LB Says Hi

In Asian culture, everyone's Mom's fried rice is the best they've ever had — it's just a fact. I know that my mom's fried rice is the best, and I'm sure, as you're reading this, you're probably shaking your head and thinking: NO, MY MOM'S IS THE BEST. As it should be. Starting over again in a new place, far away from your mother's pantry, which is always stocked with mysterious bottles of Asian sauces and spices, can be tough. It's been a challenge for me, especially in New York City. Luckily, I've found a convenient-enough Asian market a few blocks from my home, and I've ventured there with my Asian-lady cart and tried my best to get the "good stuff." What is the good stuff, you ask? Well, Mamabarbs would insist that you need oyster sauce, but "Only the one with the lady in the boat." You also need harm ha, or Chinese fermented shrimp paste (yum). Coincidentally, these two ingredients are what you need to...

Hello, friends! It's been a while since my last post, and a lot has happened since then — A LOT. First off, I moved to New York City. Yes, I am smack-dab in the middle of obscenely tall buildings, a trove of delicious spots to eat at and countless career opportunities. Unfortunately, the latter hasn't been so exciting. And while I remain doe-eyed and hopeful — as always — transitioning into a new city/environment/culture has always been hard for me. I immediately think back to the first time I left Hawaii, which was in 2008 (10 years ago, people) to go to college. I was a freshman at Southern Oregon University, and everything was bigger and scarier. Now that I really think about it, Oregon was a breeze compared to New York. How I wish I could be back there, instead of here. Don't get me wrong, New York is amazing. I'm still in awe of the structures around me, the quality of the cuisine here and the number of activities that cease to expire. But, I will al...