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 →

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 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 →

Shrimp Balls (蝦丸)

by Mike Hsu // 01/31/2016 // No Comments

If you haven’t noticed yet, we love to eat shrimp, whether deep fried, stir fried, steamed, boiled, or mashed into a paste. What I love about the shrimp balls is that I can make a bunch and freeze them for... Continue reading →

Fuzhou Fish Balls (福州魚丸)

by Mike Hsu // 01/04/2016 // 6 Comments

There was a request from a reader for a fish balls recipe after reading our very popular Taiwanese meat ball (貢丸) soup recipe. Well, I figured, since I’m up for the challenge, why stop at regular fish balls when there... Continue reading →

Turkey Rice (火雞肉飯)

by Jeff Kang // 12/09/2015 // 2 Comments

Turkey rice is one of the most traditional snack food in Taiwan. In order for me to talk about Turkey rice, we have to tell you a little bit about Taiwanese Stewed Pork Rice (ló͘-bah-pn̄g), or also called Lu-Rou-Fan. Taiwanese... Continue reading →

Taiwanese hot pot (台式火鍋)

by Jeff Kang // 12/02/2015 // 2 Comments

Now that the weather has cooled down, it’s finally the time of the year again for hot pot! One thing I love about winter is reuniting with friends and family. Regardless in Taiwan or in US, winter is the season... Continue reading →

Chicken and Mushroom Soup (香菇雞湯) – Mike vs Jeff

by Mike Hsu // 11/08/2015 // 5 Comments

As the weather is finally turning into a crisp autumn, it’s the perfect time for Mike vs Jeff – Soup Challenge. Jeff will be making a hot and sour soup while Mike is serving his favorite chicken and mushroom soup.... Continue reading →

Pork Belly with Garlic Sauce (蒜泥白肉)

by Jeff Kang // 09/11/2015 // 1 Comment

I want to start my introduction to this dish by making some confession: I love bacon, religiously. Many times when all hope was lost, or when I was in the lowest valley in my life, I fry one bacon, I... Continue reading →

Gyudon 牛丼飯

by Jeff Kang // 07/29/2015 // 2 Comments

Yoshinoya is a Japanese fast food chain, and it’s fairly popular and common here in the US. Taiwan did not have fast food before the 1980’s. Therefore, ever since fast food chains like McDonald’s landed Taiwan, fast food restaurants became the... Continue reading →

Vietnamese spring rolls

by Jeff Kang // 07/22/2015 // No Comments

I love Vietnamese spring rolls, However, the truth is that I had never seen it until I came to the US when I was 18. It’s fresh, it’s refreshing, it’s full of veggies, and it’s delicious! It might sound like... Continue reading →

Taiwanese Meatball (貢丸)

by Mike Hsu // 06/22/2015 // 3 Comments

In life, there are a few simple pleasures such as ice cream cone, macaroni and cheese, a good burger, and chicken noodle soup. For me, it’s a simple bowl of Taiwanese meatball in a clear bone broth. I can have... Continue reading →