CIRCUITS OF FEVER

Osaka 2024 Travel Log: Day 3 — Rich Beef Bone Ramen at Mugen Ramen 無限ラーメン千日前店

on
Saturday, March 16, 2024
We originally wanted to go to Creperie Alcyon for lunch, but after lining up for 15 minutes and not having the queue move at all, we decided to find something else, which is how we ended up at Mugen Ramen:

Rich beef bone ramen

You can customize your ramen after ordering your base bowl, so I chose the rich beef bone ramen with extra rich broth, extra char siu, sirloin beef slices, and a soft-boiled egg. I think this is the first time I've had beef bone-based broth, and it is EXCELLENT. It was the creamiest, most flavourful broth I have ever experienced. The noodles are thinner than standard ramen, but they cling better to the thick broth. The char siu was excellent (I ordered an extra 2 pieces), but the raw beef slices didn't cook enough even after sitting in the steaming hot broth for over 5 minutes, so the texture of the meat felt almost slimy with the rich broth. Not sure if that's how it's supposed to be, but I would stick to the char siu here. Overall, though, a delicious, satisfying lunch, and shockingly, no line-up. Worth visiting if you're looking for ramen in Dotonbori. (Also, ignore the ratings on Google. The reviews for this location are being given to another location because this one isn't listed in English.)


Mugen Ramen 無限ラーメン千日前店
1 Chome−2−2 無限ラーメン
Dotonbori, Chuo Ward
Osaka, Japan 〒542-0076
+81-06-6755-8925

V — "FRI(END)S" Official MV

on
Friday, March 15, 2024

Ah, he fell for his friend with benefits. A rookie mistake. We've all been there. But it's okay; as the MV shows, the love that really matters is for yourself. (I mean, didn't BTS spend an entire era promoting just that?) 


You're in my head
I had plans for the weekend 
But wound up with you instead 
Back here again
Got me deep in my feelings
When I should be in your bed 

You and I go back to like '09, it's like forever
And you were there my lonely nights, yeah
Keeping me together
So wouldn't it make sense if I was yours?
And you could call me your baby
But we say we're just, say we're just

Friends, just for now
Yeah, but friends don't say words that
Make friends feel like more than just
Friends, just for now 
Now, I'm over pretending
So let's put the "end" in friends

Friends are not supposed to get too close
And feel emotions that
We're feeling now, now, now
We ain't slowing down, down, down 
But once we cross the line
There's no denying you and
I can never turn around, 'round, 'round
Know we'll never be the same 

You and I go back to like '09, it's like forever
And you were there my lonely nights, yeah
Keeping me together
So wouldn't it make sense if I was yours?
And you could call me your baby
But we say we're just, say we're just

Friends, just for now
Yeah, but friends don't say words that
Make friends feel like more than just
Friends, just for now
Now, I'm over pretending
So let's put the "end" in friends 
Friends, just for now 
Yeah, but friends don't say words that
Make friends feel like more than just 
Friends, just for now
Now, I'm over pretending
So let's put the "end" in friends


And on that note, this song is actually way more playful and poppy than I expected, and I'm OBSESSED WITH IT. It's already on three of my playlists because it fits so many moods and genres. Plus, the storytelling and cinematography in this MV is just... chef's kiss, incredible. ENTIRELY WORTH THE WAIT.

Osaka 2024 Travel Log: Day 2 — Strolling Through Dotonbori

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Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Dotonbori

Had to go back to the Glico Running Man. Because did you even go to Osaka if you didn't visit the Glico Running Man?


Dotonbori
Chome Dotonbori, Chuo Ward
Osaka, Japan 〒542-0071
+81-06-6211-4542

Osaka 2024 Travel Log: Day 2 — Kaitenzushi at Daikisuisan Kaitenzushi

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Well, you know we had to get kaitenzushi (or conveyor belt sushi) at least once in Japan.

Kaitenzushi

Assorted sashimi

Sweet shrimp nigiri

Freshwater eel nigiri

Cuttlefish nigiri

Salmon nigiri

Tuna and pickled radish gunkan

Chutoro tuna nigiri

Deep-fried tuna

Shrimp tempura udon

We initially went to Kura Sushi because it's one of the big national kaitenzushi chains, but there was a 90-minute wait, so we said "fuck it," and kept walking down Dotonbori. And good thing we did, because that's how we found Daikisuisan, a smaller kaitenzushi chain restaurant (this one is only in 4 regions — Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Kyoto — rather than nationwide), where the food is superb, the variety is excellent, the service is efficient, the prices are reasonable, and — best of all — there is no line-up. Not sure why everyone was hellbent on waiting at Kura Sushi when this place is not even a block away, but hey, at least I got to eat first.


