Asia Archives - Page 11 of 13

Fran’s Brunch & Greens: a Bangkok Brunch on Steroids

March 19, 2023February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Food, Thailand BigBody Leave a Comment

I think I may have found my absolute favorite brunch spot in all of Asia – Fran’s Brunch and Greens. Located a stone’s throw away from Lumphini Park (a spot that has become a daily staple for my walks) in the Northeast corner of Sathon, Fran’s is a brunch powerhouse serving up elevated takes on breakfast classics, creative and fresh Acai and fruit bowls, and open-faced sandwiches that will make your momma blush.

In my ten-plus years in Asia, I am declaring Bangkok as the “top dog” gastronomically for affordable, high-quality, Western and local cuisine. In this past month that I’ve given myself in Bangkok, the city has kicked through the doors of my “Cuisine Constitution” and torn down the walls of what I thought I knew about food in Asia.

Fran’s is the icing on the cake, the dot at the bottom of an exclamation point, the final stab by the orchestra to cap off the night (or start the day). Here’s why…

Quick & Easy Process to Get a 30-Day Vietnam E-Visa Explained

February 26, 2023February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

As you may know by now, I’m heading to Vietnam in several days (mid-January, 2022). It has been nearly 3 years since I left Ho Chi Minh to embark on a journey to Europe for a six-month stint and move back to Hong Kong (my current base). I can’t wait to be back.

A part of me was stressed about obtaining a visa for Vietnam as I barely remembered doing so when I first moved there in July 2018. However, then I remembered that it was an absolute breeze and that’s why it wasn’t even registering in my memory.

If you are looking to apply for a 30-day Vietnam E-visa, I’ve got you covered. Below, I will walk through exactly what you can expect when applying, how long a 30-day Vietnam E-visa takes to be processed (and how long mine actually took), and additional considerations to keep in mind when traveling to Vietnam.

3:10 to Zuma: The Neverending, Free-Flow Brunch of the Century

January 12, 2023February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

If you are looking for the holy grail of all brunches in Hong Kong, look no further than ‘Zuma’s Weekend Brunch’.

This is the brunch mecca to go on pilgrimage to, where you cast the ring into Mount Doom to prevent Sauron from destroying brunches across Middle Earth, your final resting place as you kick up your feet and hum R.E.M.’s ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It’ while digging into free-flow champagnes and wines, neverending gyoza and sashimi bowls, and other Japanese izakaya-inspired fare.

… “And I feel fine.”

Shugetsu’s Tsukemen: My Number One Meal in All of Hong Kong

January 6, 2023February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

Shugetsu’s tsukemen would unquestionably be my last meal on earth if I was ever on death row. This might sound absurd but it isn’t a lie. Shugetu’s tsukemen was (and still is) my number one meal when I was training for a powerlifting competition – unfortunately, I kept eating like I was training for a powerlifting competition once I ended and I developed a crippling tsukemen addiction.

There have been worse things in life.

This Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a ramen hybrid consisting of a salty broth, 300 grams of al-dente elastic noodles, and fatty pork belly cubes is everything that is right in the world. Pair it with an ice-cold, crisp Suntory Premium draft beer, crunchy fried chicken cartilage “bar snacks”, and half-moon pork-filled gyoza pillows, and your last days won’t be for nothing.

What My Perfect Day in Hong Kong Looks Like

January 2, 2023February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Hong Kong, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

I was inspired to write this post after declaring ‘Big Body’s Sacred Day’ on July 5th, 2021. I’m not sure why that date in particular but everything lined up that day and I did almost everything I could have wanted (almost) in Hong Kong in just one day. I repeated this day again on July 5th, 2022, and plan to do some sort of variation of this in 2023 (and beyond).

The beauty of Hong Kong is that you are a stone’s throw away from a challenging hike with a view, a hop skip, and a jump from a serene and secluded beach, and always within eyeshot of a cold beer, strong coffee, or bite to eat. That’s why days like ‘Big Body’s Sacred Day’ are possible in Hong Kong. While there are countless other restaurants, hikes, and things that I love in this city, I tried to remain true to exactly what I’ve done on both sacred days.

Here’s what my perfect day in Hong Kong would look like (and has looked like) should I have my druthers. Keep in mind that I am combining two of my sacred days (July 5th, 2021, and July 5th, 2022) so everything may not be achievable in just one day. Or maybe it is.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent an Apartment in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong?

