Are you Hungry?

How McDonald's franchise has settled down in Philippines?

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 01:04:00 +0000

I recently went on a business trip to Tarlac, Philippines. I stayed at a decent hotel and ate breakfast at the hotel, but the food didn't suit my taste. It was a completely different style from Korean food and I thought it would take some time to get used to it. So I visited McDonald's, a global fast food chain.

The atmosphere of the McDonald's I visited in the Tarlac region of the Philippines was not much different from that of Korea. There was an ordering kiosk installed, so I could easily order and pay with a credit card. Even the kiosk had a Korean patch, so ordering was not difficult. I ordered my usual Big Mac and looked for an empty seat. But then I saw an unexpected sight.

The McDonald's in Tarlac, Philippines was crowded with many Filipinos, and our group was the only foreigner. However, what they ate was not a hamburger, but a set menu consisting of chicken, rice, and cola. Without exception, everyone was filling their stomachs with chicken, rice, and cola.

Inside the McDonald's restaurant, there were many Filipinos of various classes. Most of them came with friends or families, and we were the only ones eating burgers like Big Macs.

I had a bit of a culture shock that day. Because in Korea, McDonald's doesn't have a menu like chicken-rice-cola. And in Korea, you don't go to McDonald's to eat chicken. It's common sense to order chicken dishes at KFC or other chicken specialty restaurants.

The chicken set sold at McDonald's in the Philippines is even cheap. The basic set costs a little less than 2 US dollars. I was curious about the taste, so I visited McDonald's again the next day and ordered the chicken set that Filipinos like to eat. The fried chicken, rice, cola, and simple sauce were not bad. Fried chicken is never a failure.

Later, when I asked the Filipino who accompanied us, he said that Filipinos really, really love rice. He said that rice is a basic requirement for every dish. That’s why there is even a menu item at McDonald’s that includes two pieces of rice in its chicken set.

I thought that one of the reasons McDonald’s was able to establish itself in the Philippines was because of this localization strategy. Unlike the outdated buildings around it, McDonald’s has facilities that would not be out of place anywhere in the world, and is used as a place for various meetings and family gatherings. The prices are relatively cheap, so it seems that Filipinos frequent it a lot.

If you go to the Philippines, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to try a variety of chicken sets at McDonald’s rather than just burgers.

https://www.mcdonalds.com.ph

The History and Origin of Korean Gimbap(Kimbap, Kimbab)

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 07:13:00 +0000

The History and Origin of Korean Gimbap(Kimbap)

The history and origin of gimbap are closely tied to Korea's traditional food culture. Gimbap or Kimbap is a cuisine made by rolling rice and various ingredients in seaweed (kim), and it has become one of Korea's most iconic and convenient foods that you can easily get even at convenience stores. For the reference, Gim(kim) means dried seaweed and bap means cooked rice. The origins and development of gimbap(Kimbap) can be summarized as follows:

we made it today and enjoyed

1. Origins

The exact origins of Korean gimbap(Kimbap) are not clearly documented, but there are two main perspectives or explanations:

Traditional Korean Roots: Since the Joseon Dynasty(1392-1910), people in Korea have eaten seaweed (so called "kim") with rice. Kim was often used as a side dish with rice or as a wrapper for portable meals, which is believed to be the precursor to modern gimbap.

More info about Kim: Gim (food) - Wikipedia

Japanese Influence: Another theory is related to Japan. During the Japanese colonial period(1910-1945), Japan’s norimaki (rolled rice wrapped in seaweed) was introduced to Korea. Some have suggested that this kind of Japanese food was adapted and developed into the Korean version of Kimbap(gimbap). However, gimbap is definitely distinct from Japanese sushi in that Kimbap does not use vinegar but instead adds sesame oil for a unique flavor that, sometimes, foreigners are not familiar with it.

Tim Reckmann from Hamm, Deutschland, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Development of Gimbap

Gimbap became a popular dish in Korean society from the mid-20th century, especially as part of the post colonial and post-war modernization movement of food culture. The rise of packed meals, such as lunchboxes for kids and even office and factory workers, helped strengthen the gimbap's position not just as a convenient food, especially for outings or trips, but also social representative food for Koreans.

Variety of Ingredients: Typically, traditional Kimbab includes various ingredients, such as carrots, pickled radish (danmuji), spinach, egg, sesame leaves and fish cake(There is no rule or restriction). Over time, additional ingredients like tuna, cheese, beef, and bulgogi have been incorporated into the Kimbap culture in South Korea.

