Bites and Pixels

We walked into Ayu Sushi Concept out of curiosity…and left already planning our next visit. 🍣 It was a first, but definitely not the last. The sashimi and tartares were incredibly fresh with surprisingly generous portions, and the real standouts were the tonkotsu and the cod! absolute winners.

What I loved most: despite being an AYCE concept, everything arrived beautifully plated in small portions, not scooped from a buffet line. It felt thoughtful, intentional, and elevated.
If I had to pick a bone: the service was just a little too fast for my liking. It’s like they anticipated our next bite before we did.

Ayu Sushi Concept, Milan
Food Quality: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price Point: 💰💰
Ambience: 🌟🌟🌟
Dog-friendly: 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

Vibe:
Casual-modern Japanese spot with a lively pace and clean presentation. Great for groups or quick-but-delicious dinners.

Highlights:
I ordered fresh sashimi & tartares, unagi handrolls, tonkotsu 3x, smoked cod and tempura

Good quality ingredients, flavourful dishes, and fantastic dog-friendly vibes. Just be ready for speedy service. Although they did not rush us at all, the food came way too fast.

This cold autumn weather calls for a hearty soupy dinner. I made Century Egg Congee, topped with Pork Tausi and Pork Floss, and a side of Siu Mai.

This is my dad’s favorite rainy day treat and it’s been a go-to treat each time the temperature drops below 20C. I’m sharing the recipe below:

CENTURY EGG CONGEE
1. Wash and soak jasmine rice in water for an hour. (You can prepare the Pork Tausi while waiting)
2. Stir fry garlic and slowly add the rice. Add a double portion of water to each portion of rice. Keep stirring. Add salt and pepper.
3. When the pot is boiling and the rice has softened, add sesame oil.
4. Cut up the century egg into cubes and add to the congee, stirring until desired consistency.
5. Serve hot, topped with Ma Hu (pork floss) and crispy garlic.

STIR FRIED PORK TAUSI
1. Heat a pan and add thinly sliced pork belly pieces. Turn constantly until oil comes out.
2. Add garlic and continue stirring.
3. Lower the heat and cover until it sizzles. Add water and soya sauce. Put the lid back on.
4. Slow cook the meat to while reducing the sauce.
5. Add salted black beans (tausi) and continue to cook slowly.
6. Serve on the side or serve on top of the congee.

There you go, a hearty meal for the cold days.

Loving all the breakfast options around Warsaw.

🥟 Craving authentic dim sum in Düsseldorf? Look no further than this gem tucked away from the tourist crowds.

Tao China Bistro Dimsum, Düsseldorf
Food Quality: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price Point: 💰💰
Ambience: 🌟🌟🌟
Dog-friendly: 🐶🐶🐶

Vibe: Quiet and cozy during Sunday brunch, but fills up with happy diners after 1 PM.

Highlights:
✅ Freshly made Cantonese dim sum (yes, from scratch!)
✅ A solid selection of classic favorites — tasted and approved by our group of four Asians (Mandarin speakers included!).
✅ Great spot for a leisurely brunch with friends.

Verdict: Definitely coming back for round two. 🥢

Farm to table concept shines through in every bite.

TATI Budapest
Food Quality: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price Point: 💰💰
Ambience: 🌟🌟🌟
Vibe: Casual relaxed ambience, modern urban minimalist

Service was amazing—friendly, patient, and never rushed us through the menu. A standout start was the Plant a Tree cocktail: a refreshing gin and elderflower mix (yup, this is my potion!) with a thoughtful twist—they plant a tree for every drink ordered!

The menu was streamlined yet inviting —I honestly wanted to try everything. In the end, I opted for the 5-course tasting menu and was not disappointed.

🐠Sturgeon - fish cooked to perfection with a generous spuma infused with celery and pear. Sweet and salty.

🥣 Goulash - Hungarian staple but definitely differentiating - the flavors were clean and mild, and the meat and vegetables were not overcooked.

🍗 Chicken Paprikash - Another must try. While I have no comparison, I totally enjoyed this course, packed with flavors but not overwhelming.

→ Hunter’s Stew - Slow cooked beef cheeks drenched in gravy tasted really good but by this time, I was already getting to my limits.

🍨 But I could not miss the grand finale… Cottage Cheese Dumplings—hands down the best I’ve had in Budapest (and I’ve sampled plenty). Would absolutely come back—if only just for those dumplings.