Culinary Adventures in Hong Kong (and sometimes beyond.....): January 2014

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Adventure #209: The Niseko Supply Company (Take 2) (Hirafu)

TNSC is one of our favourite lunch time stop overs. A simple galette and crepe for lunch followed by a nice cup of coffee. We didn't manage to bring the kids here last time, so we tried to book a table for dinner after our lunch. We were told that they only serve raclette or fondue at night. It's a set menu with crepes for dessert. No choice. And since we have raclette at home a lot, we chose the fondue instead.

Salad and starter. I can't remember what the starter was now but it was not bad.

Here's the fondue! Very nice, especially in such cold weather!

And then the crepes the kids were waiting for! Super delicious!

Simple food, cosy atmosphere. Family. Such happiness.

TNSC

191-13 Yamada, Kutchan-cho

Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081

Japan

Tel: +81-136-55-8861

Monday, January 27, 2014

Adventure #208: Ezo Seafood (Take 2) (Hirafu)

Ezo Seafood is another of our favourites and this time we went back twice in a week! Once by ourselves and once with the Chans. We loved it so much, the older one has elevated this to top spot!

The photo we took of James the last time we were here wasn't that good, so we had to make sure this one does him justice.

I am not an oyster fan, but these fresh oysters were just FRESH!

Some uni to get the taste buds going.

And finally THIS is what we were waiting for. Alaskan crab legs! This time we made sure everyone had at least 1 leg each! The meat so sweet and juicy and the tangy dipping sauce, just took this to a whole new level!

Clear clam soup, so fresh and so yummy! And great for such a cold night.

I tried the clam chowder on the second visit but I think I preferred the clear clam soup better.

Deep fried Smelt. Delicious! So crispy. The kids loved the the dipping sauce - thousand island with a spicy twist.

Braised rock fish, always a favourite with the kids to eat with their Japanese rice.

Potato wedges. Nice but have to admit the one at Bang Bang is still unbeatable.

Grilled squid, once again delicious.

Grilled salmon with a lemony sauce. The fish was wonderful, particularly loved the sauce.

One of the kids wanted udon and for a seafood restaurant, the quality of the ubon is excellent!

Once again, we had so much to eat, we couldn't stuff ourselves with dessert. James gave the kids some free brownies to take home. Suspect the brownies were homemade because they were, can't think of another word, delicious!!!

Since we all voted Ezo as our favourite restaurant in Hirafu, we will undoubtedly be back again next ski season!

Ezo Seafood
170-165 Yamada, Kutchan-cho
Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081
Japan
Tel:

+81-136-22-3019

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Adventure #207: Bang Bang (Take 2) (Hirafu)

We went back to Bang Bang again because the older one voted it the best restaurant last time we were in Niseko. This time, we ordered the usual plus a couple of new items......and much to the older one's horror, they ran out of beef that evening!

Wood fire. So cosy!

The usual - chicken liver and asparagus wrapped with bacon.

The best dish - ever! Potato wedges with a block of butter.

Grilled salmon head. Not as big as I expected but lots of meat.

Grilled Alaskan crab leg. Saltier than I expected.

Maybe it was the disappointment of not having beef or maybe the expectation was too high, the older one was very disappointed with today's dinner. G promised to take her to our favourite yakitori joint when we returned to Hong Kong.

Bang Bang
188-24 Yamada, Kutchan-cho
Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081
Japan
Tel: +81-136-22-4292

Adventure #206: Niseko Ramen (Hirafu)

We were skiing in Niseko the week before CNY. We tried some really good restaurants last time we were there and we will be revisiting some of them. But today after our first skiing lessons, we strolled into the village for a late lunch and decided on Niseko Ramen.