january 23 - Wanderlogue

01.2023

A new year. Somehow the years following 2020 have passed in a blur. How did we get to 2023?

This year did already start off better than most though. As in, it’s happening, well, not at home. Not even in the same time zone as home. In the same national borders as home. Still at home, in a way, but a good one. A year welcomed in on a different hemisphere, many hours before the year ends in the other.

January, as always, is a month of beginnings. The official one, the one where clock strikes midnight and suddenly you have to write a different digit at the end of each date. Then, the one where you return from holiday. In my case, by way of two flights, three rounds of customs, an overnight layover, and a surprisingly peaceful cab ride on a surprisingly sunny January morning.

Then there’s the dreadful one, where you are submerged back into reality, like plunging into icy water. And then there’s a good one, another new year, and one that comes with a full menu.

but first, an interlude

New year is all about new experiences, right? And what better way to kick off the year than with a novel experience in an unfamiliar place?

The year started with some bittersweet final days in Taipei. Final meals. Final bites. Final goodbyes. And then snuck in a little final shopping spree by way of Tokyo.

Granted, barely made it out of Narita, but did manage to purchase enough things to really make it dangerously hard to pack up and catch my connection back state side.

Anyways, points for Japan Air having the cutest meals.

back to: routine

back to the city, back to commutes to a (thankfully less touristy) oculus, back to staring out my window at the sky, back to morning coffee rituals (look how foamy!)

current obsession: konbini food

I mean, truthfully more like always obsession. I’ve been in love with Asian versions of convenience stores my whole life. And while Taiwanese convenience stores cannot be beat out in the drinks realm, I have to admit Japanese convenience stores reign supreme in store brand food options.

Probably could have had plenty of time to have an incredible meal, but instead I went all out at Lawson. No regrets.

current obsession: pineapple cake and tea breaks

Strongly brewed high mountain oolong tea. pineapple cake for breakfast, pineapple cake sampler gifts for friends, pineapple tastings meticulously orchestrated.

an altar to prosperity

It was good timing, collecting all the goods straight from the motherland, pooling it together to feel a little festive, feelings of abundance, sweet symbols of a holiday that feels so far away.

culture fix

brain candy, because well, it’s the most depressing month of the year.

liked this way more than i thought i would, good job netflix

also liked this more than i thought i would? something about earnest kids movies that just hits on a dark winter day

basically had marvel movies on as background tv for a good portion of the month

stumbled upon: so many japanese gems

North Brooklyn is really becoming a hub for artisanal Japanese shops. A love story between the cool and hip neighborhoods a world away.

Did a little Sunday tour, dodged an absurdly crowded Acre, popped by Dashi Okume and Cibone, grabbed a cute lunch at 123DOUGH X TOWARI, and finished with a little coffee moment at As You Like.

year of the rabbit

First, gleeful lunar new year shopping in one of the most festive, wonderful streets in Taipei, fully adorned with big and small symbols of the holiday. Red envelopes and auspicious words given out with each purpose. Holiday shopping for a third month and its still a high.

And then on the other side of the world, perhaps even more obnoxiously festive.

good bites

starting off strong w the konbini haul

chocolate cream filled kouign amann: surprisingly good for a refrigerated pastry

fruit sando: ok so the key is the cream cheese + cream ratio

miso soup: tell me why this instant soup is more gourmet than most cafeteria food in america

egg and ham sando: i could eat this every day

mentaiko onigiri: we like the classics

two hot pots, thousands of miles away

definitely have more of a taiwanese palate, the state side import from mainland is just a bit too salty and oily for me. the taiwan hot pot meal ended with slushie shots. the nyc hot pot meal ended with the classic, icy “soft serve” cones.

but honestly, vibes, experiences, 10/10

cute bites, savored

crunchy lil potato rings

malted peanut candy

raspberry chocolate truffle

comfort in a bowl

childhood classic

night cap habits

old school wonton soup

favorite fried bites

ubereats habits

rainy winter dinner

what's cooking: we love a food-forward holiday

honestly, lunar new year, in the dead of winter, breaking up the depression, giving you a reason to hole up in a cozy kitchen, huddling in the warm light well before it gets dark at 4pm. forgetting about the world outside and just strategizing how to make the most of the limited stove space. it’s like thanksgiving, except you don’t use the oven.

this year’s menu:

— daikon hot pot soup — cabbage rolls — poached chicken — steamed dumplings — sesame oil ginger sticky rice — steamed fish with ginger and scallions — mustard greens — stir fried rice cake —