Authentic South Indian food in Osaka

On my recent trip to Osaka, I stumbled upon a South Indian restaurant—Cocobanana. The restaurant has a set menu as well as an ala carte menu. I love that the food is served on banana leaves, a traditional South Indian method of serving rice dishes. The prices are reasonable, and the portions are substantial. The cooks are Indian, and one Japanese waitress is friendly and speaks some English.

I had a plain Lassi (200 yen), a Dosa with rice set with chicken curry and coconut fish curry (1300 yen), and paratha (300 yen). The lassi was sweet and refreshing. The curries were mild but delicious, and the paratha was soft and flaky, not too oily.

Overall, I enjoyed the meal and curbed my 3-and-a-half-year craving!

Cocobanana

Website: https://kdnr800.gorp.jp/

Opening hours: Lunch: 11:00 – 15:00, Dinner: 17:00 – 23:00(L.O.22:30)

Telephone: 050-5488-7042

Address: 2-7-4, Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 550-0002

C&C breakfast

C&C breakfast cafe is located opposite the famous Pork Tamago Onigiri Honten shop. The restaurant offers an array of healthy breakfast dishes, such as pancakes and french toast with local fruits, acai bowls, sandwiches, omelets, salads, fresh juices, and smoothies.

The cafe is small but cozy. It is popular with locals and tourists, so it fills up fast, so it’s best to get there early. I was lucky the day I went; there weren’t many customers, so I got there a little after 9 a.m. An English menu is available, and the staff is friendly.

I ordered the Lilikoi sauce souffle pancake ( Lilikoi butter, cream, and passion fruit sauce)(800 yen). The souffle was airy and soft. However, the tart taste of the passionfruit sauce was more pronounced than I would like it. The cream helps balance out the tartness a little.

**Lilikoi butter is a curd of passion fruit juice, egg, butter, and sugar.

This is a cute spot for breakfast or brunch if you are in the area.

C&C breakfast

Website: https://www.ccbokinawa.com/

Opening hours: Weekdays 9:00 a.m. – 14:00p.m., close on Tuesdays
Weekends 8:00 a.m. – 14:00 p.m.

Telephone: 0989279295

Address: Japan, 〒900-0014 Okinawa, Naha, Matsuo, 2 Chome−9−6 タカミネビル 1F

Nakamura Soba

Nakamura Soba is a no-frills restaurant serving Okinawan soba. It is located along Onna Sunset Coast Road between ANA Intercontinental Manza Beach Resort and Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Resort and offers a panoramic view of the sea. There is outdoor seating at the back of the restaurant.

It is an excellent place for a quick lunch.

After a hearty meal, you can stroll on the quiet beach across from the restaurant.

There are 6 different toppings to choose from –

Ahsa soba – seaweed soba noodles topped with seaweed, stewed pork belly, and boiled fish pastes.
So-ki soba – plain soba noodles topped with stewed pork ribs
Nakamura soba- plain soba noodles topped with stewed pork belly and pork ribs
Okinawa soba- plain soba noodles topped with pork belly and boiled fish paste.
Sanmainiku soba- plain soba noodles topped with three thick slices of pork belly.
Tebichi soba – plain soba noodles topped with pig trotters.

The noodles come in two sizes: medium and large. For an extra 200 yen, you can add a side of fried rice or Inari sushi.

I went for the medium-sized So-Ki soba( 800 yen) with fried rice and Inari sushi. The food came out fast, and the staff was friendly. The pork was tender and flavorful. The noodles are chewy with an al dente texture, and the broth is light and aromatic. Delicious!

Nakamura Soba

Website: http://www.ii-okinawa.ne.jp/people/menmen/

Opening hours: Daily 10:30 a.m. – 17:00 p.m.

Telephone: (098) 966-8005

Address: Serakaki1669-1, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun 904-0404 Okinawa Prefecture

Taco rice with a seafront view

Taco rice is an iconic Okinawan dish that combines Japanese and Tex-Mex ingredients. It consists of ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomato served on a bed of rice.

