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wlw-imagines-blog · 5 years

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Abandonment, Enthroned. {Part 1} (Wanda Maximoff x Fem! Reader)

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Blood tw, quite a graphic description of a stab wound.

Word Count: 3k

Tags: Apocalypse au, No superheroes au, Angst, hurt, comfort, enemies to friends to lovers,

Summary: After nuclear war is sparked between government powers, the world falls in chaos pf disproportional natural disasters and state funded militia. Many citizens strike out on their own, finding solace in nature, away from the devastated civilizations. One day, lone wolf, Wanda Maximoff stumbles upon an empty home in the wilderness, and is shocked to find a young, pragmatic woman occupying the land, finding innovative ways to live, and not just survive. Can they find a way to survive together in the aftermath of a forgotten world?

A/N: SO, this is a new au, and i plan to have a few parts to it. P.S. “North” is the reader’s code name, because she is located in North Dakota.

The sky never seemed to completely clear. Clouds of grey always dotted the hazy, cold, sky, hiding behind the sickly pine trees. Mornings were spectacular, always an electric display of orange and red as you listened to the radio scanner. Sipping coffee at the kitchen table, playing with the radio's buttons, you heard fragments of distant transmissions from other parts of the country.

"-It's been exactly three years since the Protection of the Constitute was signed, launching the world into nuclear war-"

"-at this point of time, we cannot rely on the government to repair itself! We must take action! How can we expect our children to survive-"

"-we can only expect radiation poisoning to get worse, reaching possibly into the billions-"

"-stars shining bright above you, night breezes seem to whisper, I love you-"

"-the New Alliance Militia has pushed the Protectors of the Oath to the east, reports are coming in, the Protectors are taking massive losses as

"Queens, you out there?" You spoke into the transmitter, searching the different frequencies. "Queens, do you copy?"

You flicked to channel 99.7, before hearing a young man's voice. "North? Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's North. Switch to a secure channel, try 101.6." You turned the dial, not waiting for him.

"How's the farm been, North?" You had met Queens on accident a few years ago, after hearing him on an empty channel, trying to find anyone to talk to. “Any visitors?”

"Nope, its been quiet. The crows have been picking at the corn again," you replied, smiling as the boy on the other side of the line let out a sharp laugh. "How's the East Coast? Still in ruins?"

"Yeah, about that," Queens sounded nervous. "I'm not exactly... there."

You say up, lowering your feet from the table. "What do you mean?"

"I left New York, North."

"What?" You tried not to shout. "Queens, where are you right now? Are you safe?"

I'm good! I'm on the road, going to the west." He was quick to placate you. "I found a good pickup truck with almost no mileage, I got all my shit and the radio into a bag and now I'm headed in your direction!"

You could hear the panic in his voice, but you moved on. "Why did you leave?"

"New York's turned into a battle zone, North," Queens said. "I couldn't stay there. No one can, not with the New Alliance Militia pushing in. They take what they take what they want from us, and kill anyone who tries to stop them. There's been an exodus of people all heading west to get away."

"And you're a part of that? You're a sitting duck, Queens."

"Don't worry, I'm not joining the exodus. I found a map that should take me to Detroit, and maybe to Maine. After that I'll figure out where to go."

You tapped your cheek. "If you get to Detroit, radio me, I'll be able to help you get here. I have a road map from Michigan to the farm."

"Really?" His voice was genuinely excited. "That'd be awesome!”

Laughing, you returned to your serious demeanor. “Queens, tell me the truth; do you have any way to protect yourself? do you know what you’re doing?”

“I have a shotgun under the front seat, and a baseball bat in the back. I’m good, North. I’m on my way to you.”

You said goodbye to Queens, signing off and contemplating the young man hundreds of miles away, sitting in a truck, a foot away from danger. The house you were in was so luxurious compared to what other had. Your home still had windows and a front door, it was almost as clean and comfortable as the day you found it, so many years ago.

You breathed out, trying to rid your mind of Queens, before setting to work.

After cleaning out the barn of mice an rats, picking up fallen apples in the orchid, inspecting the corn fields, tending to the green house, and cleaning up the house, you descended the stairs to the basement, where you kept your stocks of supplies.

Cans upon cans of soup, vegetables, and tuna lined one wall, next to shelves of boxed pasta, bag of flour and sugar, and bottles of cooking oil. boxes of unopened cereal and ramen noodles sat lined up with jars of jam and assorted pickled items. Herbs hung from the rafters, drying for use, next to unused oil lamps. Everything you could possibly need was right there.

You remembered what Queens had asked you. Any visitors?

Three months had passed since anyone had stumbled onto the farm, begging for help. You found fulfillment in helping the men and women who came to your door, and began to think of the farm as a hotel. It had become a passion, helping those starving, or injured, in dire need of recovery. It soothed the ache in your chest, helping people in need. For your help, they paid in supplies. Instant coffee, crackers, bags of oats, anything of use, you accepted.

“Two bottles of honey left... six cartons of chicken stock...” You listed, writing down the stocks into a notebook. Toilet paper was running low.

You grimaced, closing the book.

After a simple lunch of carrots, tomatoes, bread, and cheese, you went out into the woods behind the house to collect fire wood. Autumn was coming to a frigid close, with Winter close at hand. You carried stacks of fallen branches to the shed, falling into the rhythm of collecting and stacking, collecting and stacking.

You marched back out into the shady trees, arms almost full, when you were taken surprise by a young woman standing only a few feet away from you. She wore full black, and a dark military jacket with a scratched out insignia on the shoulder. Her bag was small, slung around her neck. Her hair was light, and she looked far too young to be in the military.

You dropped the bundle of logs, eyes widening.

“Shit,” you gasped when you saw her. Immediately, you turned and sprinted in the other direction, back towards the house. Your gut dropped when you remembered the back door was unlocked.

“No! wait!” the woman shouted, and you heard the rustle of grass. She was chasing after you.

Your legs could only carry you so fast.

The house came into view and you leaped onto the back porch, wrenching the screen door open. A hand slapped against the door before you could slip inside.

You turned, surprised at how fast the woman had caught up on you. The screen pressed into your back as you leered away, as her arm pressed against your windpipe. She pulled a long knife from her belt, pointing it directly at your face.

