#Taiwanese bakery

[formeryelpers]

A&J Bakery, 1300 E Main St, Ste 102, Alhambra, CA 91801

The last time I went to A&J was many years ago. A&J is a Taiwanese bakery. The signs are in Chinese, so if you’re not familiar with what they offer, it’s confusing. They make their own nian gao (rice cakes), shao bing, mung bean pastries, red bean pastries, etc. They also sell pork sung, jerky, sauces, fermented bean curd and probably some other things (I can’t read Chinese). I think they offer lunch bentos though I went in the late afternoon and didn’t see any. They’re also known for moon cakes.

I bought a pine nut nian gao ($17) aka sweet sticky rice cake as a Chinese New Year gift. I didn’t get to try it. Hope it was good. It was still warm when I bought it. I think there was a red bean filling. 

Herb rice cake ($3.95): Reminds me of a savory Taiwanese rice dumpling, it’s green because it’s made with a mugwort. The glutinous rice cake (mochi) was soft, smooth, and chewy. The filling of dried radish and dried shiitake mushrooms had a very Chinese flavor…loved it. The mushrooms were meaty. There might have been some pork in there too? I don’t know where else you can get these.

A&J Bakery is located in a small strip mall with ample parking. The bakery is small and no frills. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. $30 credit card minimum.

4.5 out of 5 stars. By Lolia S.

[thelcsdaily]

Sunmerry Bakery Treat

Asian pastries and desserts are the bakery's specialty. Getting my favorite bread, pastries, and cakes from there has become a favorite spot of mine. I'm treating myself to some cream puffs, pudding, and brioche donuts this time.

“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” – Ernestine Ulmer

[kirby-the-gorb]

[save-the-data]

BL's Still Waiting to premiere in 2023

These release dates are taken from MDL, so with a grain of salt. Although some have been confirmed with official trailers and statements.

China

Japan

One Room Angel - Oct-19-2023

Sahara-sensei & Toki-kun - Nov-30-2023

South Korea

Bump Up Business - Oct-20-23

Wuju Bakery - Nov-?-2023

A Breeze of Love - Nov-10-2023

Taiwan

VIP Only - Nov-24-2023

Thailand

Pit Babe - Nov-17-2023

Beyond the Star - Nov-11-2023

Y: Journey: Stay Like a Local - Oct-14-2023

Shadow - Oct 31-2023

Twins - Nov-3-2023

Playboyy - Nov-16-2023

My Dear Gangster Oppa - Oct-26-2023

7 Days Before Valentine - Nov-22-2023

The Sign - Nov-25-2023

Last Twilight - Nov-10-2023

Cooking Crush - Nov-30-2023

The Whisperer - Nov-26-2023

Cherry Magic - Dec-7-2023

Bake Me Please - Nov-19-2023

Middleman's Love - Nov-10-2023

For Him - Nov-30-2023

Boyy of God - Nov/Dec-?-2023

[sew-much-to-do]

DIY Taiwanese Milk Butter Buns (奶酥麵包)

These pillowy milk buns filled with sweet, rich and creamy milk butter are some of the most popular items in Taiwanese bakeries. Give this a try and you'll understand why!

✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖

sew-much-to-do: a visual collection of sewing tutorials/patterns, knitting, diy, crafts, recipes, etc.

[buffetlicious]

From the award-winning Taiwanese bakery famed for its Lychee Rose Royale and Red Wine Longan breads - Wu Pao Chun Bakery (吳寶春麥方店) came this Cheesy Strawberry (草莓乳酪) bread. The savoury loaf of bread (S$14.80) has wine-soaked strawberry slices and honey cream cheese giving it bursts of tangy sweetness or creaminess depending on which you bite into.

[foralleternityidiot]

Current and Upcoming BLs 2023

Updated November 26

Currently Airing:

🇹🇭 7 Days Before Valentine - One31 YT

🇰🇷 A Breeze of Love - iQIYI

🇹🇭 Absolute Zero - iQIYI

🇹🇭 Bake Me Please - Gaga

🇹🇭 Beyond the Star - iQIYI

🇹🇭 Cooking Crush - GMMTV YT

🇹🇭 Last Twilight - GMMTV YT

🇹🇭 Middleman’s Love - iQIYI/Gaga

🇹🇭 My Dear Gangster Oppa - iQIYI

🇹🇭 My Universe (anthology) - iQIYI

🇹🇭 Pit Babe - iQIYI

🇹🇭 Playboyy - Gaga

🇹🇭 The Sign - IdolFactory YT

🇹🇭 The Whisperer - Youtube

🇹🇭 Twins - Gaga

🇹🇼 VIP Only - iQIYI

🇯🇵 What Did You Eat Yesterday? S2 - Gaga

November:

30 🇹🇭 For Him - iQIYI

30 🇯🇵 Sahara-sensei & Toki-kun - Gaga?