I stumbled upon this taco rice cafe as I looked for a place to have lunch, and I’m so glad I did. It’s a cozy little shop on the 2nd floor with beach vibes overlooking the beautiful emerald-blue sea. There is a small terrace seating area which is the perfect spot to enjoy the meal while taking in the breathtaking view of the ocean.

Customers can choose from a selection of 14 different toppings. Omutaco is the cafe’s original creation which is taco rice topped with fluffy eggs and is one of its popular dishes. I ordered the taco rice with avocado (860 yen). The beef was well-seasoned with a generous helping of cheese and fresh, crisp lettuce –Oishi!

Sadly, the Diamond Beach shop where I had the taco rice has been relocated to Onna Village next to the Onna Village Elementary School. The new shop is located on the ground floor and has a modern cafe vibe and decor.

Taco Rice Cafe Kijimuna Onna Village Branch

Website: https://www.omutaco.com/

Opening hours: Daily 11:30 a.m. – 20:00 p.m.

Telephone: 098-966-8389

Address: 6092-1 Onna, Onna-mura, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 904-0411

Hawaiian Pancakes House Paanilani

The Hawaiian pancake house is a famous pancake shop located along Onna sunset coast road near diamond beach. The shop serves generous portions of sweet and savory pancakes. I recommend going early.

I got myself an Iced cafe au lait and the King bacon pancake topped with scrambled eggs and whipped cream. The pancakes were fluffy and buttery. The bacon was succulent and soft.

The perfect breakfast to start the day!

King bacon pancake 1100 yen

Scrambled egg 150 yen

Whipped cream 500 yen

Iced cafe au lait 500 yen

Hawaiian Pancakes House

Opening hours: Daily 7:00 a.m. – 17:00 p.m.

Telephone: +81989661154

Address: 698 Serakaki, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0404, Japan

Bee brunch at The Intercontinental Hotel Sanlitun

Nestled in the heart of Beijing’s entertainment district – Sanlitun, on the third floor of The Intercontinental Hotel, is a popular steakhouse – Char bar & grill. The interior is warm, cozy, and spacious yet modern, with panoramic views of the Sanlitun area. The steakhouse offers classic and premium cuts, a brunch menu (also known as bee brunch), and a four-course set lunch menu. Most hotels offer brunch on the weekends, but brunch is offered on weekdays and weekends at the Intercontinental hotel.

Brunch
RMB 268 net for 3 courses
RMB 298 net for 4 courses

Char 4-course lunch
RMB 388

I enjoyed it so much that I dined at the restaurant for two consecutive days.

On the first day, I met up with an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. It was my friend who recommended this restaurant. My second visit was unplanned. I left my cardigan in the restaurant the day before, and I thought, since I have to go pick it up, why not bring a friend along for lunch.

We were given a little amuse-bouche to start – tuna salad on crackers, sundried tomato bread, and a complimentary cocktail (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).

Bee brunch 1

Starter
Pancake with Nutella, Orea, Caramelized Nuts, Honeycomb

Appetizer
Mozzarella, Pachino tomatoes, Rocket leaves, Lemon olive

Main course
Butter Chicken with Basmati rice

Lunch day 1

Starter
The iconic char salad
rocket leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, shaved pecorino, honey-infused balsamic dressing, grilled serrano ham

From the pot
Porcini mushrooms & Truffle soup
Herb Potatoes, Asparagus, Truffle dust

Mains
Australian grass-fed beef tenderloin M2+
Grilled cape grim 200 days grass-fed tenderloin, truffle croquet, green pepper glaze

Dessert
Very Berry
Strawberries, blueberries, sponge, mascarpone cream, crumbles

*With any order of steaks, customers are given a selection of 6 steak knives accompanied by a tray of 8 salt options such as fleur de sal, Himalayan salt, and black salt.

