads more or less wrapped around nuclear physics and string theory and surgical miracles these days....but nothing has blown my mind like this recent video demo and article by Saveur on how to peel garlic! You can peel a whole head of ...

I started making my own salad dressing years ago after an aunt taught me. I felt foolish. All those years I had been buying vinaigrette that was either too sweet or too bland, and I could whip up my own in about a minute. Cue a few years later I am talk...

Just steps down from my favourite "insider" izakaya, Teyandei, is another "insider" spot for cocktails...the These Library Lounge. Near the (in)famous Roppongi area, These is so subtly marked that it is easy to miss. It's quirky, cool crowd likes it t...

So just what is the difference between these two oft-confused vegetables? It all started with a signature yam dish at an izakaya in Tokyo.  There was a debate about sweet potato vs. yams - are they actually different types of potato? Or are th...

A Tokyo insider izakaya - well now the secret is out! I find that I am always lucky when I am in Tokyo. There is something special about that crazy city - each time I go I am amazed at the intensity of the food culture and the drive for perfection....

Cocktail culture is sweeping Shanghai and there is no finer example of a proper cocktail bar / lounge than El Coctel. Seemingly hidden in speakeasy style, El Coctel is located up an unmarked narrow staircase in the French Concession district of...

An unforgettable omakase sushi experience in Tokyo Through random coincidence I recently met someone who had lived in Tokyo for 20 years. Being a Japan-o-phile, of course I picked his brain about an upcoming trip to Tokyo. I wanted to get off the ...

No, this is not some new form of sake or plum wine. We are talking about a wine made from grapes that has been produced since 1877 when Masanari Takano and Tatsunori Tsuchiya returned from France after studying winemaking. But now for the first time i...

Meet Willy, the impish chef  behind the sensational El Willy in Shanghai If you live in Shanghai, or have visited often, there is no doubt you have heard of Willy and his popular Spanish tapas restaurant El Willy. Located in the French Concession i...

Truffle oil seems to be ubiquitous these days. Drizzled over pastas and risottos, used to make truffled french fries, whipped into mashed potatoes, commonly used with elegant egg preparations, and as an ingredient in decadent vinaigrettes. It's used t...

Can one achieve professional results in a home kitchen these days? I remember the first specialized kitchen tool I used. It was an apple core-er, and I was probably about 8 years old. My favorite thing to make was apple crisp and the biggest part ...

What is kawaii and why is everything in Japan so cute? “Kawaii” is the Japanese term for “cute.” And if you know anything about Japan you know kawaii reigns. The love of all things cute is found throughout Asia, but it is heig...

  Who knew there was such a plethora of organic farming in Shanghai?!? Underneath the Hermes scarf and the Italian driving loafers, I must confess…I have an inner hippie. She lurks beneath the surface and pops out occasionally. I think it has somethin...

Mark Bittman of How to Cook Everything talks to Lifehacker about the 4 progressive stages of learning to cook I started cooking around age 8, by age 10 I was making advanced constructions like Chicken Cordon Bleu and Rolled Cakes with Cream. So, ac...

A guide to one of the most relaxing and chill islands in Thailand If you are looking for an island in Thailand where you can enjoy some of the best of the Thai beach scene, here’s why Koh Lanta should be on the short list. Lesser known than its oth...

I never go on group tours, I hate having others show me around, and I can’t stand being spoon-fed culture. So what am I doing perched atop a borrowed bike with a group of European tourist zipping along the busy streets of Bangkok? It all started wi...

If you have an iPad and are a foodie, you must check these out Here at Accidental Epicurean, we not only eat, we also cook. While I have an enormous collection of cookbooks, lately I find myself using my iPad to source new menu and recipe ideas. Plus, ...

Why Shanghai is one of the most exciting cities in the world right now! I have been coming to Shanghai now for 4 years. For those who came in the 80’s and 90’s and saw a wholly different China this will no doubt seem very recent. My Shanghai experi...

A culinary experience that is like teleporting to the South of France Shanghai has no shortage of wonderful French restaurants, but La Table at  Maison Pourcel might just be one of the most memorable French meals we have had in Shanghai…and in fact...

The environment is finally on the agenda in Asia – from jewelry to architecture to food sourcing. I moved to Asia in 2007 - first to Bangkok, known for its pollution and traffic jams. People in Bangkok will drive their car 5 miles across town and ...

An endless array of kitchen stuffs for the commercial and home chef alike If you have even a passing interest in cooking as a home chef, you will want to make a special trip to Kappabashi Dori. You can buy everything here from plastic fake sushi fo...

or a masterclass in a Chinese cuisine respectful of ingredients Chinese food. Of all the foods of the world I've tasted, I have to admit that Chinese was the one I've enjoyed least. I ate plenty of it growing up... but what we shovel onto plates at 5$ ...

From cheap US college student food to a serious culinary tradition in Japan Let it be known I never ate ramen in college. My drunken snack of choice when out was a fried chicken place called Time Out where we would get a bucket of bones – the left...

The clever genius behind Mr. & Mrs. Bund’s lively yet serious menu (two recipes at end of article) Meet Paul Pairet – the Executive Chef of Mr. & Mrs. Bund Shanghai – a clever and experimental molecular gastronomist from Jade on 36 (in it...

When a friend told us about this fantastic discount website, we were hooked! I know not everyone is addicted to travel as we are. But I don’t know anyone who doesn’t get that little buzz from getting a deal, especially on travel. My friend Tracy (...

An old friend gives me the insider scoop on Prague gems over a recent visit I was visiting an old friend of mine in Prague, Jason. Jason and his partner have been living in Prague now for 7 years and are clearly authorities on this charming and picture...

Chill cocktails by the fire in this cozy Shanghai bar / lounge We met a friend for drinks on a wintry Sunday afternoon in Shanghai. While it was cold and rainy and altogether unpleasant outside, we were comfy and cozy next to the fireplace at Cotto...

Hey Yall, Thought I'd write about something a bit different for ya today. Was resting up this Sunday thinking about my upcoming Christmas visit to see my family in the Texas. I only have around a week, which for my town is actually perfect.... there's n...

Wow, I want this poster. If I had a pub, drinking room, pool room, or any room at all that regularly featuring drinking I'd have this up. Not only is it a beautiful design, but I love the breakdowns and quick visually summaries of the different famili...

A while back I did a prelude to a full fledged, Singapore-wide burger review long-promised but woefully still in the "research" stages (my excuse to continue eating tons and tons of burgers). I opened it up in comments and in questions to my friends, and ...

A primer on teas from Shanghai-based Chinese Tea Expert Wayne Huang Meet Wayne Huang – a co-owner of Cha Mi Living tea shop in the Tianzi Fang arts and shopping district. Wayne has recently opened Cha Mi with his wife after both spending years stud...

I've held off writing about this place for a while now. One reason is that I lost the notes from my first visit detailing the names of dishes :) The other reason is that as much as I think this place deserves customers, money and a slight bit of fame....

A chef focused on bringing seasonal and modern European cuisine to Shanghai Stefan Stiller tells me that when he got the job offer in Shanghai 6 years ago he had to look at the map to see exactly where in China Shanghai was located. Given Stefan’s ...

I don't know why it's taken me so long to venture out for a meal in East Coast Park. Maybe it's because an area with a "skate through" McDonalds (that's right there's actually a separate line for roller bladers here) just doesn't seem like my kind of ...

Hong Kong is my favourite city for boutique fashion shopping in Asia Shopping in Asia is legendary and nowhere more so than in Hong Kong, where Asians and expats alike make pilgrimages to the wonderous twice annual sale periods to stock up on desi...

Amazing Hunan food and among the best spareribs in Shanghai It seems like often when we go to Shanghai we tend to gravitate to high-end Western dining. While certainly I never get bored of sky high Bund dining and glamorous cocktails, on this parti...

Don’t miss the Prada Outlet in the Aberdeen area of Hong Kong I’ll keep this short and sweet. There is a SPACE outlet by the Prada company…gasp…in Hong Kong. Just a 20-30 min taxi ride outside of the Central area in Aberdeen sits an assortment of P...