You kept your hands where she could see them. “You can have whatever you want, okay? I don’t have any money, or valuables, but there’s food, and clothing. just take it.” You made sure not to make eye contact with her. “Please, just get out of my house.”

The woman said nothing. She contemplated her options. Despite the both of you standing in your home, she had the upper hand; she had the knife.

She stepped closer, knife pointed directly at your cheek. “Your supplies. First aid. Where is it?”

“Up there,” you pointed to the second floor.

She looked wearily at you. “Lead the way.”

Swallowing, you turned and opened the doors, leading her into the house.

The trek to the second floor seemed to take an eternity. The woman dropped her bag at the door, but kept the knife trained on your form. You desperately thoughts of ways to escape, but the woman was so close, and her knife was so sharp. A plan began to formulate was you climbed the staircase.

Flicking the bathroom light on, you led the woman in, turning to face her.

“So?” She asked. “Where is it?”

Suddenly, your hand shot out, grabbing her wrist, slamming her into the sink. The knife clattered to the floor. You gave her a sharp kick in the gut, and she retaliated by running straight at you, arms latching around your middle.

A cry ripped its way out of your throat as the wind rushed form you lungs. Your hand gripped the shower curtain, tearing it down as the woman fell on top of you.

From the corner of your eye, you saw the blade of the knife glint, and you made a grab for it.

Just as the woman straddled you, fist raised above your face, you plunged the knife into her side.

She stopped so suddenly, you thought time had frozen. Her eyes grew wide, mouth open. Looking down where the knife protruded, she let out a weak cry as crimson seeped through her grey jacket. The red grew larger, and larger.

“Why did you do that?” She was hysterical, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry! It was an accident!” Were the first words that fell from your lips. It really had been accident. This was something you did not want on your conscience. “Oh my god.”

The woman fell backwards, hands around the blade.

“No!” You grabbed her wrists, not letting her pull the knife out. “Leave it in, j- just wait for me!”

Standing, you ran to your room, pulling out a first aid kit from under your bed. you ran down the stairs, legs shaking so badly, you were afraid you’d fall. In the kitchen in the lowest cabinet, A large bottle of Jameson’s whiskey sat unopened.

The woman left out a pained moan.

“Stop moving!” You screamed towards the bathroom, grabbing the bottle by the neck. You sprinted back up the stairs to the linen closet, swiping three fuzzy towels and long, wide bandages for sprained limbs.

Dumping the materials on the ground, you entered the bathroom like a hurricane. She was still on the floor, incapacitated. The woman was gripping a pair of dog tags around her neck as though her life depended on it.

“Shirt. Off,” you snapped, pushing through the panic that threatened to choke you. You cranked the sink’s tap to the hottest setting, scrubbing your hands with soap.

The woman looked up at you, incredulously, hands still on the necklace. “I can’t fucking move,” she spat, visibly grimacing at her pain. Sweat had begun to form on her brow, and her teeth seemed to chatter. Her eyes could not focus on you.

“Fuck.” She was going into shock. You quickly dried your hands. “Keep taking deep breaths, okay? I’m going to stop the pain.” You grabbed the bottle of Jameson, unscrewing it and crouching next to her.

“You can’t go into shock, please, don’t go into shock.” You lifted the bottle to her lips. She leaned forward weakly, taking the bottle from you, taking a massive swig. The whiskey sloshed down her chin, staining her jacket.

Adrenaline thrummed in your veins. If she went into shock, there was very little you could do to help her. The best thing to do was to act as fast as possible, but at the woman’s pace.

You looked at the knife in her hip. It was a shallow wound, but it would still hurt like hell. If you did not pull it out cleanly, it would hurt even more. “It has to come out, alright? It’s not a deep cut, but it has to come out.”

She nodded, mouth screwed shut. The dazed look in her eye seemed to clear with every sip of whiskey.

“Okay, it’s going to hurt a lot more before it gets better. Talk to me, tell me everything about you.” As you spoke, your hand wrapped around the handle of the knife. In your other hand was a towel, ready to act as a gauze. “What’s your name?”

She breathed in and out, taking deep breaths. “M-my name is W-Wand-AAA!” Her voice dissolved into shrieks as you pulled the knife out, hard and quick. She thrashed, and whiskey spilled on your pants.

“Wanda? My name is, Y/N,” You pressed the towel to the wound, pushing so hard that your knuckles turned white. “Okay, Wanda the worst is over, it’s out, we just need to stop the bleeding now, so you gotta take off your jacket.”

Wanda nodded, taking a long drink. You helped her maneuver around the tight pressure you kept on her wound, and eventually she managed to shuck off the ruined coat. You performed a quick motion, lifting her shirt a bit, and pressing a new towel to the wound.

The breath your throat hitched when your saw the dark red line on her hip for a second. It had yet to stop gushing red. You made sure the pressure was strong and gentle. Blood stuck to everything; Wanda’s clothes, your hands, and the bathroom’s blue tiled floor.

“Hold that there Wanda, I need to get water to clean the wound.” You took her hand and pressed it to the cloth. "It's really deep, I think have to stitch it up.”

Her face was grey. “Have you ever done that before?”

“I’m gonna be honest, I haven’t, I-I don’t know how.”

Wanda nodded, biting back a harsh remark that flickered in her eyes. Sweat dotted her forehead as she grit her teeth through the pain. “Okay, listen to me, you see those scissor-looking things? That’s the Needle Driver, you’re gonna need that. There should be a tissue and a thread, they need to be sterilized. I can wait, does the stove work? press the needle to it, I’ll sterilize the thread with this.” She lifted a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide. “Go, now.”

When you came back, Wanda was digging through the first aid kit, one hand on the towel over her cut, the other holding a pair of large tweezers. Fear pierced you for a second. What if you fucked this up? Why were you helping her? You had never had to do anything like this.

Using warm water, you cleaned the wound, which had thankfully stopped profusely bleeding. Once the skin around the cut was somewhat clean,

“Y/N,” Wanda whispered. “It's going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you, ”

You nodded, and knelt by her side. Wanda slid the bottle of whiskey to you, and you took a sip. It still burned your throat.