Lunch day 2

White tomato consommé
Sweet peas, roman tomatoes, croutons, organic seedlings

Silver cod
Grilled cod fillet, lime, caviar, seaweed dust, truffle croquet

Duck and honey
Crispy duck breast, honeycomb, asparagus, truffle, applewood smoke, cassis glace

Tiramisu
Mascarpone cream, espresso, dry sherry, sponge

Bee Brunch 2

Cold cuts
Lyonner, Salami, Ham, Cheese, Pickles

Steak & Eggs
Argentinean beef tenderloin, sunny side up, waffle fries, hollandaise

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All dishes were wonderfully presented and delicious. However, the Tiramisu was the highlight. It was rich, creamy, and airy, with a subtle sweetness and the right amount of bitterness from the coffee and cocoa powder -absolutely divine!

All in all, I must say I am impressed with the overall dining experience at Char bar & grill. The staff spoke English, and the service was attentive, with good quality food for a great price.

__________________________________________________________________

Char Bar & Grill

Website: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/beijing/peghe/hoteldetail

Telephone: +86 010-85160062

Opening hours: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. , 5: 30 p.m. – 10:00 p. m.

Address: No. 1 South Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Yun Summer Lounge

This beautiful, chic, oriental-inspired lounge, located on the 15th floor of the Peninsula hotel, offers classic and craft cocktails with sweeping views of Wangfujing. Guests can also enjoy an up-close view of the original building’s traditional pagoda roof design, which was constructed in 1987.

My friend and I visited the lounge on a weekday, so there were very few people. I love the quiet ambiance and upbeat lounge music.

I love the spacious layout and the simple yet sophisticated décor with color schemes that match the pagoda roof.

Virgin Mojito

Passion Cloud

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

Tortilla Chips

We ordered the following drinks and food: Frozen Strawberry Margarita, Virgin Mojito, Passion Cloud (Fresh Passion Fruit, Jasmine Tea, Jasmine Syrup), and Tortilla Chips (Avocado, Coriander, Lime, Chili).

My favorite mocktail is the Virgin Mojito (I don’t drink alcohol). Peninsula’s Virgin Mojito is one of the best in Beijing. The sweetness and lime are well-balanced with just the right amount of ice.

My friend enjoyed her frozen Margarita. It was like a sweet berry slushy. The Passion Cloud was sweet and refreshing with a lovely jasmine aftertaste. The tortilla chips with the avocado dip were a good accompaniment to the drinks.

This is an ideal place for sundowner drinks and socializing.

Yun Summer Lounge

Website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/beijing/hotel-fine-dining/yun-summer-lounge

Opening hours:

Sunday to Thursday from 5:30pm to midnight

Friday and Saturday from 5:30pm to 1:00am

Telephone: +86 10 8516 2888 Ext 6752

The Baker’s Table

This German-owned bakery is the place to go for good German bread and pastries in Seoul. They also have a brunch menu, a variety of sandwiches, and soups. It is located in a quiet, beautiful neighborhood, a short walk to Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheong Park.

When I entered the bakery, I was greeted by the smell of fresh bread. There was a mouthwatering display of bread by the counter. The staff was friendly, and we joked with the German bakers.

The Baker’s Table (Samcheong-dong)

Website: https://thebakerstable.co.kr/

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Telephone: 02-725-0777

Address: 126 Samchong-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, Korea

The Peninsula Hotel

I treated my parents to a one-night stay at The Peninsula for their 37th anniversary. This is my first time staying at a Peninsula hotel.

The Peninsula Hotel Beijing is an all-suite hotel located in Beijing’s historic Wangfujing area. This luxurious hotel has two restaurants and a rooftop lounge. Jing restaurant and bar is a Michelin-starred French restaurant, and Huang Ting offers Cantonese cuisine. The Yun summer lounge is located on the 15th floor and has views of the historic area.

I was slightly disoriented when I entered the hotel; the lobby resembled a mall because you’ll first notice the high-end boutiques. The reception desk is small and tucked in a corner; however, we were greeted by a friendly receptionist.

One highlight of the Peninsula is the “Peninsula time,” which allows guests to check in as early as 6:00 a.m. and check out as late as 10:00 p.m.