Shapes and Forms: Beyond the classic gimbap roll, variations such as triangular gimbap, mini gimbap, and hand-rolled gimbap have also emerged.

By 박찹쌀 - https://m.blog.naver.com/soj24/222444986763, CC BY-SA 2.0 kr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=137984715

3. Modern Gimbap

Today, gimbap is recognized as a representative dish of Korean cuisine and is widely available not only in Korea but also abroad. With the rise of health-conscious trends in the society, modern variations such as vegetarian gimbap and low-calorie gimbap have appeared, blending tradition with contemporary preferences. It is distributed from street food to formal meals in Korea.

4. Cultural Significance

Gimbap holds some meanings beyond just being food in Korean society:

A Symbol of Sharing: Gimbap(Kimbab, Kimbap) is often enjoyed with family and friends, representing the communal culture of Koreans. So, when you make Kimbap, it would be a casual party or that kind of mood and feeling shared by the group.

Practical Convenience: As a portable and easy-to-eat meal, gimbap has become a beloved food for busy modern lifestyles.

Gimbap, though simple, has carried the history and life of Korean people. It has become a beloved dish worldwide and continues to gain recognition for its value and charm. So you would never miss the chance to experience the unique romance, Kimbap.

Five of the best homemade burger restaurants in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:04:00 +0000

Here are five of the best homemade burger restaurants that you must try when you are in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea

1. Downtowner Cheongdam:

Famously known for its delicious avocado burgers, Downtowner Cheongdam is a popular spot for burger enthusiasts. The restaurant emphasizes fresh ingredients and unique flavors. The avocado burger is a must-try, and the cozy atmosphere makes it a great place to enjoy a meal not only for Korean but also all-kind-of travelers from around the world.

- Location: 14 Dosan-daero 53-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

- Operating Hours: Daily 11:30 - 21:30 (last order 20:30)

- How to Get There: 9-minute walk from Exit 5 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station(Suin Bundang Line) on the subway.

https://www.downtowner.co.kr/

2. Brooklyn The Burger Joint:

Do you wanna American homemade burger in Seoul? This American-style burger joint offers a variety of mouth-watering burgers. The burgers are known for their juicy patties and fresh ingredients. The restaurant has a casual and friendly vibe, making it a perfect spot for a relaxed meal for the exhausted and hungry traveler.

- Location: 520-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

- Operating Hours: Daily 11:00 - 22:00

- How to Get There: 10-minute walk from Exit 8 of Sinsa Station(Line 3) on the subway

https://www.instagram.com/brooklyntheburgerjoint_ad/#

3. I Am A Burger:

This restaurant is famous for its customizable burgers in Seoul. It is located in Hongik Uni, not actually in Gangnam, but I can't neglect it. You can choose the weight of the patty and the type of bread, allowing you to create a burger that suits your taste. The burgers are well-made with high-quality ingredients, ensuring a delicious meal every single time.

- Location: 13 Wausan-ro 30-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

- Operating Hours: Daily 11:00 - 22:00

- How to Get There: 5-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station(Line 2) on the subway.

https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/whereToGo/locIntrdn/rgnContentsView.do?vcontsId=66734

4. Firebell Burger:

With its firetruck-themed decoration, Firebell Burger would offer a fun and interesting dining experience for foreigners. The burgers are known for their rich flavors and generous portions for our hungry guests. The restaurant also offers a variety of sides, including crispy fries and onion rings.

- Location: 46 Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Oakwood Premier Coex Center, B2 2A11

- Operating Hours: Daily 11:30 - 21:30

- How to Get There: 386 meters from Exit 4 of Samseong Jungang Station(Line 9) on the subway

5. Shake Shack Gangnam:

This popular American burger chain has made its mark in Seoul with its delicious burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and creamy shakes. The Gangnam location is always bustling with locals and tourists alike. The Burger, with its juicy patty and soft potato bun, is a must-try. The modern and vibrant atmosphere makes it a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family.

