What I Eat In A Week: Holiday Events and Spicy Soups

Here’s what I eat in a week full of Holiday events and Spicy Soup and Stews. This week was so cold, I had to have more soups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from dumpling egg drop soup to Korean Army Stew. Plus, we visited some of Vancouver’s best local holiday events and some last minute Christmas shopping with friends!

Egg Drop Soup

I just had a quick run and a shower, and I am starving! It is so cold outside today, so I’m craving something warm, like egg drop soup. It takes less than 15 minutes to put together. Lately, I’ve been waking up craving soup first thing in the morning. There’s just something about the cold weather that makes me want to start my day with something warm and cozy. Today, I’m sharing my super easy and delicious egg drop soup with vegetarian dumplings – a recipe that’s close to my heart and brings me right back to my childhood.

• 5 cups chicken stock
• 1 can Sweet Corn
• 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
• 2 thin slices of Ginger
• 4 Large Eggs
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1 tsp White Pepper
• 1 Green Onion separate white and green
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp Corn Starch
• 1 tsp White Pepper
• 1 tsp Salt

Super Simple Egg Drop Soup

5 minutes minutes

Now that the weather is getting colder, I thought I would make a childhood classic Egg Drop Soup. Anyone else parents also made egg drop soup for them whenever they are sick? This dish warms me up inside and out, and the best part is … it’s SO easy to make. I am adding corn today, but you can add other protein, such as crab or shredded chicken.

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• 0.5  Large Cabbage (chopped) 
• 0.5 Carrot (shredded) 
• 3 Green Onion (chopped) 
• 10 Shiitake Mushroom (chopped) 
• 5 oz of Vermicelli Noodles 
• 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil 
• 1.5 tbsp of Soy Sauce 
• ¼ cup of Cilantro (chopped) 
• 3.5 tbsp of Vegetarian Oyster Sauce 
• 1 tbsp of Mushroom Powder 
• 2.5 tbsp of Sesame Oil 
• 1 tsp of White Pepper 
• 50 Dumpling Wrappers

Vegetarian Dumplings

45 minutes minutes

One dish that I can eat for the rest of my life and never get bored of is DUMPLINGS. I love dumplings in every form possible, especially these delicious, refreshing, and addicting Vegetarian Dumplings. The vegetarian dumplings are seasoned perfectly, the cabbage is crunchy, the mushroom is “meaty,” and herbs give the dumplings a refreshing kick. If you are a meat lover, you can also add ground chicken and pork.

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Korean Army Stew and Family Clay Craft Day

My mom and my sister are coming over in a few hours, because today we’re having a very cute family clay craft day. We’re going to have dinner first, and then sculpt some polymer clay and air dry clay. I’m craving something spicy and hot, so today I’m making Korean Army Stew for dinner. It takes less than 20 minutes to put together

if you have never tried Korean army stew Buddha J before let me introduce you to what might just become your new favorite Obsession this bold hearty and super comforting stew is a true Fusion Masterpiece combining traditional Korean flavors with Western ingredients like sausage and spam

• 8 cloves of Garlic minced 
• 1.5 tbsp of Korean Chilli Paste 
• 2 tbsp of Korean Red Pepper Powder 
• 1 tbsp of Soy Sauce 
• 1.5 tbsp of Fish Sauce 
• 1 tbsp of Sugar 
• 1/2 tbsp of Black Pepper 
• ½ cup of Kimchi 
• 4-6 cups of Dashi Stock or Chicken Stock 
• Your Favorite Toppings

Korea’s Favorite Hotpot: Budae Jjigae Korean Army Stew

15 minutes minutes

Let’s make one of the most popular hot pot dishes and one of my personal favorite Korean dishes, Korean Army Stew, or Budae Jjigae. This spicy, saucy hot pot is one of the best comfort food you can make this winter. Korean Army Stew is the ultimate comfort food, loaded with delicious and comforting ingredients such as sausages, spam, American cheese, rice cakes, and instant noodles. It is super easy to make Korean Army Stew at home, plus you can customize it with any toppings or noodles of your choice. 

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My Polymer and Air Dry Clay Creations

I recently got into air dry clay and polymer clay creations. It’s been so much fun! I invited my mom and my sister over for a fun Army Stew dinner and clay family day. I haven’t worked with clay in a very very long time. I’m super excited, but lowkey nervous! Overall it’s was such a cute family night!

After my mom and my sister left yesterday, I actually ended up making a few more pieces. I baked and glazed them, and they are finally dry. We got a mini Dom wearing a hoodie, which is so funny and cute. I also made a mini cat in winter clothes holding a hot chocolate which is so cozy and cute. Last but not least, I made spa day cat with cucumbers on its eyes. I did burn the bottom a little bit, so I ended up using a piece of marble in the oven and this one turned out a little bit better.