The hotel has its own gallery showcasing a curated collection of specially commissioned paintings, sculptures, and photography. In addition, contemporary paintings and photography are also displayed throughout the hotel.

The gym is well-equipped, and the pool is spectacular. It was clean and well-lit, with instrumental music playing in the background and comfortable deck chairs.

I corresponded with the hotel’s guest relations manager, Katherine, for my parent’s anniversary room arrangement. She was attentive when inquiring about my parents’ preferences. The flowers and cake prepared were based on my parents’ liking, and they even made a short video that played their favorite song. There was also a handwritten card. It was a lovely surprise for my parents.

I booked the deluxe suite with twin beds. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a separate bedroom and living room, and tastefully decorated with warm neutral and black color schemes and beautiful contemporary Chinese paintings. The big marble bathroom has a tub, an inset 19-inch TV, and a separate shower. In addition, the minibar was complimentary.

A feature in the room that stood out is the tablet technology. One can control lighting, room temperature, multimedia, TV, and order room service with a touch of a button. There is also a docking station that allows guests to connect their own media to the TV.

The only downside was the size of the twin beds. I thought they were a bit small.

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In-room dining

Oven Roasted Half Spring Chicken (RMB 160), Herb Roasted Potatoes (RMB 50), and Laksa Noodles (RMB 160)

The laksa noodles came in a rich, creamy, spicy coconut milk broth served with yellow noodles, rice vermicelli, and a generous serving of prawns and clams. The flavors were spot on!

The roasted chicken and potatoes were well seasoned and cooked perfectly.

Breakfast at The Lobby

Breakfast is served in The Lobby. I was excited at the availability of gluten-free bread, which elevated my breakfast dining experience (I found out a few months ago that I am gluten intolerant). The buffet had a small spread. There was an assortment of bread, cheeses, cold cuts, fruits, cereals, congee, sausages, and bacon. There is also a made-to-order a la carte menu of hot dishes such as beef noodle soup, pancakes, eggs benedict, omelets, etc.

The poached egg with smashed avocado on gluten-free toast was done well. The beef noodle soup was packed with umami, the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the beef was tender.

Hotel staff from all departments were friendly and polite. Everyone greets you with a smile. And not to mention the impeccable service. The guest relations manager Katherine and her assistant Ludi made an effort to make our stay comfortable and memorable. The Peninsula exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait to visit the other locations.

The Peninsula Hotel

Website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/beijing/5-star-luxury-hotel-wangfujing

Telephone: +86 10 85162888

Address: 8 goldfish lane, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100006

Mo bar

Mo Bar is perched on the fifth floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. This stylish contemporary bar offers inventive cocktails and a spacious outdoor terrace with views of the Forbidden City.

The rich wood paneling and warm lighting decorated with leather seats make the perfect setting to enjoy their cocktails. There is even a flavor map that outlines each cocktail’s flavor profile.

Certain seating areas on the terrace require a minimum food consumption of RMB 2000 ($308). It gets busy on the weekends, so either go early or make a reservation.

We decided to go to the bar at the last minute. We were lucky to get a seat on the terrace. The view was nice, but we could only see the rooftops of the historical buildings.

Service was slow, drinks came out slowly, and the waiters’ attitude was not up to par for a high-class bar at a five-star hotel. Instead, they were casual and inattentive.

Original sin (RMB 128)

Peach, apricot, toasted oats, Michter bourbon, milk, lemon

Sweet and tangy with a hint of bitterness

Mogroni (RMB 98)

Seedlip spice 94, Seedlip grove 42, Campari syrup, Mancino vermouth Rosso

Beautiful presentation – bold and bitter

Mo Bar

Website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/beijing/wangfujing/fine-dining/bars/mo-bar

Telephone: +86 (10) 8509 8850

Opening hours: 4:00 p.m. – midnight (Mon, Tues, Sun)
4:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. (Wed, Sat )

Address: No. 269 Wangfujing Street, Beijing, China, 100006