- Location: 452 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

- Operating Hours: Daily 11:00 - 22:00

- How to Get There: 5-minute walk from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station(Line 2, Shinbundang Line) on the subway.

www.shakeshack.kr

Enjoy your burger adventure in Gangnam! 🍔😊

Here are five must-visit places in Cheongdam-dong for K-pop enthusiasts

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:17:00 +0000

Here are five must-visit places in Cheongdam-dong for K-pop enthusiasts:

1. Cheongdam Fashion Street:

This is the heart of fashion in Seoul, lined with high-end boutiques and flagship stores of famous Korean and international brands. It's not uncommon to spot celebrities here, making it a perfect place for fashion and K-pop fans to explore the latest trends.

2. SMTOWN COEX Artium:

This is a must-visit for any K-pop fan, especially those who love artists from SM Entertainment. It's an entertainment complex with exhibits, cafes, shops, and theaters dedicated to SM artists like EXO, Red Velvet, and NCT. You can enjoy virtual reality experiences and see memorabilia from your favorite idols.

3. K-Star Road:

This iconic road is adorned with art installations and statues representing popular K-pop groups. Walking along K-Star Road is like a tribute to the legends of the Korean music industry. You can take pictures with the famous GangnamDol statues, which represent various K-pop groups.

4. JYP Entertainment:

Located nearby in the Gangnam area, visiting JYP Entertainment is a thrilling experience for fans of groups like TWICE, Stray Kids, and ITZY. The building itself is quite a sight, and although you can't enter the offices, just being outside where so much music magic happens is exciting.

5. Cheongdam-dong Cafe District:

This area is known for its trendy cafes and dessert spots. Many K-pop idols are spotted here, making it a hotspot for fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. The cafes also often have themed decorations and events related to K-pop.

These spots offer a mix of shopping, entertainment, and chances to feel closer to the K-pop world. Enjoy your time exploring Cheongdam-dong! 🎶✨

Nationwide Autocentres - Tyres Discount Code

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:47:00 +0000

Nationwide & Halfords Autocentres have released a brand new voucher code, giving a £5 discount on each tyre ordered.

This code is multiplied by each tyre so, for example, an order of 4 tyres gets a total of £20 discount.

Code: TYRES
Expires: Available immediately and expires at 23:59:59 30/11/2010
Value: £5 discount on each tyre ordered
Link: here

Three Great Reasons to use Nationwide and Halfords Autocentres:

TRUST 97% of customers tell us they’d recommend us to a friend.
EXPERTISE more ATA trained technicians than anyone else in our 225 centres across the UK
QUALITY GUARANTEE all work has a minimum guarantee of 12 months or 12,000 miles

National Express Eurolines/ Eurolines

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:27:00 +0000

National Express Eurolines/ Eurolines

Eurolines is National Express' international service to 500 destinations across Europe and Ireland with competitive prices starting from just £38 for an advance return to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and Rotterdam which can be booked up to seven days before outward travel.

Eurolines' modern air conditioned coaches run city centre to city centre, avoiding the need for expensive airport transfer costs, and offer reclining seats with plenty of legroom, on board toilets and a free luggage allowance of two medium sized suitcases which are stored securely in the hold.

Eurolines is the most carbon-efficient from of travel across Europe, reducing your carbon footprint by around 80% compared to air travel.

Auto eBid, Cars in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 22:32:00 +0000

Auto eBid

AutoeBid.com is an innovative, award winning UK online business operating in the UK new car industry. It provides a unique online reverse auction service, to generate new car orders. The service has over 1,300 suppliers waiting to bid the price down on any new vehicle.

With over 10,000 new vehicles available we cover every new vehicle at the most competitive possible price in the safest possible way, saving huge amounts of time, effort and money.

The inherent benefits of AutoeBid's service have been recognised by the market, with thousands of new vehicles being sold generating just under £100 million for our suppliers.

[Link: Auto eBid]

Weightwatchers

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 22:24:00 +0000

Weightwatchers

Founded over 40 years ago Weight Watchers is now the global leader in weight management services, providing 50,000 Weight Watchers meetings each week in countries all over the world.

Weight Watchers has a very unique approach in helping our members achieve their sustained weight loss goals by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

We have an approach based on the underlying premise of behaviour modification, which helps our members learn how to change their relationship with food and activity. Our weight loss plans are always changing to reflect the most current, proven scientific data and research.

The part of Weight Watchers which is forever constant is our recognition that support is a key enabler of our members’ success. At the core of this support are our meetings and our leaders. I attribute much of my success in losing my weight and becoming healthier to my first leader and the meeting that he ran.

Our singular mission as an organisation is to help people lose weight in a sustainable way by helping them adapt a healthier lifestyle and a healthier relationship with food and activity. To be successful, we must constantly innovate to find new ways to help more members and subscribers.

