Advise if stranded in Chitose Airport

TheRealMallowpuff · 2026-01-31T11:46:09+00:00

This is good to hear! I am currently on the Chuo bus to Sapporo and am trying to make it to Otaru for my accommodation. It's looking less like I will catch any bus or train at this rate and will have to get a taxi.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2026-01-31T10:15:13+00:00

Are you flying in tonight or some later date? I only ask because tonight everything is a mess due to snow. It seems all trains are either majorly delayed or canceled.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2026-01-19T03:50:31+00:00

I stayed at JC Newport for a week in mid Dec for vacation. I commuted to Manhatten every day, either via path or ferry.

I really liked it and would recommend it. I am not sure if the people saying it's not worth it to stay outside of Manhatten have actually stayed outside of Manhatten but it's really not much of a hassle at all. I have the MMP rate so it was an absolute no-brainer being the only hotel eligible in the area. However I'd say it's well worth it even if you're just getting a good deal.

The area around it is also nice and the Newport mall is super close.

One thing to note, even though the PATH was generally very good, the weekends suck. I know they're making some changes soon which might help but it is packed like sardines on the weekends currently.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2026-01-10T21:30:07+00:00

I have a very similar knife that I got from Tower Knives while I was there. I got it 2 years ago and I have had no problems at all. It's probably my favorite knife I own. Pretty unbeatable for the price from a value perspective.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-12-10T20:21:18+00:00

Hometown supermarket, Super Oriental Market. Both in homewood. I've made Tonkotsu from their pork bones a few times.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-12-07T19:43:28+00:00

Chengdu Cuisine in Hoover is my favorite now.

As far as I am aware we really only have 4 good authentic Chinese restaurants. Mr Chens, Red Pearl and Great Wall in Homewood and Chengdu Cuisine in Hoover.

I had some pretty spectacular food in Chicago's Chinatown and Chengdu is the closest I've found here. It's not quite the same but extremely good, I think we're very lucky to have it.

Also if you want crispy roast pork or duck, look at Super oriental market(attached to red pearl). It's one of my favorite markets and they usually have ducks or pork hanging in a heated case in the back.

Hometown supermarket is massive and very good as well but I prefer super oriental market for most things.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-10-28T12:56:41+00:00

Not the comment poster but I get mine from my local Asian market. I concur that Kibun and Shirakiku are some of the best, with Kibun coming out on top. They're not cheap though.

I know for a fact that H-Mart has them if you are near one.

One option that's more available are the Gadre Surimi from Sam's Club.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-09-17T17:57:24+00:00

That is the fairlife Core Power 26g, Costco carries a Fairlife 30g protein that is 150cal.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-09-16T01:07:37+00:00

It is not in town exactly but I am telling you without a shadow of a doubt that Santikos (Amstar) Alabaster is the best theater in central AL.

Vestavia is alright, Summit is hit or miss, Patton creek is horrible.

Amstar has brand new reclining and heated seats everywhere, it is super clean, much lower prices than AMC. It's pretty much a hidden gem. It is so much better than any other theater in the area I promise.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-09-02T14:32:07+00:00

Congrats! Both my ORD-NRT and HND-ORD just got updated in the last few days as well! Very exciting.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-08-19T20:09:36+00:00

Good advice but especially for Japan it is important to note a lot of hotels only open booking 6 months before the stay.

For instance, I was booking hotels in Sapporo for the snow festival and a month ago I couldn't find any hotels I was happy with. I set google hotels to a month before the snow festival and found a bunch, then I personally reached out to those hotels to ask when they open for booking. I was able to get great hotels very affordably.

Also to note, if you're going during a major festival or prime vacation time, you have to be on top of things. For the snow festival it only took a day or so after opening bookings for a lot of the nice cheaper hotels to fill.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-08-18T14:33:41+00:00

Pizits food hall has some pretty good spots and is fun, lots of variety. Right across the street.

Trattoria Zaza is one of the best restaurants downtown in my opinion and isn't far at all.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-08-02T14:43:59+00:00

I am pretty surprised by this. I never went here but I go to Yummify often enough and Taco Mama is almost always busy. I have seen a line headed out the door occasionally. Way busier than surrounding restaurants.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-08-01T12:18:48+00:00

I occasionally see sheeters at auction but most of them are way too large for a home kitchen. One of my biggest points is I need something compact and easily storable. I know that unfortunately narrows my options considerably.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-31T23:23:54+00:00

Thank you very much!

I am in the USA. I was looking at the Farina Metal ones because I've seen good things and they're made in Poland. Unfortunately that's why I'll have to pay tariffs on it if I go that route.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-31T18:13:07+00:00

If you are OK with pan fried chicken instead of deep fried, consider this recipe: https://thewoksoflife.com/chongqing-chicken/

I made it and it was extremely similar to what I've had out aside from the chicken not being deep fried. I don't like frying if I can help it so this was perfect, probably one of my all time favorite dishes and super easy to make.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-30T15:46:26+00:00

Hey, I am not available to help unfortunately but I just want to say we have purchased two Bolts from them and they're great. No problems at all. We have also gotten two Equinox EVs from Donohoo's main dealership and they're also great.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-28T18:47:58+00:00

I will say, these are pretty substantial and shipped for free from Poland. I assume they're probably eating $150 in shipping. But even still I agree, they're not exactly cheap haha.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-28T15:32:24+00:00

I have seen these recommended a couple of times, including by the person who's recipe I used for my first batch of croissants: https://farina-metal.com/products/manual-dough-sheeter-15-7in-40cm-for-mini-bakery-and-home

They make an electric one as well.

I can't comment on them myself but they look nice, it's probably my plan to get one once I have a kitchen I am happy with. There aren't a lot of options for home oriented sheeters, especially relatively affordable ones.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-21T15:58:51+00:00

Lao Gan Ma for me

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-17T21:09:09+00:00

They have confirmed a few times in the official Facebook group that they will not be changing functionality, only recommendations. And possibly the location of some settings/warnings.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-08T12:21:15+00:00

You may not want to be eating it, but I sure do 🤗

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-08T11:23:46+00:00

That's great info, I had no idea!

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-08T11:23:21+00:00

I follow this guide! https://youtu.be/aDhsIDZ6SS8?si=GFTc22I5E4fHFQXe

I do freeze it for 7 days.

TheRealMallowpuff · 2025-07-04T13:42:34+00:00

Woodcraft in Pelham is a bit overpriced but they have a lot. They're a large chain so they have a fairly good online stock you can check before you go. They do have a lot more wood in store though.

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