shabu-shabuuuuuu

who doesn't love shabu shabu? okay, i guess there may be a few out there who don't prefer it. maybe it's because they haven't gone to shabu shabu house in downtown l.a.'s little tokyo? or they don't do their sauces right? haha who knows. i can pretty much eat shabu shabu at any time, though i love it the most on a cold day. kinda like craving ramen or pho on a rainy day (future post on those later=P). 

i think the cut of the meat and the ponzu sauce are the kickers to a great shabu shabu place. i've been to many, and none so far compare to my love for shabu shabu house! well, on my trip to japan in '06 we had some kobe beef shabu shabu..but we were still rookies at it and didn't appreciate how good it was. can't wait to go back to japan next month and raid all the shabu shabu joints!

some friends posing at a shabu shabu place in tokyo's ginza district:

a few months ago on a trip to marukai market i saw some hot pot burners on sale. well, didn't take too much convincing to buy some and enjoy shabu shabu at home=)

go get yourself some shabu shabu..NOW!

Shabu Shabu House

127 Japanese Village Plz Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 680-3890

Marukai Market (various locations)

123 Onizuka St. #105

Los Angeles, CA 90012

2975 Harbor Bl.

Costa Mesa, Ca 92626

cuppycakes!!!

i love baking as much as i love eating baked goods! and one of my favorite things to bake are cupcakes. these are some homemade strawberry cupcakes with a whipped cream frosting (yup both made with fresh strawberries!) that i baked for my younger sister on her college graduation. she loves strawberry cake/cupcakes..so why not make her some cupcakes to celebrate=).





i don't know, there's just something about baking that makes me happy. just the smell of the goodies baking in the kitchen, getting everything prepped, and getting to share what i've baked with everyone just feels good=).

mallomars & pinwheels

remember these?

when i was a kid i used to have to beg my mom to buy these! my mom and my older sister never understood why i liked them so much. i got hooked when i was playing at a friend's house and her mom opened the freezer and pulled out a brand new package of pinwheels. she said they tasted the best when frozen. i think it's the coldness of the marshmallow and chocolate that just teased the senses. it was just THAT good. looking for a good snack? go out and buy a pack of pinwheels or mallomars. think i'll add this to the top of my grocery list. brings a smile to my face just thinking about how happy i was as a kid with my frozen mallomars/pinwheels.