December

7 🇹🇭 Shadow (second half) - Gaga

9 🇰🇷 Behind the Shadow - TBD

11 🇭🇰 Stay Still - Gaga

9 🇹🇭 Cherry Magic - GMMTV YT

23 🇹🇭 Dead Friend Forever - iQIYI

24 🇯🇵 I Became the Lead of a BL Drama - TBD

Dates TBA (Expected Nov-Dec)

🇹🇭 Boyy of God - TBA

🇹🇭 Night Dream - TBA

🇰🇷🇹🇭 Wuju Bakery - TBA

More to be added as they are announced. Korea and Japan often like to drop without much warning.

[lgbtally4ever]

23 Hottest BL Series to Watch in March 2024

New & currently running

[abramsbooks]

RECIPE: Lamb Wontons (from Win Son Presents A Taiwanese American Cookbook by Josh Ku, Trigg Brown and Cathy Erway)

One time Trigg’s friend Julia Sung was in the kitchen at Win Son and she shared this game her family plays every Lunar New Year. They make wontons and stash a whole peanut inside one wonton. The person who finds the wonton with the peanut gets an extra fat hongbao, or red envelope stuffed with money. The catch? If you accidentally eat the peanut, you get nothing.

We once held this contest in our restaurant where we put a peanut in one of our wontons and would buy the dinner for the winning customer. It’s tricky, though, since people have peanut allergies, so we had to warn everyone who ordered wontons and anyone with the allergy was obviously disqualified. We forget who won, but it was hilarious.

Though wontons are most commonly filled with pork, or a combo of pork and shrimp, these are made with an unconventional lamb filling, which is spiced up with cumin and coriander. It’s served on a bed of labneh and you can add chili oil at your own discretion. This makes for a fun twist on a familiar dish that never gets old.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound (455 g) ground lamb

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon grated garlic

2 teaspoons red chile flakes, such as gochugaru or Sichuan chile flakes

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon toasted white sesame seeds

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon light soy sauce

2 teaspoons rice wine, preferably Taiwanese, or use Shaoxing rice wine as a substitute

1 heaping cup (45 g) packed flat chives or 4 large scallions, chopped

1 pack square yellow wonton wrappers (about 50)

2 teaspoons cumin seeds, for dusting (optional)

1 cup (240 ml) labneh

1 cup (240 ml) Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce (as featured in the book)

House Chili Oil (as featured in the book) or your favorite chili oil, such as Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp (optional)

1 cup (16 g) chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)

2 teaspoons “Lamb” Spice Mix (as featured in the book)

Fold together the lamb, ginger, garlic, chile flakes, salt, sesame seeds, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine, and chives (do not overmix). Marinate in the refrigerator overnight, or for up to 2 days.

To make a wonton, place a wrapper in a diamond shape on your palm. Place about 1 teaspoon of the filling horizontally along the lower half of a wrapper. Dip your finger in water and trace the sides of the wrapper to wet it; wet a line just above the center of the wrapper. Fold the bottom edge over the filling and seal along the sides, and at the top, leaving about ½ inch (12 mm) of the wrapper at the top edge. Be sure to seal the edges securely shut, and try to squeeze out any air pockets. Wet the corners of both bottom edges of the wrapper, and twist them backward to meet. Pinch where they meet to seal the wrapper there. Repeat with the rest of the filling and wrappers.

As you fold the wontons, place them on a lightly floured surface such as a sheet pan. Freeze if not using immediately; the wontons can be boiled from frozen without thawing.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop in the wontons in batches (according to however many you’re serving) so as not to overcrowd the pot. Cook for about 6 minutes, until they float and the skins are translucent. Carefully remove the wontons with a slotted spoon or spider and transfer to a bowl.

Using the back of a spoon, spread the labneh on a platter to serve family-style. Arrange the boiled wontons on top. Sprinkle with the cumin seeds, Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce, and the chili oil, if using, and finish with the chopped cilantro and “Lamb” Spice Mix.

A modern, brashly flavorful guide to cooking Taiwanese-American food, from Brooklyn’s lauded Win Son, Win Son Bakery, and Cathy Erway, celebrated writer and expert on the cuisine

Josh Ku, born in Queens to parents from southern Taiwan, and Trigg Brown, a native Virginian whose mentor was a Taiwanese-American chef, forged a friendship over food—specifically, excellent tsang ying tou, or "flies’ head," a dish of chopped budding chives kissed with pork fat. Their obsession with Taiwanese food and culture propelled them to open Win Son together in 2016. The East Williamsburg restaurant quickly established itself as a destination and often incurs long waits for their vibrant and flavorful Taiwanese-American cuisine.