She slip the thread into the needle's eye, then clamped the needle driver around it. "It's all your's." Wanda held it out to you.

You gingerly took it from her, and set to work.

***

After an excruciating forty five minutes, Wanda’s knife wound was neatly stitched up as your ability allowed. Wanda had somehow settled, the only evidence of her pain being the crease in her brow and the occasional sharp intake of breath. You used a cloth dipped in warm water to clean up the bloody stitches, hands steady, mouth drawn into a thin line. After plastering a thick, white bandage over the stitches, you stood up.

“Wanda,” You whispered. “You can’t stay on the floor.”

She kept her eyes closed. “Where do you want me to go?” Her voice was that of a petulant child.

“I want you to get out,” you threw the blood-stained towel into the bathtub.

“I can’t move.”

“My bedroom is next to the bathroom. We’‘l move you there for now.”

She grimaced as her hand brushed over the bandage. “I’m good here.”

You crouched down. “You’re not sleeping on the bathroom floor. Besides, I need to clean up all this.” you waved at the blood splattered tiles. “Come on, we’ll move slowly.”

But just as you reached out, for her, Wanda caught your wrist. When she opened her eyes, you were shocked at how blue they were, deep like the ocean before dusk. They were bloodshot from crying, or possibly the whiskey.

“I’m not moving,” her voice was deadly quiet.

You grit your teeth. “This is my house. You threatened to stab me. Get up. Now.”

After a few moments, she finally relinquished. “Help me up.”

The two of you staggered to the room, a ten second walk turning into a 5 minute limp. Every so often, Wanda would ask you to stop, leaning against the walk to take in gulping breaths. Eventually, you managed to lower her onto your bed.

It was an awkward, painstaking task, helping Wanda into a pair of faded sweatpants and worn out t-shirt. You turned around when she unclasped her bra and threw it on the ground.

You took the bloody clothes from the ground to the bathtub, tossing in the other dirty towels. Retrieving two Advils and a glass of water.

When you returned, Wanda was looking directly up at the ceiling, face pinched.

“These will help with the pain, so that you can sleep for a bit.” you placed the glass and the pills on the beside table. “Can you keep them down?”

“I think so.”

“Do you want anything else to eat?”

She shook her head, swallowing the pills with big gulps on water. You drew the curtains before turning to leave.

“Why are you helping me?” she asked.

You turned, hand still on the door knob. She had tied her hair up into a loose knot. “I’m a good person, believe it or not. I want to help you.”

She snorted. “Even after I pulled a knife on you?”

“Yup.”

“Maybe I don’t want your help. If I remember correctly, you stabbed me.”

You crossed your arms. “Can you blame me?”

Wanda did not answer.

“Go sleep. I’ll wake you up in the morning.”

You took one last look at her, memorizing the little moles on her face, and the subtle part of her lips. Wanda’s hand was clutching the dog tags around her neck. You shut the door, and returned to the bathroom.

You ran a bath for the bloody rags. The water immediately turned red, forcing you to drain the tub and fill it once more. After pouring vast quantities of vinegar and lemon juice into the water, you began to feel the adrenaline wear off.

Leaving the clothes and rags in the tub, you climbed heavily down the stairs with the Jameson to the kitchen. Your cup of coffee was still there from the morning. Sipping from the bottle, you sat down at the counter, exhaustion rolling over you in throbbing waves. You hated the way Wanda’s blood made your fingers sticky.

The image of the knife protruding from her hip flashed over and over in your mind. Anxiety flashed in your chest as you remembered the different complications that could permanently damage Wanda. You weren’t a doctor, anything could happen. When you closed your eyes, Wanda’s face appeared, eyes wide with shock. The anguish in her voice played over and like a broken record.

How could you have stabbed her? Would you have killed her? could you have?

“She tried to kill me first,” you murmured to no one in particular. “She would have stabbed me.”

After a few more slugs of whiskey, you climbed the stairs to the guest room, locking the door behind you. Sleep overwhelmed you as you collapsed onto the bed for a well deserved nap.

A/N: For those who didn’t catch it, Queens is Peter Parker. Also, the New Alliance Militia is the equivalent of Hydra, and The Protectors of the Oath is S.H.I.E.L.D. I’m planning on introducing more characters, and more of the apocalyptic world. Part 2, anyone?

Part 2, found here:

#wanda maximoff imagines #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x reader #scarlet witch x reader #scarlet witch imagines #apocalypse au #peter parker #spiderman #marvel fanfic #Marvel AU #marvel fic #gore tw

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icannotreadcursive · 4 years

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Avengers PSAs: On the COVID-19 Pandemic 5: Food!

Clint was leaning back against the kitchen island in purple argyle pajama pants and a black T-shirt.

“Hey,” he said, making the salute-like ASL sign for hello as he did. “Clint Barton, AKA Hawkeye or 'that random guy with the bow an arrow who hangs out with the Avengers' here to talk about grocery shopping and cooking during these quaran-times.”

He grinned at his own pun, then continued, signing to the camera to follow him. He pushed off from the island and walked over to the pantry and the two large refrigerators that flanked it. “Whether you're ordering your groceries for delivery or suiting up in your mask and gloves to brave the stores, you need to shop according to what kind of storage you have and you preferences as far as what you'll actually cook and what you'll actually enjoy eating.

“Now what I mean by shopping according to your storage is things like, if you have a lot of freezer space—maybe you have a freezer chest in the garage because you hunt, or you have a minifridge leftover from college that you can set cold enough to use as a freezer—then stocking up on frozen food is a good idea. If you don't have a lot of freezer space, then you can't stock up as much on frozen food and need to focus more on shelf-stable things like dry good and canned goods.

“The point is to be able to have enough food in your home that you can make three meals a day for your whole household for at least a week without having to go shopping and without things going bad before you can eat them. That kind of big stock-up grocery run gets expensive fast, and a lot of people aren't working right now or have their hours cut, so it can be hard to afford the kind of stocking up we all need to be doing. To help mitigate that and make things easier for others in your community, if you can afford to buy the more expensive versions of some foods, do so. Leave the less expensive options on the shelves for the people who can't afford anything else.”

