Honest Bao

Matcha, that vibrant Japanese powder, is everywhere. But is the UK chain cafe hype real? I ventured out to find out. Prepare yourselves, it wasn't pretty. The Matcha Mission: Who's In, Who's Out? Here are the most common coffe chain you can find in the UK 1. Blank Street Coffee 2. Caffee Nero 3. Costa  4. Gregg (not sure its right to classify it as cafe) 5. Pret-a-manger  6. Starbucks Not everyone's jumped on the matcha bandwagon. Costa and Greggs? Zero matcha. Sticking to their usual, and honestly, probably for the best. Cafe Nero: The Strawberry & Vanilla Sweet Bomb Strawberry & Vanilla Iced Matcha Latte, Image from Caffee Nero Caffee Nero went bold with "Strawberry &/or Vanilla Iced Matcha Latte." My philosophy: less is more with matcha. Theirs? More is a lot. It was overwhelmingly sweet, even after asking for less syrup. Strawberry and vanilla just clashed with the delicate matcha. Confused taste buds, not zen at all. Rating: 2.5/5. Too sweet, ...

Been to London recently and was craving for some Japanese style grill meant My destination? The ever-reliable Yakiniku Like!! – a spot I've been to a few times now, and one that consistently delivers on its promise of great value. A Speedy Grill, A Patient Wait Store entrance, Google Image Arriving during a busy weekday dinner rush, the 20-minute wait was completely expected. This is London, after all. Yakiniku Like!! is a low-cost chain from Japan, so you know it's going to be a popular spot. While the decor might not be winning any awards for "cosy" – the small tables and compact seating can feel a little snug on a packed night – there's one thing that always impresses me: the ventilation. No more leaving a BBQ joint smelling like a human chimney! My clothes and hair were mercifully free of that smoky aroma, which is a massive plus. The Meat, The Meal, and The Reality Check Great value set in good portion I went for a 3-meat combo set, 250g of meat for a very re...

The internet has been absolutely buzzing about the M&S Strawberry Sando, and for good reason. For those not deep in the world of Japanese cuisine, a "fruit sando" might sound a bit… odd. But in Japan, these delicate fruit sandwiches (not just strawberry!) are a beloved classic. I was genuinely curious to see how M&S, our very British institution, would interpret this subtle Japanese treat. It does taste good, worth a try! Clocking in at £2.80, it's certainly not a budget-friendly snack, especially for its relatively small portion. However, the stars of the show are undoubtedly the "Red Diamond" strawberries. I believe these are M&S's own special variety, and honestly, they're some of the best strawberries you can find in a UK supermarket – juicy, sweet, and perfectly ripe. The bread is a brioche, which lends a lovely extra sweetness and a delightful fluffy texture. The cream is good too; fresh and surprisingly light, not overly cloying. Overa...

Got off the plane from Madrid and straight back into Brum. Today, we're tackling a new ramen spot that's been on my radar: Maneki Ramen in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. I've been eyeing this place since the whispers of its Jewellery Quarter opening began. Now, I understand it's a fusion concept, not traditional ramen. However, given the limited Japanese restaurant options in Birmingham, it seemed worth a try. First impressions were positive regarding the decor. It features an industrial-chic design, which, with some Japanese elements, creates an appealing atmosphere. The place was lively and appeared to be well-received by other diners. However, this is where my experience began to turn less favourable. 'Award' winning Ramen Service Speed: A Test of Patience To be frank, the service was notably slow. While the staff were friendly, the wait time for our food was approximately 30 minutes. Furthermore, a table seated 10-15 minutes after us received their main...

I know what you’re thinking: "Japanese food in Spain?" Madrid, is actually brimming with some seriously top-notch Japanese establishments. And when you've got Spain's incredible seafood bounty, it’s a match made in gastronomic heaven. So, if you're looking for a detour from tapas, sushi is where you should go. 2 years of  Michelin 1 star We went for lunch, and it turns out we had the entire place to ourselves. The decor is a departure from your typical minimalist Japanese joint – it's all dark wood and moody lighting, creating a surprisingly chic vibe. They also boast a rather impressive selection of Japanese wines. Service was generally excellent - can’t be more attentive as we were the only customer. Our chef, who was trained in France and Japan before moving to Madrid, bringing a wealth of experience to the table. different decor compare to typical omakase restaurant Now, for the main event: the food. Overall, it was a triumph! The starters were an absolut...

Hola, when you think Spain, you might think tapas I raved about last time. But let me tell you, their seafood? Absolutely out of this world! Let's talk about Galician cuisine. Hailing from the northwestern corner of Spain, Galicia is a seafood paradise. Their culinary philosophy is all about showcasing the pristine quality of their catch, often with minimal fuss, usually simply boiled or grilled to let the natural flavours sing. It’s honest, hearty, and utterly delicious.  Restaurante Ogrelo: Where Seafood Dreams Come True! Restaurant entrance The dinner started with oysters. Again, not peak season, so they were decent but didn't blow my socks off. But then, the main event: the seafood platter. The staff were kind enough to swap out the crayfish for some glorious clams. And what arrived was a vision of oceanic perfection! Nice decor Here’s the thing about Ogrelo: there's no fancy trickery, no elaborate sauces trying to steal the show (as I mentioned earlier this is the Gali...

Welcome back to the Madrid series agin and I am trying the Spain's signature – tapas! A quick tapas tutorial: Tapas are essentially small, savoury dishes, designed for sharing (or, if you're like me, for pretending to share while secretly hogging the best bits). They're meant to be enjoyed with a drink and good company, hopping from bar to bar as many as your belly can handle. From my highly scientific, one-person research, I certainly felt that the tapas game is different in Madrid vs. Barcelona. Barcelona, with its undeniable tourist magnet vibes, seemed to offer more "refined" and perhaps "fancy" tapas – the kind that look great on Instagram but sometimes leave your wallet feeling a bit light. Madrid, on the other hand, felt more… rustic? Traditional? I'm not saying one is better than the other and you can still definitely find lots of great tapas in Madrid but just a bit less. Anyway, I dove headfirst into Madrid's tapas scene, and two spots...