Simply Almond Tofu (杏仁豆腐)

by Mike Hsu // 10/22/2017 // 33 Comments

My experience of almond tofu (also known as almond jello or almond jelly) is basically the ‘free’ dessert that Chinese restaurants give you at the end of the meal. It’s better than the free soup at the beginning of the... Continue reading →

Raindrop Cake – Mizu Shingen Mochi (水信玄餅)

by Mike Hsu // 05/29/2017 // No Comments

I have never heard of the raindrop cake until recently even though I worked in Japan in the late 1990’s. Turns out it was originally known as Shingen Mochi (信玄餅) which is made of rice cake with kinako (roasted soy... Continue reading →

Coffee Jelly Dessert

by Mike Hsu // 11/28/2016 // 4 Comments

The first time I’ve ever had coffee jelly was when I was working in Japan right out of college. I never really drink coffee on a regular basis. And when I do drink coffee, it’s usually iced coffee with lots... Continue reading →

Mizu Yokan (水ようかん / 水羊羹)

by Mike Hsu // 10/08/2016 // 2 Comments

Today, we will be making mizu yokan (水ようかん) which is a lighter version of the traditional neri yokan by adding more water and is great for warmer days. This recipe concludes my series on red bean but also kicks off... Continue reading →

Dorayaki どら焼き (Doraemon’s favorite snack)

by Mike Hsu // 09/02/2016 // No Comments

Growing up in Taiwan, there was one comic book series that I loved as a child called Doraemon ドラえもん or 小叮噹. This was a comic series from Japan that was translated into Chinese. The story is about a robot cat... Continue reading →

Red Bean Soup (紅豆湯)

by Mike Hsu // 08/26/2016 // 2 Comments

Red beans are a good source of protein and in Asia, bean are preferred to be sweetened instead of salty. The simplest yet most satisfying dessert after a meal would be the red bean soup. In the hot summer months,... Continue reading →

Red Bean Slush (紅豆冰沙)

by Mike Hsu // 08/12/2016 // No Comments

On a scorching hot summer day, nothing cools  you down more than an ice cold glass of red bean slush ((紅豆冰沙) also known as a red bean smoothie. It’s sweet but not overpowering with a rich flavor of red beans... Continue reading →

Red Bean Paste (紅豆沙 / こしあん)

by Mike Hsu // 08/05/2016 // 5 Comments

Here is the second version of the base ingredient for many Asian desserts, the Red Bean Paste. The first version, Sweetened Red Bean recipe from the other day is a bit easier, so it was introduced first. This version requires... Continue reading →

Sweetened Red Bean (蜜紅豆)

by Mike Hsu // 08/02/2016 // 1 Comment

Red bean is such a versatile and popular ingredient in Asian cuisine, especially when it comes to desserts. I was fortunate to find some organic red beans at my local Asian supermarket so I picked a few packets up. So... Continue reading →

Tomato Salad with Shrimp

by Mike Hsu // 07/21/2016 // No Comments

I’m not a fan of salad. Growing up in Taiwan, we never eat raw vegetables, especially not leafy vegetables. So every time we go to Souplantation (or Sweet Tomatoes), I would just fill up on carbs, chili, and clam chowder.... Continue reading →

Shrimp Roll in Lettuce Wrap

by Mike Hsu // 07/04/2016 // No Comments

The Lobster Roll which originated from the New England states contains chopped lobster and some fresh vegetables and herbs mixed in a light mayonnaise dressing and served on a hot dog bun. The Shrimp Roll in Lettuce Wrap recipe is... Continue reading →

Spam Musubi

by Mike Hsu // 06/21/2016 // No Comments

Spam musubi requires no introduction. It’s basically spam wrapped in rice and seaweed then smothered in delicious sweet soy sauce (or teriyaki sauce). The Hawaiians have taken the traditional Japanese musubi (or onigiri) and transformed it into an amazing and... Continue reading →

Japanese Style Tuna Salad (ツナサラダ)

by Mike Hsu // 06/06/2016 // 1 Comment

Tuna salad is the last thing I would order when visiting a sandwich shop. My go-to sandwiches include club, BLT, roast beef, corned beef, pastrami, basically anything with meat. Even chicken salad or egg salad would all rank before tuna... Continue reading →

Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken (鶏の照り焼き)

by Mike Hsu // 05/23/2016 // 1 Comment

When I think of teriyaki chicken, I think of Japan. One of my life’s most meaningful chapter was spending 5 years after college to work in Tokyo, Japan. Being that my grandmother on my father’s side is Japanese, I’ve always... Continue reading →

Mini BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Bites

by Mike Hsu // 05/09/2016 // 2 Comments

Sometimes I feel like eating a burger and sometimes I feel like eating pizza but there are times when I want both at the same time but that’s just going way overboard with calories. Well, in this last of the... Continue reading →