He moved farther into the pantry and he segued subjects a little. “If you're not much of a cook or if you're particularly busy right now—working in essential industries, working from home, trying to homeschool your kids, whatever—then you need to focus more on prefab food, stuff you can just shove in the oven or the microwave or stick on the stove for a minute and be done. If you do like to cook or you've decided your quarantine activity is gonna be learning to cook and you have more time, then you should focus more on getting ingredients for cooking from scratch. Everyone should have a mix of both, though, and there are certain stables everyone oughta have on hand.”

He grabbed a box off a shelf, tossed it over his shoulder, caught it as he turned around, and held it out for the camera to see. “Noodles. You want noodles. It doesn't really matter what noodles. Dry pasta is great because it's extremely shelf stable, it keeps forever. I've eaten pasta that was a year past the date on the box and it was fine.

“I know a lot of stores are running low on boxed pasta, so maybe now's the time to try that lentil based pasta you've been eyeing suspiciously for a while, or get some tiny pasta like orzo, stelini, or even couscous that you usually avoid because they're not really noodles.” He put the box of pasta back on the shelf. “You can even make your own pasta if you really want to or you're really desperate. But if you have noodles—or pasta, same difference—you have a meal. Cook a whole batch to eat with sauce for spaghetti night, then save the leftover noodles, fry them up in a pan with some butter, scrambled eggs, and cheese tomorrow for lunch.

“On that note, you want eggs unless you're allergic—or vegan, I guess—and you want your dairy staples: butter, cheese, and milk. Butter and cheese both keep a long time in the fridge, especially hard dry cheeses, but milk is iffier. You canfreeze milk to make it last longer, just shake it up real good when you thaw it out, but you can also get UHT milk—ultra high temperature—that's been heat-treated so you don't have to refrigerate it at all until it's opened so you can keep it on the counter or in the pantry.” He looked around a little. “I don't think we have any UHT milk for me to show you or I would. Stark's bankrolling us, as usually, and we're doing what I mentioned earlier about buying the more expensive stuff if you can afford it, and, well, Tony can afford anything, so we've been getting direct delivery from a local dairy farm once a week—it's in glass bottles, Steve and Buck are thrilled, it's cute. Anyway, another thing you can do is buy a gallon of milk, buy some powdered milk, once you've used half of that gallon, mix up half a gallon worth of that powdered milk with cold water, add it to the half gallon you had left. Boom, whole gallon of milk again, and I promise it's not weird and watery seeming like if you just reconstitute powdered milk by itself. It's good.

“You also want rice, shelf-stable protein like canned tuna, or these funky little packets,” he held up a pouch of lemon-pepper flavored tuna, “stuff to snack on like crackers and whatever you like on crackers, and bread—which is something else you can make yourself, seriously buy some flour and get your bake on, kneading bread is a great way to work out your frustrations.” He smacked a large bag of flour, caught it as it threatened to fall off the shelf, resettled it, and flashed a thumbs up.

It cut back to Clint in the kitchen, sitting at the island now. “For the sake of your own sanity, it's also important to make it where feeding yourself isn't just a chore and you actually enjoy your food. There's a lot of little things you can do that will help with that a lot even if you're not up to much more than throwing some ramen in the microwave.”

A package of Yaki Soba slid quickly across the counter right past Clint—a slivery blur flashed behind him, kicking up a breeze that ruffled his hair, and Pietro caught the package before is skidded right off the end of the island. “Sorry,” Pietro grinned sheepishly as he handed the Yaki Soba to Clint, “my bad.”

“I knew I should have asked your sister,” Clint teased. He rolled his eyes as Pietro ducked back out of frame, then held up the Yaki Soba for the camera. “If you're gonna have one of these, take two seconds before you make it, dig through your fridge, add a little soy sauce or teriyaki sauce to the water before you cook it, give it some flavor. Toss some shredded carrots, coleslaw mix, or even canned chicken in there. Make this stuff be real food instead of I'm-trying-to-feed-myself-in-my-dormroom sadness with minimal effort.”

He tossed the Yaki Soba out of frame, presumably to Pietro, and a plushy hotdog got tossed back to him. He caught it easily. “Hot dogs are great, easy and fast to fry up in a pan, but kinda meh on their own, so have some potato chips or shove fries or tater tots in the oven. Make some chili and have chili dogs.

“Speaking of chili….” He tossed the plushy back and a jar of Prego pasta sauce slid to him—it stopped a little short and he leaned forward to grab it. “We should have practiced this. Anyway. Jarred pasta sauce is totally fine, but you can use it as a spring board for excellent homemade sauce. Brown some ground meat in the bottom of a pot, put some onion through a food processor, cook it in a big pan, add some garlic, process some more veggies, any veggies, add them and some wine to the onions, once that's cooked down, add it all in with the meat, pour in some store bought sauce, feast like a god. I'm not even kidding, Thor loves this stuff, I made a whole vat of it last week. It's easier to do in bulk and it freezes well. Andyou can split some off, add beans and spices, make yourself some damn good chili. I'll post a recipe with actual measurements and stuff.”

He slid the jar of sauce back and caught a box of dry noodle soup mix that had been thrown directly at his face. “Make this stuff with more noodles—if your extra noodles take more than 5 minutes to cook, put them in the water first, then add the soup mix when ther's five minutes to go. When it's almost done cooking, like a minute left, pour in a scrampled egg or three. You've got egg drop soup, white people style.”

He tossed the soup box back and Pietro threw a pack of premade pizza crusts to him like a frisbee. Clint fumbled it a little but didn't drop it. “Make your own pizza! You can get these flatbread rounds to use as crust, or you can make your own dough—if you have a bread machine, it will make the dough for you. Then, put whatever you want on your pizza. You can go traditional with red sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, or you can get feta, pre-cooked grilled chicken, olives and artichoke hearts—Tony likes that.” He gestured off camera. “The wonder twins over here like carrots on their pizza; I'm not gonna question it. Natasha made herself a bacon mac'n'cheese pizza for breakfast today.”

