Rakuzen

Before I introduce this little piece of overpriced Japanese food, I will briefly explain what I am doing on my own time...because this is my blog =P

From the top of my head, I will be hitting the gym almost every day now and will be confronting with a vigorous workout routine in order to push up my stamina and to burn off useless tissue in my body, ie, anything that feels soft or can be pinched.  Honestly, every time I get comfortable with a day's workout, the following session I push myself even more and over the edge that will just make my body take a dip down the spiral of exhaustion.  Every time I get off the last few machines, I feel as though if I pushed it just a little more or took a wrong step, I would have sprained something in a really really bad way and would have taken months to recover.  My strongest believe since I was young is that in order to learn how to swim, you need to be thrown into the deep end to fully understand your situation and how far below you really are.

Anyway, here's Rakuzen. =)

Yes, I am impressed with the aesthetics.

What's inside?  Let's take a closer look.

Restaurant Kin Kin

Yes. Hello!

Where have you been?  I've been up and about, keeping myself busy.  Been months since I actually even checked my blog since I've gotten back to KL...No worries, a ton of updates will be flooding in soon ;)

And now?  What's up with you?

What's up is ME! Rawr... The first few days I was back, Alexis (a guy, yes, I know it's a girl's name) and Dong took me out for some cheap and great eats at a place called Restaurant Kin Kin.

Boo Yeah!

So, what have we gotten ourselves into??

Return of the Stout.

Back in Malaysia for the third day now.  I have lots of things happening around me, lots of planning to do and to "look forward to".  I am tired.. physically...and feeling very jaded.

My pick-me-up this morning was the call to Dell customer support to get someone to replace the hardware in my laptop.  At the end, I had a lovely chat with a chick with a very sweet voice that really made my day.  Who needs caffeine when you have someone over at the line at tech support to cheer you up! ;)

 

So...anyway... I'm settling down and getting used to the weather once again.  This time it isn't so bad because of the extension of the house, my parents do not leave doors to the outside and therefore there are less mosquitoes hunting on the inside of the house.  Hah.. so full of WIN!

Lots of things to update and to catch up, actually, but I shall save it for more appropriate channels ;)

PS: Yes, I do have a number... No, I do not know my own number.

Ciao~!

Stout out.

Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe.

On a quest to seek more variety in food and spots to eat at in Melbourne, I've found this corner shop that specialises in Japanese cuisine.   It was recommended to me because of its lunch menu, which I have yet to try, because I usually drop by for dinner instead.

Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe

On Bourke Street.

Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe is another Japanese goodie on the corner of Bourke Street and Market Lane, just two doors down from Ajisen Ramen.

Ajisen Ramen, Melbourne.

I have grown bored of eating along Little Bourke Street and have upgraded to Bourke Street instead.  In comparison, just because the restaurant is secluded, doesn't mean that the food comes cheap nor is it dirty.  In fact, those eateries are the ones that are very popular and there are many who go out of their way just to eat at these establishments.

Little did I know, Ajisen Ramen is a Japanese fast food chain based in Kumamoto City...which sort of explains why there are a few of these all over the place in many cities and countries. =P

Ajisen Ramen on Bourke Street.

Well, enough of an introduction, let's just move on to shots of what I ate that day. =)

Oriental Spoon

When I was in Malaysia, Korean food was pretty much at the bottom of my list of genres of food to eat.  My recent interest in Korean dining has piqued since the time I frequent Arirang and Koreana in Buffalo.  In Melbourne, I have found a decent favourite of Korean stonepot BBQ.

Oriental Spoon.  A very lively eatery with rays of boisterous youth beaming towards you.  The energy of this place can be overwhelming to some, but it just goes to show that this place is really popular amongst the Koreans and other Asian youths.  The establishment renovates and redecorates often.  After the recent one was completed some time in January, I have been itching to come back for some Korean grub!

Oriental Spoon on La Strobe St.

Since I have ate here many times, I have quite a few shots to share with you.  Mind you, most are before and after shots of the stone grill BBQ.  Please enjoy =)

Kimurakan Japanese Cafe

When it comes to having lunch, I am very fond of the idea of the Japanese Boxed Lunch aka 'Bento'.  Although I have tried Izakaya Chuji many times (Average of AUD15~ per bento), I was set in my mind to look for a another place offering similar quality and quantity bentos.  After a short search, I came across this quiet little establishment called Kimurakan Japanese Cafe located along Little bourke Street.  This place is known for its large variety of cheaper bentos and I agree with the variety part only.

Kimurakan on Lt Bourke St.
What looks quiet and empty the first minute...

Here is a straight up write up on what I think of this place.

Max Brenner Stock photos

Here are some old stock photos of Max Brenner that I've dug up and touched up a little.  Hope you enjoy them.

 

Suckao Mug

Melbourne Obon Festival

   "Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors.  This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars.  It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori." - Taken from Wiki.

   

Families enjoy performances on stage.

    This is a world-wide custom by others but are known by different names and have a branches of practices.  The commonly known name for it is The Qing Ming Festival (清明節). In Malaysia, some of us call it 'Ching Bing', which I would presume is Hokkien.

Max Brenner - If you don't already know what it is

    Max Brenner is the choco version of Starbucks, and chilling out at Max Brenner is a way of life here in Melbourne.  As for the slogan, the founder claims to have profound love for choco and the desire to share that love with everyone out there.  As for me, all this talk about choco love from Max Brenner is cliche and drowned out pretty quick like all the maccas advertisements.

