When you live in the tropics, there’s not much you can glean off the supposed winter season that graces other continents. You can, however, experience the cold winds of the monsoon season come December – what we fondly refer to as sweater weather. 😉
For me, sweater weather ignites a particular (okay, year-long) craving…for the comforting taste of chocolate! So today’s post is a little throwback to one of my absolute favourite place to visit in Hokkaido, Ishiya Chocolate Factory. 🙂
It’s no secret of mine that I’m absolutely obsessed with Pokémon, ever since those animated monsters hit my television screen some fourteen years back. With Pikachu and gang dominating the anime industry ever since, it’s no surprise that they would have their own instant cup noodles alongside their already massive line of games, shows and merchandise.
The concept of these instant noodles is no stranger to the otaku world, really – just replace the regular kamaboko (boiled fish paste) with prints of the character in question. But since I had never seen them before, I was pretty excited – gotta eat ‘em all, I guess! 😀
Japanese cream puffs. They taste like heaven, cherub’s kisses, and sweet dreams come true. Okay, I may have exaggerated a little, but that’s the feeling I get whenever I bite into one of ‘em pastries: soft, puffy shell with rich cream, fresh custard and I think I just drooled over my keyboard typing that last sentence.
And then, there’s Kitakaro Cafe’s cream puffs.
After a month’s hiatus, I’m back to writing about my (not so recent) trip to Japan’s whimsical northern island, Hokkaido.
I know, I know, I’ve been tardy on my updates. But between work and getting my film developed, scanned and post-processed, I’ve finally gotten back on track, so here’s hoping it’s worth the wait! 😀
I’m bubbling with excitement as I write this post, as I’m venturing into yet another topic on this humble blog of mine, and that is one of my pet loves, travel! 😀 Well, what’s life without exploring new things now and then? 😉
Speaking of new things, I finally realised my dream of travelling to Hokkaido with my family last week, ever since I learnt about its abundance of fresh seafood, scenic spots, and fresh seafood at scenic spots. Sadly, I didn’t get to travel last year due to time and financial constraints, but as they say, better late than never aye? 😛
I once had a friend cart back a box of Tokyo Banana for me. His suitcase was so stuffed to the brim, the flight an arduous 7 hours, that it’s a miracle that that box did not sustain a single dent on its way back (talk about durable Japanese packaging).
You don’t extend the same treatment to a box of Snaffle’s Catchcakes, however. Even if it’s double wrapped and packed in a sturdy, true-to-size package. Why? Because these darlings are, quite literally, as delicate as a cloud.
Established in 1998, Pastry Snaffle’s is just one of the many brands that have since crossed the Pacific Ocean (last year, to be precise) to invade our sunny, Japan-hungry shores. With three outlets at Plaza Singapura, Bedok Mall and VivoCity to date, and another on the way, it’s safe to say that Snaffles is here to stay. 😀
Chue On It 