I came to Osaka to eat and rightly so because whereas Tokyo is known for its vast metropolis and Kyoto is known for its serene temples, Osaka is known for its food.
Japan became priority when I stumbled upon Matt Goulding's Rice, Noodle, Fish, a food culture narrative set across different regions of Japan. Before I knew it, I had a flight confirmation from LAX - NRT in my mailbox.
I recently had the opportunity to dine at Chef Niki Nakayama’s restaurant, n/naka, and if it sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve heard the name on the Netflix original documentary series, Chef’s Table. First of all, what is kaiseki?
From an eight-hour drive to catch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon to the thrilling trail up Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, the adventure to the southwest brought new heights, new scenery and a newfound appreciation for the rocky formations just a few states east of California.
I kept my trip to the Philippines a blank canvas with no plans of what to do, what to eat and what to see. I put my meticulous planning aside and instead let myself go with the flow, enjoying the company of the people closest to my heart in the country I once called my home.
The hot humid air was oddly comforting as I stepped out of Ninoy Aquino Airport, maybe because it was the first welcome sign that I was finally back to my roots.