ABBEY: They say Luckin Coffee is China’s version of Starbucks. It’s offering SGD 0.99 for your first cup of coffee. And it comes with other vouchers from 50% up to 40% off on your cups. Referring a friend will give you another 99-cent coffee.
I tried Vanilla Flavored Creamy Latte. It was smooth, hot, sweet and right amount of bitterness. The same goes to Coconut Velvet Latte and Dark Brown Sugar Velvet Latte. They differ in the type of sweetener.
I also had their Single Origin Espresso (SOE) series Yirgacheffe and Hambella in flat white without added syrup.
Order via the app and have it delivered or pick up. Never had to wait for a long time to get my order.
Try their coffee offerings as alternative for your usual cups.
WILL: Can I say that Abbey is coffee addict? Yep! Not enthusiast but he is totally addicted to it. Haha! So whenever there’s a new cafe or coffee concoction that pops, he dearly needs to try it. And of course, one of that is Luckin’ Coffee.
I am thrilled to know that they infused coconut into their drink which I will tell you that they perfectly done it. Not overly sweet! Creaminess is superb.
Top it all, they have a S$0.99 promo in your first purchase! Good coffee with a good deal. Kudos Luckin’ Coffee.
At last we set our feet to the Land of the Rising Sun. It is not without its navigation challenges as you explore but fret not. The technology, through internet and apps, will help you towards an enjoyable vacation.
We had Google Maps and Japan Travel Apps installed in our phone and we also got the pocket wifi for the duration of our trip. The apps are helpful specially with the train timings. They even show the platform where you supposed to wait for your train.
Our Japan Rail Pass is with the Green Car but you still have to book a seat reservation.
We opted to book the either ends of the coach to place our luggages and still have extra legroom.
Always check if reservation is required in trains else you take the local train which takes more travel time.
We ask hotel staff for directions to confirm where we’re going.
Signs in Japan are written in their language along with English, and sometimes Korean and Chinese.
Favorite Food
Hard to say which one is my favorite but their pork bone broth ramen, omakase and rice balls stood out.
This is the first time I got a coffee in can which served hot. Perfect for cold weather.
Favorite Accommodation
Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is the place I liked the most. It was an onsen alongside a river and mountains. Hot and cold in one place. Our accommodation includes breakfast and dinner as well as shuttle to and from the train station. Worry free and total relaxation.
Favorite Train Ride
All our train rides are unique but what I enjoyed the most are the ones in Shinkansen (bullet train). We booked for the Green Car and it was awesome; fast, spacious, clean, and quiet. And best thing is you can eat inside the train.
Best Experience
Overall the Japan stay is best experience. We got to know a little bit more about the country; their infrastructure, culture, and food.
Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Laregst Onsen in Japan Itinerary
Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Tallest Gundam in Japan Itinerary
WILL:
How to Enter Japan without Missing Connecting Flight
We had a connecting flight from Tokyo to Hakata and we missed our flight. Our flight ETA in Narita Japan is 2:35, and our more than 3 hours layover is not enough to transfer from Narita to Haneda. Why? There’s a long wait in the immigration that time and a heaby traffic everywhere. The 1 hour bus travel to became more than 2. Luckily ANA re-booked our ticket to yhe next flight without questions asked. Literally no questions. Haha. From there, I fell in love with ANA. So what is the lesson? Since Narita and Haneda is pretty far from each other you need to alot a 2 hours travel time by bus/train, 2 hours to clear immigration and 1hour for the automated check-in. More ore less 6 hours is pretty safe for a transfer.
Favorite Accommodation
Who beats to our Takaragawa Onsen Stay? We experienced the old and traditional side of Japan. But I know not everyone do not like ro stay in suburbs so my next suggestion is look for Montan Hostel. We stayed at montan Hakata. The staffs are lively and helpful, the room is huge, clean and most specially it is affordable! Indeed a value for your money! You won’t regret staying in this hostel. Wink-wink.
Favorite Food
Although we had a fun experience dining in Takaragawa’s dishes, omakase at Sushi Tokyo Ten and the most expensive coffee we had in LV Cafe what I really enjoyed is eating food from the groceries. Haha! It feels so local. The unforgettable rice balls, bentos, chips and LOVE chocolate. The best part is, it is veryyy cheap! I love the food and booze in Tokyo Bay Cruise Symphony. If they say booze it is indeed booze. Undilutedand unoverwhelmed with ice! A MUST when you visit the capital of Japan. Ohh, before I forgot, the Hojicha Tea of Starbucks Japan is a thing not to forget in your travel.
Favourite Train Ride
Do you know that our train ride total cost is JPY240,044 and we bought the Japan Rail Pass for only SGD791.30(Klook). We saved SGD1,476.27! We really do maximised our Japan Rain Pass. Haha! My favourite train ride is from Hakata to Osaka, Sakura 550. The views outside is majestic and you’ll wonder how Japan sticks to its culture and agriculture while being one of the advanced and developed countries in Asia. This idea truly baffling and amazed me at the same time.
Best Experience
Everything!!! We had a great time! We enjoyed the food, the tranquility, bullet train ride is unforgettable experience. One tip I will give to you! STAY AWAY on tourist flooded sites. If you can’t and want to experience what you’ve seen in your feeds, go there early as 6AM. Japan is the Rising Sun of the east so expect that 5AM the sun is already grazing its rays. Enjoy your Japan Planning. Hope this blog will help you in your itinerary!
You can replace soy sauce with oyster sauce. Add water for desires thickness of sauce. Serve with rice.
Beef or chicken can be used as well.
VERDICT:
WILL: Beef prices in Singapore are exorbitant, often exceeding S$7 for a small portion of meat. However, I still crave the savory flavors of ginger and beef. That's when I turned to Abbey for ask him on whether he could substitute pork in a Beef Broccoli recipe.
Abbey cooked it and I was pleasantly surprised with the tender and juicy pork strips infused with a gingerly soy sauce. Adding colorful broccoli and carrots made this dish not only delectable but also visually appealing.
This recipe has become a staple in my monthly meal plan
