Hi all! I've just returned from a wonderful, entirely too-short trip to Hong Kong to visit my family and Japan for a little adventuring. I wish I could have stayed for much longer: I always feel like just as I've settled comfortably back into a routine with my sisters and parents, I have to leave them again. Not to mention that departing from two cities known globally as food meccas always makes my stomach shed a tear. I already am rifling hourly through memories of my culinary experiences: charcoal cookies with black sesame cream, pale green wasabi ice cream, maguro freshly cut from the fish moments before, Peking duck at a Michelin two-star, eggettes eaten steaming hot in the street, and macarons everywhere – in Hong Kong!
It appears the macaron craze is not confined to Paris or the blogging world. Hong Kong has definitely embraced the French delicacy, and macarons of all hues and flavors are showing in little boutique bakeries that look like they could belong on a chic Parisian boulevard. Check out these utterly adorable cow macarons made for the coming Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox, natch!)
I'm eager to share some more about my trip, but it's taking me a while to sort through my filled-full camera memory cards. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy a few shots I took while I was traveling through Wakayama, Osaka, and Kobe in Japan:
It actually snowed! Just a gentle fairy-dusting of white, but magical nonetheless.
Lobster two ways: first sashimi, then cooked into an uber-tasty broth.
Omikuji, Japanese fortune telling strips, at a shrine.
Fresh hot red bean manju – perfect on a frosty afternoon.
So many more pictures – I'm looking forward to sharing more soon! However, right now I'm eager to also share with you an event I'm doing for my book, Field Guide to Cookies. (It's also the reason I couldn't stay longer in Asia!)
I'll be speaking about Field Guide to Cookies (and serving some cookies) at Omnivore Books in San Francisco this Saturday, January 24, from 3 to 4 PM. If you haven't been to Omnivore and you're in any way a foodie, you must! A store dedicated only to books on food, you'll find all manner of cookbooks and food literature, many of them old and hard-to-find. Celia Sack, the owner, has long specialized in antiquarian books, especially cookbooks. Now her rare, precious finds can be browsed by any curious food lover. I'm honored that Omnivore Books is carrying my book and I'm pleased to be speaking there this Saturday! If you're in town, please do stop by!
Omnivore Books
3885a Cesar Chavez Street
San Francisco, CA 94131
Link to the event on their page
See you there – and Happy Chinese New Year!
Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. 
Welcome home!! Your trip looks and sounds wonderful 🙂 Can’t wait to see more pics and hear about… MORE FOOD. Happy new year, my dear. I wish you and Mr. Cutie the *very best* for the year of the Ox and always. xxoo
Wonderful pictures! It must have been an amazing trip 🙂 I think the cow macaroons look so really cute! That gave me some inspiration…
Happy Chinese New Year to you! Love your travel photos, and hope you’ll have time to post more of them 🙂
Hi Anita, it seems that you really enjoyed your mini Asia trip. I can’t wait to read more about it. In the mean time, best of luck with the book event, and Happy Chinese New Year to you too. 🙂
can’t wait to see your pic in hk… your pics will surely be comforting… ‘cuz i miss hk and all the food very much too! and those ox macarons are super cute!!! so creative~ 🙂
Glad you are back! You were missed!!
Hi Anita,
Gung Hay Faat Choy! I can’t wait to hear more about your trip…I have got to get back to HK, and those ox macarons are so cute!
welcome back! Happy early Chinese New Year to you, those ox macarons are so cute…
The ox macaroons are adorable! Happy Chinese New Year!
Hey Anita, wish you a very Happy New Year 🙂
Your pictures look wonderful , and how i envy you, i havent been to HK in almost a year now, and i miss that place insanely !
Congratulations on your book 🙂
I to have been traveling.
Just back from Paris where I waited in line for my ration of Pierre Herme macaroons.
Can we start a support group for all those who have tried, and so far failed to perfect these little gems?
What is the secret to the fluffy and crunchy fillings. Most of the recipes I read say to use genache but none of those I have eaten in their homeland have this type of filling.
I wish I could have made it up to the city today for your event! I’ve been wanting to checkout Omnivore Books for a while now. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
Welcome home Anita and congrats on the book event!!
Can’t wait to see more of your pics
xoxo Carolg
what a wonderful trip this must have been! great photos anita!
I would do anything to go on a trip like that. Thank you for sharing your photos. At least I can dream 🙂
Amazing photos, looks like you had a nice trip there. I’m waiting for your next post. By the way I also have a website hope you’ll take a minute to look at it http://pastrybaskets.com/. Thanks.
Wow, what a beautiful japan! I wish could go there someday. Nice trip you have! I’m running my website about Bali, hope someday could see you here. LOL