Daido - Unaju

So I have talked about getting food from Daido.

This time I decided to try their Unaju.  That is cooked eel over rice.  It is nicely cooked and seasoned.  It's pretty close to restaurant quality, a little lacking because it's not freshly made like you get them at the restaurant, but since I'm not sitting in a restaurant any time soon, this will do. 

Daido Market

11146 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77042

713-785-0815

International Snack - Chestnut Cake

One of the thing I love about going to Asian Grocery stores is that you never know what you'd find.

In the refrigerated section, we found this Chestnut Cake. 

Even if it's from afar and even though it's a grocery store cake; it is actually pretty darn good.  It's no true Mont Blanc, but for a substitution, the is pretty darn good.  It has the chestnut piped on top, but it's covering a chestnut (don't worry, it's cooked & shelled) then cake at the bottom.  It's not too sweet and not too messy.  

If I see them at the store again, I'll definitely stock more of it!

Common Bond coffee

Ever since we started the Stay Home effort, Common Bond has started an ordering app.  

The app allows for a lot of customization and very clear about the cost, and repeating and confirming your order.  One thing that I have a beef with is their timing.  When you order something under ASAP, there's a 30 minute wait.  While I understand that during a rush, the 30 minute cushion is helpful.  However, time and time again, I get there within my 30 minute window and there's nobody in line or in the store.  

So I decided to chance it, walked straight up to the counter and place my order.  All the workers have their masks and gloves.  There are hand sanitizer station at the door, and the social distance stickers are clearly marked on the floor.  

Anyway, here's my lavender latte.  As my co-worker pointed out, that is such an interesting concept, the lavender has a calming effect, yet coffee with caffeine is to boost you up.  Such conflicting concept, yet taste wonderful!

Common Bond

Medical Center

2278 W. Holcomb

Houston, TX 77030

346-327-8393

https://commonbondcafe.com

Underbelly - HEB edition

Finally found the Underbelly Spicy Korean Braised Beef Dumplings at HEB. 

It's basically Tteokbokki with braised beef.  The beef was shredded and the spiciness was on point.  Though, if you let it sit overnight, you need to remember that it will marinate in the spiciness/hotness.    The meat is top notch, the tteokbokki was a tad hard though... not sure if it's because I didn't heat it up long enough or what.  

So, you can find these at the prepared food section, which is mostly at the front of the store, but it's worth it.  The price are $12 and what HEB selling of their own are $5, but you can tell the quality difference.  Trust me on that one.

Aka Sushi

Per request, we ordered sushi take out.

We call about 15-20 mins ahead of time for my order.

Kamikaze roll with tuna, salmon, avocado, soy paper, eel sauce all rolled and fried.  So good.

Speaking of fried... Vegetable Tempura - I will say that since it has to travel from their kitchen to my house, the crispy-ness not as fresh as it would be normally.

Spicy Salmon roll and tuna roll.

Noticed this Notice when I went to pick up.  They basically have revised hours from 11:30a to 10:30p (till 11p on weekends).  They now have limits to table time, lunch till 3p is 60 minutes, from 3p till closed is 90 minutes.  That is: given that you have a reservation either by phone or Yelp.  Of course, they can pick up.  

Aka Sushi House

2390 W. Alabama St.

Houston, TX 77098

713-807-7875

http://www.akasushi.net

International Snack - Nissin Potato Chips

At a glance, you might think it's a ramen noodle.  Caught my eye too. 

 In fact, it's by the Nissin Ramen noodle brand, but potato chips?!?!

So, the flavor does resemble their original ramen flavor of sesame oil.  Of course, since it's on potato chips instead of dried ramen (turn noodle) the texture impact the flavor some.  But it is definitely stronger flavor than normal potato chips.  Is there any distinct ramen flavor?  Maybe it's mixed in there somewhere, but you taste the seasme oil for sure.

Bovine & Barley

Back to the Adult Ice Cream truck.

My neighbor was having a party and called them over. 

For every order you have to order food, as per the Texas law that alcohol can be delivered with food.

Got a mojito, again, they give you a small airplane size bottle of alcohol.  By the time you mix it with the slushy, it fills the cup.  I got their house chips.  They're, as the name goes, made in-house.  And it's very addictive, so I got 2 just in case.  Super yummy, hit the spot!

Hope I can stop by their shop one day.

Bovine & Barley

https://bovineandbarley.com