Life Post

As for why I type out the Japanese equivalents --

• If you're anything like me, I like to do more thorough searches by using both the English and Japanese name (like if I'm searching for recipes)
• Sometimes the English equivalent isn't available (like on Restaurant Menus) and I've romanized it myself (hopefully correctly lol)
• I've taken language courses and want to keep practicing so I can at least read the text more quickly and recognize characters more

What have I been up to recently?
Well, I just finished my last exams for the semester -- Yay!! And I've been to Little Tokyo (J-Town) so much recently, well.. only like 3 times this month? but omg! the last time I went was in like 5th grade hahaha.

Wax display of some of the menu items at the entrance

Two of the times we ate at Hanaichimonme「花いちもんめ」in Little Tokyo Plaza, the ramen there is actually pretty good. 

Hanaichi Ramen 「花いちラーメン」

I forgot the name of this set xD but it includes Hanaichi Ramen and shumai.

Shiratama zenzai「白玉ぜんざい」

Dessert: Shiratama zenzai: Three very cute plain round mochi with red bean. (I forgot to take a picture before we started eating it hahahaha! ._. sorry) This is so good! It's not too sweet, just right ♥♥♥ This came with the Maiko Set I ordered (Hanaichi Ramen with 2 inari zushi and small shiratamazenzai).

In Little Tokyo Plaza (which used to be Yaohan Plaza) the original Yaohan market changed to a Mitsuwa, which changed to what's now "Woori Market"  ( 금주세일? Market) Which is mostly a Korean market. And outside to my surprise (though only on the 2nd and 3rd trip, 1st time this wasn't there) was an Oishii Japan 「おいしい日本」Stand selling takoyaki 「たこ焼き」, imagawayaki 「今川焼き」, taiyaki 「たい焼き」, and a few others. I really wanted some but couldn't find any room in my stomach after we ate ): and couldn't bring myself to buy some takoyaki before eating lunch hahaha.

Later on, in my most recent trips, we went to Marukai, and I got these 2 cups for 1$ each !! I absolutely adore them. There were others that were also a dollar each, but I felt these two were best ♥ Though I'm not sure whether the other Marukai stores carry these cups.

• Both cups have inner diameter of 3 inches or about 76mm. Outer diameter 3 ¼ inch or about 82mm
• Vertical height: 3 ½  inch or almost 90mm
• Handle / Ear : 1 ¼ inch width or about 32mm width
• Volume: a little more than 8oz or 240cc (240mL)
• Microwave & Dishwasher safe

The measurements seem quite small, but in real life I think it feels larger than that.  Most standard packets of hot chocolate around here call for 6oz of boiling water (so little D: !!).

Hm... what else? Oh! and the glittery pink with black polka dot mirror (not available at the Little Tokyo Marukai) I mentioned a bit in a previous post -- Pretty&Cute is selling some similar mirrors that fold and unfold the same way! with 6 different prints, and various sizes. The size of my mirror is about 7¼" x 5½" , the largest available being sold there is 8" x 6", and the next largest is smaller than the one I own. Nonetheless they're really cute! I'm tempted to buy the light pink one, even though I bought 2 mirrors recently (lol what is this? what do I need 2 mirrors for?) 

Ok I know I'm going to be too lazy to add more pictures than what I need to put in this post, so I'll stop for now xD.

♥ Ellie

Favorite Soup

So recently, my love for anything Japanese has increased, though don't get me wrong, I've always loved Japan since I was young. -- My mom having been cared for by a Japanese woman while she was young, and my dad's interest in Japanese botanical gardens, and his decision to learn the language (!). And also my sister-in-law having Japanese roots (have I said the word enough yet? xD) as well as my beloved boyfriend.

Anyway! One of my most favorite soups, is Japanese styled Corn Potage or Corn Soup（コーンポタジ or コーンスープ ）I'm not very good with cooking, and so I've been having powder-packet versions. Why am I sharing this? Well, I have a very limited knowledge of kanji (and hiragana HAHAHAHA -stuck with reading katakana-) and so I spent quite a while translating the instructions and wish to share the .. well the "jist" of it I suppose. I'm aware that I wont be 100% accurate (probably not even 50% but good enough!)

Okay, this is Hokkai Yamato's Sapporo Soup Factory Corn Soup (札幌スープファクトリーコーンスープ) There are different types of soups available from this brand, I also have a pumpkin soup that I have yet to try. And! My new favorite bowl (I love ♥♥♥ dishware LOL)

• Instructions: (1 serving)
• Empty contents of 1 packet into a coffee cup or mug cup.
• Add 150mL (2/3 cup) of boiling water, immediately stir for 15 seconds. (adjust amount of water to your preference)
• Please take caution as it will be hot (uh yeah boiling water.. right) and then some other stuff I coudln't figure out hahahaha.

So, pretty easy, just add water basically -- sorry I couldn't figure out the rest, this is what it says though if you're curious:

• 1袋の中身のをカップに入れます。
• 熱湯150mlを注ぎ、すぐに15秒ほどかきませてくださ。（熱湯を量はお好みにより調節してください。）
• お湯を注いでから約1分で出来上がりです。 （１５０mlのめやすはマグカップ約６分目、コーヒーカップ約８分目です。）

I know I know "wtf, she can type out all the kanji and hiragana/katakana but can't read/understand it?" Yep! That's exactly it hahaha, I learned how to find kanji quickly in a dictionary so I'm able to type it out, but even if I'm able to translate each word, I still struggle to comprehend completely as I'm not well versed in Japanese.

Example: 「すぐに15秒ほどかきませてくださ。」

• I stupidly read it as "immediately after 15 seconds, please stir" and was quite perplexed as to why I would have to wait before stirring despite the obvious particle explaining (lolol i'm stupid shuttup) so I asked my boyfriend, only for him to laugh and tell me it's "please stir for 15 seconds after (pouring the hot water)". Sigh.. lol (his kanji isn't that great either so yeah...)

OKok.. I know I've written too much about something that isn't related to the soup really LOl. I really liked it, though the soup was quite thin, and not thick like in the picture but the taste was quite good so that's totally fine with me ♥♥

I've found a few recipes for this, and hopefully I will be able to make it well enough soon so I can also share my experience and impress some family&friends ;)

♥♥ Ellie