I love breakfast and brunch. Some of my favorite foods of all times are breakfast dishes (or at least feature an egg somewhere). I've often dreamed of finishing culinary school and opening up a breakfast place... the only thing holding me back being a str...

A luxurious spa experience in Shanghai It may seem that I do little else but spa when I am in Shanghai. This is not entirely true… but I tend to spend a great deal of time there for business, which can be stressful, so I like to make unwinding a re...

It’s always an adventure ordering food in Asia, even in 5-star hotels I am in Jakarta at the moment, staying at the posh Ritz Carlton hotel and I just couldn’t resist sharing with you an admittedly mundane but seriously amusing experience I had this mo...

Hey all, It's no secret that we love Kamalaya here - a wonderful combo of relaxing space, great doctors, and inventive food. We've previously featured our personal experiences cooking with Kai, but now thanks to the internet you can have a virtual ...

Watch the game, meet friends and hang out at Blur Frog (Photos by Joanna) From the folks who brought you Kabb comes Blue Frog bar and grill. Another super chill place to hang out with friends, watch the game on the big screen, meet up for happy ho...

Thought I'd share something light and fun with you this weekend. This has been out a while, but it still makes me laugh every single time I think about it. If you're not a fan of bacon, I bet you will be after you hear this bit about my favorite break...

Say hello to my new favourite restaurant in Shanghai! (Photos by Joanna) I had been meaning to try Mr. & Mrs. Bund for a while. It’s close to the Westin Hotel where I always stay when in Shanghai. It has a bit of buzz. And the chef was the notable P...

If you want to go where the locals go for weekend dim sum, read on… (photos by Joanna) I have a special affinity for Hong Kong. Between the city’s relentless energy, vibrant nightlife, limitless shopping and local cultural scene, what’s not to lov...

Knives are personal things for chefs. Not only do we (I'm just a few months into cooking school and saying we LOL) use them a lot (for me third only to the wooden spoon and little metal tasting spoon), but knives also kind of give us our personality i...

My favourite places to go for massage when in Shanghai Massage has been a part of my self care ritual for years now. And as much as I travel and sit on planes, it’s not infrequently that I am suffering from some sort of neck pain or other such trav...

South Asian meets European at this Rochester Park Hideaway We’d kept hearing about Krish, the newest dining experience in Rochester Park. There had been a lot of buzz about the South Asian / Indian fusion cuisine. We didn’t actually know anyone who had t...

We really liked out dinner at Spruce. So we were excited to see they offer brunch... and not just your normal "let's try and do a brunch to drum up sales/get rid of old product" brunch. The menu at Spruce looked to be a proper, well-thought out brunch. Al...

It's safe to say there's a bit of animosity in Texas towards the French. I have no idea why or how it started, but some folks, particularly Texas males, find the whole concept of France... too French. Thankfully I've left home and experienced the wonderfu...

My favourite thin-crust pizza in Bangkok The first week I was in Bangkok a friend took me to Limoncello. Having just moved from New York, I was impressed by the authenticity of the thin crust pizza being served. I hadn’t expected to find this in Ba...

Faux designer bags, jewelry, clothes and more On West Nanjing Road, the side of Nanjing with the more local stores, lies 580 West Nanjing Road. An emporium for fake bag, jewelry, clothing and more. Here you will find everything from Louis Vui...

An amazing retreat only 1.5 hours outside of Tokyo Just West of Tokyo, lies Hakone - a picturesque Japanese town famous for its views of Mt Fuji, ryokans and onsen (natural Japanese volcanic hot springs). While one can go year round, undoubtedly t...

Tasty and cheap – Filipino Street Food in Singapore Our Filipino friends, Monica and Lyan, are often part of our dining and brunch crew here in Singapore. We also lived in Bangkok together, have eaten countless meals together in Spore, traveled to Viet...

What to buy and where to buy it in Hanoi I travel a lot and I am tempted by so many stunning Asian goods and textiles. When in a country which has a famous good, e.g. Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Tea, Chinese Silks, Thai teak, etc. it is a wonderful reminder of ...

A wonderful little cooking course in a Thai-style outdoor kitchen Thai food has become one of my favourite international cuisines. And unlike French or Italian where there are many competent executions in various cities around the world, I find Thai fo...

I'm not yet ready to add my voice to the heated online debate being waged over Tippling Club here in Singapore. I'll do a full-on food review soon, but for now I'd like to focus on the drinks... because one, I don't think we have enough drink coverage on ...

A wonderful way to spend a weekend afternoon in Shanghai I love a lazy weekend afternoon in Shanghai. Unlike Singapore where the steamy weather often forces me into taxi cabs with air con, in Shanghai I love to spend the day walking the city and explor...

A luxe weekend getaway just a couple of hours from Singapore (pictures from Banyan Tree Website) Singapore is a convenient hub – parts of Indonesia and Malaysia are next door neighbors and as such provide great options for short weekend trips vs. ...

Hey all, As I get closer to writing up my full Singapore burger round up, I thought I'd do a quick post with some of my favorites to date. I'm still welcoming suggestions for out of the way / smaller / not in the city center burger locations to have the ...

My exotic Asian life vs. Life in the West I have been living now in SE Asia for 3+ years. First I spent roughly 2 years in Bangkok and have now been in Singapore for 1 ½ years. In this time, I explored a part of the world I never imagined I would know,...

Hey all, As some of you may be aware, we've started putting up some of the funny things we see when traveling out and about in Asia. I was recently looking through my iPhone pictures and realized I had a lot of funny pictures from signs and thought I'd t...

It's easy to envy Chef Bastian Mantey. He gets to live, play, and practice his passion in one of the most beautiful parts of the world - as head chef at the Alila Villas Hadahaa, Maldives. How many people get to work in a on a luxurious tropical island th...

A 2 day trekking trip from Kathmandu to Nagarkot We were only in Nepal for a short time and so didn’t have option to do a typical 2-3 week trekking excursion. But we also didn’t want to miss out on getting a taste of the quintessential Nepal trekking e...

Hey all, The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2010 results are in and it's good news for Singapore. My personal favorite, Iggy's, climbs up 17 spots to number 28! The meal I had there was truly something special (so much so I'm now attending Iggy...

Urban chaos and pollution juxtaposed with some of the world’s most famous sights Photos by Joanna Wedged in the Himalayas in a valley, even landing in Kathmandu feels perilous as the plane is batted about by wind gusts and spirals onto the tarmac. And t...

I have spent a lot of my life and a great many holidays at the beach. In the US I travelled to Hawaii, North Carolina, Florida, Martha’s Vineyard and California to see the most beautiful beaches in America. I have been to the white washed beaches of the C...

A charming hotel in the Lazimpat area of Kathmandu (photos from Hotel Shangrila Website) Kathmandu is a backpacker town mostly…a staging ground where people land and spend a few days before heading off on their treks. It’s this context which explain...

Any chef that can have me actually dreaming of eating crocodile again is a chef of note in my book. Hong Kong Chef Liu Ching Hai of Summer Palace in the Regent Hotel is that chef. You might remember our recent review of Summer Palace. We were treated ...

Spend an afternoon strolling Shanghai while taking in the bizarre and bazaars I miss antique markets and flea markets. I suppose it is mostly a Western thing – you see them in Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles. My personal favourite being a NYer was...

American Comfort Food in the Historic Xintiandi District It’s been a while since I have seen the words “bar and grill” attached to a restaurant name. It took me a while to realize why it sounded both so odd and yet so familiar. And then I remembered......

A gem of an Izakaya in Shanghai’s central  Jing’an District After a trip to Japan, we became totally addicted to Japanese food, amiyaki, teppanyaki, yakitori, sushi…. you name it. I think the reason why I like it so much is that most Japanese food is tho...

Many Singapore food folks in the know were already aware of chef Travis from his days at Wine Garage. The burger he served up at that trendy Clark Quay location was many people's favorite in Singapore. Unfortunately we moved to Singapore after that time. ...

Friendly and knowledgeable family-run tea, spice and honey purveyors I have gotten into tea since moving to Asia. No longer a die hard coffee drinker, I enjoy herbal teas, black teas…hot or iced. Something about it feels lighter to me in this climate....