He flung the pizza rounds away and, judging by the thwap sound, no one caught them. “Just, think about your food. Have fun, experiment, sing while you cook, plan before you go shopping, don't feel like you have to settle for spaghetti-o's and cereal just because you're stuck at home. And, hey, tell me what you're cooking, what you like on pizza. Stay home, stay safe, stay well fed. From me, and Pietro, and the rest of the Avengers—thank you.”

He signed thank you as well and waved before the video went black.

#PSA #Avengers #Marvel #coronavirus #covid19 #covid-19 #covid_19 #clint barton #HOH!Clint #hawkeye #food #cooking #quarantine #quarantimes #advice

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realtalk-princeton · 4 years

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@Faun maybe the question wasn't submitted? just wanted to know more about life in Japan, especially culture (food, people) and language barrier

@faunJapan hey Faun, could you describe your experience in Japan? especially about the culture and people (and maybe safety)? thanks in advance :-)

Response from Faun:

Hey, sorry I’ve been away for a bit! Thanks for your question; I’ll do my best to answer it however I can. Just want to say in advance, all of this is based on my personal experience, so it could definitely vary for other people who have lived in/traveled to Japan. I am by no means an expert on Japanese culture, which in and of itself is hardly monolithic, so I’ll strive to avoid making uninformed, overgeneralized assertions about anything from my (outsider) perspective.

That being said, I think one general broad perception many people will have of Japan(ese culture) upon first arriving is the high emphasis on civility and order. Compared to countries such as the United States, Japan has a lot more organization and structure in nearly every facet of everyday life: buses always arrive on time, commuters queue up in perfect lines for the train, city streets are kept spotless and litter-free, etc. Furthermore, most people whom you meet (especially those who work in hospitality) will be extremely polite, from taxi drivers to restaurant servers to department store clerks—it’s very rare that you would encounter someone in Japan who is outwardly discourteous to you. A lot of this is derived from a sense of collectivism, which promotes group harmony and the good of the community above that of any one single person, that distinguishes Japan (as well as many other Asian countries) from some of the individualist cultures of the West. Nevertheless, I don’t think you can make any sweeping assumptions about how your interpersonal interactions with people in Japan will turn out before you actually get there.

For example, the first time I went to Japan, I lived in a fairly rural farming city in Fukuoka, which is located on the southernmost island of Kyushu, with an older couple without any children. They lived a pretty “traditional” Japanese lifestyle: their house had tatami mat flooring and sliding doors, they both took a bath after dinner every day, and we slept in futons on the ground in lieu of beds. I was only fifteen at the time, so being still a child I wasn’t really allowed to venture out too much on my own, but I remember enjoying the slow pace of summer life and the beautiful scenery of the Japanese countryside. I spent a lot of time with my host family and grew quite close to them, especially my host mother; we would pick vegetables from the garden and cook meals together, go on evening walks around the neighborhood after dinner, and sit in front of the television watching afternoon programs, me doing my homework while she folded the laundry. My host parents introduced me to a lot of local culture, bringing me to visit their family’s tea fields and taking me to various historical landmarks in the region. They weren’t super talkative, but in a way that was a plus, since it allowed me to slowly develop my comfort with the basics of the language as I lived with them. Overall, they demonstrated a lot of care for me, and I cherished them as if they were my own relatives.

In contrast, I had a somewhat harder time with my host family last year, when I participated in PII. I lived in the suburbs of Kanazawa, which is a moderately large coastal city, with a family of two parents and their two children, around my age. They had a much more “modern” lifestyle: their house was Western in style, located in a fairly new housing complex, both the father and the mother worked, and the family would take meals separately, depending on when they each came home from school or work. However, I had a more difficult time connecting with the individual members of the household; the children were usually out and about doing their own thing, and the father often came home rather late from work. I spent the most time with my host mother, but at first I had trouble adjusting to some of her stringent expectations of me—she would instruct me to put up my hair if I had it down, for example, or tell me to sit up straighter at the dinner table, and I wasn’t comfortable with such a familiar level of “parenting” in my relationship with a host family. Additionally, I struggled more with the language barrier this time around, even though I was much more advanced in Japanese at this point, likely because my host family thought I would be able to handle more complex grammar structures or vocabulary than I actually could given my current level. It wasn’t as if the family was rude or cold or anything like that; they were always kind and courteous to me, and we would also sometimes go on outings to restaurants or local cultural sites, which were pretty fun. Altogether, I just didn’t click as well with them as I did with my other host family (though in their defense, I was also severely depressed last summer so that probably played a part lol).

With regard to food, I feel like it varies so much depending on where you are, but there are a few staples that you can expect to find anywhere. In Kanazawa last year, my friends and I often ate soba, ramen, curry, etc. as well as boxed lunches (e.g. with rice, pork cutlet, etc.) that you can pick up from any convenience store. At home with my host family, my host mother would alternate between traditional Japanese breakfasts (with rice, miso soup, and some other side dishes) and more Western breakfasts (usually toast with jam and a cup of yogurt), and for dinner she’d either make something simple (like steamed fish or vegetables) or order some takeout. A lot of the foods you’d “typically” associate with Japan, like sushi or sukiyaki, are not commonly eaten on an everyday basis, and they might be different from what you’ve had outside of the country (Japanese sushi is a lot smaller and less convoluted than American sushi, for example!). Similarly, some Western chains in Japan will have different localized menus than what you might be used to, such as teriyaki burgers at McDonald’s or cherry blossom lattes at Starbucks. ALSO, the snacks and bottled beverages in Japan slap so hard—my favorites are definitely honey butter chips, kinoko no yama (lil choco mushrooms), oi ocha green tea, and c.c. lemon soft drink. All in all, some of my recommendations for food experiences in Japan include getting soba at a noodle stand (where you eat standing up), getting yakitori (chicken skewers) at an izakaya (a barlike setting where you can get late night snacks and drinks), and getting okonomiyaki (super delicious savory pancake, often cooked on a steel hotplate right in front of you) anywhere in Osaka (where it originated!).