Daikisuisan Kaitenzushi
Shikairo Dontonbori Building, 1F
1 Chome−7−24 道頓堀ビル 1F 四海樓
Dotonbori, Chuo Ward
Osaka, Japan 〒542-0071
+81-06-6214-1055

Osaka 2024 Travel Log: Day 2 — Dotonbori and Hiroshima Okonomiyaki at Chibo Okonomiyaki

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Time for our first Osaka specialty: Okonomiyaki!

Dotonbori okonomiyaki

Hiroshima okonomiyaki

Cooking okonomiyaki on the teppan

Went for lunch at Chibo Okonomiyaki and got their top 2 most popular items: the Dotonbori okonomiyaki (with pork, shrimp, squid, cheese, stewed beef, konjac, green onions, and a sunny side-up egg) and the Hiroshima okonomiyaki (with pork, shrimp, squid, yakisoba noodles, green onions, and a sunny side-up egg). Stuffed to the brim with tasty fillings, delightful crispy edges, and just the right amount of sauce and mayo. We both preferred the Hiroshima okonomiyaki slightly more because the yakisoba noodles added a nice springy texture, but they were both delicious, A+++, would eat again. 


Chibo Okonomiyaki
1 Chome−5−5 道頓堀ビル 1~6F 千房
Dotonbori, Chuo Ward
Osaka, Japan 〒542-0071
+81-050-1807-5395

Osaka 2024 Travel Log: Day 1 — Original Shoyu Ramen with Thick Sliced Pork at 人類みな麺類 FACTORY (Jinrui Minamenrui)

on
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Greetings from Osaka! After our flight and checking into our hotel, we were tired and hungry, so we went on a hunt for dinner on Dotonburi Street and decided on ramen at a restaurant called 人類みな麺類 FACTORY, (or Jinrui Minamenrui).

Shoyu ramen with thick sliced pork

I asked the server what he recommended, and he told us to try the original shoyu ramen with thick-sliced pork, so that's what we ordered. Again, I'm no ramen expert, but the noodles were springy, the broth was ultra-flavourful and just oily enough, the bamboo shoots were big and crisp, and the pork was ultra-thick (THICCCC) and fatty (they have an option called "World's Thickest Grilled Pork," and I can't even imagine how huge that is given how thick the regular cut is). Okay, yes, the sodium and fat grams are intense, but man, it was a super-satisfying, delicious bowl of ramen — just what we needed after a long day of travel with the cool weather outside. 


人類みな麺類 FACTORY (Jinrui Minamenrui)
Osaka Ramen Building
1 Chome−1−15 1階
Dotonbori, Chuo Ward
Osaka, Japan 〒542-0071

J-Hope — Hope on the Street Docu Series Main Trailer

on
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

"If I didn't have dance, there would be no J-Hope."

I love that J-Hope still has the passion to continue learning his craft even though he's already such a celebrated artist. I can't wait to watch this docu series. Timing is perfect, too — it starts right when I get home from Asia!

Hong Kong 2024 Travel Log: Day 5 — Dinner Menu Set at How to Live Well

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Decided to have our last meal for this leg of our trip at a restaurant called How to Live Well and indulged in the Set for 2:

Carrot soup

Pearl scallop ice plant salad with walnuts and green grapes

Crispy fried Japanese dumplings

Certified Angus beef striploin with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables

Roasted boneless chicken poussin with mixed beans stew

Basque cheesecake with berry gazpacho and chocolate mousse

An excellent menu. Glad we decided to get the Set for 2, which I think really showcases the variety and quality of their food. Fresh ingredients, harmonious flavour and texture combinations, clean presentations. I may not know how to live well, but I do know how to eat well.


How to Live Well
K11 Art Mall, 201, K11 Natural, 2/F
18 Hanoi Rd.
Tsim Tsa Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
(852) 3705-3709

Hong Kong 2024 Travel Log: Day 5 — Dim Sum at YUM CHA

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With a recommendation from my friend Minji, my mom and I finally ventured into the Hong Kong side to go to the aptly named YUM CHA to eat some of the most adorable dim sum I have ever seen:

Char siu bao piggies

Egg yolk custard buns

Steamed shrimp dumplings (har gow)

Steamed mushroom and pork dumplings with sakura shrimp (siu mai)

Pineapple puff pastry birds (served IN A BIRD CAGE!)

