One, two, three. 24 April 2007

One. Two. Three. Three shrimps. One. Two. Three. Four … strawberries … Counting sheep doesn’t do it for me.

Do you ever get those cravings at those weirdest times? Right now I’m crazy hungry craving, at midnight no less, for ebi tempura udon and strawberry sponge cake.I could make some tea downstairs (though, lazy me), but the udon and cake will probably have to wait. Unless I dream about it. (I will myself to!)

The soup is hot and sweetish, the udon not-too-filling but very satisfying. Then fishing out those three large juicy shrimps with chopsticks … and an intermittent crunch of the greens. Of course, I always save one shrimp for the last bite, the best for last.

Sips of hot genmaicha (green tea with toasted rice) is a must with this incredibly luscious yet light dessert. The cake is a sponge cake and not too sweet, as Japanese are wont with their pastries. The whipped cream is cream, again not at all sweet. It’s all nicely balanced with the fresh tartness of those strawberries. Oh wait, another best for last.
Another cup of genmaicha, and I’m full to the brim. I had this for dinner the other weekend at our regular Japanese resto JiPan. And I’ll order it tonight in my dream.

My other entries on Jipan’s pastries here and here.

Jipan Japanese Bakery and Coffee Shop
SM Megamall, Upper Ground Level, Bldg. A
(near Toy Kingdom)
Julia Vargas Avenue
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Tel: 633.5990

Glorietta, 2nd Level, Glorietta 4
Ayala Center, Makati
Tel: 728.9442