Steak Cubes from Taipei to Manila

Our family loves steak.

One of our favorite snacks in Taipei is Steak Cubes. Where to find it is a new discovery, because we were just killing time in at Jason's Market Place, the high-end Supermarket next door, while waiting for our table at Din Tai Fung, and since we were having a late lunch, our mouth-watered literally when I smelled steak cooking. 

The process is pretty straight forward, you choose your meat, you pay, then they grill it for you, while you wait. I walked away at first, but when I realized that we were all hungry, I said, we could buy some steak to snack on before lunch while waiting for our table.

Of course it didn't hurt that their steaks were on Buy 1 Take 1.
Once it's grilled to medium perfection, they just season it with pink salt. 

Yummy!!! And there was just enough space in my tummy for DTF.

Another winner find from this trip, was the Torched Steak Cubes Food Stall, just beside Uniqlo (on the pedestrian street). It looked so yummy, we decided to snack on this again, before having dinner at the Modern Toilet Restaurant.

Here you order a small serving 100NT or a big serving 200NT,
but you don't choose the meat. It also looks like it has more fat compared
to the Supermarket where you can actually choose.

They also seasoned it with pink salt.

Since I had a Steak Cubes Hangover, I tried the Japanese Steak Cubes from Konbini which I have been hearing about.

Look at the marbling!!!
It's quite good value at Php650 for 500g.

It tasted really good, like high grade wagyu with all that melt in your mouth
fat, but beware, you need to eat something else with it, because it's too
fat to eat by itself. Too much of a good thing and all that...

But it definitely is nice to know you don't need to go as far as Kobe, or Taipei for a good Steak Cubes. You can have it at the comfort of your home too! just saying.

Jason's Market Place

Taipei 101

No. 45 Shìfǔ Road, B1, 

Xìnyì District, Taipei

Konbini

57 Connecticut St, 

Northeast Greenhills, San Juan, 

1502 Metro Manila

(02) 722 4263

*Steak Cubes are delivered every Tuesday and Friday, you can call them to reserve

Konbini also serves good Japanese Comfort Food too, Like Japanese Fried Rice, and Tempura or Karaage to go with it. They have an eating area, or you can order take-away (but bring containers if you don't want to pay the surchange).

Another Year Wiser and More Food Finds in Taipei

I turned a year wiser a month ago, and I've been so busy since then, I haven't really had time to blog until today. Because today is the start of my first real vacation this year. Hooray.

This is quite a delayed post, but I still want to say Thanks to all my family and friends who remembered me on my birthday and made it really special.

The sweetest birthday salubong from Fi with the worst-tasting Strawberry
Shortcake Ever. Classic case of it's the thought that counts. No pride in
finishing everything, just be warned not to try this from Costa Brava.

Was "surprised" by my family at work with a birthday lunch.
Now, the Cherry Torte from Purple Oven is the bomb!

Dinner with Jem and Ivan who opted to join us over basketball. Hahaha.

Wrapping up with dinner with Tim and Fredy when I stopped by Singapore
to meet up with them.

Back to my birthday weekend, I took a day off work to go Taipei with the family. We tried a new hotel because our favorite hotel City Inn Plus in XiMenDing was fully booked. We stayed at Go Sleep Hotel in Xining and it was okay, rooms were bigger but smelled older, the location was in the heart of XiMenDing too, but I found it too chaotic so it's not something I would recommend.

We come for the street food, and we were very satisfied.

Sofia comes for the Toilet Restaurant. Hahaha.
You can read about that here.

We have some favorites like Eat All You Can Yakiniku, Hot Pot and
Haagen Daz at Bear 1. It's cheapest for weekday lunch.
You can read about it here.

Surprisingly, we also discovered new favorites.

1. Deep Fried Taro Balls with Salted Egg Filling 

Find them at one of the side streets of Shilin Night Market.
A pack of 4 just costs a little bit more than if you buy just 1 piece.

2. Hot Star Chicken's other offerings from their Xi Men Ding Store
Hot Star Chicken is a destination in Shilin Market, as it is their first branch. However, at Shilin, there is always a long line, and the customers only have a choice between Regular or Spicy XXL Chicken. In their Xi Men Ding branch, they also have Fried Mushrooms and Fried Squid (among others) that are also yummy.

3. Dimsum and Salted Egg Pineapple Cake from Olympia Foods in Xi Men Ding

Help yourself to DimSum and pay for it per piece.
Unfortunately, this place is purely takeout only, but Dimsum was quite good.

