Hungry

"Reading": Ulysses, James Joyce / 名古屋 Travel Guides
Listening: Henehene Kou 'Aka, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Craving: See below.

Despite my resolution to maintain this blog more regularly, I've returned to my an-update-once-every-other-month-will-do routine. For all that I've been up to, check out Chris's site.

I've been slowly getting over a cold, and in the process, I've cultivated a hatred of Japanese winters and intense cravings for every food from home. I could find imitations of these foods here in Japan (loco moco is surprisingly common here), but nothing beats local grinds. I browse through Japanese travel magazines on Hawaii for glimpses of sexy malasada photos. On my first visit home, it will be my mission to eat everything on this list. Regarding the restaurants listed, I'll happily order any menu item. It looks like I'll need a good month of vacation for all the eating.

Good Eats
the food of my dreams
bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit (McDonald's)
baked potato
Ba-Le sandwich
banana muffins (Grandma)

barbeque ribs

beef stew (Grandma or Mom)
Ben and Jerry's
Big City Diner
Bob's Bar-B-Que
Boots and Kimo's
bouillabaisse

bread pudding
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
butter mochi

california roll
caramacs (Hawaiian Host)

chicken katsu + rice + mac salad (Grace's Inn / Spot's Inn)
chicken long rice (Grandma)
chili cheese fries (Zippy's)
chinese egg custard tarts
Cinnabon
coco puffs (Liliha Bakery)
corned beef hash (Mom)
crispy gau gee

curly fries + buttermilk sauce (Jack-in-the-Box)

custard pie

dim sum
fajita chicken wrap (I Love Country Cafe)
fried rice (Dad)
fried saimin (HK)
Gina's B-B-Q

guri-guri

haupia
huli huli chicken (!)
Jamba Juice
jook
Kua'aina

lasagna
lau lau

local okazu (Mitsuba)

loco moco

lomi lomi salmon

malasadas

manapua

mango, fresh

mashed potatoes

mochiko chicken
passion orange guava juice
pasta salad
philly cheesesteak sandwich
Pineapple Room by Alan Wong (LOVE.)

poke (ahi, aku, or tako)
pork and togan soup (Grandma)
portuguese bean soup (Grandma)
portuguese sausage
quesadillas
Rainbow Drive-In

roast beef sandwich

roast turkey and stuffing

rosemary potato chicken pizza (California Pizza Kitchen)

saimin + barbeque beef sticks

shave ice + sweetened condensed milk (Waiola)

soft pretzel
southwestern chicken egg rolls (Chili's)

spring rolls + rice noodles (Hale Vietnam)

steak
sweet and sour spareribs (Mom)
sweet potato-haupia pie
tacos

taegu
TCBY
W & M Bar-B-Que Burgers
waffles (Mom)

Wish List
those who love me will take me here
Alan Wong's
John Dominis (brunch)
Mariposa
Roy's
Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch and Crab

My list only continues to grow, and I know that I'm missing quite a few items. Visit 'Ono Kine Grindz, one of my favorite foodie blogs, for photos and restaurant reviews.

Why oh why did I ever leave home?

Despite my Hawaii longings, Japan has a darn good selection of eats. Chris and I will search for pho and a mythical Old Spaghetti Factory in Kobe this weekend. My taste buds are ready.

Edit: I've heard that Star Child's, our favorite Japanese burger joint, will be closing its doors this month. It appears as though our weekend eating plans will be changed to enjoying our last Star Child burgers.