C&C breakfast

C&C breakfast cafe is located opposite the famous Pork Tamago Onigiri Honten shop. The restaurant offers an array of healthy breakfast dishes, such as pancakes and french toast with local fruits, acai bowls, sandwiches, omelets, salads, fresh juices, and smoothies.

The cafe is small but cozy. It is popular with locals and tourists, so it fills up fast, so best to get there early. I was lucky the day I went, there weren’t many customers. So I got there a little after 9 a.m. English menu is available, and the staff is friendly.

I ordered the Lilikoi sauce souffle pancake ( Lilikoi butter, cream, and passion fruit sauce)(800 yen). The souffle was airy and soft. However, the tart taste of the passionfruit sauce was more pronounced than I would like it. The cream helps balance out the tartness a little.

**Lilikoi butter is a curd of passion fruit juice, egg, butter, and sugar.

If you are in the area, this is a cute spot for breakfast or brunch.

C&C breakfast

Website: https://www.ccbokinawa.com/

Opening hours: Weekdays 9:00 a.m. – 14:00p.m., close on Tuesdays
Weekends 8:00 a.m. – 14:00 p.m.

Telephone: 0989279295

Address: Japan, 〒900-0014 Okinawa, Naha, Matsuo, 2 Chome−9−6 タカミネビル 1F

Nakamura soba

Nakamura soba is a no-frills restaurant serving Okinawan soba. The restaurant is located along Onna Sunset Coast road between ANA Intercontinental Manza Beach Resort and Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island resort and offers a panoramic view of the sea. There is outdoor seating at the back of the restaurant.

It is an excellent place for a quick lunch.

After a hearty meal, you can stroll on the beach across from the restaurant; it’s a quiet beach.

There are 6 different toppings to choose from –

Ahsa soba – seaweed soba noodles topped with seaweed, stewed pork belly, and boiled fish pastes.
So-ki soba – plain soba noodles topped with stewed pork ribs
Nakamura soba- plain soba noodles topped with stewed pork belly and pork ribs
Okinawa soba- plain soba noodles topped with pork belly and boiled fish paste.
Sanmainiku soba- plain soba noodles topped with three thick slices of pork belly.
Tebichi soba – plain soba noodles topped with pig trotters.

The noodles come in two sizes – medium and large. In addition, you can add a side of fried rice or Inari sushi for an extra 200 yen.

I went for the medium-sized So-Ki soba( 800 yen) with fried rice and Inari sushi. The food came out fast, and the staff was friendly. The pork was tender and flavorful. The noodles are chewy with an al dente texture, and the broth is light and aromatic. Delicious!

Nakamura Soba

Website: http://www.ii-okinawa.ne.jp/people/menmen/

Opening hours: Daily 10:30 a.m. – 17:00 p.m.

Telephone: (098) 966-8005

Address: Serakaki1669-1, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun 904-0404 Okinawa Prefecture

The Baker’s Table

This German-owned bakery is the place to go for good German bread and pastries in Seoul. They also have a brunch menu, a variety of sandwiches, and soups. It is located in a quiet, beautiful neighborhood, a short walk to Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheong Park.

We were greeted by the smell of fresh bread when I entered the bakery. There was a mouthwatering display of bread by the counter. The staff was friendly, and we joked with the German bakers.

The Baker’s Table (Samcheong-dong)

Website: https://thebakerstable.co.kr/

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Telephone: 02-725-0777

Address: 126 Samchong-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, Korea

Noryangjin Fish Market

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Noryangjin Fish Market is one of Korea’s largest seafood markets. If you are a seafood lover, this is the place to be. There is an old and new building. The new building is relatively clean and organized. The floors tend to be wet, so I recommend wearing closed-toe shoes. There is also a live fish auction at 3:00 a.m. every day.

A delicacy at the market other than sashimi is san-nakji – chopped-up live octopus. If you are an adventurous eater, do give it a go.

Many vendors have a restaurant or are connected with restaurants on the second floor. So if you want your seafood to be prepared in the restaurant, just talk to the vendor you’re buying from, and they will arrange for someone to escort you to the restaurant.

Tip: Bargain, bargain, bargain! Most vendors speak little to no English, but they are quite resourceful with the calculator and hand gestures. There are a few Chinese vendors; if you speak Mandarin, you can look out for them.

I bought a king crab, sole, and mussels, which cost me 200,000 won (around 184 USD). There were five of us, so I got a big king crab which cost over 100,000 won. We decided to have our seafood cooked at a restaurant.

