What is oyster sauce? My very first introduction to oyster sauce was Chinese Broccoli at a dim sum restaurant. Oyster sauce coats these substantial stems like a shimmery viscous blanket, balancing its steamy neutralness with a blend of umami and sweet. Not only is it the cosmically perfect accompaniment to Kai-lan (aka Chinese Broccoli), oyster sauce is often used for…
This smoothie recipe puts avocados in the dessert category with its rich, nutty flavor and extra chunky texture that’s made by using frozen Haas avocados. Avocados were originally introduced to Vietnam by the French and became fairly popular ever since. During my recent trip to Vietnam, I noticed an abundance of street vendors selling avocado shakes and smoothies (sinh tố…
Calling all anime fans, if you’ve been a victim to the mesmerizingly hot and steamy inari sushi shots in various anime and immediately started craving them, then look no further. While you can find inari sushi at sushi restaurants, this super simple recipe is here to fulfill your cravings and it’s only made up of two simple ingredients: sushi rice…
I’ll admit it, I love California rolls–tasty crab-infused kani, crunchy cucumbers, and fatty avocado wrapped in a rice and seaweed roll. Even though I mostly eat traditional nigiri these days, I loved eating California rolls as a kid, and it’s where my love of sushi started. This recipe has some tips and tricks to get you started on your sushi…
Have you ever turned down fried vegetables? Me neither. This vegetable tempura recipe will satiate any fried food cravings with its light, airy, and crispy texture and flavorful tetsuya dipping sauce. This recipe reminds me a lot of my crispy fried tofu, but with vegetables; You get the extra crunchiness and a nice surprise on the inside. History of tempura…
Light and crispy tendrils of fried goodness in each bite, who can say no to shrimp tempura? After ordering shrimp tempura so many times at restaurants and savoring the delicious crunchy exterior, I couldn’t resist making it at home. This easy and quick shrimp tempura recipe will have your guests coming back for more. History of tempura Interestingly, tempura was…
Why buy store bought yogurt when you can make this sweet, tangy, and fresh Vietnamese yogurt recipe at home for a fraction of the price? Even though I can go to local Vietnamese stores like Bánh Mì Chè Cali (or Hien Khanh, who seems to have stopped selling it) who supply fresh yogurt nearby, making it at home is easy…
What is vinegar? Many of us are familiar with vinegar and its status as a fundamental ingredient in the kitchen, but have you ever questioned what exactly it is? Quite simply, the term “vinegar” is from the French term “vin aigre,” which means sour wine. Vinegar is made when you take a food source with sugar (think grapes, honey, or…
Spicy, sweet, and fatty–is there really anything else to say about spicy mayo, the hotter cousin of mayonnaise. Maybe it’s the added sriracha helps give heat to burgers and fries, or sushi, but this sauce amps up any dish. You can find spicy mayo in so many different places these days; from American restaurants selling trendy lobster rolls or spicy,…
A spoonful of sweet lychee bites, jackfruit slices, chewy jellies, and ice cold coconut milk, sounds refreshing doesn’t it? Chè Thái is more than just a sweet soup or fruit cocktail, it’s a dessert that packs in a lot of flavor in just one bite. Luckily, this dessert is super simple to make because the use of canned tropical fruit…
