Mung Bean Hopia: A Taste of Nostalgia The aroma of warm, sweet mung bean hopia baking in the oven instantly transports me back to my childhood. I remember eagerly anticipating trips to the local Filipino bakery with my Lola (grandmother). The glass display case, filled with golden-brown hopia, was a sight to behold. Each bite … Read more
Tausi Giniling: A Taste of Home The scent alone transports me back to my Lola’s (grandmother’s) kitchen. Steam curling from a fresh pot of rice, mingling with the savory aroma of garlic, ginger, and that unmistakable umami richness of fermented black beans. Tausi Giniling wasn’t just a dish; it was a warm hug in a … Read more
The Art of Rikyu Manju: A Taste of Japanese Tradition The first time I saw Rikyu Manju, they were lined up in a shop window in Kyoto, unassuming little brown domes radiating a quiet elegance. I was drawn in by their simplicity and the subtle aroma of steamed sugar. One bite, and I was transported … Read more
Kidney Bean Dessert Rolls with Phyllo: A Sweet Surprise Growing up, my grandmother, a woman of simple pleasures and incredible resourcefulness, always found ways to make the ordinary extraordinary. I vividly remember one afternoon when a sudden craving for azuki bean buns struck. Finding none at the local market, she declared, “Kidney beans will do … Read more
Tsubushi An: Crafting Exquisite Sweet Bean Paste for Japanese Delights The first time I tasted tsubushi an, I was wandering through a small confectionery shop in Kyoto. The air was thick with the scent of sweet rice and roasted sesame, and the delicate sweets on display were miniature works of art. I chose a simple … Read more
Bergy Dim Sum #6: Steamed Sweet Bean Buns – A Taste of Home The first time I tasted steamed sweet bean buns, I was a child visiting my grandmother. She always had a bamboo steamer perched on her stove, puffing out fragrant clouds. These weren’t just buns; they were soft, pillowy clouds filled with a … Read more
Dora Yaki: Sweet Stacks of Japanese Waffles The aroma of freshly cooked waffles, mingling with the subtly sweet scent of red bean paste, always transports me back to a tiny street vendor in Kyoto. It was my first trip to Japan, and the sheer variety of street food was overwhelming. But Dora Yaki, those golden, … Read more