Salted Egg Yolk Stuffed Pineapple Cake for the win.
While a pack of Pineapple Cakes range from NT$50-100.
These are NT$35 a piece! But totally worth it!

4. Pork Chop Rice from the same alley that leads to Modern Toilet Restaurant

Lane 82, Section 2, Wuchang St, Wan Hua District, Xi Men Ding

No English name, but place is crowded and you will see Newspaper Clippings of the Pork Chop Rice.

5. My aunt and Dad loved the stall selling duck and chicken parts. 
They bought loads of Duck Toungue, Neck, Feel, Heart, Etc. and they loved it. Message me if you are interested, I can ask them where it is. Somewhere in Xi Men Ding.

6. Torched Steak Cubes and Fried Squid
Must visit the food stalls at the alley just beside Uniqlo. You can't miss them, there is normally a line.

7. Old School Coffee Shops - Fong Da and Nan May

These places are very near the Red House Market at the Xi Men Ding intersection.

They serve coffee the old way, and you can buy beans and coffee accessories here too.

8. XiMen Mango Shaved Ice

If you're looking for dessert, this combination of Fresh Mango, Mango Shaved Ice and Mango Ice Cream is the bomb. Servings are big enough to share.

9. Pork Floss and Dried Pork Jerky

My mom's favorite Pork Floss store and I think she tried all the stores in XiMenDing.

Of course I had to buy Taiwanese Sausage to bring home since they travel quite well.

Thank you Taiwan, that was a great foodie weekend!
Glad the sun came out, so I could wear my Wanderlust Sandals in Taipei!

Taiwan is one of our favorite weekend destinations. With food options like that, there's no reason to ask why. That was a great #37inTaipei Trip! just saying.

1000 Count Dot to Dot and Color by Number for Adults

After the Adult Coloring Book Craze... which I think has saturated the market like the  Rainbow Loom fad, you may be asking, What's next?

Well, if you ask me... the level-up to this to help adults relax and take a break from their stressful lives are the adult versions of 1000-count Dot to Dot and Color by Number, through overlapping circles, or Querkles, by Thomas Pavitte.

My sister and I really enjoy visiting Kinokuniya in Taipei. Last trip, we bought loads of coloring books (of food and shoes and bags) which were not commonly available in Manila, since you can just color enough shades of green in an Enchanted Forest before it drives you nuts right? What kind of stress relief is that? Hahaha. Now, you can never have enough shoes, bags or food to color.

Ady discovered this just as I was paying, so of course... I bought every
kind of book they had!

When I was a kid, my favorite activity book was Dot to Dot, so I was just thrilled to buy the grown-up version, a book with scenes of Paris no less (but only goes upto 300-400 count), and the 1000 count Cityscapes and Pop Icons by Thomas Pavitte. I had such a one track mind, that after our Kinokuniya stop, I had to buy a mechanical pencil, eraser and ruler from Tailung Hands, so I could do my Dot to Dot book over coffee at the Agnes B. Cafe.

So thrilled to revisit my childhood mixed with my love for
Paris.

In fact, I took my book everywhere in Taipei with me, whenever we had a
window for Tea or Coffee.

My excuse for buying all the Dot to Dot Books in the store, was so I could share with Sofia of course!

It was too complicated for her. She'd normally do a few
numbers and quit, but she likes it when we do Dot to Dot
together, and she wants to race too! Hahaha.

Can the real Andy Warhol raise his hand? :)
The 1000 count Dot to Dot is more complicated. Numbers are smaller,
and there are only numbers on the page.

The Quercles Color by Number Books are a joy to do. The picture is made up of overlapping circles numbered 1-5. You just need to use five colors, and start filling in the spaces from dark to light.

I had a sample trial page and I was instantly addicted! I started surfing the
web to find out where I could buy the other book (Masterpieces).

Ady and I both did our Pop Icons book and we started with Jim Morrison.
We don't really know him, so this book might be targeted to Gen X!
Ady did hers purely using brush pens while I did mixed pencil, brush pens,
and colored pens.

Does that look like Jim Morrison to you? Hahaha.

Mainly so Sofia could help, and brush pens are too difficult for her to control
in small areas, so pencil it is... not realizing she'd quit after 6 spots.

The Querkles (color by number) come in perforated pages too, so you can tear them out and carry them with you to kill time when you travel. Sadly, the Dot to Dot Books don't come perforated. It would be perfect if they make it in travel size too. just saying. 

