The Asia Trip: Liberte - France in Japan

While I was in Kyoto, one of my fellow travelers recommended we try a French bakery and cafe called Liberte which I have to say tried to be very authentic, which I say having never been to France, but you'll see why in a bit.

The Asia Trip: Udon in Kyoto

While in Kyoto we stopped by this udon joint for some cheap eats. Udon is a fairly thick wheat-flour noodle that is typically served hot in a soupy soy sauce broth. This particular place was found on the main thoroughfare in Kyoto.

The Asia Trip: Kyoto Mochi Shop

Quite the morning crowd, no? They're all waiting to buy different types of mochi, a Japanese dessert made with glutenous rice pounded into paste and formed into a shape, usually a ball with different sweet fillings, usually some type of bean, especially red bean.

The Asia Trip: Skewers Galore! Tempura and Yakitori Paradise

While I was in Yokohama, I stepped into a fairly sizable (for Japan anyway) supermarket and saw a whole display of tempura (breaded and deep-fried food) and yakitori (grilled chicken parts skewers). If I hadn't felt so sick from eating too much MSG-laced ramen, I would have eaten up a storm of skewered foods.

The Asia Trip: Japan - Taiyaki

Taiyaki (literally meaning "baked sea bream") is a Japanese dessert baked in the shape of a fish with various fillings inside, usually sweet red bean paste. The fish-shaped cake is made of a waffle- or pancake-like batter and cooked somewhat in waffle fashion pressed between two metal molds.

The Asia Trip: Vending Machines in Japan

Let me start out by saying that drink vending machines are everywhere in Japan. I was told that even in the middle of nowhere, on a scenic hill, you'd still be able to find a vending machine or two. It's less a vending machine on every corner, and more like a vending machine on every corner, street, store, train station... well, you get the idea.

The Asia Trip: Random Ramen at Shinjuku Station

Life in metropolitan Japan is largely centered around train stations which, I was told, are privately owned by the same companies that build department stores on and in them. There are a great deal of little shops and restaurants in most busy train stations. While passing through Shinjuku station, we stopped and ate at this random ramen-ya (ramen restaurant).

The Asia Trip: Seasonal Curry Soup at Studio Ghibli

Since I'm out of fast food posts from the Asia Trip, I hope you guys won't mind making due with "regular" food, as some readers exhibited some interest and it would be a shame to let all the pictures I took go to waste. First up, a warm, curry soup with autumn vegetables that I ate at the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.

The Asia Trip: Delifrance Hong Kong - Jumbo Sausage Croissant

Delifrance is an international French bakery/cafe chain that I came across while in Hong Kong.  It's actually in over 50 countries, just not the U.S.  It looked pretty interesting so we ate there for breakfast.

Since it is located in Hong Kong, the menu had several popular local favorites along with more French-style items like pastries, sandwiches, and something called a "croque-madame," which is a hot ham and cheese sandwich with a fried or poached egg on top.  Pasta also seems to figure in the menu somewhere.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Hong Kong - Green Tea Lamington

I had never even heard of a Lamington until I went by a McDonald's McCafe and saw it advertised in the window. Intrigued, I eventually tried one for 7 HK or roughly about a dollar.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Hong Kong - McCafe Cappuccino

The McCafe at the McDonald's I went to in Hong Kong had a separate more cafe-like counter from the rest of the McDonald's. And, as I found out late one night, it keeps different hours than the McDonald's (which stayed open 24 hours like Denny's or IHOP).

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Hong Kong - Chocolate Pie

Mmm... Chocolate... they had Chocolate Pie at McDonald's in Hong Kong (it's not currently on the menu as far as the Hong Kong website is concerned).  And, at 1 HK as an add-on to a combo meal.  That is ridiculous cheap!  $0.13 cheap!  So yes, I got one with my combo meal.  Does this mean I'm a sucker for super-sizing?

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Hong Kong - McPepper Sandwich

A limited-time item while I was in Hong Kong, McDonald's McPepper Sandwich takes a base of a plain McDonald's Hamburger patty, bun, and onions and tailors it to more Hong Kong tastes by adding a black pepper gravy of the kind used in some Chinese dishes.

The Asia Trip: Cafe de Coral - Hong Kong

Cafe de Coral is the biggest Chinese fast food chain in Hong Kong with over 100 restaurants.  While I was in Hong Kong, every one I saw was fairly busy and, for a fast food restaurant, pretty upscale.  I wouldn't have guessed it was a fast food chain from the exterior if my cousin hadn't told me.

The Asia Trip: MOS Burger - Yakiniku Rice Burger

MOS Burger began serving rice burgers in 1987 (I would guess to better appeal to the Asian market) and continues to do so to this day.  I've always thought it was an interesting idea and finally got to try one while in Taiwan.

The Asia Trip: MOS Burger - Spicy MOS Cheeseburger

MOS Burger is a Japanese burger chain popular in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore (It also has locations in Thailand, Indonesia, and until 2005, in Hawaii). The chain was inspired by the Original Tommy's in Los Angeles, CA which explains the similarities between their signature MOS Burger and Tommy's burgers. MOS stands for "Mountain, Ocean, and Sun."

The Asia Trip: 7-Eleven Taiwan

While I was in Taiwan, I came across many a 7-Eleven so I thought I'd point out some interesting differences in the food served there.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Taiwan - Spicy Chicken Filet Burger

The Spicy Chicken Filet Burger at McDonald's Taiwan is a variant of your standard McChicken but adapted for Taiwanese tastes.  It is also sold by McDonald's China.  It's also about twice the price of a McChicken at approximately $2.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Taiwan - Chicken McCrispy

I went to McDonald's Taiwan inside the Taipei Zoo, the largest zoo in Asia, and roughly about $2 for admittance (which has to make it one of the cheapest ways to spend a day in Taiwan).  While there, I tried the Chicken McCrispy, a value item menu for about $1 if I remember correctly.

The Asia Trip: Dunkin Donuts Taiwan

Dunkin Donuts in Taiwan is definitely tailored to more Asian tastes.  For one, they use less sugar and the dough ingredients seem to vary.  Some of the more locally-tailored offerings include kiwi-filled jelly donuts, sweet potato donuts, and pineapple donuts.  They range in price from 25 to 30 NT each (about 75 cents to $1).