Matcha Lemon Tonic

I’ve been obsessed with Matcha Lemon Tonic ever since my home cafe event. It is so refreshing, and so healthy for you. It’s a great way to start your day, especially with a slice of lemon. This super easy drink is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, and still allows for that mindful morning matcha ritual that I love. It’s sour, earthy, and deliciously refreshing!

• ice
• 1.5 tbsp homemade lemon syrup
• 1.5 tsp matcha powder
• 3/4 to 1 cup tonic water
• 1 slice fresh lemon (for garnish)

Lemon Matcha Tonic: Morning Tea to Evening Drink

5 minutes minutes

A healthy and refreshing Lemon Matcha Tonic is an easy way to enjoy matcha if you're not a latte person. This super easy drink is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, and still allows for that mindful morning matcha ritual that I love. It's so easy to make in bulk, I made it for 22 people for my home cafe event. It's a great base for a matcha gin and tonic as well! This easy lemon matcha mocktail makes starting the day with a healthy matcha drink more fun!

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Spicy Kimchi Tofu Stew – Sundubu jjigae

It is so cold outside today again, it is around 6°, and I need something spicy and hot for lunch to warm me up from the inside out. I have some kimchi in the fridge and some leftover tofu, so let’s make kimchi tofu stew. I will never forget the first time I had kimchi tofu stew. The warm spicy flavorful broth, the tangy flavor from the fermented kimchi, and the way the silky tofu soaked up all that yummy goodness makes for a great bowl of soup in the winter. Just thinking about it is making me drool!

• 1 pack of Soft/Silken Tofu (12 oz) 
• ¼ Onion (chopped) 
• 1.5 – 2  tbsp of Korean Red Chili Flakes (adjust to your spice tolerance) 
• 1.5 tbsp of Soy Sauce 
• 3 cloves of Garlic (minced) 
• 3 stalks of Green Onion (chopped and separated with white and green) 
• 2.5 oz of Pork Belly or Beef (sliced and optional) 
• 2 cups of Anochvy or Dashi stock (vegetarian, chicken, or beef stock also works) 
• 4 Fresh Shiitake Mushroom (sliced) 
• One pack of Enoki Mushrooms 
• 1 Egg 

Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew – Sundubu Jjigae

25 minutes minutes

Welcome to a new series where I cook recipes from my favorite Korean Dramas, and the first recipe comes from my all-time favorite drama, Itaewon Class, and their delicious, savory Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew – Sundubu Jjigae. Spicy and addicting Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew is not only tasty but also super easy to make at home. Get yourself a big bowl of rice and get ready to indulge in Itaewon Class-inspired Sundubu Jjigae this week!

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Vancouver Christmas Market

For our date night, Dom and I decided to visit the Vancouver Christmas Market—a tradition we’ve cherished for nearly a decade. December is Dom’s absolute favorite time of the year, and nothing feels more festive than wandering through the market, soaking in all the holiday vibes, and, of course, indulging in the delicious food.

Honestly, everywhere you turn, there’s something new to try. This year, one stand-out treat was the apple strudel. Spoiler alert: it’s probably one of the best things you can get at the Christmas Market. It was so yummy that Dom and I were shook and devoured it in minutes.

Hot Pot for Two

Dom and I are craving Hot Pot, so that’s what’s for dinner tonight! It’s going to be super easy, because all I have to do is wash the veggies, take out the meat, and toppings, and we’re basically ready to go. I bought all sorts of hot pot ready veggies, from mushrooms to lotus roots. For our meats, we got frozen sliced beef, and some fish balls. It was a deliciously filling meal for 2!

Ikura Rice Bowl Brunch

I made this delicious Ikura Rice Bowl Brunch with some fresh ikura from my friends! Ikura sushi is my favorite – so i was so excited when my friend texted me this week that they have fresh ikura for us! I figured hot rice with fresh ikura, pickled radish, and jammy eggs will be the perfect brunch combo. So, I actually went to pick up some extra radishes and eggs, and made my pickled radish and Taiwanese marinated eggs. Because it was getting colder, I also made a quick miso soup to really complete the meal.

• 1.5 Cup Fresh Ikura
• 1 bowl hot rice
• 1 pack crispy seaweed
• green onion chopped, garnish
• 1 bowl Miso Soup
• Your Favorite Side Dishes

Ikura Don: Fresh Salmon Roe Rice Bowl Brunch

This Ikura Don or Salmon Roe Rice Bowl, is the brunch of my dreams! Ikura is one of my favorite sushi toppings, and today I have a ton of it thanks to my friend! To properly enjoy this fresh salmon egg, I decided to make this fresh seafood bowl for brunch. Briny, rich, and fatty, these salmon roe pop and melt into each bite of hot white rice wrapped in crispy seaweed. If you're craving restaurant-style hand rolls at home, make this Ikura Brunch Bowl with me!