With Japanese cuisine, most people hear of sushi first. It's shocking and stands out. I remember as a kid thinking, "raw fish, yuck" (who'd of thought I'd grow up and eat raw horse heart?). But the first "Japanese" meal most people will actually eat will ...

Do you take vitamins or dietary supplements? Sure they're working? Information is Beautiful has a wonderful chart that shows graphically the effectiveness of various dietary supplements. The chart shows me two major things: first, there's way too much mon...

Unlimited dim sum at this stylish art-deco Shanghai gem Paul and I are hopelessly addicted to dim sum. For me it started when I lived in New York. My half Chinese cousin and I used to head down to Chinatown on Sundays where she schooled me on the leis...

Classic Shanghainese cuisine in this traditional restaurant near Huahai Lu Paul and I spent a great deal of time in Shanghai this winter. We traipsed about enjoying top-end international food at places like Stiller’s, Jean Georges, Laris, M on the Bund, ...

An outstanding Cantonese meal with impeccable service I have a great fondness for Chinese cuisine. And at the top of my list are both Sichuan and Cantonese. Living in Chinatown in Singapore one might expect the best Chinese dining to be here…and while th...

Joanna and I are attempting to eat at as many of the Miele Guide Top 20 Restaurants in Asia as we can this year. Don't really know how we decided to pursue that... I think accidentally when we realized that we had dined at a few and were about to dine at ...

Hey all, A favorite time of year for NYC food lovers is Restaurant Week, a yearly chance to sample some of NYC's finest at lower than average prices. It was only a matter of time before Singapore, being as food focused as it is, did a restaurant week of i...

We got on a plane and flew to get our ass kicked military style. Was it worth it? You bet! I used to do a bootcamp workout when I lived in Bangkok through Fit Corp Asia. A friend at work told me about it…in retrospect I am not even sure why I was inter...

Hey all, We're noticing a lot of new visitors to the site thanks to our nomination for Best Culinary Travel Blog from Saveur magazine. I thought I'd do a quick post to say hey, give you a short run down of what we're about, and a sampling of some of our...

Hey all, I woke up Tuesday morning and began my normal routine... Facebook, email, check the site's traffic for the previous day. Thought to myself it was odd there was so much traffic coming from Saveur magazine. I wondered if they linked to an article...

Experience a Chinese tea ceremony in this eclectic old teahouse In the heart of historic Old Town in Shanghai and in close proximity to the famous Yuyuan Gardens lies the Old Shanghai Teahouse. In fact, Old Town was the first area of Shanghai to be se...

When traveling I will eat out more frequently and choose larger meals than I might normally. I don't know if it's because of the website or some silly notion I have that because I'm traveling I have to pack in all I can on every trip instead of slowing do...

It's safe to say I'm not the biggest fan of Dempsey Hill. On my better meals at the former army barracks location I've simply been underwhelmed... on others I've felt outright ripped off. What was once an unique escape in Singapore has become a "destina...

If you ever find yourself shopping for bootlegs computer accessories at Pantip Plaza in Bangkok, do yourself a favor and skip out on the foreigner friendly fast food chains and S&P (I'm not knocking S&P) found on the ground level. Instead walk...

A birds eye view on the Bund and fine French dining from the 36th Floor of the Shangri La Hotel I think we might be addicted to multi-course degustation menus. You might think this is lazy, to let the chef pick for you. But in reality it is the diner’s ...

I'd walked past Brussels Sprouts many times on my way to Epicurious or other places on the Quay in Singapore. I thought it was possibly a vegetarian restaurant. It always seemed busy, a good sign in Singapore, but for some reason I never visited. Thankful...

Ah Bia Hoi. No trip to Northern Vietnam is complete without at least a couple glasses of the stuff. Forget Saigon, 333, or any of the other local beers. Look instead for a small, street-side shop selling locally brewed versions of this light drink. Bia...

I first heard this term sometime last year when visiting New York. Come to find out the term had been in use for quite some time in the Western world, but had not yet migrated to Asia. But the idea of locavore fascinated me – basically it is someone who e...

It would be an understatement to say that I was excited to try Relish. I've been on an epic odyssey a search for my favorite burger in Singapore since arriving. Here was a whole restaurant devoted solely to the glorious hamburger in all its incarnations...

How does Da Paolo Pizza measure up to this NYers discerning palate for pizza? As it turns out pizza is all over Asia. Asians and Westerners alike love the food and so no matter where you go, it is not hard to find. In Singapore there are many options, o...

An Indian medical tradition dating back to the 1st century B.C. As part of the Health & Wellness 2010 Series Ayurveda always seemed to me to be to be a bit like horoscopes – you have your doshas (type of person). And your dosha describes your bo...

"Fa cosi caldo qui o e la tua presenza?" For those of you who don't know, I'll be entering a full-time culinary diploma program starting in April. I'm using my remaining months to continue to eat at great restaurants, travel, and take all the short-ter...

A good value hotel located in the heart of Hanoi’s Lake District Everyone agrees the Sofitel Metropole Hotel in Hanoi is the nicest, most luxe hotel in the city. But it is also $200-300 USD a night. So it is a bit of a splurge in a city where one can ...

Something for everyone at this well-priced Vietnamese restaurant We are always tempted to eat a lot of French food in Vietnam - all the amazing baguettes and well-priced wines and cheeses. These are not easy to find in other places in SE Asia and when ...

Yoga is more than just meditation and twisting your self into a pretzel As part of the Health & Wellness 2010 Series (above pictures courtesy of Lyan'lex Bernales - Giveitashot) I got into yoga about 12 years ago in New York. I’ll admit it, I ...

Hey all, These days you can't enter an aspiring to be or established fine dining restaurant and not run across either a degustation or tasting menu. What are these menus? Why are they popping up all over the place? Should you care? Should you order one? A...

A minimalist urban sanctuary on the Bund I had read about the Evian Spa several times over the last couple of years, but somehow never found the time to visit. I often go to Shanghai for work, but it is all rushing around to meetings and work dinners…s...

When traveling in Shanghai, it can be easy to stay with the tried, true... and close by. The Bund is a safety area for foreigners. Everyone knows where it is and how to get there. Even the name is easy to pronounce. Much more exotic sounding, yet just a...

Healthy Spa Recipes from our favourite holistic spa As part of our Health & Wellness 2010 Series From the age of 5, Kai had a passion for cooking. He started early with his first job in the kitchen at an Austrian ski resort at the age of 16 and ...

Fine dining has some how become synonymous with epic, bank account reducing gastronomic menus. While these are great (and sometimes life changing) you're probably not going to want them every night of the week. Most nights you just want great food, reas...

A very special New Year’s Eve at Amantee We decided to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Thailand this year. It was time to totally chill out and honestly I have yet to find a better place than Thailand for complete relaxation. But we still wanted to d...

An ancient medical practice focused on health and prevention As part of our Health & Wellness 2010 Series “And while TCM can treat illness, say a common cold, it is more about going to the underlying issue, the weakened immune system that allowed ...

Hey all, I am a HUGE sushi fan. I've made my pilgrimage to the sushi mecca (Tsukiji fish market) and returned a changed man. I'm deeper in love with sushi... to the detriment of my ability to enjoy budget buffet grade sushi. But I recently found out I've...

Spectacular dining and views to match at this Shanghai gem Lately I have been getting to Shanghai more often for work. M on the Bund is right around the corner from the Westin Bund Center where I usually stay. Convenience is certainly a plus, but what re...

Hey all, Thought I'd pass along another link courtesy of life-optimizing site Lifehacker. I don't know if these are the top-10 Kitchen Hacks of all time, but there are certainly some interesting hacks in the mix. I'm particularly interested in the waffle...

The Epicurean Concept of the Week is back from holiday vacation :) This week I was reading a Mark Bittman recipe for tri-tip steak. It called for an ingredient in the sauce I'd never heard of - pimentón. I wondered at first if it was an interesting spelli...

An endless array of holistic therapies at this tranquil island spa I generally have a rule of not visiting the same place twice. I prefer to expand my horizons and challenge myself to see and do new things. However, I recently returned to Kamalaya in ...