You can visit Thomas Pavitte's website here:

http://www.thomasmakesstuff.com/books/

You can also buy the books on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Querkles-Puzzling-Colour-Numbers-Book/dp/1781572402

Or Kinokuniya Singapore:

https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781781572405

Kinokuniya Taipei

5th Floor Breeze Mall

105, Taiwan, Taipei City, 

Songshan District, Section 1, 

Fuxing S Rd, 39號5樓

One hectic week in Taipei, Manila and Jakarta! When Work Meets Play - Part 2!!!

Life has been quite hectic for me recently, so sorry for the less frequent posts. In fact, I'm a bit astounded at how I've been managing to survive especially when my pre-planned (one year ahead) vacation trips collide with the trips I need to do for my current work.

A few things I've realized is:

1. Yes, you can, or I can, get away with a minimum of sleep. Adrenalin will help you! Hahaha.

2. I can sleep anywhere! A 15 minute power nap in the car from one mtg to another does wonders! Put me on any flight and I can sleep from take off to touch down. I can sleep on a bus as well. Bed? What's that? 

3. The one thing I've lost, together with sleep and time, is patience, and I've never had a lot of it to start with. Seriously. So if you're annoying, just stay away from me, or I will put you on the "I'm not talking to you" list, and I swear, that list is getting longer and longer.

So here's my epic week (oh my, I am using epic in my blog! must be the influence of all the millenials I work with!) from weekending with the family in Taipei, catching meetings in Manila, and flying to Indonesia for work.  

Sof and I caught the Friday night flight to Taipei after school/work.
Thank you Sky Lounge for the yummy dinner.
I didn't even mind the flight delay... much.

The flight was so delayed, we arrived in Taipei at the same time Ady did, who caught the later flight. Bright side, we got to share a cab, and cabs to the city are pretty expensive at 1,100NT.

We stayed at our favorite City Inn Plus Xi Men Ding Hotel.
They have so much company tie-ups you get so many free samples.
You can read my post on that hotel here.

Taipei has become one of the favorite destinations of our family because it's quite near (only a 2 hour flight), and food is yummy and very affordable. Since we've been several times before, we don't even bother doing any touristy stuff anymore. We just come to eat.

Personally, I go to Taipei for my Isaw Misua fix. 
Best Rice Flour Noodles with Pork Intestines Ever!

Ironically, despite several past visits, we never took a photo at the LOVE Taipei structure. So this time we did. The first two were our attempt at using a makeshift tripod, ie the cone on the road.

Then a gay couple took pity on us and offered to take our photo.
I think they wanted to take a photo too and we were just taking too long.

The LOVE structure is just right outside Taipei 101 - standing 508 meters tall and awarded as the tallest building in the world in 2004, until it was overtaken in height by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Taipei 101 is family staple because it has Din Tai Fung!
One of Sofia's favorite restaurant. That face on Sof is because we always go
for a late lunch so you can beat the crowds.

Even our order is so predictable. Loads of Xiao Long Bao,
some Pork Chop with Egg Fried Rice, extra Pork Chops and Veggies.

Sofia's favorite restaurant in Taipei is Modern Toilet.
You can read about that here.

Sof is now big enough to take our orders (Self-Service),
then you pay (cash only), then they serve it.

Sof and her lolo get along so well when it comes to toilet humor. 

Modern Toilet also has toilet related merchandise, so of course, Sof used
her allowance to buy overpriced toilet erasers. Just like mom.

Lolo said - Let's all do poopy face... but no one followed!

Going for the weekend is just right for Taipei if all you're going to do is eat (and shop for stationery products) like we do. Taiwanese Street Food is the best! You can find them along the streets of Xi Men Ding, as long as you arrive before the policemen do their rounds.

Taiwanese Sausage with Sticky Rice (that looks like Bratwurst).
Note to self, Sof also likes this so next time I should buy more.
This is the perfect snack to bring to the airport for the midnight flight back.

Quail Eggs on a stick!

Roti-like pancake with different filling.
Our favorite is the Egg, Bacon and Cheese. Don't forget the cheese!

Hot Star remains to be a favorite, even if they have already opened branches
in the Philippines, but we no longer go to Shilin Night Market for it.
You can read my post on Shilin Night Market here.

I am really intrigued by the shaved peanut candy and Ice Cream Popiah
(wrapped in spring roll wrapper) but I didn't have enough stomach space.

Ironically, despite being famous for street food, these vendors still have no
legal permits, so once the police do their rounds, they all run away.
Beware of hot carts... but after a while, they all come back, business as usual.

Another great thing about our hotel is they have an eating area and pantry
in the basement where you can eat your food.
Just help yourself to the drinks are provided.