In terms of safety, I’d say it also depends on where you go, but generally I found Japan to be a lot safer than the average city in the United States. When I was in Ishikawa last year, I would often go out on my own or with a group of friends, and very rarely did I feel any sense of unease while roaming the city of Kanazawa. I absolutely loved the freedom of wandering the streets late at night, something I never really got to experience growing up in the United States. One factor that helped was the accessibility of the public transportation in the area: there were tons of buses and trains whose maps and schedules were not difficult to follow, and in the worst case scenario I could always hail a taxi to reroute me to my destination. The language barrier wasn’t necessarily a hindrance at this stage of my time in Japan, but I would say that it’d probably be a lot harder to do some of the things I had to do, like reload a bus pass or buy bullet train tickets, if you didn’t understand/speak some degree of survival Japanese. However, I do want to acknowledge some of the privilege I have as an individual of East Asian descent traveling around Japan; because I often “passed” for a Japanese native (as long as I kept my mouth shut lmao), I rarely got any looks or stood out when I was making my way through my daily routine. I will say though, there was one time that I genuinely did feel unsafe in Japan, which took place not in Kanazawa but in Osaka, a much larger city that I had visited for vacation with a group of friends: I had gone out late on my own (while wearing a nice dress), and an older man had come up to me and tried to follow me back to where I was staying, but I eventually lost him by ducking into a restaurant bathroom. So in general, I don’t consider Japan to be dangerous for the most part, though again it never hurts to be vigilant, especially in a big city.

Wow that was a lot—I hope that was able to address at least some of the things you were asking about! I want to stress once again that my thoughts are by no means the final say on all things Japanese, and also emphasize that Japan and its culture cannot be simply boiled down into one homogenous description. Please feel free to reach out if there’s anything else more specific you would like to hear about (especially with such a broad topic as culture, there’s so much more to talk about, e.g. activities, etiquette, traditions, holidays, etc.)—I’d be happy to answer whatever I can given my own body of knowledge. Ultimately, I’m hoping that this helped to provide you with an initial sketch of Japan, and that you’ll be able to fill in the picture with your own travels there someday! :)

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joshuamshea84 · 6 years

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My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong

Updated: 07/04/2018 | July 4th, 2018

In the crowded streets of Hong Kong, one always finds street vendors serving delicious noodles, roasted ducks hanging in the windows of restaurants, fish tanks full of tonight’s dinner, and trendy eateries next to decades-old dim sum establishments. Smells of rice, fried chicken, and noodles fill the air as you move from restaurant to restaurant. Food is the grease that keeps the wheels of this city moving at a lightning-fast pace.

As my flight began its final descent, I drooled over the thought of all the food I was going to eat during my (fourth) visit. Within hours of landing, I’d eaten three meals.

Over the course of the next four days, I gorged myself every waking hour in order to create a robust list of suggested restaurants for future travelers. I’m pretty sure I gained about five pounds. But the food in Hong Kong is worth all the extra time at the gym. I can’t imagine the city without it.

Here is my list of the best places to eat in Hong Kong:

Mak’s Noodles (77 Wellington Street, Central, 852-2854 3810) – Mak’s is famous for its wonton noodles and is one of the best noodle shops in the city thanks to its tasty broth, healthy-sized portions, and cheap prices (less than $5 USD). All its food is homemade, and the service is quick. I’ve been twice, and slurping down those noodles is one of my new favorite things to do in Hong Kong. Besides the Wellington Street location, there are four other locations in Hong Kong.

Kong Restaurant (Alpha House, 27 Nathan Road, TST, 852-2366 724, wukong.com.hk) – Located on Nathan Road, the fried rice and chicken dishes make this restaurant worth a stop. I loved their pineapple rice, which arrived in a big portion, heavy on the pineapple (yum!). If you’re looking for a quick, light, and cheap lunch, this place is a good choice. Sadly, their noodles are mediocre in a city known for noodles (Mak’s is better).

Tsui Wah (15-19 Wellington Street, Central, tsuiwah.com) – This popular chain restaurant serves both Hong Kong and Western dishes, though it’s famous for its Cantonese dishes such as fish ball noodles, curry beef brisket, and crispy condensed milk buns. It’s always crowded but makes for great hangover food. If you go during peak dinner or lunch hours, expect a long wait. You can find locations all over the city.

Aberdeen Fish and Noodle Shop (139 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok) – I stumbled across this noodle and soup shop located near the Ladies Market in Mong Kok while searching for lunch one day. The shop was filled with locals — I didn’t see one Westerner there, and judging by “are you lost?” looks from the other patrons, I don’t think they see many Western diners. The fried noodles were delicious and super cheap ($2.50 USD) and they serve a tasty fish ball soup. Service is slow, so be sure to flag down the staff when you want something. The restaurant will also seat various parties together to fill the table, so don’t be shy about sharing a table with strangers.

Yokozuna (466-472 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei) – This is one of the best and most consistently good ramen places in Hong Kong. The restaurant only seats 24, so expect a wait for a table. But, for your patience, you’ll be rewarded with flavorful broth and noodles made fresh and served quickly. As a ramen lover, this place gets two thumbs up from me.

Butao Ramen (69 Wellington Street, Central, butaoramen.com) – Another world-class ramen restaurant. This small establishment is famous for its slow-cooked pork bone soup and “King Black,” a squid ink ramen soup. The regular ramen with basic pork and noodles are richly flavored. They serve a delicious miso-flavored ramen, too!

Sushi Mori (16/F, Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay) – This sushi restaurant isn’t cheap, but their $45 USD lunch special gives you a lot of superb-quality fish, big portions, and an appetizer and dessert. They even use real wasabi (what you eat at most places is just colored horseradish). Sushi is always a splurge, but if you want to do so and make it worth it, I recommend this place. It’s incredible.

Shang Hai HK Restaurant – This tiny restaurant tucked away in Jardin’s Bazaar on Causeway Bay offers some of the tastiest chicken and rice in Hong Kong. Big portions are served by friendly staff on shared tables. I return here every time I’m in the city. Not only is it delicious, it’s cheap (under $5 USD).