Hey all, As you may or may not be able to tell from my various postings, I'm very interested in the current food movement in the US. The trends towards eating locally, sustainably, etc is heading, I believe, in a positive direction that takes us away fro...

A modern oasis of calm on bustling Petchaburi Road I have said it before, but will say it again….I believe spa treatments are not a luxury, but rather an integral part of taking care of oneself. Not only do they promote relaxation, but depending on the...

Hand churned, artisanal ice cream with traditional and creative gourmet flavors OK, so I know we have been talking a lot about health and wellness and taking better care of oneself in the New Year. But this doesn’t mean you have to go without treats a...

A series about small changes we can make daily to keep ourselves healthy and happy What is it about the New Year that makes us all crave change and personal betterment? I for one have quite a lot to “correct”….working 12 -14 hours a day, extensive ...

Signature dish "Surf & Turf Indiana" recipe after the jump. When working for Lookeast Magazine I had the chance to sit and talk with many Bangkok chefs. One of these was Arijit Ghosh, then new Executive Chef at Café 11. He’s a soft-spoken, gen...

When we are in Phnom Phen, one of our favorite places to pop in for lunch is The Shop Café and Bakery. The Shop is a delightfully cozy café on one of Cambodia’s leafy little shopping streets. Its combination modern yet rustic décor makes it the prefec...

Like HCMC today, the Bangkok foreigner scene of old thrived close to the river. These days, however, I never really think to set foot down there. It’s the kind of place you visit once, the first time you come to the city… King’s Palace, check. Emerald &...

A leisurely trail hike in the rainforest of Singapore If you are looking for a day out in nature in Singapore, MacRitchie might be just the ticket. Slightly outside of the city center lies this nature reserve that will help any city dweller retrea...

Anyone who's ever talked to me about dining in Bangkok knows my passion for spreading the word of Soi Polo Chicken. You'd think that's the only chicken I ever eat in Bangkok. As much as I'd love their beautiful fried garlic encrusted chicken every day o...

An unlikely place for breakfast on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road I first discovered The Robinhood Pub when I lived across the street at Emporium Suites. For me it was a go to place for a beer with friends or to watch a game. It’s just your typical unpretent...

Hey all, It can be hard to discover new music in Asia. Radio stations are spastic at best... playing such random gems as "Achy Breaky Heart" followed by "You're Beautiful" and then a hard-core rap song. Not ideal for those wanting to keep informed of the...

Visiting the celebrity chef’s signature restaurant in Hanoi Bobby Chinn is one of the most celebrated chef’s in Asia. If you watch the Travel & Living channel, there is no doubt you have seen his show Bobby Chinn Cooks Asia. Beyond that, he is regu...

2 days and one night aboard a luxurious boat on Indochina Sails on Halong Bay One of the must do’s if you are visiting Hanoi is a side trip to Halong Bay. I personally have done it twice – once on a bit of a budget and most recently in style on In...

Iggy's. 45th Restaurant in the world according to the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2009 (the same list with El Bulli, Fat Duck, Tesuya's, La Bernardin, and other greats). There are only 3 restaurants from Asia covered in the top 50 and this ...

The notion most people have of high teas is that they're precious events... tables covered in doilies & groups of woman gathered round gossiping through the afternoon. Well I'm a tattooed, boot wearing, Texas-born male ( ;) )and I'll come out and say ...

Bubbly wine tasting debunks the ‘has to be expensive’ and ‘has to be French’ myth We were invited to a blind bubbly wine tasting by our friends at The Local Nose.  The idea of the event was to taste both champagnes and sparkling wines of all price ...

Homestyle, satisfying Italian served alfresco on a cozy Silom rooftop terrace Vicolo 4 opened in 2008…however, unless you know Silom Soi 4 well, it’s not really the kind of place one stumbles upon. It’s tucked away on the second floor over top of a bar...

A chill seaside locale for brunch in Singapore It was a typical Singapore afternoon….hot, sunny and humid. What better to do than chill by the water over a leisurely brunch with friends? So off we set to Keppel Bay Marina to meet a group of friends at ...

Stunning presentation, impeccable service and inventive, modern French cuisine It was Paul’s birthday, so it had to be special…something out of the ordinary and truly impressive. After much consideration I selected Gunther’s, #7 on the Miele Guide’s li...

Hey All, For this Epicurean Concept we bring you a dining etiquette tip from Joanna's days at finishing school. No I'm not playing an epic, online version of The Circle Game. This is a visual clue like making a L with your left hand (if you can't sep...

Bahn My: the darling sandwich & craze of the US foodie movement. If you read food sites such as Serious Eats you'd think there was no food more synonymous with Vietnamese cuisine than Bhan My... more so even than the beloved Pho. Is this hipster sandw...

Wow, just wow. That's all I can say about the new campaign for Oscar Meyer branded bacon. I'm not completely sure about the bacon itself as I'd prefer a locally butchered bacon if I were in the states and had my choice... but this well executed ad cam...

That sudden gust of air you felt around November 17th was the result of the entire nation of France collectively gasping for air. On that day the press broke the news that Tokyo had topped Paris in the number of the coveted 3-star restaurants. Should ...

Everyone who lives in Bangkok has a stable of restaurants from which they choose their meals throughout the day. First there's the fruit stand where one will grab some fresh pineapple or mamuang on the way to the office. Then there's the street stall near...

Royal Thai Cuisine from the recipes of the Sukhothai Palace kitchen Paul had been telling me about this place for ages…the former soap opera star owner and the recipes from the Sukhothai Palace. He raved about the pure and traditional preparation and p...

Turkish meze and pide near Arab Street For me Turkish food is comfort food. I spent a good 10+ years learning about Turkish food, traveling to Turkey and being trained by a good number of Turkish home cooks on recipes that were passed down for generati...

While the flavors of Sri Lanka may not yet be as widely known as those from Thailand, Sri Lankan cuisine has a lot to offer the world. Take this Rambutan Chutney Recipe from The Sun House. This recipe takes a fresh, regional ingredient and adapts it t...

Hey all, I know foodies in NYC would shudder at the thought of trusting a food guide. They like to feel they've discovered places on their own and not heard about them from a "trusted source". In Asia, it's a bit trickier to locate and find good restaur...

The Great Wall. In my mind it stands as the ultimate irony tourist trap. What was started ages ago to keep foreigners out... is now responsible for bringing millions of foreigners into the country every year. It's one of those things you just have ...

Consistent high quality at this laid-back, Aussie-style Bangkok institution keeps everyone coming back When I lived in Bangkok, I lived on Sukhumvit Soi 16. I moved into a new construction apartment building and so had to wait for the finishing touches...

Howdy Yall, To commemorate my travels around Texas and the states I'll be doing a short series of "Texan Epicurean Concepts" over the next few weeks. These concepts will hopefully help you more fully enjoy your next trip to Texas. First up is a childho...

Hey all, Found this article from Chow.com the other day and was impressed by the sheer originality in some of what's going on. The list does seem to be pretty USA centric however with the editors struggling to balance the east and west coast. It'd be...

Our favorite hotels when we are traveling in Tokyo Tokyo can be expensive. And so it depends on how you want to do it…5 star hotel experiences are definitely available. We like the Grand Hyatt Roppongi for a truly luxe hotel experience. But we also...

Highlights of what to see, do and eat in China’s capital city We sometimes worry that a short trip is giving a majestic city like Beijing short shrift, but when all is said and done, wouldn’t you rather have visited a place briefly, than not all at...

Enjoy a cocktail at sunset overlooking the former residence of the Chinese Emperor The Yin Bar at the Emperor’s Hotel might just be the best rooftop bar in the city of Beijing. The hotel itself is one of the Design Hotels of the World, a list we often ...

Thai food favourites in a lovely and classic Thai setting overlooking the Erawan shrine I discovered the Erawan Tea Room when a Thai friend suggested it. I had been in Thailand about 3 months and was still feeling my way around, everything was new to m...

Transplanted from the younger, more modern, and hipper Siam Square, It's Happened to be a Closet brings its kitschy style and cozy cafe environment to the luxury malls of Bangkok. Can something so artsy, design oriented, and in your face work in a mal...