[Link: Weightwatchers]

Lottery, Lottery Syndicates, e-Lottery, the UK/Europe Lottery

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:59:00 +0000

e-Lottery.com

e-lottery have been managing lottery syndicates since 2002. We’re a member of the Lotteries Council of Great Britain and over 250,000 players from 133 different countries have used our services. We have already paid out millions of prizes to our players, have an established brand and an excellent track record.

We have an amazing Player proposition for you to take advantage of.

Most people understand the benefits of playing in a syndicate, but in an e-lottery syndicate we increase the jackpot winning chances even more.

We currently offer syndicates in:

The UK Lotto

EuroMillions

Spanish Superdraws

And the world’s biggest lottery draw, the elGordo.

To maximise conversions we have sweetened the Player deal with:

£88 FREE UK Lotto chances

EuroMillions 100% Money Back Guarantee

Automatic entry to WIN a brand new MINI

Monthly player prize draw to win: iphones, LCD TV’s, laptop computers, plus lots more...

It’s just simply irresistible!

[Link: e-Lottery]

Cash, Finance, Short Loan, Easy Loan, Same-day Loan, Debt Management in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:45:00 +0000

Everything Payday

Welcome to Everything Payday, the online short term payday loan provider. We can deposit a short term loan directly into your bank account, normally on the same working day. You're only a few clicks away to getting your cash with no need of a credit check or faxing of any documents. Getting a short term cash loan up to£1000 today has never been so easy! You can even request for your loan to be extended* so as to spread the repayment for more than 1 month. Apply online with no obligation today.

Cash Genie UK

• We are a leading Short Term Loan company owned and operated in the UK.
• We offer a same day service, meaning customers can apply and receive the loan in their bank the same day.
• We are a lender and not a broker.
• We offer short term, small loans combined with speed to help you bridge any financial gaps you may have.
• We pride ourselves on our responsible lending policy and providing a second to none customer experience.

Debt Line

Debt Line offers the only fully online debt management service in the UK. We are currently dealing with over £215,000,000 worth of the UK's debt for more than 16,000 customers and our online business is rapidly growing.

Debt management means our clients stop getting creditor hassle, stop interest and charges on their accounts and can relax knowing that all of their debts are being dealt with for them. Our customers only pay what they can afford leaving them with more money every month and no more struggling.

Speed-e-loans.com

Speed-e-loans.com is a practical alternative to banks that can no longer help their customers with their short term financial needs.

Launched in 2010 and privately backed by people who understand our customers, our mission is to provide instant decisions and two hour money whenever they need it.

We are at the cutting edge of modern consumer finance by offering small, short term loans online with real speed and ease. We are flexible and paper free which means you can apply using our easy-to-use website whenever you need cash in a hurry. We have a consumer credit licence from the Office of Fair Trading.

Lending Stream

Lending Stream is an online short term finance lender specialising in payday loans from £80 to £520, and up to £1000 for returning customers. With a high approval percentage and cash paid into your account the same day.

Loanfinder UK

Loanfinder UK is a unique loan finding service that offers a range of financial solutions for people who are unable or unwilling to deal with the often inflexible terms of major banks and finance companies.

Loanfinder searches through over 200 lenders to find the best loan option for each individual customer and their personal circumstances. There are no upfront fees and the service can be fully completed online. Credit Xtra is also currently available for all Loanfinder customers- it gives customers full visibility of your credit report and credit score for FREE!

Payday Bank

PaydayBank offers same day payday loans. We provide an immediate response to our customers, who require quick loans of up to 750 GBP.
Please note that PaydayBank de-dupes sales/leads on a last click basis against other channels, networks.

Our company operates fully online, which means we can provide fast and convenient solutions to our customers.
We are a highly professional and respected company and our site is a market leader with regard to conversion rates.

PaydayBank was established in 2006 and has exceeded its growth targets consistently. We have gained a lot of experience promoting our brand in the online market and we are highly committed in delivering results. We are one of the leading UK payday loan brands.

PurplePayday.com

V5loans

V5 Loans is a reputable lending company specialising in loans for those that have bad debts, CCJs, would fail a credit check or find it hard to raise money on the high street. Our Loans are secured against the value of their car, provided it is worth more than £500 and is less than 8-10 years old.