Ku and Brown have teamed up with Cathy Erway, Taiwanese food expert and celebrated writer, to create this book which explores and celebrates the cuisine of Taiwan and its ever-simmering pot of creative influences. Told through the eyes, taste buds, travels, and busy lives of Ku, Brown, and Erway, this book brings the cuisine of this misunderstood island nation into the spotlight. With 100 creative, yet accessible recipes, this book will unravel the history of this diaspora cuisine. While featuring classic dishes and well-known favorites, this cookbook also stretches this cuisine's definition, introducing new dishes with brazen twists that are fun, flavorful, and decidedly American-born in style.

For more information, click here.

[laventadorn]

also for all the sweet lovely wonderful kind messages people left me here and on the chapter

[chocochipbiscuit]

I LOVE SALTED YOLK CAKE AND AM JUST SO HAPPY TO HAVE EATEN ONE!!!

[foldingfittedsheets]

Today has been hellish. My beloved’s mom was flying out early so they got up at 5am. I was up at 8 and dismayed to find I was on par with how tired my beloved was.

First errand was going to start allergy treatment. For those unfamiliar, they make up a diluted mix of the stuff you’re allergic to then inject you with it. We then got run through how to use an epipen.

The doctor told my beloved to immediately take an antihistamine nose spray when we got back in the car. They forgot. When we got home they had hives pop up which meant they were supposed to take Benadryl. We didn’t have any yet. They then took the nose spray and started feeling their throat tighten.

I rushed us to urgent care and we sat in the car assessing. They felt okay. So I said, “There’s a pharmacy down the road. I’m getting you Benadryl. But if we need to come back we’ll be right here.��

I got extra strength and practically forced it down their throat, sweating from fear and also anxiety. Because I have an appointment at the social security office for a name change today that I was now worried I’d miss while my wife was in danger.

They started getting sleepy and I silently cursed and realized the health crisis made us miss lunch. I didn’t have time before my appointment to get us sandwiches but there was a Taiwanese bakery near the office. “Im getting us bread,” I announced.

My beloved informed me they weren’t hungry and I chose to ignore that and get them a ham and cheese bread. While inside they texted me that actually they were hungry and I was so smart.

We arrived at the office with a bag full of bread and some time to spare but I’m still hopped up on stress and poor sleep.

[okiedokie2216]

ql/non-ql watchlist

highly recommended series/movies (completed-watched in 2024)

love for love's sake (korean bl)

unknown (taiwanese bl)

century of love (thai bl)

a frozen flower (korean movie)

double mints (japanese bl movie)

addicted heroin (chinese uncensored bl)

meet you at the blossom (chinese uncensored bl)

currently watching (currently airing):

blue canvas of youthful days (?)

jack & joker (mondays)

affair (fridays)

4 minutes (fridays)

kidnap (fridays)

to binge-watch:

thai bl - love in translation✅️

taiwanese bl - oh no here comes trouble

chinese bl/censored - stay with me

korean bl - love class 2

japanese bl - my beautiful man (1 & 2)

pinoy bl - marahuyo project

gl - to the x who hated me (kgl)

movie - double mints (jbl)✅️

non-ql drama - beyond evil (kdrama)

non-ql (western) - interview with the vampire

plan to watch next:

thai bl - triage

taiwanese bl - dna says love you

chinese bl/censored - justice in the dark

korean bl - color rush

japanese bl - at 25 in akasaka

pinoy bl - gameboys

gl -

movie - your name engraved herein (twbl)

non-ql drama -

upcoming:

to check (currently airing):

to binge-watch when complete:

wandee goodday

we are

the rebound

i hear the sunspot/hidamari ga kikoeru

takara's treasure

cosmetic playlover

the on1y one

love sea

looking forward to:

they're all thai- i don't know where to get updates on upcoming series from other countries

my golden blood (bl)

pit babe 2 (bl)

us (gl)

happy ending (?)

vamp (?)

goddess bless you from death (bl)

jack & joker (bl)

the last case (gl)

reverse 4 you (gl)

i'm the most beautiful count (bl)

revamp (bl)

spare me your mercy (bl)

pluto (gl)

other qls and dramas from other countries i randomly discover that look compelling enough to watch

(there's more but i don't remember them rn)

was also looking forward to (series i'm not entirely sure if they're still going to air):

wuju bakery

wish me luck

be mine

red peafowl

boyy of god

love puzzle

***list to be changed/updated on a weekly basis***

[bearsanpancakes]

Mitsuki Izumi - IDOL STAR LIVE 2023 Rabbit Chat

[Note: I am translating from the Taiwanese server of IDOLiSH7, not the Japanese server! Translations might differ from the original Japanese version due to that, but it shouldn’t make too much of a difference overall!]

ㅤ

Mitsuki: Tamaki~ 😄

Mitsuki: Do you have some time to spare?