Tacos and Salsa joins Sunrise Tacos and Coyote Sukhumvit on foreigner friendly Sukhumvit road. I've only visited once, but already I'm thinking this could be the best (authentic) Mexican food in Bangkok. The restaurant isn't much to look at. In fact, i...

An elaborate tasting menu makes for a decadent fusion dining experience We were delighted to be in Beijing…an unexpected detour on an extended business trip brought us to the former 2008 Olympic city. Immediately Paul, I and a colleague (Andy) set out ...

Glorious cheese is the star in this Tokyo restaurant As much as I absolutely adore Japanese food, we took a break from our much loved Yakitori and Katsudon to try an interesting concept in casual dining. A restaurant entirely based around creamy, fresh...

I will never forget where I was when I heard the story of the third biggest pumpkin in North Carolina Great video for the fall holiday season. Paul...

Know the difference between apéritif and digestif? Know which one comes at what point in a meal? Ok, the picture above probably gives away the answer to the second question. Why do we have these drinks? Do they really work? An apéritif is served before...

This will be the last of my recipes from the Blue Elephant Cooking School in Bangkok, Thailand. This recipe blew me away, and completing this dish gave me new confidence in the kitchen. It seems difficult due to the number of steps and for some reason f...

Creative reinterpretations of French classics alongside the standards There was a lazy weekend stretched ahead of us….for the first time in 9 months, we didn’t have one single appointment on the weekend. This had been planned intentionally. The good th...

The hunt for the best chilli crab in Singapore As you probably already know, one of Singapore’s famous dishes is chilli crab - a dish where Sri Lankan crabs are stir fried with a tomato and chilli based gravy. This is a dish found everywhere from hawke...

Truffles: the elusive, holy grail ingredient known worldwide. If you dine anywhere even pretending to be high end, you're guaranteed to see it listed somewhere on the menu. So what's the big deal with them? Are they so special? Do they make everything (ma...

Here's another recipe from the Blue Elephant Cooking School. This is not a dish I was intimately familiar with by name. However, the flavors are instantly recognizable. This dish would be perfect accompanied by an ice-cold beer while sitting out on the ...

People are never on the fence about Bubble Tea. They either love it or hate it. Usually those that have a distaste for mixing textures don't appreciate the gummy tapioca balls surprising them during a sip of Thai tea. For those of us that love bubble tea...

Sampling traditional, regional Chinese dishes in China can be a bit overwhelming for most travelers. The city is hectic, English is non existent, street stalls seem scary  and unwelcoming to the uninitiated.... the best you can do is point at what others ...

I've eaten a lot of burgers in my short time in Singapore. I've eaten 100% wagyu burgers (not worth it) in trendy Dempsey Hill restaurants, gourmet cheese topped burgers in fancy 5-star hotels, sliders at wine events, and just about everything in betwee...

This week's Epicurean Concept of the week was inspired by our recent trip to the Regent Hotel Brunch in Singapore and by fond memories of a dining experience in Bangkok at Spasso's. Both meals featured a delight for turophiles - Burrata Cheese. Burrata C...

Cote de Boeuf steak for two and other French classics Thoroughly French bistro style… chalkboard, inlaid marble tables, dark interior, temperature controlled wine room and all. Two-year-old Franck presents a French menu with bistro classics like pigeon...

Homemade pastas, a whole room of cheese, chocolate martinis and more, oh my! I must admit I love a champagne brunch. And this one has to be among the best in Singapore. My favorite had been the St Regis Hotel Champagne brunch… and until recently nothin...

I was in China for a week... first in Shanghai, then on to Beijing. In that time I only ate one proper Chinese meal. It wasn't that I was scared of the food, it's just that the western food on offer here is so appealing. Take Ristorante Sadler, an authent...

Ever been at a wine tasting, dinner party, or other event featuring wine and some know-it-all (probably with a beard and wearing a sweater) swirls his glass vigorously and then tilts the glass sideways to observe the streaking wine (wine legs)? Don't ...

Highlights of what to see and do in the wonderfully traditional city of Kyoto Many folks love Kyoto and consider it the highlight of any trip to Japan. With 17 Unesco World Heritage sites, 1600 Buddhist temples and over 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto is...

A culinary tour of Japan in 9-courses While in Japan, we tried to cover as many foods as possible. My favourite meal may have been Katsudon but in our effort to experience as many food types as possible during our trip, I stretched myself beyond pork p...

It was only a matter of time before our Sunday brunch group broke from the main island and ventured over to the Disneyland-like island of Sentosa. I was apprehensive at first. The island is almost too planned and organized, meaning there's little to be ...

This weeks Epicurean Concept is relatively simple, but one that we were curious about and so thought maybe others were as well. Often at restaurants I'll see lamb dishes on the menu, but other times mutton dishes. I wondered if there was really a differ...

I first heard of "no knead bread" thanks to the famous NY Times post and bookmarked it for a later attempt. I forgot about it until I saw the Cook's Illustrated Video (via their free podcast). The video seemed so simple and I knew I could trust these gu...

Shopping and eating – two of my favourite things! The Gallery Café is an oasis in the busy city of Colombo in Sri Lanka. Situated within the former office of Sri Lanka's renowned architect, Geoffrey Bawa, the Gallery Café is part restaurant, part b...

A gem of a boutique hotel overlooking Lake Koggala A few miles from Galle City Center lies a truly special retreat, Kahanda Kanda. Amid a lush tea plantation, Kahanda Kanda sits on 9.9 acres of tropical tranquility. 5 villas are elegantly and taste...

Chill beachside over heaping plates of seafood, curries and cold beer In between tea plantations and the Galle fort, we needed a spot of lunch. Having heard the Wijaya Beach Cottage was recommended…and on the way to Handunugoda Tea Estate, this see...

A 140-year old white tea plantation, spice and rubber tree farm If you visit Sri Lanka, you will certainly be tempted to visit a tea plantation. And there is probably none more famous than Handunugoda – the legendary tea plantation that used to pro...

Thanks to everyone who came for making our second Accidental Epicurean Event a great evening. Also a big thank you to our sponsors for the evening. Suresh and the staff of El Toro Restrobar provided a cool, calm, and casual venue for us...just the right...

This week's Epicurean Concept is the current "in thing" for hipsters shopping at overpriced delis and cutting edge restaurants... and oddly enough comfort food for the poor and downtrodden - Offal. Definition from the folks at Merriam-Webster: of·fal P...

Hey all, We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Sun House in Galle, Sri Lanka. One highlight of the stay had to be the Sunday Curry Night. Our hosts were gracious enough to not only show us the kitchen during their preparations but also to share a few...

From charming colonial hotels to lovely gift shops Please don’t stay in Colombo if you go to Sri Lanka. Even 3 days is enough to explore historic Galle and the surrounding areas. Here’s our cheat sheet for how to spend 3 days in and around Galle. ...

A charming retreat in colonial, seaside Galle We are starting to stretch ourselves a bit. Having already seen a great deal of Asia, we looked at the map to see what would be within a 3-4 hour flight from Singapore. Frankly there is no shortage of o...

For Italian food in Bangkok, most Bangkok expats have a few options top of mind - L'Opera, Zanotti, Spasso, etc. For some reason Giusto is not necessarily first recalled as an option for most... a shame as this modern Italian restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi...

Hey all, As a watcher of multiple seasons of Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares I found the following clips for Caterer.com incredibly funny. The kid has the hair, the mannerisms, and most importantly the mouth. Two more videos after the jump. ...

Why is it that Jean Georges seems to define the various culinary chapters of my life? I first became aware of Jean Georges Vongerichten when I was living in New York. I was in advertising…it was the early 1990’s…expense accounts were fat (people in Ameri...

If you are already a Gizomodo reader you've already seen the posts, but I thought their Taste Test Week was worth promoting to our readers. All week they linked to food related stories such as iPhone specific food applications, cooking demonstrations and ...

Our normal breakfast group was a bit thin this week... which was unfortunate for those who couldn't make it because it was a highly enjoyable meal / experience. Sunday brunch at Graze is something we'll be returning to enjoy soon. Graze is located way ...