Kam Lung Gourmet (Floor 1, Shop 29, Jade Plaza Shopping Plaza, 3 On Chee Road, Tai Po, New Territories) – On the same street and a couple of doors down from Shang Hai HK, this place also served delicious noodles and succulent pork. It’s inexpensive, popular, and open late. It’s a nice little hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

Tim Ho Wan (Shop 72, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui) – This is the world-famous dim sum restaurant located in Mong Kok. Its three Michelin stars mean that everyone wants to eat here and, as a result, wait times can be up to three hours long. The food is worth the wait! (To avoid lines, come in the morning — dim sum is a breakfast food anyway.)

Chom Chom (G/F Block A, 58-60 Peel St, Central, chomchom.hk) – If you’re looking for good Vietnamese food in Hong Kong, check out this place in SoHo. It serves amazing pho with richly flavored broth in healthy portions. It’s a popular place among the Western expats in the city.

Din Tai Fung (G/F, 68 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay, dintaifung.com.hk) – Another very popular dim sum restaurant in Causeway Bay (they actually have multiple locations around the city and the world) that is packed all the time. They are famous for their soup dumplings and steamed pork buns (I loved both). The food comes quickly, the servers are friendly, and you feel like you’re in banquet hall because it’s so large.

Lan Fong Yuen (G/F, 2 Gage Street Central) – Located in the Graham Street market area, this tiny restaurant is famous for its milk tea and sandwiches. But come here and get their noodles and BBQ pork — they’re flavorful and more filling. It’s a popular stop with both locals and food tours.

Tuk Tuk Thai (G/F, 30 Graham Street Central) – Also located on Graham Street, Tuk Tuk offers the most traditional Thai food in the city. Their curry, papaya salad, and rice all taste like they were made in Thailand. Be sure to stop here if you enjoy authentic Thai food (and something a little spicy).

Lin Heung Tea House (G/F, 160-164 Wellington Street) – Located in SoHo, this dim sum place is popular with local Chinese and seems to have its fair share of regulars who just sit around and shoot the sh*t. It reminds me of a local suburban coffee shop where old-timers go. It’s a traditional place, so waiters come around with carts of food and you take what you want. Don’t expect an English menu, but locals and waiters will help you when they see your confused face looking at all the dishes. This place is great for families and large groups too.

Mr. Wong’s (10 Shamchun Street, Mong Kok, Mr. Wong’s) – A place popular with foreigners in Mong Kok, Mr. Wong’s doesn’t serve the best food in Hong Kong, but he does serve up unlimited food and beer at one price. It’s one of the most enjoyable experiences, with travelers and expats sharing stories and beer with each other and Mr. Wong himself! This restaurant is all about the experience. It’s my favorite value place in Hong Kong.

Ding Dim 1968 (Shop A, 14D Elgin Street, Central, dingdim.com) – Affordable and delicious, this dim sum restaurant offers both a traditional take and a modern spin on classics, as well as food that is hand-made fresh daily with no MSG, and great vegetarian options.

This list is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg for a city with thousands of restaurants, but if you only have a few days and are wondering where to eat in Hong Kong, you can’t go wrong with these incredible places that will keep you full and satisfied.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Hong Kong!

Want to plan the perfect trip to Hong Kong? Check out my comprehensive guide to Hong Kong written for budget travelers like yourself! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful, and exciting in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries tips budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, and my favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more!! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to Hong Kong by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel in Hong Kong with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Hong Kong? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!

The post My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Traveling News https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/restaurants-in-hong-kong/

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jeffreyclinard · 6 years

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My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong

Updated: 07/04/2018 | July 4th, 2018

As my flight began its final descent, I drooled over the thought of all the food I was going to eat during my (fourth) visit. Within hours of landing, I’d eaten three meals.

Here is my list of the best places to eat in Hong Kong:

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Hong Kong!

Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to Hong Kong by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel in Hong Kong with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Hong Kong? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!

The post My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Traveling News https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/restaurants-in-hong-kong/

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vidovicart · 6 years

Text

My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong

Updated: 07/04/2018 | July 4th, 2018

As my flight began its final descent, I drooled over the thought of all the food I was going to eat during my (fourth) visit. Within hours of landing, I’d eaten three meals.

Here is my list of the best places to eat in Hong Kong:

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Hong Kong!

Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to Hong Kong by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel in Hong Kong with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Hong Kong? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!

The post My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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theladyjstyle · 6 years

Photo

Updated: 07/04/2018 | July 4th, 2018

As my flight began its final descent, I drooled over the thought of all the food I was going to eat during my (fourth) visit. Within hours of landing, I’d eaten three meals.

Here is my list of the best places to eat in Hong Kong:

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Hong Kong!

Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to Hong Kong by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel in Hong Kong with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Hong Kong? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!

The post My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong https://ift.tt/2IWNnAs

#Nomadic Matt's Travel Site digital nomad

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tales0fthenugget · 6 years

Text

Asian Food (part 2)

(Updated in Jun'18)

So here's the second part of the never-ending eating adventure. Lol. I'm having some regrets doing this because I would suddenly crave for these yummy food while writing. Sigh. But anyway -

CHINA (2) (3)

My first legitimate backpacking was China. I know it's a little weird because I could have chosen one from Southeast Asia instead. My trip was well prepared and planned except for food. I thought it should be easy because I frequently eat Chinese food in the Philippines. Ah, of course I was mistaken. Language barrier was difficult, especially in Beijing. The food menu would not have English translation. Such horror, I had to resort to charades and guessing game. Not everything I ate made me happy because I have not guessed it right, but at least it was super cheap.

I had a little difficulty coming up with the list for China considering I've been to Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and lately in Guangzhou for business trip. I thought about it to understand why. I think it's also because I've already had very good Chinese food from my home country and the other Asia ones. I have a lot of Filipino-Chinese friends and we often go eat at Chinese restaurants. So I tried hard to think for anything uniquely yummy there so here it goes anyway:

1. Peking duck! One of the perks of business trips - you get to eat at not so cheap restaurants and our associate director paid for it (technically it's the company). I didn't try this during my backpacking trip. I am not a fan of peking duck as before I tasted this authentic one, the ones I tried are fatty, served warm only, and worse with cucumber (here in the Philippines), lol!! I hate cucumber. Too bad I was too shy to take a photo, not just of the food but also while it was cooked in the oven. Uhm, not a sight for vegans though. Anyway, there were small containers with fire underneath when it was served in our table. Even the wrap had that container so everything was hot. But also very delicious. The duck that was served to us was not fatty. Also, I learned that the crispy skin is dipped in sugar and not just the hoisen sauce. Lastly, the other ingredients were served separately so I didn't have to worry about the cucumber. Hahaha. I'm going back in January. Let's see if we can eat there again and if I can already take photos.