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 2024 End of Year Book Club Book Review

Here is my 2024 end of year reviews for some books I’ve read recently for book club! I realized I haven’t done a book review for a while. So, I figured we’ll jump back with some popular titles from my favorite writers you may have heard of: Throne of Glass, The Do-Over, The Cruel Prince, and more! If you’re a reader, I’d love to hear more about your thoughts on these books!

Fort Langley Last Minute Gifts and Decor Shopping

My friend and I met up in Fort Langley for some last minute gift and decor shopping. With everything decorated for the holidays, Fort Langley feels like a movie. Fort Langley features so many quaint shops and boutiques, offering everything from handmade goods to unique antiques, all nestled in a picturesque, small-town setting. It’s a great spot to catch up, while exploring little boutiques around town.

Kimbap and Tteokbokki – A Perfect Combo

Now that I’m finally home, I changed into my pajamas got ready for dinner. Tonight, we actually got some Kimbap from Kimbab Cheonguk. But, my favorite combo with kimbap is tteokbokki. I was going to get it at the restaurant, there but I remembered I had some rice cakes at home. So, we’ve picked up our kimbap, and now we’re ready to make our Tteokbokki!

Kimbab Cheonguk

After my Christmas Shopping trip to Fort Langley, Yvonne and I dropped by Kimbab Cheonguk to grab some kimbap for dinner. This is actually one of my favorite places to get kimbap here in Vancouver. It’s really really yummy, has really good portions, and are fairly affordable. My favorite is their tuna kimbap – it is so yummy and pack with so much tuna!

Spicy Cheesy Korean Rice Cakes

Whenever I eat kimbap, I love to pair it with Tteokbokki, or Spicy Cheesy Korean Rice Cakes. Tteokbokki is so saucy, it’s almost a spicy soup! My favorite part of tteokbokki is when the bouncy rice cake soaks up all that spicy-sweet sauce. It’s the perfect combo with a roll of kimbap – and so easy to make in 20 minutes!

• ½ Onion sliced (optional)
• ¼ Cabbage sliced 
• 2 Green Onion – 2-inch pieces 
• 3 cups of Frozen Rice Cake 
• 2 cups of Dashi Stock or Vegetable Stock 
• 1.5-2 tbsp of Gochujang
• 1 tbsp of Soy Sauce 
• 0.5 tbsp of Sugar 
• 1 tablespoon minced Garlic
• 3 tsp of Korean Chilli Flakes
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 tsp black pepper (optional)
• 1 cup of Mozzarella Cheese 
• 1 cup fish cakes (optional)

Spicy Cheesy Korean Rice Cakes – Tteokbokki (20 Minutes!)

20 minutes minutes

Tteokbokki, also spelled dukbokki or topokki, is one of South Korea’s most beloved street foods and a quintessential dish in Korean cuisine. This spicy, cheesy, slightly sweet chewy rice cake is the best way to start your weekend!

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Pork Chop Noodle S0up

Our friends are actually going to come over to watch a nighttime game with us, so I am making a really yummy and quick dinner: Taiwanese Pork Chop with 10 Minute noodle soup. It’s super yummy and it’s really quick to put together. This is one of my favorite comfort dinners to make: it’s simple, nostalgic, and will always hold a special place in my heart. The crispy pork chop soaks up all the warm, umami-rich broth, and feels just like a cozy warm hug.

Growing up my dad and I will visit noodle street stalls after school, slurping up hot bowls of noodle soup. A year ago I recreated this recipe, and it became one of his absolute favorites. In fact, this is one of the last dishes I made him, which makes this recipe even more special.

• 2 piece of Pork Chops 
• 1.5 tbsp of Soy Sauce 
• 2 tbsp of Oyster Sauce
• 2.5 tbsp of minced Garlic 
• 1 tbsp of Sugar
• 1.5 tbsp of Five Spice Powder 
• 1 tsp of White Pepper 
• 1 whole Egg 
• 3 tbsp of Corn Starch 
• 1.5 cup of Sweet Potato Flour/ Tapioca Starch 

Taiwanese Fried Pork Chops (Bento Box Style!)

1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Taiwanese Fried Pork Chops is the ultimate comfort food that you can find in bento boxes in Taiwan. Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside, Taiwanese Pork Chops is super easy to make at home and the perfect weeknight dinner. Pair Taiwanese Pork Chops with a side of warm rice and spicy cucumber salad, and you got the traditional Taiwanese Bento boxes.

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• 1 serving of noodles 
• 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped 
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped 
• 1/2 tsp of white pepper
• 1 tsp of dashi powder 
• 1.5 tablespoon Four Season Scallion Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Golden Shallot Oil
• 2 cups of noodle water 

Easy Noodle Soup

10 minutes minutes

Let’s make my EASY NOODLE SOUP ready in 10 MINUTES! One of my go-to recipes whenever I am on the run, is my easy noodle soup. All you need is a few simple ingredients, and you go lunch ready in 10 minutes! Depending on what you have in the fridge, you can customize the easy noodle soup with pan-fried spam, poached egg, or fish balls.

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