Millions of People are Refused High Street Credit Daily
Thousands of rejections are made each day by Banks and other Financial Institutions and that’s millions of potential customers for both you and us. (9.1 Million Applications were refused in 2005 – and that’s well before the Credit Crunch – Source: Datamonitor).

So, due to the Credit Crunch, many people are finding it hard to obtain a loan and this is where we can help them.

Vanquis Bank Ltd

Vanquis Bank’s products serve customers ranging from those who have had credit problems in the past, to those completely new to credit, are self-employed or have a low income.
Our aim is to provide a range of credit cards that give them the options they deserve.

Vanquis Bank is a responsible lender and we provide our customers with support, and put in place credit limits that assist in controlling their spending. We do this by being transparent about our products and pricing, and providing high levels of customer service.

Vanquis Bank is led by an experienced credit card team. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial plc, a leading international company providing home credit and credit cards.

Vanquis is a specialist lender providing credit to an underserved market. By promoting us on your site you are providing your customers with access to the possibility of a Visa card that has all of these great benefits:

Best Deal from Mobiles.co.uk (Samsung Tocco Lite with Free Sony PS3)

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:58:00 +0000

Samsung Tocco Lite

The Samsung Tocco Lite is a touchscreen phone with a focus on fun. The 3.0 inch display offers a great user experience with added features such as handwriting recognition and an accelerometer to rotate the screen. The S5230 Tocco Lite has a great 3.15 Megapixel camera with face detection and video capture, save your snaps on the phone or using a memory card thanks to expandable memory and listen to all your music thanks to the built in MP3 player.

Mobiles. co. uk

The variety of deals (Mobiles.co.uk)

Sushi: Prawn & Avocado roll

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:48:00 +0000

Prawn & Avocado roll

Related post: California Roll

Ingredients:

Sushi rice
Japanese Nori (seaweed)
Scampi
Avocado
Mayonnaise
Sushi mat
Clingfilm

Please refer to California Roll

Let's roll it

Sushi: California Roll

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:49:00 +0000

One of the expensive cuisine in Europe: Sushi.

In England, for example, 3 pieces of California roll are sold for about 3 pounds in some well-known Sushi restaurant, such as Yo-Sushi. It means that we have to pay more than 50 pounds when our family stuffed ourselves there. Furthermore, unfortunately, we don't have any Japanese restaurants in our town...lucky or unlucky?

So, we make some Sushi rolls to serve ourselves at home. Simple, easy, and cheap way to enjoy Sushi and also, in some sense, to play with our girl. Of course, your Sushi can be diverse and its application broad with your favorite ingredients.

Ingredients

Japanese cooked rice (Sushi rice)
Japanese Nori (seaweed)
Crab sticks
Avocado
Sushi vinegar (or rice vinegar, sugar, and salt)
Mayonnaise
Sushi mat
Clingfilm

***How to make Sushi rice***
1. Cook and steam Japanese rice (Use short grain rice. Long grain rice is not proper for Sushi)
2. Sprinkle Sushi vinegar over the rice and mix them gently
3. Cool the hot rice down using a fan

(If you do not have Sushi vinegar, you can make it^^)
a. Put rice vinegar (1/3 cup), sugar (2 teaspoons), and salt (1 & 1/2 teaspoons) on a saucepan
b. Heat them on low heat until the sugar and salt dissolve
c. Cool the vinegar

Let's roll it

(If the video does not play, please click here)

Small Swimming Pool

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 07:31:00 +0000

Saturday...wow!

Bright sunshine...wow!

In a relaxed mood, I mowed the lawn and set up a small swimming pool for my little girl. While she was wearing her swimsuit, I pumped air into the tube not with pump but my mouth (I almost killed myself^^) and poured out water into the pool.

However, she just stands up in the small pool which looks like a palace for a princess. She would not sit down or swim even though the pool was too small to swim even for her.

Hey! darling! Why don't you sit down? Enjoy yourself!!!, I said.

No, I don't want to let my swimsuit get wet!!!, she said.

So, she could not sit down in the palace. Then, she cast off her swimsuit and played with toys properly in the swimming pool.

Did I see UFOs?

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:23:00 +0000

Frankly, I believe there are something that are not human. But I would not say that those are something like UFOs or Aliens. Anyway, there are something beyond our perception and knowledge, I think. Simply, even Bible says to us that there were (are) God, angels, and Satans which are not human beings. In addition, every single civilization has kept many interesting stories about dragons, ghosts, and varied supernatural existences.