The mussels were cooked in a mild broth, while the fish was accompanied by a sweet-spicy sauce. I loved the sauce; it wasn’t too spicy, with a hint of garlic, not overpowering the fish’s natural flavors.

Most shellfish are either steamed or grilled. Our king crab was steamed. It was my first time having king crab, and the meat was delicious! It was naturally sweet, not requiring any dipping sauce.

The restaurant bill came to around 48,000 won.

In the city where I’m currently residing, we don’t get a lot of fresh seafood, so this was a real treat!

Noryangjin Fish Market

Website: https://www.susansijang.co.kr/nsis/miw/en/intro

Opening hours: Daily 1:30 a.m – 22:00 p.m.

Address: 13-6, Noryangjin 1-Dong, Dongzak-gu, Seoul

Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort

The outrigger beach resort is located on the Northeast of the island. It’s secluded and a little far out from the center, but this is a good option if you are looking for a peaceful resort. There are free daily shuttle buses to Chaweng beach and fisherman’s village. The rooms are styled with tropical decor with a modern twist. There is one all-day dining restaurant on the property.

This is one of the cheaper resorts, if not the cheapest 5-star resort, for a villa with a private pool.

Room service

The Thai green curry had an overpowering amount of coconut milk that I could barely taste the curry. The salad’s vinaigrette ratio was not balanced; there was too much oil, so there was not much flavor.

Dining at Edgewater

The Pad Thai was decent. It was a little too sweet for my palate.

The fish and chips were dry, and the fish was over-fried. The chicken satay tasted bland.

My overall impression of the food was average. However, I loved the villa with the pool and the spa services.

Outrigger Koh Samui beach resort

Website: https://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/thailand/koh-samui/outrigger-koh-samui-beach-resort

Telephone: +66 0 77 914 700

Address: 63/182 Moo 5 T. Bophut, Hanuman Bay, Koh Samui
Suratthani 84320

Lusso lab, Jeongdong

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Lusso Lab is located in the quiet historical area of Jeongdong, not far from Deoksugung Palace. The quaint neighborhood is beautiful for a stroll after a meal. The interior is spacious with industrial-style decor. There is an enticing display of cakes by the counter. The staff was friendly but spoke minimal English.

The menu offers Western food such as french toast, American breakfast, eggs benedicts, etc. There are also brunch sets available.

I settled for the brunch set C, which consists of an American breakfast set, a cobb salad, and 2 cups of coffee. We opted for a latte and cappuccino. Also, I ordered a Tiramisu, brioche bread with bechamel sauce, ham, cheese, egg, grilled asparagus, and a Brioche French toast.

The brioche French toast came with homemade ricotta cheese, bacon, walnuts, blueberries, and maple syrup. The French toast was pillowy soft. The ricotta cheese was creamy and smooth with a hint of sweetness, and the bacon was not too salty – a good balance between sweet and savory. The tiramisu could be better. Some parts of the sponge cake were dry, and the taste of the coffee was weak.

Compared to the other dishes, I did not enjoy the American breakfast. It was a bit bland, and I would have preferred toasted bread. The brioche bread with bechamel sauce was good, and the creamy bechamel sauce paired with cheese and ham – was delicious!

Overall, an excellent spot for brunch!

Vanilla french toast 12,800 won.

Croque Madame 9,800 won

Brunch set C 25,800 won

Lusso Lab, Jeongdong branch

Website: https://www.lussolab.co.kr/main.do

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 20:00 p.m

Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 20:00 p.m.

Telephone: 02-772-9935

Address: 17 Jeongdong-gil, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Silavadee pool spa resort

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Silavadee pool spa resort is nestled on a rocky beach between Chaweng and Lamai beaches with breathtaking sea views. The tropical-style rooms are cozy and comfortable, well-equipped, and clean. The complimentary fruit was a nice touch. Facilities at the resort include two infinity pools, a private beach, a spa, and a fitness center.

I stayed for two nights at the resort. I booked the deluxe room with an ocean view and a hot tub. The view from the room was picturesque. There is also a great view of the sea from the bathroom. I stayed in room 213, a corner room, and you can view the sunset from the balcony. Unfortunately, I had a noise disturbance at 1 am, 7 am, and 9 am. I called reception each time to report the noise. They dealt with it right away. The next day, they unexpectedly upgraded me to a pool villa with a partial sea view. The room was quiet and spacious. I was able to get a good night’s rest.

The staff there was friendly, courteous, and accommodating, one of the resort’s highlights.

