https://www.facebook.com/101003038955371/

The Tasteful Lens, Pasig (2025)

08/12/2024

Cheating with someone in a relationship—does it truly bring happiness?

When you interfere in someone else’s relationship, you plant seeds of hurt and betrayal. While it may feel enjoyable now, remember—what goes around comes around. Karma never forgets.

Your actions today can bring negative consequences, not just to you but to your family and the generations that follow. Is it worth it?

Choose to do good. Choose integrity. The energy you give will return to you. Do good and harvest good.

08/12/2024

The Tasteful Lens Recipe of the Day: Christmas Ramen - Spiced Tonkotsu Ramen

Perfectly suited for cozy Christmas weather:

Ingredients:

# For the Broth
4 cups Chicken or Pork bone broth
2 cups Water
2 tablespoons Grated Ginger
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)

# For the Tonkotsu (Pork) Sauce
2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons Grated Ginger
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Pork or Chicken fat
2 tablespoons Soy sauce
2 tablespoons Sake (Japanese rice wine)
2 tablespoons Mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine)

# For the Toppings
11/2 pound Ramen noodles
Sliced Pork (Chāshu), boiled egg, green onions, shredded daikon radish
Sesame seeds, grated ginger, pickled ginger

# Instructions
1. *Prepare the broth*: In a large pot, combine broth, water, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 30 minutes, then strain.
2. *Make the Tonkotsu sauce*: In a pan, heat oil over medium. Add ginger and garlic; cook until fragrant. Add pork fat, soy sauce, sake, and mirin. Simmer until thickened.
3. *Cook the noodles*: Boil Ramen noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. *Assemble the Ramen*: Divide noodles among bowls. Ladle hot broth over noodles. Add sliced pork, boiled egg, green onions, and daikon radish. Drizzle Tonkotsu sauce on top.
5. *Garnish*: Sprinkle sesame seeds and grated ginger.

# Christmas Weather Pairing Suggestions
1. *Snowy Night*: Serve with steaming hot tea or sake for an cozy night in.
2. *Rainy Day*: Pair with crispy gyoza or edamame for a comforting snack.
3. *Frosty Morning*: Enjoy with a side of warm, crispy tempura bits.

# Tips
1. Use high-quality broth for rich flavor.
2. Adjust spice levels to suit your taste.
3. Customize toppings with your favorite ingredients.

Warmest wishes for a delicious and cozy Christmas!

# Foodie Community

08/12/2024

Series Review: When The Phone Rings (Netflix, 2024)

Here’s my take on the new Netflix K-drama “When the Phone Rings”—and I’m curious if you’ve watched it yet!

I got intrigued from the get-go because of those intense, thrilling moments. The way the story keeps you guessing about who the real culprit is—chef’s kiss! It really hooks you in. I mean, it’s one of those shows where you’re trying to connect all the dots, only to realize you might’ve been totally wrong.

BUT (and it’s a big but), I have to say… isn’t it a little unbelievable how the super-smart leading man, who’s the youngest presidential spokesman with a background that includes time spent as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and main news anchor, is completely clueless about his wife’s shady moves?

Like, how are we supposed to believe that he’s getting duped so easily? It’s frustrating but also makes me want to watch just to see when he’ll finally figure it all out. Or if he already did and just pretending that he is totally unaware.

I’ve only seen episodes 1 to 4 so far, and honestly, it feels like it could go either way—turn into a gripping masterpiece or end up a bit too far-fetched. The suspense is still strong, though, and I’m sticking around to see what happens next.

How about you? Have you started it yet? Would love to hear your thoughts—especially if you’ve made it past episode 4. Let’s compare notes!

for “When the Phone Rings” Review

04/12/2024

The Tasteful Lens Recipe of the Day: Tofu Dumplings with Dipping Sauce

Just like how every K-drama episode builds tension towards a satisfying climax, these dumplings bring you that perfect balance of crunch and softness, with the dipping sauce acting as the unexpected flavor bomb in every bite.

So, next time you’re watching your favorite K-drama (perhaps one about a strong, determined heroine, like Vincenzo or The K2), treat yourself to these tofu dumplings and let the food be as rich and satisfying as the show.

Ingredients:

For the Dumplings:
• 1 block firm tofu (pressed and drained)
• 1 cup finely chopped cabbage (or other veggies like mushrooms, carrots, or spinach)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ginger (grated)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Dumpling wrappers (store-bought or homemade)

For the Dipping Sauce:
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar (or maple syrup)
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional for some spice)
• 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling:
• Crumble the pressed tofu into a mixing bowl, and add the chopped cabbage (or other veggies). Mix together.
• Add minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, and black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are combined.
2. Assemble the Dumplings:
• Place a small spoonful of the tofu mixture in the center of each dumpling wrapper.
• Wet the edges with a little water and fold the wrapper over, sealing the edges by pressing firmly.
• You can pleat the edges for a more traditional look if you’d like!
3. Cook the Dumplings:
• Steaming: Steam the dumplings in a bamboo or metal steamer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the wrappers are tender and the filling is heated through.
• Pan-frying: Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the dumplings in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden. Then, add a splash of water and cover the pan to steam for another 4-5 minutes.
4. Make the Dipping Sauce:
• In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and chili flakes (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Garnish with sesame seeds.
5. Serve:
• Serve the tofu dumplings hot with the dipping sauce on the side.

