Now I'm eating kimchee in Korea - check it out!

www.foodquestseoul.blogspot.com

I'm questing for food in Taipei now!

Check it out at www.foodquesttaipei.blogspot.com
I'm in Asia for the next couple of weeks so stay in touch for more good food news...

Chile Relleno - A Giant Pepper Popper

Here's my deep-fried reward for driving my neighbor to the supermarket. Chile Renello is super junky but so yummy. The Monterey Jack cheese oozing out of this battered and fried pepper mixes so nicely with the fried chili-rice and refried beans... hello heartburn!


Pile of peppers video\

Okay.. I've been spending a lot of time at home these past couple of days, so the extent of my food questing has been going to the supermarket with my neighbor Letti. These peppers aren't known to be spicy, but you still have to watch out for the odd one that might set your mouth on fire. Here Letti describes how to make Chile Relleno.



Supermarket tour video\

'You bag. You save.' is their motto at Superior Warehouse Grocer. I'm just tagging along while Letti shops in this clip. I love to see how other people fill their carts.

Salt - Lime - Chili? - A shot of LA's Fruit Stands

Everyone must try this! It's a delicious way of getting your daily dose of vitamin C - it sure beats crunching on those chewable tablets from the pharmacy.

Check out the chili powder seeping into the melon. Man, I wanted to keep the spicy watermelon juice at the bottom of the bag and add a shot of vodka to it. Omg... did I just invent a brilliant new drink?!


Dude cutting fruit video\

LA has numerous fruit stands dotting the city, you just need to keep your eye out for parasols hovering the street corners. Choose your fruit, then it quickly gets chopped into bite-sized pieces with added salt lime and chili - or plain. I mean seriously, let's eat some more fruit people.
The standard choice includes watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, mango and coconut. Price varies between $1 - $4 with each stand. This guy charged $3 but I think pricing may also depend on mood.

Super Bowl Sunday - A la Mexicana

Plate of Mexican flavors brought over by the best neighbors on earth. White blomp is garlicky potato salad, brown blomp is refried beans, and green blomp is guacamole. I loved scooping the various blomps with the grilled tortillas and the slices of radish made for some nice added crunchiness. Of course the carne asada was scrumptious.

Carne asada literally means 'roasted meat' and it's made from thin cuts of beef then marinated and grilled. My neighbor Victor prepped this flank steak with some garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice and spices. It's crazee-loco good man!

All the kids were drinking Bubba's so I had to have one too. Tastes like a tame version of Coke.


Victor at the grill video\

Well my friends, unless you live next door to Victor & Letti, then you won't have the privilege of eating their amazing food and hearing their crazy stories. I feel so blessed to be their neighbor... they keep me well fed with some of the best Mexican food I've ever had!


My plate of food video\

Sorry this vid's a bit stilted - I was trying to step around my other next door neighbor who was chatting on the phone, then that nice green onion slid off the plate onto her head.

Delicious Coffeeee at Stories

An exceptional americano made with good humor and great care. Every cup is brewed with Cafecito's organic coffee beans that are roasted locally and delivered fresh to Stories.

This is Hari. She made my americano and she's awesome.

Hari gave me a sampling of their chili soup which had just the right amount of piquant - yum! And there's my croissant. I can't not get a croissant when I order a coffee, it's a terrible compulsion that I'm not working on.

STORIES Books Gifts Cafe
I love Stories. It's one of my fave coffee shops in LA. You just can't go wrong when you combine good coffee, tasty food, super cool people, and great books. There's a cozy seating area at the front of the store, coffee shop with outdoor patio in the back, and lotsa cool books in between.
The menu was created by chef Mike who also makes a daily fresh soup, and I heard a rumor that they're bringing in some enticing cookies very soon. Hmm, I guess I'll have to come back.
Check out their website for readings, events, and deelish menu at www.storiesla.com
1716 Sunset blvd. (213) 413-3733

Oh Kogi Bbq... You make me so kogi-happy

Korean short ribs - Kogi's signature taco is a flavor and texture sensation. See how everything's chopped into little pieces... the tender bites of marinated grilled meat mixed with bits of crunchy onions and lettuce, topped with a tingly sauce and wrapped in two soft-tacos is just so good. Kogi bbq has created such innovative flavor combinations.

Kogi Quest a success! These are definitely the most delectable tacos in town. Thank you Kogi Bbq Justice League - Gamsahamneedah!!



How's your taco video\

ps: apologies for low quality video and pics... things will improve when I invest in a better camera

Beyond the amazing food, it's the overall Kogi truck experience that makes it all so cool. I think tonight was the first time I actually enjoyed waiting in line for anything. There's an excitement and happy anticipation buzzing throughout the long line of hungry customers with everyone discussing what they're going to order. The truck itself has an aura about it, like it drove in from some magic food land to feed the devout foodies of l.a. And witnessing the chefs at work in the truck, preparing, chop-chopping, and assembling with such focus and care is a sight to see. Oh yeah... and the tacos are $2. Man, I love LA.
Friday night in Silverlake Sunset @ Manzanita on North side of bridge.
Check out www.kogibbq.com or twitter.com/kogibbq for updates and new locations.



Ordering a taco video\

Again, apologies for crappy video quality