The Tenth

Well folks,
Once again I've got little to say. Bit of a shame. Been pretty occupied being a translator and finding a new job and a place to live. As far as good goes, I'll show you guys the picture of my giant ass birthday cake. It was a carrot cake!!

The Nineth

I'm sorry for the late posts. HAPPY NEW YEAR. Har.

Since I've been back in Spain, I've travelled very little. Time to make that change. I may likely start the craziness again, hopefully hitting northern Spain and Portugal this summer.

But give me suggestions. I'm on bored.

Sorry this is a short one. I promise this won't happen again.

Ta!

The Eighth

Sorry folks, long time no see!

I'm back in the United States temporarily, but while I'm here, I'm taking as many food opportunities possible.

Here is one of my highlights:

Yechon Korean and Japanese Restaurant (http://www.yechonrestaurant.com/ )

My friend Yen and I were craving Korean food, so we made way to one of the the country's most korean populated city, Annadale!



We ordered our food, which includes some of appetizers above (sides of kimchi, a salad, random grey jelly, tofu, egg puff, seaweed, fried fish, and slices raddishes)

And we ordered the barbeque pork belly and a crab-clam, super spicy stew (which I will anyone to eat again)






All the food? Absolutely worth my belly and my "strict diet". Next to come? Who knows.

Pax.

The Seventh

Hi guys, Sorry it's been a while since I've updated on the genius that's food. Here's a quick one anyways, I'll try to keep maintaining updates when I can.
Firstly, I went to Tangier, Morroco last Sunday and though it's not really well known for being the "real Morroco" it was still unique to see the new and old city and what foods they have to offer. There are street vendors EVERYWHERE. They try to sell you everything from cheap goods, food, beverages, stray cats, and so much more. I was on a tour with a bunch of Czechs and Polish people (one French speaking Pol was super obnoxious, but what can you do?) Here are some of the things we ate together as a group:
It was pretty much a four course meal excluding the mint tea they gave us (don't have a picture sorry!). The course was a lentil soup, shish kababs, couscous with boiled chicken, and honey cake! It was all super amazing and I wish I could have sampled more food in Tangier, such as all the street food that ranged from fresh vegetables, sweets, salty foods, and bread.
Hopefully I can come back to the country, maybe other cities and sample more foods, goods and see what people feel is the "real Morroco." That's all for now, folks.

The seventh

Hi guys! Sorry I've been really busy, but I'll give you a run down of my recent trip to Edinburgh and the food I consumed.

So I arrived in Edinburgh on Saturday night, it was around 11:30 PM--really late, yes. My hostel was an old church from the 18th century...which is now a hostel. It was freezing, a good 5 degrees below zero. It was the worst three nights of sleep in my life.
I did walk the entire city in and out, left and right, back and forth, and it was quite nice; I, unfortunately, couldn't say the same for the people. Not the friendliest in general. There is an exception. I went to one bar called the Music Bar, the bartenders and their patrons were some of the nicest people I met, compared to the other bars I went to where it was quiet and unfriendly. This place was great. Proper poured Guinness, great music, great atmosphere, and friendly faces of course.
I did visit places like Edinburgh Castle, University of Edinburgh, both old town and old town, many of the cathedrals. They were nice, even with the overcasting clouds.

On to the food! I unfortunately was on a budget and didn't eat as much as I could have hoped. BUT! I did try the Scottish delicacy that is HAGGIS! Unfortunately I do not have video or photos of me eating the actual haggis with meat, but I do have a picture of the VEGETARIAN haggis that I ate. I mean, VEGETARIAN? Is that an oxymoron?
Anyways, the trip was overall fantastic. I ate some (and hopefully in the future) quality foods. I met some friendly faces in a hole-in-the-wall bar with a casual atmosphere, I got to learn about Scotland's history of immigration and ex patriotism, got to explore both city and see the hills and countryside at the same time. It was a nice city and I do intend to come back.

Pax for now.

The sixth

Hi folks! I'm sorry I've been so busy! Now the real business! So I have been essentially settled in my new life in Spain, now onto the more imporant stuff--food, of course.

Firstly, tapas are a huge deal here in Spain and an even bigger deal in my town of
La Linea de La Concepcion. And why are they a huge deal? One word: seafood. We are located on the tip of Spain, a ten minute walk towards Gibraltar and a ferry ride to Africa. We're located next to the Mediterranean sea where many countries scavenge for all types of squid, octopus, salmon, tuna, etc etc. you name it.
I luckily was fortunate try a variety of sea foods (much like the octopus in olive oil seen in the photo) and probably will continue to eat all kinds of seafood (just like the octopus seen in the picture). The octopus was fantastic, cold, and had the texture of a soft tuna. It was delightful and I could eat more with some bread on the side (another staple with eating tapas). I wish I could remember the place's name, but it doesn't really seem all that imporant because this is something they general have in most tapas places.

Second thing I have to mention:
These FREAKING DELICIOUS BABY CLAMS. The ingredients to these babies were very simple: baby clams, garlic, olive oil. Tiny, delicious, garlicky, and they make me happy. I could eat a million of these (but I was sadly only given something like 28 and had to divide that in half with my roommate. Just not enough clams...).

But alas, this is all I can really say for now. I'll be sure to take more photos of food and keep everybody posted on what goes in my mouth and makes me cringe with joy.

That's all folks!

The fifth

Hi folks. I have a lot to speak about in terms of food, so let's get started!
Firstly: I feel it's super important we talk about Chiptole. Yes, I admit it, it is one of those super fresh Mexican chains in the U.S.--but damn, these are delicious burritos!

If you couldn't tell. These things are huge. Very huge. My friend Daniel (seen in the photo) is a big guy. I had him show a burrito sitting in his hand just to show you how huge these things are! Huge and declicious and huge--and did I mention delicious? You can have your pick of meat, or a vegetarian bean/guacamole mix if you're not into meat. I personally chose marinated steak, rice, black beans, sour cream and guacamole. The grossest thing in the world? Or the greatest thing in the world? You decide.

Secondly: I was invited out one evening with an old family friend of my family's. They are the Kims. And yes, they were Koreans--meaning they were indefinitely serving Korean food and that it was going to be ridiculous delicious. I expected nothing less.
The meal consisted of Korean classics such as ribs (known as kalbi), variety of seafood/veggie mixes, deep fried chili peppers and imitation grab, red bean/rice (NOT the cajun rice), and of course, lots and lots of kimchi. The kalbi was excellent, both meat and the cartiledge around the bone. The rice was really good. So good it was empty by the time meal time is over, though rice is a staple in every Asian household, including my own. Oh hell, everything on that table was delicious and I could say that about a million times over, but I'm going to move on. On a final note, no Korean restaurant beats home-cooked Korean food, period.
Thirdly, and finally: I went down to Richmond, Virginia to visit my brother who attends Virginia Commonwealth University. My brother decided to show my family and I a good eating place and the place he picked was Buz and Ned's Barbeque joint. For those who live in Richmond highly praise Buz and Ned's, and it showed when he arrived and there was a small line that grew more and more in the night. My family got the huge rack of ribs, which were really good. The meat was perfectly moist, the sauce had the right amount of kick. It was top knotch. I got the barbeque chicken sandwich with extra hot sauce. The chicken was done right, the sauce was good, and the hot sauce even better. My sides were these dynomite hush puppies and bourban apples, also a good treat. The food was all and all excellent--my only gripe was you can't stop eating when you go to a barbeque place like Buz and Ned's--I felt sick on the drive home. But not to the point it was vomit inducing, thankfully.

No worries. I'm not done eating yet.