Most importantly, everything was genuinely as delicious as it looked. Not a single flop here. Even my mom was impressed. Unique tea selection (lychee oolong!) and great service, too. Another perfect dim sum experience.


YUM CHA
Nan Fung Place, 2/F
173 Des Voeux Rd.
Central, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
(852) 3708-8081

SUGA — SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-DAY': The Movie Main Trailer

on
Tuesday, March 12, 2024

GOT MY TICKET TO SEE THIS EPIC IN IMAX, I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT. 

Hong Kong 2024 Travel Log: Day 4 — Nighttime Views of Hong Kong Island

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Walked down to Victoria Dockside for a nighttime stroll since the rain stopped and the clouds finally parted, and we were met with these stunning views of Hong Kong Island:

View of Hong Kong Island from Victoria Dockside

View of Hong Kong Island from Victoria Dockside

View of Hong Kong Island from Victoria Dockside

View of Hong Kong Island from Victoria Dockside

View of Hong Kong Island from Victoria Dockside

View of Hong Kong Island from Victoria Dockside


Victoria Dockside
18 Salisbury Rd.
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
(852) 2131-6790

Hong Kong 2024 Travel Log: Day 4 — Jumbo Shrimp and Seafood Flower Pizza at Pizza Hut

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So one thing that both my mom and I wanted to try out here was pizza. Not authentic pizza, obviously. Chain restaurant pizza. Because the fast food pizza culture in Asia is vastly different than what we have in North America. So we went to Pizza Hut and ordered the one that sounded the most interesting: the Jumbo Shrimp and Seafood Flower Pizza.

Jumbo Shrimp and Seafood Flower Pizza

Like its namesake, it includes shrimp and seafood, but also cream cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onions, mushrooms, and TOFU. Yes, TOFU. Like, slices of firm tofu. Maybe to add protein? To make it feel meatier? Give it some heft? I don't know, but I will say that I normally eat 5 slices of pizza to get full. Here, I only needed 3, so I guess it's doing its job. (Then again, this is more like garlic bread with toppings than pizza, so I digress.) But I wouldn't get it again. Forget about the tofu. Cream cheese on pizza is an abomination.


Pizza Hut
12 Humphrey Ave., 1/F
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
(852) 2739-1800

Hong Kong 2024 Travel Log: Day 4 — Afternoon Tea Set at Fast Gourmet

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We were exploring the many, many levels at The ONE and decided to stop for afternoon tea at a cafe called Fast Gourmet, which offers a set for $129 HKD from $258 HKD on weekdays:

Afternoon tea set

Seared Hokkaido jumbo scallops with caviar

Prosciutto bruschetta, French duck liver mousse, and crab meat salad on toast

Sous-vide crème brûlée, white chocolate truffle cheesecake, French rainbow macaron, and classic Opera cake

Latte (with a swan!)

This is the first time I've ever seen seared scallops as part of an afternoon tea set, but it actually ended up being my favourite item, followed by the crème brûlée. Generally, I'd say the dessert items in the afternoon tea set were better than the savoury, but we can't complain at an afternoon tea for less than $25 CAD per person. (We did pay extra to switch from tea to lattes, though. I know it's called afternoon tea, but... we're coffee people.) 


Fast Gourmet
The ONE, L608, 6/F
100 Nathan Rd.
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
(852) 3572-0736

Hong Kong 2024 Travel Log: Day 4 — Wonton Noodle Soup at Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop

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My mom suggested to go to Mak Man Kee for some classic wonton noodles for lunch. Apparently, my aunt and uncle used to help run this noodle shop before they retired. As with the Australia Dairy Company, which is right next door, there was a long line-up outside and that's when I found out that this place is actually Michelin-starred.

Wonton noodle soup

Mak Man Kee is possibly the most no-frills restaurant I have ever seen — quite literally white walls and no decor but its huge yellow menu at the back — with as many tables crammed in the tiny space as possible. But as expected, we had the most perfect, textbook bowls of wonton noodle soup. Big wontons full of plump prawns and firm, springy egg noodles in a clear, flavourful broth. In fact, it might be what all wonton noodle soups are based off of. Paired with a plate of choy sum, it was the quintessential Hong Kong lunch. Worthy of its Michelin star. I only wish the portions were bigger, 'cause I could've easily eaten two bowls of noodles.


Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop
51 Parkes St.
Jordan, Kowloon
Hong Kong
(852) 2736-5561

V — "FRI(END)S" Official Teaser #2

on
Monday, March 11, 2024

Wait, WHAT? You can't just show us him casually eating noodles and then BAM, he's dead on the floor and BLEEDING FROM THE HEAD? WTF???? I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS?????