Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Natto

So, I have been missing in action for quite some time, at least that's what I think so. My blog is still stuck in August. Though it's just mid-September, but I have so much to share with you all. Just got to spend some days in to blog about my stories of my final few days in Chicago and some other states, also ended my 3.5 years time in US. *stay tune*

I finally get to settle down, get back some quality sleep and back to blogging, thank you for your patience! 

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This post is about the different brands of natto I have had when I was in Chicago, which I have gotten em' from Mitsuwa Market Place, the Japanese market. (Refer here for my blogpost about this place)

Honestly, I am a little ashamed to say that I don't know what natto is until my roommate, Bobo told me about it some time early this year. She is a fan of natto and will search around Japanese restaurants in San Francisco (when we were there last December), just to have a bowl of natto with raw egg, the way she would love her natto to be served. When she get to the chance to go Mitsuwa, she would grab packets of natto home and stored them in the freezer and slowly consume, consume them in less than 3 weeks. That time, I was just amazed by her love towards natto.

Natto is definitely not a new thing in Malaysia, I had it once during Chinese New Year 2015 at Sushi Zanmai, because my dad ordered it. 
clearly I am the ignorant one.


I decided to try out different kinds of natto and bought 6 different brands on July 25, and crazy lots of salmon which I have to finish in 3-4 days (to maintain the freshness). *Sign of a food hoarder*

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

Total of 19 packets of natto
mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

1. Tsurumoko Chutsubu Kuroma - $2.19

Size: big (though it stated medium in size).
Texture: just nice
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
3 packets
3 stars; something different from the others. A different variety of soybean, that is why it is black in color. The only black soybean natto I've tried.

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

Doesn't tastes much different from the usual brown natto
mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

2. Kanasago Oishi Mugiiri - $2.19

Size: small
Texture: just nice
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
3 packets
3 stars; did not write any notes for this one besides "3 stars" lol.

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

3. Marukin Wasabi Natto - $2.49

Size: big
Texture: just nice
Sauce: wasabi & soy sauce
3 packets
3.5 stars; I like the idea that this is a wasabi flavor, though we know how wasabi does to our nose and eyes (burning sensation), but in overall this is a decent natto packet.

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean


4. Osato Yukihomare Natto - $2.79

Size: big
Texture: so so
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
3 packets
2.5 stars; 

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

5. Mameki Kitano Suzu Natto - $2.49

Size: big
Texture: love it
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
3 packets
4.0 stars; perfect texture, not too hard nor soft- 4 stars it is!

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

6. Sirakiku Mito Natto - $2.49

Size: big (though it stated small in size)
Texture: didn't like it.
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
4 packets
2.5 stars; the way I have my natto is simple, I just mix all the sauce inside, mix it up and have a bite. The reaction I had for this is just 

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean


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Got another batch of natto on August 6, even I still have leftover natto from before. This is me, a food hoarder. Roommate Bobo always say if I'm preparing for a zombie apocalypse. 

She once asked me "why do you keep buying food? Don't you still have food in the fridge and cupboard?" 

My reply was "oh no, I want this food but I don't have it". (The question is, what about other food that I still have? ) Well, at least we both know we will definitely survive a zombie attack. 


7. Marukin Dashikake Natto - $2.49

Size: big 
Texture: perfectly good
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
3 packets
3.5 stars; this is the same brand as the No. 3 wasabi natto. The soy sauce is a little different in taste from other brands.

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

8. Okame Gokukotsubu - $2.69

Size: small
Texture: perfectly good
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
3 packets
3.5 stars; this is the same brand as the No. 3 wasabi natto. The soy sauce is a little different in taste from other brands.

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

9. Hiruzen Kotsubu Natto - $1.99

Size: small (but bigger than usual small)
Texture: perfectly good
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
4 packets
4.0 stars; neither too hard nor soft, perfect texture. 

 mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

10. Nattoya Kotsubu Natto - $1.49

Size: big (though it stated small in size)
Texture: dislike the texture, didn't like it.
Sauce: yellow mustard & soy sauce
3 packets
2.5 stars; 

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

Self sliced salmon, doesn't look appetizing but it's good yo!
mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

Most of em' look like this. Remove the transparent plastic cover, and squeeze in the sauce, mix it and  voila! You may start digging in.
mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

This is an example of small size natto and how it looks like when it's all mixed up. Very sticky and slimy; taste very sophisticated, not a type of food for everyone I guess. However, this tiny little natto is full of fibre, protein and vitamin K (reduce blood clot). So far my guy friends do not like it, except for my dad. 
 oh did I mention it beautifies the skin? 
 Got to start finding packets like this in Malaysia. Usually just a Bobo and I just had one of this for lunch. I once had 3 in one shot, and the aftermath was that I was dehydrated, too much soy sauce. Never doing it again! 

Favorite way of eating natto would be with a bowl of hot pipping rice and a sunny side up and I .

mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean

Attached a picture of myself *teehee*
mitsuwa_schaumburg_chicago_natto_japanese market_fermented soybean_black apple

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Mitsuwa Market Place Schaumburg

First time at Mitsuwa Market was back in November 17, 2013 , Neo brought Bobo and I there. That was when I went crazy with the fact that they sell raw salmon at an affordable price. I had the chef sliced it for me, and already started digging in while still shopping for groceries. Yes, before I pay for it. It was 10am, salmon sashimi as breakfast, and my friend said I smell like a fish. 

Yes, this was the exact picture I posted on Facebook.