In-room dining

Ceaser salad and spaghetti bolognese

Both were delicious.

Breakfast at Moon restaurant

The hotel offers a good breakfast spread of both Asian and Western cuisine. In addition, there are a variety of tropical fruit juices, smoothies, and local herbal teas. There is also a menu for made-to-order/ hot dishes such as eggs benedict, roti, steamed fish fillet, etc.

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All in all, this is a beautiful resort surrounded by lush greens, in balance and harmony with its surroundings. The attentive care of the staff is a testament to Thai hospitality. I left feeling energized and relaxed!

Silavadee pool spa resort

Website:https://www.silavadeeresort.com/

Telephone: +66(0)77-960-555

Address: 208/66 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

STAR bar, Silavadee

I love this rooftop bar. The view is spectacular with a panoramic view of the sea and mountains. It is the ideal place to grab a drink, relax, and watch the sunset. The atmosphere is laid back yet romantic. Reservation is highly recommended if you prefer a specific seating area. I made a reservation and got a seat at one of the four sunken tables.

There is an excellent selection of cocktails and an international menu for those who want to order food. For couples, there is a special romantic dinner available which needs to be booked ahead of time. There is also a live saxophone performance and a seafood barbeque buffet every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m.

STAR bar

Website: https://www.silavadeeresort.com/silavadee-dining

Opening hours: Daily 17:00 p.m. – 23:00 p.m.

Telephone: +66 77 960 555

Address: 208/66 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

The Height, Silavadee

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The Height is a Thai restaurant atop the Silavadee Pool Spa Resort hillside. The uninterrupted panoramic sea view from the terrace is stunning. The menu is extensive, offering Northern and Southern Thai dishes, including Khantoke, served on a pedestal tray.

It was a beautiful night with a clear view of the moon shining above the horizon. The perfect setting for a memorable dinner. The staff was friendly and helpful.

The prawn curry was creamy with a mild heat, and the prawns were fresh. There was also petai, also known as stink beans, in the curry. It is widely used in Southeast Asia. Petai has a strong odor, and it lingers in your mouth. As a Malaysian, petai is not foreign to me. The curry helps reduce the strong taste of the petai.

The papaya salad was well seasoned, and the fried chicken wings were crispy and juicy. The fritters were delicious crunchy banana goodness.

The prices are pretty high, but the view is worth a trip!

Papaya salad – 331.35 baht

Curry prawns with bamboo – 416.31 baht

Deep-fried banana fritters – 212.40 baht

The Height

Website: https://www.silavadeeresort.com/silavadee-dining.php

Opening hours: Daily 17:00 p.m. – 22:30 p.m.

Telephone: +66 77 960 555

Address: 208/66 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

Paste – Michelin Star Thai restaurant

Paste is a one Michelin star restaurant located on the 3rd floor of the Gaysorn Village. The head chef, Bee Satongun, is dedicated to restoring and preserving traditional Thai cuisine while adding some modern touch. The restaurant’s interior is contemporary Thai decor with a large centerpiece of sinuous strips of silkworm cocoons. The high ceiling, airy dining space, and warm colors create a comfortable dining experience. The staff wore traditional Thai-inspired attires.

Spanner crab on a seaweed sesame cracker

The amuse-bouche was exquisite – rich umami flavor.

Old-style hot & sour soup of crisp pork leg, char-grilled shallots,
jackfruit seeds, and roasted tomatoes in a smoky chicken broth.

The soup was lovely and very appetizing. It was tangy and smokey with a reasonable amount of heat.

Loas-Vieng style sour orange curry, line-caught seabass
with roasted mung bean and drum stick flowers

The fish was very fresh and tender. However, the curry was a bit bland; I preferred a spicier intense-flavored curry.

Complimentary orange sorbet

The sorbet was a sweet, refreshing ending to the meal.

Overall, attentive service and excellent quality food. However, I have mixed feelings about the restaurant. I was not blown away by the food; the dishes did not justify the price for me. I was expecting more from a Michelin star restaurant.

Still water 80 baht

Hot and sour pork leg soup 750 baht

Sour orange seabass curry 1300 baht

Riceberry 150 baht

Paste

Website: https://www.pastebangkok.com/

Opening hours:

Daily
Lunch 12:00 pm – 14:00 pm
Dinner 18:30 pm – 23:00 pm

Telephone: +66(0)2 656 1003

Address: 3rd Floor, Gaysorn, 999 Ploenchit Rd., Lumpini, Bangkok