The introduction was too long. I think, two months ago, on the way home, I saw something in the sky. It was dark but the unidentified flying objects was so bright to catch my eyes. There were more than three in the Sky. I captured them with my mobile phone camera. I reckon the objects were not airplane and not fireworks. I don't know what they were. They were (literally) UFOs^^. Very interesting experience I have ever had in England...

Barbecue (BBQ)

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sat, 22 May 2010 19:05:00 +0000

Maybe or maybe not, the thing that people in Europe are waiting for would be Barbecue. OK, I am. So, when this summer has come, the first thing I did was a BBQ party. Not such a big one, just for our family^^. We needed one pack of instant charcoal, pork meat, sweetcorn, sweet potato, beefsteak, mushroom to enjoy Korean style (I am not quite sure about the terminology-Korean style^^) BBQ. Just cooking the ingredients on high heat of charcoal and enjoying the food, sunshine, and our family love.

Instant charcoal, the brilliant invention for easy BBQ, I did not need any tools or fan to build a fire. What I need is just a lighter to light the charcoal...Very good.

Well, even though it looks like dull charcoal, it is very hot, hot, and hot!!!

OK, let's start to cook pork belly, beefsteak, mushroom, sweetcorn. Unfortunately, I just took a pic of pork (Oh, you can see mushrooms^^).

Then, put sweet potatos on the charcoal...I can not explain the taste of sweet potatos cooked on the charcoal. It is really fantastic. You have to try before you die^^. (I wrapped the sweet potatos with foil not to make them another charcoal)

Do not take a pic!!!.... I am sorry I did...

Have a nice day!!!

how to enjoy Vietnamese summer rolls at home

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:59:00 +0000

Today, well, I can say that this is the best weather I have ever had in this year in England. Very hot, very sunny, and very cheerful!!! So, we had home-made Vietnamese summer rolls in order to celebrate ourselves this given hot Friday. Frankly, Vietnamese summer rolls is very easy to prepare and enjoy...no need to cook...no any hassle! Just shop properly, cut vegetables well, beware of hot water, and indulge yourself with the Vietnamese summer rolls.

As you may know, we are not Vietnamese and experts of the foods, so this post is just our way of enjoying the summer rolls at home. If you try the summer rolls once, lots of ideas and creativity will come into your head. This content is also one of our recipes to eat Vietnamese summer rolls.

OK. basically, what you need are (to buy some Asian style ingredients, plz pop in a Chinese restaurant):

(for four people)

Pepper 3
Hot pepper 1
Iceberg lettuce 1/3
Mushroom 5
Prawns 200g
Bean sprouts 100g
Rice paper (or Vietnamese summer roll papers) 3 packs
Sliced pineapple 1 can
Fish source 1 teaspoon

(Methods)
1. Basically, we eat the vegetables raw. However, the prawns have to be parboiled in the boiling water. (If you want, you can also parboil the vegetables in the hot water).
2. Cut the vegetable down to size.

3. Make a hot sauce by mixing fish source, pineapple juice, and chopped hot peppers (do not use too-hot-peppers, you can not enjoy the summer rolls with the peppers^^).

4. And enjoy (plz watch the video if you want to know how to wrap the roll!!!...of course the demonstration is our style...not official^^)

Fish and Chips

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sun, 16 May 2010 20:32:00 +0000

On Saturday, me, my wife, and my little girl went to a antique fair held in Stoke-on-Trent to look around the venue and British antiques. Some were very expensive, some were absolutely gorgeous, and some were just not impressive^^.

I think, there were one Korean family (we!!!) and two Chinese guys in the antique fair. The Chinese people look like, I suppose, dealers of antiques.

Interestingly, I could not find any "Englishness" or "Britishness" in the antique fair. Yes! they are English or British. However, I feel more English and British in a traditional English food, Fish and Chips. Some said that it is not a traditional English food, some argue that Fish and Chips is a junk food. Well, no matter what they are saying and arguing, Fish and Chips is, even only for me, really representing English and Englishness. I love it.

So, there are no other reasons why I wouldn't choose Fish and Chips as my lunch menu during my journey in the antique fair^^. Fish and Chips is a really antique. Ha ha ha.

She is sick

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:20:00 +0000

Well. it is always good to enjoy Friday evening. No stress, no work, and no routine. For me, Friday means freedom (I know this is not a privilege only allowed to me^^). However, when I got back home, I realised something was wrong!!! My wife is sick and she said she got severe migraine during the whole Friday.