Tamaki: Mikki~ [1]

Tamaki: Yup! What’s up?

Mitsuki: A: Fruit tart

Mitsuki: B: Chocolate cake

Mitsuki: Pick one‼️

Tamaki: What!? That’s impossible to pick from!!!!!

Tamaki: B…

Tamaki: Actually, hang on

Tamaki: A

Tamaki: Hm………….

Tamaki: I choose both 🥺🥺

Mitsuki: Lolol

Mitsuki: I might be able to make both if I start early in the morning 🤔

Tamaki: Huh!? Mikki, you’re making them yourself!?

Mitsuki: Yup! I have some spare time over the weekends and I haven’t made cakes in a while, so I wanted to try making them again

Mitsuki: My job finished early and I wanted to buy some supplies before heading home, so I asked for your opinion 😄💪

Mitsuki:

Tamaki: So that’s why you asked me, I’m glad about that

Tamaki: I love Mikki’s cakes the most

Tamaki: I’m super looking forward to it!!!!

Tamaki:

Mitsuki: I’m the one who’s glad to hear that you’re glad!!!

Tamaki: Hehe

Tamaki: But is it really okay for you to make both of them?

Mitsuki: Yup! That’s because this is also a reward for you!

Mitsuki: I heard you’ve been working hard to prepare for your exams after all 💪

Tamaki:

Tamaki:

Mitsuki: Huh, what’s wrong?

Tamaki: Actually, I can’t muster up the energy to work hard…

Mitsuki: Didn’t you return to your room early last night after saying you wanted to study, though?

Tamaki: I mean yeah, but

Tamaki: I instantly fell asleep the moment I opened up my books

Tamaki: I also wanted So-chan to keep an eye on me while I studied in the break room earlier

Tamaki: But I left my books at the dorm

Tamaki: I can’t muster up the energy to work hard anymore…

Mitsuki: What are you talking about? You’re already working hard!

Mitsuki: The fact that you returned to your room early and wanted Sogo to keep an eye on you is already really impressive!!

Mitsuki: Tamaki, you’re excellent!

Tamaki: Mikki…

Mitsuki: Alright! You wouldn’t feel at ease if I said the cake was a reward, right? Then feel free to have some cake as a way to lighten your mood and help you concentrate instead 🙂👌

Tamaki: Mikki!!!!! 😭😭

Mitsuki: I just sent Iori a text about the cake as well 👌 It’s impressive that both you and Iori are working hard for your studies and as an idol…!

Tamaki: That’s because Idol Star Live will be held soon

Tamaki: Iorin should be fine, but I’ll cause trouble for everyone if my results are bad and I have to take supplementary classes

Mitsuki: Hey now… you wouldn't be causing any trouble at all

Mitsuki: I’d definitely pat your head if you were in front of me right now!!!!

Tamaki: Then I’d have to crouch down so that your hand can reach my head 😏

Mitsuki: I can reach your head even if you don’t crouch!!! (lol)

Tamaki: Thanks

Tamaki: Mikki Tamaki: I’ll do something for you as thanks after my exams!

Mitsuki: There’s no need! Your thoughtfulness makes me glad enough 😆

Tamaki: Nope, I made up my mind

Tamaki: I’ll buy tons of cake with Iorin at your family’s bakery!!

Mitsuki: Lololol

Tamaki: Ah, but Iorin’s buying stuff from his family’s own bakery, I don’t think this counts as thanks then lol

Mitsuki: That's not true! My parents said that they feel happy watching the both of you and Isumi come to the bakery after school and enjoy their food 😋

Mitsuki: I’m sure I’d be super duper happy if I got to see you guys like that as well! I’ll be waiting for the thank you gift ✌️✨

Tamaki: Alright!

Tamaki: I’ll start giving it my all tomorrow just for this

Tamaki:

Mitsuki: That’s the spirit! Don’t push yourself too hard though

Mitsuki:

ㅤ

End of Rabbit Chat

ㅤ

[1] - The formatting on tumblr is really bad so I wasn't able to include it, but Tamaki ended this sentence with a little King Pudding emoji! Here's what the line actually looked like:

[buffetlicious]

At one time many years ago this Castella Cake (鸡蛋糕) frenzy took us by storm. Then many brand names from Malaysia and Taiwan opened branches in Singapore to compete with local bakeries churning out different flavours of such cakes. To get attention, some stalls even gave out free cakes to customers on their official opening day which in turn attracted long queues. As the novelty worn off, the queues disappeared and many such shops shuttered, leaving survivors like Baker Talent (パン達人) still going strong. Sis bought the Pandan Castella Cake or Taiwanese traditional cake (古早味蛋糕) as the shop called it. The texture is so fluffy soft with pandan flavour and an eggy profile to it.