bridge.jpn » Japanese food culture

Cow pattern cake roll

editor — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:28:57 +0000

Japanese pâtissier took roll cakes to a new height by coming up with artistic decorations.This one makes headlines with its cute cow patterns when it was featured on TV and magazines. They even have a funny name for it, of course totally “cow”. The name is “Moo moo milk roll”.

If you are curious about what is the ingredient used to create the black patches, it said edible bamboo charcoal.
Cake roll for afternoon tea,,, sinful but sounds good!
And it wouldn’t harm to have something that looks so lovely.

This cake roll could make a fabulous gift for some surprises,
but too bad, it is only sold in Japan .:*~*:.

Special Edition Sweets For Valentine’s Day

editor — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:05:04 +0000

It is “love in first sight” with these limited edition Japanese sweets (wagashi).
Could you tell that they were sea breams (Tai) ?

I thought that they look ugly. But again that was precisely what caught my heart!
And looking so real and big are those eyes that were not missed. Contrary to the eyes, there was a tinge of melancholy & loneliness, on the way that the mouth was created. Simply love the delicate scales and fins details that were crafted all over their round body.
How? Aren’t you in love with these Japanese Tai sweets?

Two varieties, chocolat and sakura are available (from OCS store)

It couldn’t be wrong to opt for Hello Kitty cheesecake if you wanted something that is “straightforwardly” cute.
Cheesecake is a “NO” because you are on diet?
No problem! Hey, Kitty cheesecake is about the size of the palm only.

Ermm…The size is not going to be enough for me though …(*^-`)v

Japanese snacks & crackers

editor — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 10:20:04 +0000

The taste of Japanese are simply fantastic!
At request of a friend who simply loves Japanese cuttlefish and crackers, I made two separate trips to the nearby candy store, grasping everything that had the word “cuttlefish” written on it.
Before I knew, I had bought 2.5kg of snacks to be sent overseas　(- – ;;)

I must admit that the extremely wide choices stuck me dumbfounded again after a trip to the candy store. Typical nature of Japanese food culture, great varieties, great taste! d(^o^)b

The candy shop was flooded with people looking to make their last purchases for the upcoming New Year. Japanese loves munching snacks with sake (alcoholic drinks), while watching special New Year programs like Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

And of course, I picked up a few packets of my own favourite crackers (*^-^*)
Putting on a little bit of weight during New Year can’t be helped…

And if you have some Japanese sweets in mind you want to buy, please do not hesitate to contact us for inquiries.

Japanese Snacks & crackers

Japan’s Christmas cakes

editor — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:12:07 +0000

Ever wonder how Christmas cakes look like in the creative hands of the Japanese? Since Christmas Day is round the corner, here are some collections picked up from Antenor, a famous cake and pastry shop in Japan.

Do check out on their site if you are interested.

Christmas Yule log cake has been a standard in the world.
Antenor’s log cakes came with a total of 3 flavors, Chocolat, Berries and Mont Blanc. And how sweet to incorporate Santas Claus into the design.
Which is your pick? Mine goes to chocolat not because of the design, but simply because of my passion for chocolat　(*^-^*)b　

Santa garden (10,500yen)
Can you tell this cake is large enough to share 20 people?
A party size cake with Snowman & Santa claus surrouned by plenty of strawberries & fruits. That’s simply luxurious~~

Noel Duet (6,720yen)
A 2 tier cake!?No, its not a wedding cake. And of course, it’s a Christmas cake. And there he is, the leading star, Santa standing right at the top looking for the next destination to dispatch his gifts! Cute little thing, isn’t he?

Christmas cake in single pieces (525yen)
Calories is your big enemy? Opt for the single pieces Christmas cake.
Santas claus and snowman motifs cakes are just too irresistible not to bring back home (^__-)v

Japanese sweets cute macarons for dessert

editor — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:30:14 +0000

In a real world, tigers, rabbits, pandas, pigs, monkeys, won’t be getting along in harmony. It is a practical world with carnivores, herbivores & omnivores.

But the Japanese created the fantasy, harmonious world with exquisitely painted macaron in shape of various animals (*^-^*)v
Wow amazing! Aren’t they cute little things?

Not only with kids, these macarons are an extreme hit with adults too.
Everyone has a passion for sweet “kawaii” things (@^_-@)

Although these macarons are far from the images of those Japanese traditional sweets, but its another creative idea that was born because of Japanese’s love for artistic & beautiful things.

Do check out on the shopping site if you are interested.

Delicate hand-painted sweets in kawaii shape of animals

Hand-painted christmas edition macaron

And of course, they came up with the Christmas limited edition!
We are greeted by warm, gentle Santa Claus, the smiling faces of Mr.Snowman and reindeer. Oh,,, won’t Christmas do us the favour to quicken its pace? (~^~)

Hatsune Miku & Hello Kitty in Japan’s convenience store

editor — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:55:56 +0000

Fans of popular virtual idol “Hatsune Miku”, will be glad to know that they could get a “taste” of her in the real world (@o@)/~

“FamilyMart”, a convenience store in Japan, collaborated to produce “Hachune Miku meat bun”. It had started appearing on the steamer of FamilyMart since 14th-Aug.
For a limited period only, FamilyMart targets to sell 80 thousand buns at 180yen each.

“Hachune Miku meat bun” could “unaccountably” be the most delicious meat bun that Hatsune Miku lovers will ever have (^_-)v .