OMG.

I made dinner for her and our little girl. She had got an idea even though she was sick and got headache. I do not know what it is called, but just mix of sausage, onion, peppers (just well stir-fry^^).

Anyway, it is a pity that she be sick.

She is a good friend.

She is my mentor.

She is a good advisor.

She is always positive.

She is always active.

She is a good wife and mother.

She is always smiling.

She is lovely.

She is beautiful.

She is easy-going.

But, now, she is sick.

How to cook Chicken Teriyaki at home

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:16:00 +0000

Chicken Teriyaki is one of popular Japanese dishes, which is available in most fusion or Japanese restaurants. Chicken Teriyaki is well balanced by chicken and vegetables with tasty aroma. Without doubts, this cuisine is also my family's favorite all the time. Especially, when our little girl is not interested in eating foods, Chicken Teriyaki is our choice to give her a good appetite. I know there are hundreds of recipes of Chicken Teriyaki in Internet. However, I wanna show you how to cook Chicken Teriyaki at home not in their styles but in our style...Hmm...Challenging!!!

Ingredients

Chicken thigh 5
Mushroom 5
Pepper 3
Onion 1/2
Carrot 1
Crushed garlic 1/2 teaspoon
Soy sauce 5 spoon
Sugar 1/2 spoon
Bay leaves 3
Water 120 ml

How to cook

Wash chicken thighs gently and make cuts in the chicken
Pour water and soy sauce in sauce pan and boil them
When the water boils, put the chicken thighs and bay leaves and boil them for 25 minutes over medium (not so high)heat (you can add some wine instead of bay leaves)

After 25 minutes, put diced vegetables in the pan

And cook 10 minutes more (do not stir too much). Keep watch the sauce pan to check whether the water evaporates or not (not to evporate all the water^^).

That it!!! Here we go...

How to Cook Peking Duck (Crispy Aromatic Duck) at home

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:08:00 +0000

Here! another our choice for our family banquet.
Peking Duck (Crispy Aromatic Duck) is a well-known Chinese national food. Due to the distinctive aroma of cooked duck, Peking Duck would be one of popular Chinese cuisine in the world...maybe^^. This is also our couple and our little girl's favorite.

Now, I will show you how to cook Peking Duck at home not in a complicating way but a simple one.

Ingredients (to serve 3-4 people)

Whole duck 1
Chinese pancakes 3 packs
Spring onion 1 bunch
Cucumber 1
Tomato 5
Hoisin sauce (or Peking Duck sauce)
Sunflower oil

How to Cook

Rinse a duck well in the water and dry it with a (kitchen) towel
Apply a coat of sunflower oil to the duck

Put the duck in a oven set to 230 degrees Celsius (preheat the oven for 10 minutes)
Cook it in the oven for 3 hours (turn the duck upside down every hour; be careful the heat)
Meanwhile, prepare vegetables (not cook them but cut down to size)

(spring onion)

(tomato)

In particular, peel a cucumber and cut like the pics (do not serve the soft center of cucumber for crispy bits)

Steam Chinese pancake 15 minutes.
Take out the duck and shred it using a fork and kitchen tongs

And enjoy

Now I upload two videos which show you how to enjoy Pecking Duck with vegetables and Chinese pancakes, and how our little girl deals with them^^.

How to cook Korean style pasta soup (Sujebi)

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sat, 08 May 2010 18:57:00 +0000

Sometimes, my friends ask me ' What do you (Korean) eat normally'? Simple question, but difficult to answer. Of course, we can say that Korean people eat rice and soup as their meal. The stereotype like as 'Japanese eat Sushi and Chinese eat Dumplings'.

(cooking time!!!)

However, there are various foods in Asia and different recipes in every single local area. Here, What I am going to show is also one of variety and one of recipes: Korean Style Pasta Soup (Sujebi-in Korean language).

The name, "Korean style pasta soup" could sound funny to English natives. Some name it as "Korean dumpling soup" and some call it as "Clear wheat flake soup". Whatever it is called, Sujebi is one of traditional Korean cuisine.

Sujebi in Korean: 수제비

Sujebi in Japanese: すいとん（水団)

Sujebi in Chinese: 疙瘩汤 or 片儿汤

(Sujebi is also Asian soup or Asian style soup)

I will show you my basic recipe with which my readers can add other ingredients according to individual taste.

