japanese – The World of Hanbel

That word definitely looks like it should mean a sweaty blog.
But no, I really mean blog inspiration, but I shortened it to be like the cool kids. Totes on fleek.

This week, I was following my daily routine – breakfast, instagram, work, work, work, check blogs in the breaks, and I stumbled across this post. Cupcakes and Cashmere is one of my favourites to read [side note: Emily just launched her own clothing line under the same name and I am coveting it all!].

[image source]

Emily is from LA, so obviously a lot of these suggestions are LA based, or at least feature in the states.
However, Australia has some damn good food and I have so many favourites in Perth, that it got me thinking about the best things I’ve ever eaten.

This was pretty hard to narrow down, but I’ve kept my list to 10. Aaaaaaaaand the winners are:

1. Noodles
Pad Seuw from Chin Chin, in Melbourne.
This restaurant was at the top of Anh and my “must do in Melbourne” list; and for good reason. This noodle dish was by far the most amazing I have ever eaten. Featuring six hour braised Wagyu Beef (back when I was on the red meat train) it melted in the mouth and left us gobsmacked! I’m not sure if its still on the menu, but they would have replaced it with something incredible I’m sure.

2. Ice Cream
Peanut butter something or other from Gelato Messina, Sydney.
Again, the menu changes regularly, but anything with peanut butter in it is incredible. Props to them for the awesome and creative names too.

3. Taco
Fish tacos from Bib & Tucker.
These are all about texture, the perfect crunch from the lightly battered fish balanced out by the corn, avocado and punchy mayo. Runners up goes to La Cholita, who do a terrific beef tongue taco.

4. Pancakes
Buckwheat pancakes from The Little Bird Cafe, Northbridge. Fresh, colourful and so, so pretty! These are delightful, and delightfully filling. I dare you try to finish one.

5. Cupcakes
Sticky Date, from Coles. No joke, they are the best cupcakes I’ve had in a long time! Super soft, perfect frosting to cake ratio and $4.50 for 4-pack doesn’t hurt in the slightest.

6. Breakfast
I couldn’t narrow this down. So there are two: The Acai Bowl and the Smoked Bacon & Roasted Field Mushroom – both from Hylin, West Leederville.
I’m actually drooling thinking about that perfect mushroom, bacon and heavenly pea puree combination.

7. Burger
Hemingway’s Burger, from Hemingway’s in Manly. It appears to be a humble beef burger, but it is so much more than that.
I gave up red meat a few months ago, and I would change my mind 100% if I had one of these in my hand.
It was my perfect burger.

8. Japanese
Black Cod Miso, from Nobu. This is obviously not something I eat everyday, but I have been lucky enough to try it more than once. Every time I do, I am in heaven. The cod is so silky, and the miso accompanies it beautifully.

9. Dessert
Peanut Butter Parfait, from El Publico. I did try this after a coupla’ tequilas, so my memory might be betraying me.
However, it is Peanut. Butter. Parfait. I think I’ve said enough.

10. Bao/Dumplings
Char Sui Bao, from Wonderbao, Melbourne. Two attempts to eat at this hole in the wall (FYI – they are closed on Sundays) were well worth our while. These beautiful, soft buns filled with moorish pork, crunchy veg and oozing sauce are the perfect handful of flavour.

I kept this list domestic, but I’m not sure why because now I’m remembering all of the amazing things I have eaten on my travels. Oh well, a blog post for another time!

I need to go eat now. Someone bring me one of everything!

Happy weekend!
Hanbel.
x

Last night was a real treat. We wrapped up a project at work and, to celebrate, the Project Manager organised a dinner at the one and only … Nobu.
(I apologise in advance for the horrible quality of the photots, iPhones do not do the food justice!)

We hopped in a taxi straight from work, and headed for the bar!

Which had a seriously cool interior.

Encouraged to try a cocktail, the barmen promptly made a round of “Wasabi Awas” – Wasabi infused Gin, Pomme Verte Apple Liqueur, Sugar Syrup and the most amazing Elderflower Foam.

It doesn’t look that flash, but trust me – it was incredible!

One of the girls ordered this bad boy, a “Smoked Black Apple” – Johnnie Walker Black, Apple Liqueur, Bitters, Apple Wood Smoked Chips on Sphere Ice.
It had major theatricality with smoke pouring out of it but, by the look on her face, I think it was a bit strong.

Once we were seated at the table, the waitstaff brought along what seemed like an endless supply of sake and wine.
Just before we started begging for something more substantial, the plates started arriving.

Edamame beans – snapped a little too late. The hungry hoards couldn’t be held back any longer!

The Yellowtail Jalapeno was unbelievably good! Lots of foodgasms and fighting for the last piece.

As the sake made another round, plates of Salmon Sashimi and Sashimi Salad were placed in front of us. They were delicious, but had nothing on the final two dishes.

Unwrapping the banana leaf was like opening a present, to find:

The Black Cod Miso. Nobu’s signature dish, for good reason. Silky, buttery, miso glazed heaven.

Followed by our final savoury dish, Beef Tenderloin with Anticucho Sauce. Melt-in-your mouth texture, with a huge kick of flavour.

Oh, I lied.. we finished the night with big plates of sushi. Which was very good quality sushi, but not that pretty, and to be honest, kind of strange to end our meal with. We all agreed it would have been better as a starter.

Just as the guys around us were complaining that they’d be stopping off at Maccas on the way home (as delicious as Nobu is, it’s not too substantial) we were handed rich cheesecakes and sorbet.
This was enough to fill my stomach and left me in a happy place, I hope the rest of the table was in agreement.

It was a fantastic meal, Nobu is perfection. I am very thankful to have this job, when it means I have the opportunity to eat at incredible restaurants like this.

Back at work today, and a few of us are feeling a little fragile… but it was all worth it.

The World of Hanbel

Working on Living that Dream

Tag: japanese

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