    In fact, whatever you choose to order, you will be astounded by how rich and sweet everything is.  Do not be phased if it is your first time at Max Brenner.  They have an assortment of cups and ways to drink from them which many people still find cute and fascinating till this day...even after frequenting every other day.

If only things were always that simple

    Since I have managed to stay away from this place for about 2 months, I think I should show some shots I've taken when my choco craving defenses were low ;)

Laneway Cafes - The Quarter VS Cafe Andiamo

    In Melbourne, you can find most establishments operational at around 1030-1100.  I do often find it rather difficult to be able to get things done early in the morning because of this late start.  Many of these tiny laneway cafes do open their doors at a very early hour offering those much needed 'Pick-me-up' drinks.  For me, breakfast/brunch is the most important meal of the day and of course, I have to order the most expensive and biggest portion brekkie on the menu EVERY TIME!  So, taking price, portion and availability into account is of utmost importance to me.

    Last month I've tried eating at a few of the cafes along Melbourne's laneways.  Here are two of them in comparison as they're more of the higher priced cafes and would be a little more appropriate as they are directly opposite each other and offer similar genre of eateries.

The Quarter

Cafe Andiamo

    Using these 2 cafes as examples, I am just going to do a quick review and offer some insight on Melbourne laneway cafes.  Read on, if you enjoy continental brekkies/brunch =)

Melbourne Laneways

    In Melbourne, the IN thing seems to be surrounded by all the hype of what can be found along the bustling graffiti lined laneways.  One may find it fun to discover one of the many designer cupcake shops, hidden chic coffee and pastry cafe hangouts and packed fancy restaurants.  Don't be fooled!  Although many of these establishments are hidden even from the rays of the sun all year round, many of them are very high priced and would often appear in the travel guides.  What you are paying for is the delicacy of what Melbournians would claim as the culture that surrounds their city.  One might start a saying that goes, "This is our art and you get to eat it."

 

Love at a glance

Last Suzuki Night Market

    Random walking around.  This time, I managed to grab some snacks to eat after dinner.

 

Random lining up for food.

Yes, lines are this long all the time.

Izakaya Chuji

    I am going to jump right into an explanation of what an izakaya is.  An izakaya is a Japanese style fusion of a restaurant and a bar.  It is known for serving food together with drinks and the other way around.  Older times in Japan, an izakaya was a favourite watering hole for the salaryman after work and is well known for its cheap food that is served with a lot of alcohol.  These days, that has changed, whereby you may find many independent women, youngters and families who frequent izakayas.  A mark of an izakaya would be the distinctive double akachojin (literally, red lantern) that stands on both sides of the entrance to the establishment.  From what I read, there will always be a few very close by to the train stations in Japan.

    There is one izakaya styled restaurant that Crystal and I used to frequent up until recently.  Izakaya Chuji has claimed to be the oldest of Izakayas across Aussie.  These points do not pique my interest one bit if the establishment is just so-so.

Izakaya Chuji, on Lonsdale st.

Il Dolce Freddo

    Interested in some Italian Designer ice-cream in the arvo when you're all hot and sweaty?  Hehehe.. Although Melbourne these days is pretty chilly, there are some scorching moments.  A short walk down to Lygon Street and viola!  The creme of the crop, Il Dolce Freddo!

IL DOLCHE FREDDO

Papa Gino's Italian Restaurant

    When Melbournians think of Italian eateries, they think of Lygon Street, because this is where the collection of Italian food can be found.  There are a few Greek corner restaurants that serve one of the most tantalising souvlaki (Greek lamb kebabs) as well as a wide variety of choco cafes such as Koko Black, and my personal favourite, Brunetti!  It is about a good 15 minute walk from where we live to Papa Gino's, an Italian restaurant that we frequent. With a great scenery and lots of restaurants along the way, by the time we arrive at the restaurant, we've build up quite an appetite.

Papa Gino's on Lygon Street

Meiji Japanese Cafe, Again

    It would appear that we really do have a thing for dining out, especially for a place with really good food for a relatively low price.  Here's more shots of when we paid a visit to Meiji again.  Click here for the Flickr album.

Meiji Japanese Restaurant

Meiji Japanese Cafe

    Saturday night, nothing much going on.  Been a tiring week primming for a better looking body so that we may fit into clothes and look better in them.  Dieting is always the main thing to look out for these days when it comes to health =)  I'd figured, since I eat out a lot due to me not having much kitchen utensils to cook, I'd start shooting some food porn.  This way, I'd have good practice ninja-shooting the insides of establishments and inanimated objects.  I'm new to blogging about food, but here goes...

Meiji Japanese Cafe

     Quaint little Japanese restaurant to eat at should you ever be down Little Bourke Street, aka Chinatown.

Portraits that I dugged up

    Here I am, awoken after 15 minutes of sleep in the wee hours on a Saturday morning. I have posted these on FB, but I think it looks nicer here thanks to the direct link to Flickr. Oh gosh, I'm one of those attention seekers now who post the same bloody thing all over the god damned place to get their name out. Honestly, I'd rather keep a low key and only showcase my talents for those concerned, ie prospective employers ;)

Suzuki Night Market Walk Walk

Queen Victoria Market by day,

Suzuki Night Market by night.

    It is about 15 -20 minutes walk and it's good to sweat it off after din din.  It starts around 1730 until late at night, but it's always good to head there early because it's really packed and crowded.  And unending amount of food and drinks as well as entertainment.  There's also lots of crafts and other weird stuff like fortune telling and massages =P