(Ingredients to serve 3 people)

Plain flour 160g
Wholemeal flour 50g
Corn flour 10g
Onion 1/2
Sunflower oil 1 teaspoon
Dried anchovies 20g
Dried kelp 1 side
Salt 1/2 teaspoon
Water 200ml (for dough), 4 pints (for cook)
Potato 1 or 2 (option: I did not include potato for this recipe)
Kimchi (Korean traditional pickled cabbage with varied seasonings) (option: for spicy taste)

[All the Asian ingredients are available in Asian food shop or Chinese food shop]

(How to Cook Sujebi)

Mix the flours and water to make dough

Pack the dough in vinyl wrap and put it in the fridge to ripen for 30 minutes
Meanwhile, boil water with dried anchovies and dried kelp over high heat (after 10 minutes, remove the anchovies and kelp from a pot) (However, I use anchovy powder and kelp powder-->one of easy ways to cook Asian food^^ )
After removing them, boil the water over medium heat
Take out the dough from the fridge, roll dough into a thin rectangle, take off small portions, and put them in the pot. (Be careful of the boiling water!!!)

Also put sliced onions in the pot
After putting all portions of the dough, boil the soup five minutes more
Finally, season with some salt to taste (if you like spicy one and Kimchi, put Kimchi before 5 minutes you turn off the heat)

Hope you enjoy the one of Korean traditional soup, Sujebi.

How to make honey lemon tea

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Sat, 08 May 2010 09:43:00 +0000

Well...there would be lots of way to make honey lemon tea in the world. However, here, I would like to show you one of quick method to serve honey lemon tea at home.

Lemon contains Vitamin C and citric acid which gives lemons a sour taste. So I drink tea with honey to reduce the sour taste and also to take in honey^^. Lemon tea works for easiness of body discomfort and mental fatigue, a reduction of the risk of cancer disease, prevention of colds, recovery of biorhythms, skin care, etc. It sounds like a panacea for everything^^. But I can say that Lemon tea is one of natural ways to keep your body healthy.

OK. What we need to make honey lemon tea at home in a simple way are that:

(Ingredients)

Half of lemon
Two or three teaspoons honey
Hot water
One teaspoon sugar (if you want)

(How to make honey lemon tea)

squeeze the juice from a lemon using a lemon squeezer
Put the juice in a cup with honey
Add hot water (not too hot: this can destroy the taste of lemon and honey, and drop the efficacy of honey)
Stir well and enjoy~~~(a piece of cake^^)

P.S. Put the skin of lemon in the fridge to kill odors. (This is really working. Amazing!!!)

Have a good day!!!

British style dinner?-Toby Carvery

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:43:00 +0000

Well....don't know what British style is exactly. But they (the restaurant I went today) say they are, and I agree with generally. That's it!!! I enjoyed the British style dinner with one pint of lager in Toby Carvery Restaurant. Frankly, I like the foods, price, and style...though there is no specific style actually.

Ok, What I ate today?

Honey & Mustard Glazed Gammon and British Beef served by a chef
Lots of steamed or roasted vegetables such as bean, potato, onion, carrot, etc
and Yorkshire pudding.

Before heading to the restaurant, I was hungry, My wife was hungry, and my little girl was hungry. (Everybody was hungry...Aaaaaaaaaaaaah) After finishing our dishes, we were all satisfied with the taste, the time we had in Toby, and the bill (I just paid 18 pounds...very impressive^^).

Happy weekends~~~

Sandwich and Green Tea

noreply@blogger.com (HappyFactory) — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:40:00 +0000

My lunch menu (7th May 2010):
Sandwich (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato)
Green tea (Korean green tea bag-from Korea)

This is my simple solution to appease my hunger. Bacon with lettuce and tomato would be not bad. My fundamental principle is that 'Dine off meat with vegetable'.

Green tea is one of my favorite. However, today, not proper style but just a tea bag (next time, I will show you how to brew green tea in a proper way^^).

Recently, many scientific researchers have discovered that green tea can reduce chances of heart disease and weight by burning fat. Meanwhile, some say that green tea can also dampen libido (but not sure about this fact). In addition, generally, green tea contains more caffeine than coffee.

However, if you take it moderately, it would be fine, absolutely fine!!!

Just take a cup of green tea per day for your refreshment.

Have a nice day.