Are You Up For The Challenge?10 food items to try that you may have never eaten before!

Hokkaido Dairy

Hokkaido Dairy is extremely popular not only in Japan thanks to its expansive rich countryside but now we can enjoy Hokkaido’s rich creamy dairy goodness here too. What could possibly be better than the heavenly food that is cheese you ask? Cheese AND pastry of course! Inspired by the distinct cheesy taste of Hokkaido dairy, and using a traditional recipe from Japan’s dairy heartland, it is not surprising that the famed ‘Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart’ is an absolute must try! For a delicious Hokkaido dairy experience head to Hokkaido Cheese tart x PAFU and try one of their tantalising tarts.

Tripe

Innards are often very overlooked when it comes to western cuisine. But did you know that tripe has an impressive amount of nutrients such as zinc and vitamin B12 as well as being high in protein yet low in calories. We dare you to try a delicious hotpot stacked with veges and flavours with a little tripe for texture and protein over at Malatang Funhouse.

Carpaccio

While the name can sound oh so posh, don’t be intimated to try this melt in your mouth sensation. Carpaccio is simply thinly sliced (and sometimes pounded) meat or fish topped with lemon or vinegar, olive oil and salt which is meant to be eaten raw (it’s not scary, think sushi). Try this refreshing dish over at Akira Sushi with their Salmon, Wagyu beef and Kingfish carpaccio selections.

XO Sauce

Yep, XO is a thing.. and while it is a sauce.. it’s not just ‘any’ old sauce. XO sauce (which literally takes its name from prestigious XO ‘aged’ cognac) oozes exclusivity and affluence and is a complex condiment full of luxurious ingredients. Try these creative concoctions over at General Chao… and whilst there is a choice of six signature XO sauces to choose from, rest assured one of their amazing waitstaff will guide you to what XO sauce is best paired with what dish.

Abalone

Abalone, not to be confused with cannelloni ( we’ll get into that in another article) is a part of the sea snail family and when it comes down to seafood, these little suckers are quite the delicacy! Abalone are low in fat and are a good source of omega 3 and when prepared just right, they’re super yum! Try this magnificent mollusc delight over at China Chilli with their stir fried abalone with fresh chilli.

Tapioca

Pronounced ‘Tap-ee-oak-a’, these little blissful balls are often used to balance out the sweet flavours of the drinks they’re added to and are pleasing when paired with the smoothness of the infusions they’re immersed in. Head on over to KingTea Pastry and try one of their ‘Boba’ teas for a fun and surprising sensation!

Deep Fried Chinese Milk Dough

Sounds delish right! Youtiao, also known as Chinese fried dough is a breakfast favourite in china and it’s not hard to see why. They’re golden and crunchy on the outside and are soft and fluffy on the inside making for a delicious doughnut of sorts. To get your fix head on over to Lilong by Taste of Shanghai.

Matcha

Its gorgeously green and is often consumed in beverages and sweets. Matcha is derived from green tea and is a trending ingredient used in a variety of dishes and drinks. Try it in over at Ippudo with their Green tea Matcha Panna Cotta, finished with berries, cashew and black sugar. Delish!

Cold Drip Coffee

Coffee lovers listen up! Cold drip coffee is where it’s at! The method uses time rather than hot water to brew the coffee, which means that the coffee taste is retained and not lost in the brewing process! This technique is possible due to the ‘drip tower’ that is used which allows iced water to slowly drip over ground coffee before being filtered. Try a refreshing cold drip brew over at Locomotion.