04/12/2024

Series Review:
Judge from Hell (Disney+, 2024)

Okay, so you HAVE to check out Judge from Hell!

It’s such a refreshing twist, especially if you’ve seen Park Shin Hye in her typical roles as the damsel in distress. Here, she’s something else entirely—a mix of villain and hero, and honestly, I loved every second of it.

Watching her play Bitna, a judge who doles out justice to the wicked in the most creative, karmic ways, was so satisfying.

You could say it’s like she took her past “pityful girl” image and smashed it to bits—her performance is sharp, intense, and seriously badass.

And don’t even get me started on the supporting cast! Every actor brought their A-game, adding depth to the story.

The villains, in particular, were so well-portrayed that you almost loved hating them. But what really kept me hooked was the endgame for these bad guys.

Each episode felt like a build-up to their ultimate karma, and let me tell you, it was worth it.

The way Bitna judged them? Ugh, SO satisfying! Every time a wrongdoer got what they deserved, I was like, “Yes! Justice served!”

Overall, the story was tight, with no filler episodes, and I was genuinely excited for each twist.

If you’re into dramas where justice is served with a side of creativity, this one’s for you. Let me know if you watch it—I need someone to freak out with over how amazing it was!

03/12/2024

Life is like a wheel—constantly turning, taking us through highs and lows. Sometimes, everything seems to fall perfectly into place, and the road ahead feels smooth. Other times, challenges and trials arise, testing our strength and resilience.

These moments of struggle aren’t meant to break us; they’re opportunities to grow, learn, and evolve into stronger, wiser versions of ourselves.

What truly matters is to keep moving forward, no matter where the wheel turns.

Embrace the lessons life brings, celebrate the highs, and endure the lows with faith and determination.

Remember, every challenge is a stepping stone to becoming the person you’re meant to be. The key is to never give up and trust the process of the turning wheel.

03/12/2024

Here’s a little something to make your next K-drama binge even better: Crispy Tofu Squares with Creamy Mayo Sauce!

I whipped up this snack while prepping to watch The Trunk, and let me tell you—it’s as addictive as the first few episodes!

Light, crispy tofu paired with a tangy mayo dip makes the perfect companion to your favorite plot twists and slow-burn romances.

Whether you’re team snacks-over-dinners or just need something quick and easy, this recipe is a winner. 🌟

Tofu Squares with Creamy Mayo Sauce

Ingredients:
• For the tofu:
• 1 block extra-firm tofu (pressed and cut into cubes)
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Neutral oil for frying

• For the sauce:
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise (vegan or regular)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Optional: a pinch of chili flakes for heat

Instructions:
1. Prep the tofu: Press and cut tofu into bite-sized cubes. Toss with cornstarch, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook: Fry in oil over medium heat until golden and crispy, or bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
3. Make the sauce: Whisk together mayo, soy sauce, garlic powder, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Combine: Drizzle the creamy sauce over the crispy tofu squares. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions.

Snack tip: Serve warm with a side of rice or eat them straight as a snack!

Give it a try and let me know which drama pairs best with this crispy goodness!

30/11/2024

The Trunk (2024) - Finally!

Waited for this for weeks! So, I just wrapped up The Trunk on Netflix, and here’s the deal.

The first few episodes had me really hooked. The mystery surrounding this trunk and the strange, intense vibes made it feel like one of those shows where you know something big is coming.

Gong Yoo (seriously, he’s the reason I stuck with it) is incredible as the tortured music producer, Han Jeong Won. Seo Hyun Jin as Noh In Ji also does a great job, and their chemistry was one of the best parts.

But here’s the thing – as interesting as the series was at first, it didn’t really deliver that big, satisfying climax I was hoping for. Like, I was expecting things to go totally wild by the end, but the payoff didn’t feel as strong as I thought it would. Still, I kept going because, let’s be honest, Gong Yoo’s presence and performance alone makes it worth finishing. Even if the storyline didn’t fully blow me away, his acting kept me glued to the screen.

So, if you’re into slow-burn mysteries with a bit of romance and psychological tension, give it a go. Just don’t expect an explosive finale – but hey, it’s still worth a watch for Gong Yoo fans!

5.5/10

How about you? Did you enjoy it?

The Tasteful Lens

08/12/2024

08/12/2024

08/12/2024

04/12/2024

04/12/2024

03/12/2024

03/12/2024

30/11/2024

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category