Rival “Circle K Sunkus”, another convenience store in Japan is joining the battle to show it is not intimidated by this o(*-*)o

It collaborated with Sanrio to produce “Hello Kitty meat bun”, which will start selling from this coming 16th October.

“Circle K Sunkus” seems determined to win this one because “Hello Kitty meat bun” each at 150yen is 30yen cheaper than “Hachune Miku meat bun” (- – ;;)!!　　
And what’s more,,, it targets to sell 150 thousand meat buns for a one month limited period.

Trust me. “Hello kitty meat bun” is going to be snatched up like crazy.

Not trying to sound cold-hearted, but consumers are the ones who benefit most from such rivalry. Its so amazing to be able to eat such cute meat buns in Japan (^-^)v

Japan’s mister donut

editor — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:58:31 +0000

In my opinion, one of the must try if you are in Japan is “Mister Donut”.

Why donut? What’s so special?
Take a look at the donut menu. Doesn’t it convince you that you should give them a try? Hey, they really are as delicious as they looked.

Japan’s Mister Donut group has went through a lot of trouble to ensure their donuts stay competitive in Japan. Not only do the donuts come in all sorts of interesting shapes, the varieties are great and texture is something that you can really enjoy because each type is unique in their own way .And without saying,,, affordable price is what attracts too.

My favorite will be the regular, very popular “Pon de Ring”.
I just can’t get enough with the soft chewy texture. (@^-^@)

How great it would be if calories is the last thing on my mind…（x_x；）

Mister Donut's menu

Ginger Ring
1: Honey
2: Choco
3: White choco

Misdo Scones
4: Choco
5: White choco
6: Strawberry
7: Caramel Almond

Old-fashioned
8: Old-fashioned
9: Choco fashion
10: Old-fashioned honey
11: Old-fashioned matcha
12: Old-fashioned matcha choco

Rice flour donuts
13: Soybean flour (kinako)
14: Japanese mugwort (yomogi)
15: Dark molasses & sweet soy glaze

Pon de ring
16: Pon de ring
17: Pon de ring brown sugar

French cruller
18: French cruller
19: Angel french

Yeast ring
20: Honey dip
21: Sugar raised
22: Choco ring
23: Strawberry ring

Yeast Shell
24: Angel Cream
25: Custard Cream

Chocolate
26: Chocolate
27: Coconut chocolate
28: Double chocolate
29: Golden chocolate

Pokemon cup noodles

editor — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:17:26 +0000

Sapporo ichiban had the latest two pokemon movies (shown in summer), packaged into limited edition pokemon cup noodles.

The concept of pokemon cup noodles isn’t new and there are two flavors, soya sauce (left) or seafood (right).

The lovely packaging is one reason it attracts. But here is another reason why I think kids can’t get enough of pokemon cup noodles.
Imagine ingredients, shaped into Pikachu & Pokabu or tepig (soya sauce flavor) OR Pikachu & Oshawott (seafood flavor) floating on top the soup, staring back at you. Before you even know it, your kids will be gobbling down all pokemons and asking you for more!!

But, everyday cup noodle? Its not going to be a good idea though…　(~.~*)

The beauty of Japanese traditional sweets

editor — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 14:52:47 +0000

It is Japanese nature to pursue beauty and perfection and food is just one of them. Often, it is said that Japanese food is not only about taste but also a masterpiece for admiration.

Do you know about traditional Japanese sweets “wagashi”?
“Wagashi” always looks very appetizing with its well considered color balancing, exquisite design and the use of vivid colors. The overall presentation is just like a piece of art.

Each is handmade and packed into classy looking boxes.
I am sure no one would mind to pay a little bit more for such exquisite work.

But I got mixed feelings about eating something that looks this good (^-^;).
Anyone feels the same?

Check out on the wagashi shopping site if you are interested.

nama wagashi

Japan brand UNIQLO

editor — Sun, 20 May 2012 02:36:33 +0000

UNIQLO is well-known for clothing with good clothing at affordable prices. Perhaps the most famous representative revolutionary products were “heatec” and “coolbiz”.

Though UNIQLO is expanding worldwide, still, some items are only limited for sale in Japan. I picked up some interesting T-shirts. These are the collaboration works between UNIQLO and famous Japanese food companies having very long history.

UNIQLO & Okame Natto. In short, Natto, fermented soybean, is a traditional food for breakfast. You either love or hate them because of the smell.
The character Okame, with her nostalgic face has been the representative logo of Okame Natto . Doesn’t she look cute?

Okame Natto (familiar among Japanese)

Kuidaore Taro, is a famous mascot character from Osaka. Being the star of a restaurant, he became well-known only after retirement. He makes occasional appearance on TV. Sounds crazy, but the last time he went travelling, it even made news on TV!

Osaka / kuidaore taro

Even “Yotsuba”, a Hokkaido butter company, joined forces with UNIQLO! The butter in the picture “with salt” version. Why don’t they make the one with “No salt” version??

Yotsuba butter

“Tengumai” is Japan’s sake manufacturing company. Good choice with the logo. It looks cool and very traditional. Too bad, I don’t drink, so I won’t have a chance to know how they taste.

Osake / Tengumai

Ok, that’s about all. Do inquire with us if you want any UNIQLO items that are only limited for sale in Japan. We buy and send them overseas.