Korean-Style Spicy Pickled Cucumber and Carrot is a crisp, refreshing side dish with a sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy kick. I first saw it demonstrated by Chef Kai Son on YouTube, tried it myself, and was hooked straight away. It’s become one of my regular summer staples, I make a batch whenever the weather heats…
Vegetarian
Easy Korean Spinach Salad (Sigeumchi-namul) 시금치나물
Korean Spinach Salad, or Sigeumchi-namul, is a classic, popular Korean side dish. It’s always my favourite banchan whenever I’m at a Korean restaurant, fresh, savoury, and fragrant with sesame oil, and it comes together with just a handful of ingredients. It’s ready to eat as soon as it’s tossed, but I prefer chilling it for…
Taiwanese Sweet and Tangy Pickled Cucumber 台式酸甜醃小黃瓜
Taiwanese Sweet and Tangy Pickled Cucumber is a classic side dish, and one of the easiest things you can pickle at home. It only needs a handful of ingredients, and the method comes down to two simple steps: salting the cucumber to draw out moisture, then squeezing it dry. That’s what keeps the crunch. And…
Taiwanese Golden Pickle (Huang Jin Pao Cai) 台式黃金泡菜
Huang Jin Pao Cai (黃金泡菜), or Taiwanese Golden Pickle, is a distinctly Taiwanese creation, first developed in Tainan around twenty years ago. It was created to suit Taiwanese tastes, which lean away from heat and towards rich, savoury sauces and a satisfying crunch. Its defining feature is a thick, golden sauce, emulsified from ingredients like…
10-Minute Frozen Tomato Cold Udon
I first came across this frozen tomato hack on Instagram and was curious enough to try it myself. One taste and I was completely hooked. I hadn’t realised how effortlessly tomato skin peels away once frozen, and dicing the flesh straight into a dressing makes the easiest, most refreshing topping for cold noodles on a…
Addictive Soy Marinated Silken Tofu (Inspired by Korean Mayak Eggs)
Looking for a quick and refreshing dish that requires almost no cooking? This Soy Marinated Silken Tofu is inspired by the flavours of Korean Mayak Eggs and Japanese soy-marinated eggs, but made with silky smooth tofu instead. The silky tofu is soaked in an aromatic soy-based marinade packed with garlic, spring onion, chilli, sesame oil…
Chawanmushi Style Steamed Eggs with Udon Noodles
A comforting twist on Japanese steamed egg custard, this dish pairs silky custard with chewy udon noodles for a light yet satisfying meal. Finished with savoury tamari and sweet mirin, it delivers a delicate balance of umami-rich flavours. Perfect for a cosy lunch, light dinner, or nourishing bowl any time of day. *This recipe is…
Easy Steamed Eggs with Spinach 菠菜蒸蛋
Steamed eggs is definitely one of my favourite go-to meals to make at home because it’s incredibly simple and almost impossible to mess up. There are also so many ways to elevate it! This steamed eggs with spinach is one of my favourites—it’s light, comforting, and packed with vegetable nutrients. It’s a great dish to…
High-Protein Soy Sauce Steamed Whole Eggs
If you love steamed eggs, this is a must-try variation. Instead of whisking the eggs for that silky custard texture, this method keeps them whole — gently steamed in a savoury soy sauce base until perfectly set. It’s a super quick and fuss-free way to enjoy eggs, with minimal prep and maximum flavour. I’ve made…
Easy Spring Onion Ginger Rice 蔥薑飯
Love the fragrant sauce that usually goes with Hainanese chicken or Cantonese roast? You can make it at home in minutes with just a few simple ingredients! This is my all-time favourite sauce. While it’s perfect with chicken, I often love simply scooping it over fluffy rice for the ultimate comfort bowl — it’s absolutely…