This Quarter I Played the “Home Chef” Role Too Well, Barely Ate Out

This season was all about channeling my inner home chef, so I didn’t dine out much—but the few times I did, it was a whole journey of flavors 😌 1️⃣ Wataru 🍣 Celebrated the end of the semester here… then saw the domestic violence scandal posts after sitting down. Instantly uncomfortable, though the fish and courses were still well-executed—a complicated meal. 2️⃣ Story Coffee ☕️ Haven’t been back to China in so long—this pour-over, with layers that unfolded as it cooled, nearly moved me to tears! The owner was super kind too—my most heartwarming coffee moment lately ✨ 3️⃣ Aroom’s New Waterfront Location 🦑 An Aroom that serves food now! Their squid pasta was perfectly seasoned, and the space is bright and spacious—great for settling in with a laptop. 4️⃣ Hu Ji Cold Pot Fish, Vancouver 🌶️ My first time trying cold pot fish… and it was in Vancouver! Spicy, fragrant, tender fish—so good it made me sway with joy～ 5️⃣ Paragon 🍵 Vancouver’s matcha game is seriously competitive… Their matcha desserts are rich and refined, a must for matcha lovers! 6️⃣ Shiro 🍱 Rarely do I encounter a meal so “not good” that it’s worth posting about… Bland and overpriced—officially crossed off my list 💔 7️⃣ Chao Shang Chao 🥢 My last delicious meal in Vancouver before returning to Seattle, where the next day I was eating convenience store rice balls… The is real—“Someone please fix this!” In summary: Few meals out, but each packed with flavor and feeling. A true foodie’s quarterly report 🍽️ #EatAllTheThings #TreatMyself #EatingEverythingForBalance #WhenInDoubtEat #DroolingJustThinkingAboutIt #SeattleFood #VancouverFood #BeijingFood #IsThereGoodFoodInBeijing