2. When I finally had more time to explore. I bought jianbing for breakfast. I am not very sure if I got the name correctly. Back in the time I was enjoying this yummy crepe-like sandwich thing, I had no idea what it’s called. All I know is that there's a long line in this stall. For only 5 RMB, I am already full and happy with my breakfast. I could have chosen other meat that’s cheaper, actually, but I’m fine with this. It’s one of the food that I’m definitely looking for again when I return to Beijing in the future.

Here's my jianbing from 2011.

And then I did return to Beijing in 2018, and bought a bigger jianbing for RMB 11.

3. I had to try and find if I have a photo of the Schezuan spicy pork we had somewhere in Xian as we took a break from exploring the Terracotta warriors. I recall this dish swims in so much oil but I remember I like how spicy it is that it's perfect to eat with rice. See the reason I had to recall is because that was from seven years ago. Hahaha. But I would definitely like to try these Schezuan dishes again.

3. I have to replace this with the drink below from Hui Lau Shan. So I don't really know what is its official name but we're calling it mango pomelo sago with coconut milk. After discovering this I almost had this drink daily. Lol!! So this is obe of the things I am looking forward to when I go back tk Guangzhou this year :)

4. There were meals when I had to eat alone. This translates to eating somewhere already familiar as much as possible. So I went inside a restaurant, not really looking at its name. My basis was looking at their menu from the outside. I saw a yummy-looking noodle soup so I was attracted. But then the other page had a variety of xiao long bao! I walked in Crystal Jade! So this is familar. I liked the pork and cheese xiao long bao. For some, it might taste a bit weird because there's a hint of sweetness from the cheese but the natural sauce and meat were awesome! I ended up eating here again after the first night.

5. I’m also adding this breaded prawn wrapped in red rice noodle. Okay so like the mango pomelo sago, I don’t know the actual name of this yummy food. Maybe I will learn about it next visit.

6. I am so sorry (or not really) for extending the list but Grandma’s Kitchen’s chicken (I think boiled in some tea) is awesome. This restaurant actually has become a favorite for me ever since I tried last November 2017. Not only is the food yummy, they have English menu and affordable prices too. I liked this too much that I tried this in both Beijing and Guangzhou last January.

CAMBODIA (1)

It's a little unfortunate that this is one of the trips where I was not too conscious yet of ensuring only yummy food goes into my tummy. Also, we tend to sacrifice yummy food if we have a jam-packed while-day itinerary. This is because we could have been stuck somewhere within the tourist (or sometimes unknown) area where we only aim to eat at least decent food. So with Angkor Wat so big, we spent the whole day - from sunrise to sunset, roaming around. Thus, few opportunities to try a lot.

1. I dunno if we were just hungry but this steak from some grill restaurant along Wat Bo road filled our stomachs. I added the photo of the other food we ordered which are just as yummy.

2. Blue Pumpkin has a full menu but I was only able to try its bakery where I immediately had a favorite in the form of chocolate chip cookies. Too bad because I only learned about it on our last day and so sadly, I didn't get a chance to eat a meal.

HONGKONG (3)

Similar to Thailand, my challenge in HK is to come up with a short list only. HK has a little "disadvantage" though because even the non-HK foodies in HK are so good too. I don't know why! You'll see what I mean from my list. Hahaha. It was only in my second visit that I had full appreciation of the food because we had intense itinerary the first time. I didn't really want my stomach full riding the roller coasters, right? Hear, hear!

1. Ichiran ramen is the bomb! I know, I know. I would transfer this to Japan when I get the chance to finally be there. Coincidentally, I also tried my first legit ramen during my first i.e. Ramen Nagi. Then there was influx of ramen in Manila. But I like Ichiran's the most. Simple and straight-forward it won't confuse your taste buds, lol!! - > yep, to be finally transferred to Japan list :D

2. Australian Dairy Company's egg pudding. We made sure we line up early because loooooong line! It doesn't look special but it's simplicity will take you away.

3. Pineapple bun from Dimdimsum - everything yum here also (and relatively cheap if I may add). But I am calling it out because I hate pineapple buns but I love this pineapple bun! I didn't know it's possible but Dimdimsum made it happen.

4. Delicious Kitchen's pork chop rice. I admit it was a bit oily but it's yummy and in relatively generous serving.

Sometimes I'm okay to go back to Hongkong even if I don't have much to do but just eat. I still have a long list of to-try food! Oh gosh, I wanna come back now!

SOUTH KOREA (1)

Going back to my post about my Seoul trip, I shared how we didn't eat a lot. Like Chinese food, we have a lot of legitimate Korean food in Manila that it's not too far away from food in Seoul. Also, there are numerous Korean stores here that my favorite Korean snacks are so accessible. So I pretty much have a short list:

1. Banana milk is a weird choice but I had a better appreciation after last month's Guangzhou trip. Banana milk there was USD 2+ and I just thought that's expensive. Imagine my happiness when S&R (our local Costco equivalent) started selling banana milk. I would buy a box with a dozen tetra paks that would translate to roughly USD 0.60/piece. I've been addicted ever since.

2. Authentic and cheap bibimbap here. My friends said this is relatively cheap because ee bought this in the university area.

3. Home-made "Choco Pie" from a random stall just along Myeongdong streets. I never really liked the commercial ones. But the home-made version of chocolate-coated marshmallow sandwiched by two cookies is just the bomb! My friends who again do bot like food in general, didn't really understand my fascination why I buy this daily. One even said, I should just buy a several for our whole stay there. But why would I - twice I bought it while it's still warm, and it's winter at that time!! Nothing beats fresh, my dears.

So I actually have more but still on the snacks and noodles. I'll definitely update the list when I get a chance to go back. No plans yet but I might as promo fares permit.

#china #southkorea #hongkong #cambodia #seoul #seoulsearching #taipei

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