The best Street Food lunch ever!!! yes, that's the sticky rice on a stick!

For shopping, I highly recommend Kinokuniya in Breeze Mall.
It is so much better than 9ta, which I wrote about here, because they are
under new management. You can still find stuff, just have lower expectations.

I was so stressed and tired, I totally forgot we reserved our hotel room till
the following day because the flight was at midnight. We actually checked
out of our room already. Good thing the hotel was nice enough to tell us.
 Everyone was busy napping in the Disco room before the late flight.

The flight back was slightly delayed so all of us napped at the airport gate again! Yes, we are there so often, we know where the reclined chairs are.

I arrived in Manila at 4am, with just enough sleep to present *credibly* I
hope to at least a hundred people. 

Next day, it's another late night flight to... Indonesia!!! Food was so bad on PAL (soggy fried fish) that I preferred to sleep rather than eat, so room service at midnight it is!

Deconstructed Onion Soup (passable) and Chicken Satay (quite good).

Work started early the next day because of we went to do trade visits around rural areas.

No rest for the weary.
Even the long bus ride is alignment time.

Good thing we take my favorite Premium Bus. The size of a regular bus,
but seats only 12 (I think), complete with plugs, WiFi, lazy boy seats and our
own air-conditioned toilet. Truly a mobile office, as long as you don't get dizzy!

One of my favorite trade visit discoveries is this Fried Tofu stall across one
of the stores we visited. They served Fried Chicken flavored fried tofu!!!
Super yummy... especially with chili powder! 3 for 1,000Rups (1Php/pc)

These trips also include activities that keep us physically active.

Hello rafting crew! Good thing there were only 2 people per boat, with a guide
that does all the work. Hahaha. Most relaxing rafting trip ever!

Then there's early morning hiking! Yes... 700 steps to see the Megalithic Site
in Gunung Padang because I took the "Auntie" less steep way up.
Like my outfit, check out AVA Athletica here, BTW,
stepping on the vertical stones are not allowed! Which I only found out after!!!

The reward for the exercise is always worth it because after we sweat it out,
it's Indomie time! Both the dry and soup versions are really yummy.
I think the secret is in the Sambal (fresh chili sauce).

Another bright side is we get to see different parts of Indonesia, if only for the night.

Indian Ocean

Inna Samudra Beach Resort in Sukabumi

Novus Giri Resort in Puncak

I got to eat some of my favorite food too!

Nasi Liwet (coconut milk rice) and Sambal. I love love love Sambal.

A new breakfast favorite is Bubur Ayam (Rice Porridge) which you top with
Chicken, so I put hard boiled egg and fried garlic in mine too!
Plus I couldn't resist trying the meat ball soup because it was served so nicely
in a coconut shell.

This trip shopping finds (yes, from the trade visit) include
a new flavor of Oishi Sponge - Mochaccino, which is also
not available in the Philippines, cupcake gummies, and
Shaun the Sheep gummy vitamins. 

Unfortunately, our 1am flight back to the Philippines was delayed, so
I was truly a walking zombie at the airport. Good thing retail therapy helps,
yes, I bought another new adult coloring book + erasable crayons too!

I've never been so happy to see Manila.
6am on a Saturday.

Let me be very clear. I am NOT complaining. I am having the time of my life. Seriously. Just don't annoy me. Just saying.

CITY INN PLUS XI MEN DING

No. 63, Baoqing Rd, 

Zhongzheng District, 

台北市 Taiwan 100

AY CHUNG MISUA

No.8-1, Er Mei St., 

Wanhua District, 

Ximending, Taipei

TAIPEI 101

Xinyi District, 

Taipei City, Taiwan 110

DIN TAI FUNG

Taipei 101, Xinyi District,

City Hall Rd, 45號台北101購物中心

MODERN TOILET

108, Taiwan, Taipei City, 

Wanhua District, 

Lane 50, Xining S Rd, 7號2樓

HOT STAR

Xi Men Ding Main St.

Taipei, Ximen District

KINOKUNIYA BREEZE MALL

5th Floor Breeze Center, 

No.39, Sec.1, Fusing S.Rd., 

Songshan District, Taipei  

9TA STATIONERY STORE

www.9ta.com.tw

INNA SAMUDRA BEACH RESORT

Jl. Raya Cisolok Km. 7, 

Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, 

Jawa Barat 43365, Indonesia

NOVUS GIRI RESORT PUNCAK

 JL Raya Cipanas, 

No. 180, Kec. Cianjur, 

11530, Indonesia