This place has always been my favorite place. I do not own a car, therefore to travel here requires hours on bus and train. When I get to be here, what can I say? I am lucky enough to be here. 

August 6, 2015

Superstar picked me up and it took us almost an hour to arrive. It just feels like ages, hot summer, without air conditioner, rerouting, and also I was skeptical of Superstar's driving skill (sorry). 



Finally finally! This time here, the mission is to try Santouka's ramen as recommended by Eve. It is located the food court area.


Santouka (Ramen)










Menu. (you're welcome).

Left: Toroniku with Spicy Miso Ramen $11.49 (medium)
Right: Toroniku with Salt Ramen $10.99 (medium)


So what's toroniku? It is Pork cheek meat. The lady at the cashier said it tastes really good, so why not? A little adventure in food is never a bad thing.

Close up look at the pork cheek meat, with bamboo, onions, a slice of narutomaki (the pink fish cake), a tiny plum, and some black fungus. 

Superstar ordered Soy Sauce flavored egg too. Fresh. $0.99


For presentation purposes, I placed all the ingredients in the ramen bowl. 
Itadakimasu! (Let's start eating)



Total bill came out  to be $25.88 including tax. 

Comment: This medium bowl of ramen is sufficient for me, love both of the salty and spicy soup, ramen is Q, pork cheek meat is really tenderrrrrrr! Rate it 4.5 stars!

Re Leaf

Superstar been longing for this green tea ice-cream, and finally his wish has came true.


I have eaten matcha (green tea) ice-cream, so I wasn't crazy about it. 
This one here is good :) If you have not tried it, I would recommend you to give it a try. 



Pastry House Hippo


Next stop: the pastry house located right next to the food court, called the Pastry House Hippo.


Eve recommended me to try their bread. She told me that she has never bought any other brand ever since she has tried the bread here.

Out of curiosity, I decided to give it a try. I got the No Crust Shokupan and Superstar got Marble the Coffee Bread.


These bread are no joke! They are so SOFT like a pillow, like goose feather, like baby cheek. They taste really good! The all wheat bread that I got it from the normal supermarket, they molded after a few days (during summer). This bread here stay fresh and white. But to be safe, I still kept them in the fridge after that; whenever I want a slice, I can just toast it- still taste perfectly well. 

I did not get to try the coffee bread, but Superstar and Eve say that it tastes good. Beware though, once you have tried these bread, you might not want to try any other bread. 
HOOKED.

Besides loaves of bread, this pastry house has other bread and dessert as well. I always love this kind of bakery store, everything made fresh and lots of varieties. Highly recommended.


Then of course, a trip here means "I must get something from the market no matter what". Usually I will buy sashimi and natto (fermented soybean), sometimes snacks and beauty products. From Japan yo! No joke ;)


The view from the pastry house.



I have tried tons of nattos from Mitsuwa Market, do visit back for my upcoming post, review on different brands of nattos.

Ciao for now.



Ravinia Festival 2015

August 2, 2015

Blissful Sunday morning
Took Metra up North, about an hour to reach the destination of the day- Ravinia Park

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Park map
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 Yes it was a sunny day mam, I feel you and by the way I like your picnic basket ;)

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 Favorite shot of the day
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Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple

This ticket was for lawn admission; there was orchestra admission as well but it would be more expensive. Live orchestra playing for the movie- Gladiator; how cool is that?


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My stomach was already growling by 6:30pm
Bobo's aunt prepared Naeng Myeon (I was told it's North Korean cold noodle) for us- here are a varieties of veges

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With chicken

Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple

and topped them all with noodles

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A big fat plate for each of us. Scrumptious food makes me happy and satisfied.

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and then prawn and veg filling spring rolls

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Ends with blueberry cheese pastry

Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple


Sipping Sweet Red Blend .....Life, I could write a poem.


View behind me

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and view in front of me.
Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple

And this would be a picture of the overall view of the lawn; one thing I have observed is that Americans take picnic seriously. They have portable chairs, tables, coolers, food, drinks all ready. Maybe I wasn't brought up this way and picnic is not an IN thing back home, I guess at most we would sit on grass and munch simple sandwiches.

Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple

Bobo and I went to walk around and I spotted The Crave Bar; I insisted that she must try it [I have tried it at Taste of Chicago, though it was a pitiful half size, but it was good!]. 
This time we gotten Cappuccino craze

Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple

Finally seen how it looks like originally. A huge cube shape with chocolate coated pretzel stick. Our hand temperature would melt the chocolate so it was covered with cardboard, it would be better to hold as well.

Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple

Went back, had peach, grapes and my favorite- corn.
First time trying this kind of hybrid corn; unfortunately it was not sweet though; but I can feel oh so healthy.


Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple


Aunt Yu -Chen and Tom

Ravinia Festival 2015_2 Aug_by black apple

Weather forecast says it would rain and it did...but just a little bit. Chicago is known as Windy City, therefore the strong wind blows the heavy clouds away. It stopped raining, but the skies are filled with lightnings. From the videos and pictures, lightnings are purple in color! Took a few videos and capture the moment. 

C shape lightning.


My Thor is visiting me again lol black eye1 smiley


Many have left but I was pleased that we stayed till the end. Gladiator is a great movie, add on to the live Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Justin Freer, it was perfect.  

I am so grateful that Aunt Yu-Chen and Bobo invited me for this event. Ravinia Festival is the oldest outdoor music festival in the States and I'm delighted to be here. Movie lasted till 9:30pm; catch the train back and it was raining cats and dogs at downtown.
Good night sleep it was.