We here at Accidental Epicurean are looking at ways of expanding the reach of our site beyond Southeast Asia. As part of that mission we're going to start doing a weekly series of "epicurean concepts"...these could be words that you'll find on a fine dini...

Dun Dan Dun! This post should really start with the iconic "Kill Bill Theme" theme song from the movie and play throughout. If you'd like to load it up to play in the background get it here : ) We had just finished watching the Tokyo Giants win the ga...

Dim Sum is like Thai food for me... I love it, can't get enough of it, and find I enjoy it most when it's served up cheap in some back-alley hole in the wall. I've tried Dim Sum in fancier settings, but it always seems to lack the flavor of the more rus...

I just got the OK from Blue Elephant Cooking School to share some recipes with you. This first recipe was a bit of a surprise for me and also my favorite. Before moving to Thailand I had tried numerous incarnations of Penang, Red Curry, and Green Curry ...

(This review has two parts as we've dined here twice, the first time unfortunately was just with friends and I didn't have my camera with me. The second visit covers the weekday dinner set menu) The neon Heineken sign visible from the street couple...

And left Japan kicking and screaming… The first time I traveled to Hong Kong, I fell in love. I had an inexplicable affinity for the place, and on subsequent trips, discovered many new parts that ultimately led to Hong Kong’s classification as my favor...

Japan = Cute. Japan = Cosplay. Japan = Rockabilly? A Sunday stroll through Tokyo's Yoyogi Park is unlike a visit to any park anywhere else in the world. Sure you can find couples enjoying the day quietly on blankets, dad's playing catch with their chil...

Our first event as "Accidental Epicurean Events" went off wonderfully last night. Another big thank you goes out to our event sponsors - Epicurious, Underground Wines, and Divine MedSpa. Helena from Epicurious, Sianne from UW, and Christine from Divine ...

I went to a Thai language school in Bangkok that didn't use any English, forcing students to comprehend the language in situations rather than memorizing from rote. Our class consisted of Koreans, Japanese, Germans, and many other nationalities... most ...

Before the day I discovered Sunrise Tacos, my intake of Mexican food was limited to two places in Bangkok - Coyote (Silom) and Charlie Browns. Both were decent, but a bit higher in price... and none did what I was craving most, the Mexican Breakfast. Th...

I realized once I moved to Singapore that I had squandered a great opportunity to learn Thai cooking while living in Thailand. With the prospect of many years living there I lacked the urgency one has on a shorter trip to get out and sample the various ex...

Hey all, In the few months we've been running Accidental Epicurean , we've taken the website from 1500 readers to over 13,800 last month! We've put up over 100 informative posts on food, wine, spas, hotels, and different Asian cities. Now it's time for ...

Sometimes even though you're surrounded by the freshest ingredients, some very talented cooks, and one of the most interesting cuisines in the world (Thai food) you just need something that reminds you of home. Since I grew up in Texas and New Mexico my...

Take me out to the ballgame Take me out with the crowd Buy me some yakitori and edamame.... Stepping out of the cab at the base of the massive Tokyo Dome I immediately felt the same frantic pre-game energy I knew from my childhood. It was just like see...

So maybe all the meals weren't adventurous while in Tokyo. Sometimes one simply needs junk comfort food... particularly one that's been missed for over seven years! So yes, we broke down and chowed down at Krispy Kreme in Shibuya, Tokyo Japan. I mi...

Be pampered within an inch of your life at the St Regis Bali Resort With its opening in early 2009, this all suite hotel on the secluded barrier island of Nusa Dua changed the face of luxury in Bali. Typically I prefer a more modern design hotel…so...

A couple years back I met with a group of guys every Sunday for breakfast. We'd pick a different spot around town (usually Irish Pubs) every week. After our first visit here, the Dubliner became the standard for all the other Irish breakfasts around tow...

An oft-recommend restaurant on the Bund…can it live up to the hype? I had been meaning to get to Whampoa Club for a while. It has been recommended several times but somehow in my many trips to Shanghai I often ended up elsewhere. Having had the occasi...

In celebration of our 100th post we're going to do something a bit different this time around...first post to feature video content! A word of caution for vegetarians and those who are easily offended, overly squeamish or just fussy...don't watch the ...

Beautiful people and glamourous cocktails and this river-view stunner In the vein of big city bars with a view is The Glamour Bar on the Bund in Shanghai. I tend to have an affinity for Glamour Bar though, over say, the usual bar-with-a-view spots in A...

Lots of pictures of the market at the end of the article so scroll all the way down :) Muslims have Mecca, lovers of Trance have the lovely town of Goa, surfers and single, middle-aged women looking for a spiritual awakening have Bali ;) For lovers of su...

The relaxing ritual of tea ceremony after a day of sightseeing When you go to a place like Beijing where there are tourist attractions so historically important that they make their way onto the Unesco World Heritage site list, you figure you ought to ...

My favorite Japanese noodle After a thorough survey of noodles in Japan, I am ready to pronounce udon as my personal favorite. Some people favor buckwheat soba noodles – it is said that to make a soba noodle takes a lifetime to learn and thus it is con...

Bespoke fashion clothing and suiting for bargain prices No trip to Shanghai would be complete without a trip to the Fabric Market, also known as the Shanghai South Bund Soft-Spinning Material Market. For gals and guys alike this expansive, multi-floor ...

Like Brooklyn is to Manhattan, Kichijoji is to Tokyo – with some damn good spare ribs and octopus! If you want to see real local flavour in an easily accessible Tokyo neighbourhood, take the 15 minute ride to Kichijoji. Kichijoji, in the Western ar...

Lately I'm finding myself more and more interested in cooking. I'm more of an exact amounts kind of guy, so I started with baking. That's going well...except for the waistlines of everyone around us. I realized one day as I obsessed over the thought o...

I want to live a Muji life Actually I first encountered Muji in New York. A creative director at the ad agency I worked at was hoarding Muji notebooks that he bought in London. Being a fan of a minimalist aesthetic, Muji suited me perfectly. But wh...

Hey all, Our first visit to Time Out's breakfast of the year, Epicurious, left us feeling slightly frustrated. After a couple months of sampling other breakfast options around town, the timing seemed right to venture back and see if possibly our expecta...

Cocktails with a panoramic view of Tokyo Every big city has one – the high-rise hotel with the sweeping, panaromic view of the skyline. In the case of Tokyo, one of our favourites is the Bello Visto Bar on the 40th floor of the Cerulean Tower Hotel in...

I hate to throw around phrases like "the Walt Disney of Japan"...but that's the easiest way to describe Studio Ghibli for those not familiar with the Japanese cartoon studio. Ghibli has impacted not only the anime scene of Japan (a commonly held belief ...

Organic & macrobiotic…not your average Izakaya Eating healthy is important to me…so when I heard that there was a healthy version of an Izakaya, I was eager to try it. To put this in perspective, an Izakaya is basically a pub serving food to comple...

A homey Western-style brunch in the heart of Tokyo I may have mentioned before that breakfast is my favourite meal. So it is no surprise then that breakfast or brunch has become a weekend ritual for me – whether at home or abroad. And while I have ...

As the site grows and readers join us, we realized a need to grow our culinary vocabulary. We felt reading more than just other food blogs would help increase our vocabulary and give us an insight into other foods, trends, chefs, locations, etc. So Joan...

Tasty grilled meats and veggies on a stick, Japanese-style Seems every culture has its meat on a stick – from Thai moo ping to Turkish shish kabobs, these are always an international favourite. When we were living in Bangkok, it was ubiquitous…grilled ...

A café in the heart of Tokyo provides soothing feline therapy When we were looking up wacky and wonderful things to do in Tokyo we learned about the cat cafes. In Tokyo, where flats are more like an American walk-in closet, residents are often not able...

Famous Tonkatsu – or as Paul says, “little fried fluffy pieces of happiness” It’s hard to articulate how excited I am to eat Japanese food in Japan. A lover of it for many years, this is my first opportunity to have super authentic versions prepared by...