December 29, 2022February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Hong Kong, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Simply put, the cost to rent an apartment in Mid-Levels, let alone Hong Kong, can vary drastically. While Hong Kong is consistently ranked (and often tied for first) as one of the most expensive cities to live in, there are some reasonable rent deals you can find – it just depends on what you are willing to compromise on (ex. Location, walk-up vs. lift, furnished vs. unfurnished).

While this was by no means my favorite apartment I have ever rented or lived in, it has felt the most like home. Hong Kong has always felt like home and is the city I am planning to continue to base myself. And for me, that’s the most important.

Dacha: Cabbage Rolls, Pelmeni, & Eastern European Home Comfort Cuisine

December 23, 2022February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

Maybe it’s because I am constantly mistaken for Russian (and Bulgarian), or maybe it’s because I grew up eating a steady diet of Eastern European-inspired stews and other comfort foods, but this is exactly the type of fare that I revert to when I want to feel at home. It may also be because I drank about 5 liters of vodka with a Ukrainian babushka and Russian busboy on my 29th birthday at a restaurant in Vienna.

Cue Dacha, an Eastern European restaurant and bar, offering up a variety of traditional Ukrainian, Russian, Georgian, Polish, and Romanian cuisines, such as mouthwatering pork-stuffed cabbage rolls (golubtsi), cheesy buttery khachapuri (Georgian cheese bread), spicy smoked kielbasa, and hearty half-moon shaped vareniki (dumplings). And, I can’t forget the Baltic herring with homemade bread to start things off.

The Best Rooftop Shisha Lounge in Hong Kong: Mono Lab

December 20, 2022February 19, 2025Asia, Coffee & Cafés, Destinations, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

I can’t lie. I’m a sucker for the occasional shisha (or as I grew up calling it, hookah). If my father is reading this, so be it. For someone who has significantly cut back on drinking, shisha has provided a fantastic sober, social alternative that is a semi-regular occasion (not THAT often though) with some of my best friends here in Hong Kong.

And, there is one place that I can thank that has been a major driver behind it – Mono Lab. In a city where rooftop bars, cafes, and shisha lounges are few and far between, Mono Lab reigns supreme. This is my go-to rooftop shisha lounge in Hong Kong.

Ink Seafood Bar: Craft Beer, Chips & Guac, & One Hell of a View

December 19, 2022February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

Find me a better view of Victoria Harbour and the always regal Hong Kong Island skyline, and I’ll show you a liar. At least once a week, I break into an incoherent rant to whoever has unfortunately found themselves within earshot about how there is a disappointing lack of restaurants, cafes, and bars with views of either the Hong Kong or Kowloon cityscape.

But there is one saving grace that keeps me sane (moderately sane). A place that does it all. A Power Rangers Megazord humanoid machine of the food and beverage industry with a view – Ink Seafood Bar. This is my go-to post-work safe haven (and Sunday-hangover haunt) to soak in indisputably the best skyline in the world over an IPA (and espressos), chips and guac, and fish and chips.

Coworking at The Hive Sheung Wan: What I Liked, Loved, & Didn’t Care For

December 14, 2022February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Hong Kong, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

As emphasized in my guide to laptop-friendly cafes in Hong Kong, I truly believe anyone who wants to buckle down with work and do so in the most economical way (in Hong Kong) should explore a coworking space. There are more coworking spaces in Hong Kong than you can shake a stick at, they are reasonably priced, great ways to meet others working non-traditionally in a finance-driven city, and (most) offer flexible contracts and working arrangements (ex. Hot desks, dedicated desks, offices, and more).

11 Laptop-Friendly Cafes to Work From in Hong Kong

December 12, 2022February 19, 2025Asia, Coffee & Cafés, Destinations, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

I wouldn’t call Hong Kong the most laptop-friendly or “digital nomad” friendly city that I’ve ever lived in – mainly due to coffee and food prices which can add up quickly over an extended stay. However, I would say that there is no shortage of options when it comes to posting up at a sound workspace, with strong coffee, and other like-minded individuals.

I would preface that if you are truly looking for a dedicated workspace that is the most economical of all options (and usually comes with free coffee), I would recommend exploring one of Hong Kong’s many coworking spaces. I’ve found that these are typically the best bang-for-your-buck laptop-friendly cafes and coffee shops to truly buckle down with work.

My Search For the Best Avocado Toast in Hong Kong

December 1, 2022February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

Well, it’s been a while. This one has been in the pipeline since I ventured back to Asia and Hong Kong in December 2020. But I’m back in full force and coming in hot with a completely arbitrary declaration of the best avocado toast in Hong Kong.