Visit Tokyo: Ichigo Recipe

In Shin Okubo (Tokyo's K-Town), we stumbled upon Ichigo Recipe, where they were serving up all sorts of strawberry treats.

Tanghulu

Daifuku

I had a Strawberry Daifuku (mochi), which was just so yummy!  I'm not a mochi fan, except when it comes to mochi in Japan.  The texture is just so pillowy-light, and the flavor is just right.  

My son enjoyed the Tanghulu - it was his first time trying one!

Ichigo Recipe also offers non-strawberry treats, but I highly recommend the Daifuku!

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Visit South Korea: Gwangjang Market

We originally had plans to go to another market, but rain had discouraged the street hawkers, so the friendly South Korea visitor assistance team told us to check out the Gwangjang Market, since it was covered.

Gwangjang Market is a treat for the senses.  The sights, sounds, and smells can be quite overwhelming.

We saw many vendors selling everything from kim chee to fresh vegetables, donuts to packaged candies.

There were several makeshift tables where customers would sit and eat as a vendor cooked food right in front of them.

There were fish hanging from the ceiling, dried sausages, foods I couldn't recognize, and lots and lots and lots of Bindaettok, or mung bean pancakes.

I've never seen so many Hotteok in my life!  In one section of the market, every single vendor was offering Hotteok.  There were stacks of Hotteok and Hotteok being deep fried.  Some vendors fronted actual restaurants, one of which we actually dined in for dinner.

Gwangjang Market is a must-visit to get an authentic taste and view of Korean street food.

Gwangjang Market
88 Changgyeonggung-ro

Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Visit Tokyo: Tsukiji Market

Although I've been to Japan a few times before, it wasn't until our most recent trip did I visit Tsukiji Market.

In my mind, Tsukiji equates to seafood, and since I'm not a big seafood eater, I never had a desire to go.  But I knew Tsukiji offered more than just seafood, so I was game for a visit.

As expected, we saw (and smelled!) all sorts of sea creatures as we traversed the crowded streets of Tsukiji.

Most of what we saw I had no idea what they were, but fortunately, there were a lot of non-seafood eats I could try.

Surprisingly, the best thing I ate at Tsukiji (and in fact, of the entire trip), was Strawberry Custard Mochi - and I don't even like mochi!

Mochi

Grilled seafood

Corn Fritter

Cheese Chikuwa

Edamame Fish Cake

Tamagoyaki

Assorted Mochi

I was disappointed that I encountered a handful of very rude merchants (one even tried to swindle me!), but there were more kind and pleasant merchants than not.

A lady at one of the mochi stands was just the sweetest - offering a seat for us to sit down and eat the mochi, and even offering us wipes to wipe our hands.

You can find all sorts of things at Tsukiji - from dishes and clothes, to premium ume and white strawberries!

The crowd was manageable, and the eats were good.  It's just too bad there were so many unfriendly merchants.

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