Inventive seafood in an intimate rooftop setting overlooking Chinatown From Breeze’s perch atop Ann Siang Hill, one can see Singapore’s low-lying Chinatown area full of conservation shop houses, pagodas and mosques. The view was why we first came, but ...

A quiet little place, with an endless wine list, tucked away on Duxton Hill We were searching, maybe a bit too late at 9pm, on a Friday night for a place on Duxton Hill to have dinner. Walking up and down the cobble-stoned hill lined with conservation ...

Littered with watering holes, this street makes a great stop for drinks I don’t know if it is the charming conservation shophouses on the street or the drink specials that keep us coming…but we often end up in the Emerald Hill area of Singapore fo...

Voila! My new custom made wardrobe As some of you may remember, I went to Cayen in search of clothes that would fit my 5’10” Western frame (Part 1, Part 2). Having been thoroughly discouraged in each and every shopping mall from Bangkok to Singapore to...

Best vegetarian in Singapore? It's hard to answer that question as this is still the only strictly vegetarian restaurant we've dined at in Singapore :) But according to Time Out Singapore, Original Sin was 2008's Best Vegetarian Restaurant. Original S...

Stand up comedy in Singapore every Tuesday night. I heard about an event a couple months back thanks to a mailing list I was on, but was too chicken to attend in the end...free standup comedy lessons at Em by the River here in Singapore. Since the init...

Hey all, At several locations around Singapore, Jumbo serves up Singapore's number 1 seafood dish - the chili crab. We first saw the location directly on the Quay, with a large shop front with slick decorations and kind of assumed Jumbo was a tourist tr...

Hey all, A trip to Hong Kong without Dim Sum is like going to Texas and not getting a steak, Japan and sushi, New York and a bagel/hot dog, and... well you get my point. We knew we needed to find and cover dim sum on our last Hong Kong trip, but whic...

A simple Italian restaurant in a quiet alleyway saves the night! Be careful with printed guidebooks, dear readers. The Luxe guidebooks (they are usuably reliable) led us to a certain area of Hong Kong looking for a particular seafood restaurant. Af...

Every time we go to the area known as Chip Bee Gardens on Jalan Merah Saga we make a new discovery…With a bevy of lovely little restaurants, gourmet food stores, art galleries, bakeries and cool specialty kitchen / baking supply stores, one can spend ...

Consultation for bespoke clothing After meeting Carol at Cayen and discovering I could have custom-made clothing that would actual fit my 5’ 10” (177cm) Western frame, I scheduled a consultation. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect after being rushed th...

If you're in the Chinatown, Central Business District, or Quay area in Singapore and are looking for a healthy lunch option be sure to check out Lite Bites Cafe.I discovered this great little cafe...well because it's really close to where I live :) . It...

Is investing in regular massage really worth it? For me, massage has been part of my anti-stress and wellness routine for several years now. Rather than an indulgence, I treat it as another tool to take care of myself. After having some shoulder and n...

The constant up-sale phone calls once you’ve joined, the thumping cheesy music, the long lines waiting for machines while some guy sits five minutes between reps, guys fighting to be able to lift in front of the mirror… and we PAY for this? Unfortunate...

Hey all, As we move along into healthy week, I thought I'd do a little roundup of drink information for you. A few years back when I was still living in Coppell, Texas I started trying to live a healthier life. I was running to the gym every other da...

Are healthy and delicious oxymorons? I imagine I am not alone in my struggle. I love food and eating out. I am always thinking about, planning and strategizing my next meal – it’s part passion…and maybe part obsession. And while I would like to piousl...

I've visited Mimolette late on a Friday night for the split music nightclub and had a great time. The setting was remote, the decorations seemed hip without trying too hard, and the crowd was a nice mix of people. (Of course this was 12:30 a.m. after a 3 ...

For power lunching executives, ladies who lunch…and the rest of us… When I go to Hong Kong it is usually on business and the area I typically find myself in is Central on Queens Road. More often than not, lunch is catered sandwiches around a confer...

A well-priced day spa in the heart of Sukhumvit In Bangkok massage spas / salons are like 7 Eleven convenience stores….there’s one (or five) on every street and the offerings are typically inexpensive and fairly consistent. Now of course I am speaking a...

A sumptuous art-deco Northern Chinese restaurant with panoramic city views I get annoyed with those restaurants with stunning city views and mediocre food. We all know places like this in every major city…the kind of place you always take out of to...

A must do! (and coincidentally, maybe the best value in Hong Kong) There is simply no more fun and easy way to see Hong Kong’s dual skylines than to take the iconic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. No matter if I am staying in Tsim Sha Tsui or i...

Glam cocktails await in this Kowloon gem Hong Kong has no shortage of trendy bars and watering holes. But if you’re looking for something special…something different than the usual scene in Soho and definitely removed from the Lan Kwai Fong madness...

Hey all, RSS. Some have been using this technology for years now and others are still hesitant and unsure of how it fits in with their current browsing. For those of you that are clueless about this technology read on... for the rest of you, you know wh...

Another week, another brunch. After having driven past the building for months, we finally succumbed to siren song of the large converted church - The White Rabbit on Dempsey Hill. Could The White Rabbit possibly live up to the hype of the location, sett...

My favorite city in Asia Everything about Hong Kong is to me is what an international city should be. While I have enjoyed living in Bangkok and Singapore, should Unilever ever open up an office in Hong Kong, I’d be there in a flash! There are some ...

The luxury of custom made fashion clothes is accessible in Singapore It’s humbling living in Asia. From Bangkok to Singapore to Hong Kong, when shopping for clothing or shoes the refrain I hear is “No, sorry, you too big. No size for you.” Considering...

Hey all, Coffee. You either need, love, or can't stand it. Oddly, I worked for two years as a manager at a Starbucks and never really touched the stuff. I liked the odd French Press of select coffee beans that would come through the store, but generall...

Don’t miss this Italian gem in Silom On recent visit back to Bangkok, we decided to visit a favorite of many expats, Vino di Zanotti. Located in the junction of Sathorn and Silom, Vino di Zanotti serves up a more casual bistro-style experience than its...

Hey all, Saw this creative kitteh kitty litter box idea and followed the link through to discover an interesting site full of useful tips and tricks for the home - Ikea Hacker. I thought at first the site was in it's infant stages because browsing...

Hey all, A while back we tried the lunch special at El Toro here in Singapore. If you missed that review check it out here. Just received word they're starting a new promotion: Happy Hour beers starting at 3 SGD a glass and pitchers of margaritas star...

Imagine Jim Thompson house. Now strip away the legend, crappy silk (I'll give you that it looks good, but Thai silk is the least comfy silk I've ever had the displeasure of touching), over inflated prices, and throngs of farangs decked out in sandals ...

When we last visited Thailand, I read a review of a new Bangkok brunch spot for those in the know. With it's location close to where we were staying, undiscovered vibe, and our intense love of brunches how could we not try it out? Was it worth the hype?...

Hey all, Living well is more than just good food. It's also good friends, travel, and good entertainment. Sorry we've so often neglected the "enjoy" section of the site. The new one from (one of my favorite bands) Wilco hits the shelves June 30th, but ...

Hey all, This Saturday we attended another wine tasting event way out on the West Coast at Nook. We randomly received the invite on Facebook and were thinking of letting the offer pass, but I felt like we were stuck in our Orchard/Chinatown/Quay bubble a...

On our recent trip back to Bangkok we had to visit an old favorite breakfast spot - Crepes & Co on Sukhumvit Soi 12. They claim to be the best Creperie in Bangkok and who am I to say they're not... I don't think I can name a single other Creperie in B...

Hey all, Great free iPhone and iTouch application for foodies, chefs, or anyone who cooks. Epicurious has released an application that puts over 25,ooo applications wherever you and your phone are. The application features recipes from Bon Appetit, the ...

Our friend Lara visited us recently in Singapore. She asked me to take her someplace nice, someplace I wouldn't normally think to go for her last lunch in the city. After a bit of internet research we settled on a lunch at Song of India. Song of India, l...

Some exciting and well-priced wines from Astrolabe Winery, New Zealand presented by Rubicon Reserve Wines I have an irrational exuberance for Sauvignon Blanc. Which is strange – because in general I prefer red wine. Big robust, peppery reds..Brunello, C...

We really don't do these mega-brunches all the time...really. But when high rolling friends come to town and want to dine in style, who are we to say no? A group of five of us Joanna, Lara, Markus, Ralph and myself decided to try out an old Singapore stap...

Hey all, Our ongoing quest to find the perfect brunch/breakfast/weekend treat location continues this week with House... or is it Barracks. I'm so confused... Located with all the other "i wanna be hip and cool like in other metropolitan cities" restaur...

3 days in French colonial India by the sea If any of you have read the Life of Pi, you will remember Pondicherry as the hometown of the main character, Pi, the zookeeper’s son. Well there is no longer a zoo in Pondicherry, there is still plenty to see ...

Hey all, Saw this on lifehacker and couldn't resist posting since we're about quality and value. The lure of McDonalds in Singapore is strong... their lunch value meal at either 4.50 or 5.00 SGD is a great value considering a coke at 7-11 will run you 2 ...

If you have a bit of time on your hands, PS Cafe is great for breakfast and brunch. Located a bit outside the more populated sections of Dempsey Hill, PS Cafe feels remote in it's lush natural surroundings. Thankfully the setting is calm and relaxing bec...

This week I was joined by my friend Dave Hogan for my weekly visit to the Moomba Tuckshop. Unfortunately he was swayed by my glowing opinion of the Roast Beef from last week and didn't add another sandwich to review, so I ordered a half portion salad as w...

Friends took us to Cafe Le Caire our first week in Singapore. I don't know why we waited to so long to return. Walking down Arab Street you could easily miss the restaurant. The signs look a bit dated, the food photography isn't super clean... it looks l...

Hey all, This week Joanna joined me for my weekly Moomba Tuckshop series. Since she joined we were able to cover two sandwiches this week. The problem with running a food blog is sometimes you have to order things you wouldn't normally... or in this cas...

Making the most of a stop-over with some charming shopping, chic cocktails and dining like royalty with a luxurious South Indian meal The 4th largest city and India and known as the “Detroit of India,” Chennai itself is not so much a destination as it ...

Hey all, These cookies come from Joanna's mom and are a traditional family recipe. I'm grateful to her for sharing it with me. Recipe and discussion after the jump. Obviously I enjoyed these cookies. Couldn't even finish the shoot without sneaking a...

Hey all, Bravo has announced the lineup for a new Top Chef series - Top Chef Masters. This will be a bit different in that it's a competition of already established chefs from NYC around the USA. I've certainly never eaten any of these chefs and to be ...

In the March 29th issue of the Sunday Times the newspaper laid out Singapore lunch-set specials coming in under 15$. Joanna and I thought we'd pick a different location each week and try it out and do a little write up about here for you guys. The first l...

Hey all, If stationed in or around Bangkok and tired of faux Balinese teak furniture shops check out Hemisphere Home Furnishing. Formerly part of the Casa Pagoda group in Bangkok, Hemisphere decided to set off on their own path. The store divides th...

Hey all, I love sandwiches...a lot. I eat one for breakfast and have since I was about 4 years old. Recently I stumbled across Time Out Magazine's round up of Singapore's tops in different categories. Saw The Moomba Tuckshop listed as top sandwich shop. ...

I'm so excited! April 21st is fast approaching and for those of you who don't know, April 21st is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops. Head to any outlet for a free cone! Yup, Ben & Jerry's + Free Ice Cream = Perfect Day for Paul. My int...

Hey all, Any vodka lovers amongst us? A recent NYT essay talks about the decline in the premium vodka industry during recession times. Of extra interest in the article is the mention of blind taste tests where cheaper vodka performs the same as the highe...

A Singapore favorite strikes this breakfast lover as a little lackluster. Updated experience here Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Not the cereal on-the-go breakfast, but the something eggy, something cheesy, maybe a pancake here or there and e...

Who doesn't love brownies? For those of you who fight for those crispy corner brownies - I was browsing amazon.com last night and clicked the baking tab. I sorted by most popular items, just to get a feel for what baking supplies people are shopping for o...

If the brunch at the 4 Seasons Bangkok was elegant and indulgent… the Sunday Brunch at Brasserie Les Saveurs at the St Regis, Singapore was a downright decadent and debaucherous feast only one step back from the famed parties of ancient Rome. According t...

Hey all, If you live in the States and are an appreciator of wine and wine deals check out Wine Woot from the Woot company. The Woot group has a few different websites (random stuff, shirts, wine, etc) that sell one item per category at a time. Once it's ...

If you're looking for some design inspiration for an upcoming move or remodel, the folks over at colourlovers.com have a great feature on design trends for home interiors. They've assembled samples from Crate & Barrel and others to demonstrate the bro...

Here are three healthy recipes from Kamalaya, Koh Samui. Chef Kai Mueller, the Executive Chef of Kamalaya, taught Joanna these recipes on her Holiday stay. I'm so thankful, the Maki Roll seems to have opened Joanna's mind to rolls and sushi - no small fea...

Kampot and Kep are two charming little villages, if not already on your list of to-do’s in Cambodia, certainly should be. Kampot is about a 3 hour drive from Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Phen. This sleepy little village is perfect for a relaxing weekend ...

Deep Historical Roots + Culinary Delights await in this dynamic Cambodian city As many of you will no doubt know, Cambodia was formerly colonized by the French. So in addition to having its own rich history and culture to explore, there is an adopted c...

I needed some time-off. Time off from the world, from long work days followed by longer dinners, from my computer(s), from my cell phone, from happy hour cocktails… I wanted a real break where I could nourish my body and empty my mind. I did a lot of rese...

Living in Chinatown has many perks. Close proximity to restaurants like Lan Zhou La Mian is high on that list. Located about halfway down Smith Street (a large collection of Chinatown street food), Lan Zhou La Mian lies quietly hidden behind other stalls...

Four days in Ho Chi Minh City were spectacular. Living in Thailand, the thing that always amazes me is how different Vietnam is even though there are so many superficial similarities...Asian culture whose roots are Chinese, developing nation with a hig...

Hey all, Found this video online of founder and co-owner of Craft Restaurant (NYC, Dallas, LA, & Atlanta), Tom Colicchio (you might also know him from Top Chef). Though I prefer Coke Zero, I like the message of the commercial and feel it fits in wi...

A sea-side pampering spa experience (main photo by Joanna, others from Anantara Web Site). I am typically a little suspect about high end spas in Thailand simply because you can go anywhere and get a quality massage for $8USD. However, being a spa junkie...

We stumbled upon Leon: Ingredients and Recipes by Allegra McEvedy during a recent visit to Borders in Singapore. The art nouveau style cover caught my eye, but it was the opening ingredients section that coaxed me to add yet another cookbook to our overcr...

Last night Joanna and I were invited to join my new friend, Chris Milliken, to join a wine tasting of four PengWine wines at Asia Wine Network (44 North Canal Road). I was introduced to Chris from across the globe. My chef friend, Joel Trueblood, put me ...

Try your hand at homemade granola for a budget friendly, healthy breakfast or snack.The price of granola in Singapore is a bit ludicrous. So we opted to try our hands at making our own. The first attempt went pretty well, but there are some things we ca...

Soi Polo Chicken is really beyond words, but since I can’t hand you chicken through the monitor I’ll give it a try. Soi Polo Chicken is a northeastern style Thai food restaurant located on “Wireless” Road in Bangkok, Thailand. They serve a variety of r...

I typically favour simpler brunches – something kitchy and cool, with homemade yoghurt and pancakes and endless mugs of coffee. You know the kind of place?...the one with braided rugs and probably a cat sleeping on the window sill, where I can  turn up in...

For a special Thai food experience, Maha Naga will not disappoint. One may wonder why pay more, when you can get Thai dishes on the street for 30-80THB (USD / SGD). But for me, it is the equivalent of a topic of heated debate among most Westerners ...

It was a sunny Saturday typical of Singapore. Paul, myself and some friends had just finished a 3-hour hike in MacRitchie reservoir and were all craving a hearty sandwich and an ice-cold drink. Without a particular restaurant in mind, we grabbed a cab...