Author Archives: Beth Leung

#FINDINGASIA: MEOW PARLOUR, NEW YORK CITY’S FIRST CAT CAFE

Some people go to therapy, others prefer going to cuddle cats. Thanks to small apartment sizes, many of which aren’t even allowed to have animals, and the exorbitant price of pets, cat cafes (or animal cafes in general) have been a popular phenomena for the last couple of decades in Asia. I was no stranger […]

#FINDINGASIA: JAPAN SOCIETY, NYC

One of the places I was most looking forward to visiting in New York City was the Japan Society. Holding over 100 different events each year, the Japan Society is one of the leading U.S. organizations fostering a mutual understanding and appreciation between Japan and the United States. Founded in May of 1907 by a […]

#FINDINGASIA: ANIME CENTRAL 2015

Anime Central (or ACen as local con-goers call it) is the Midwest’s largest anime and manga convention. Taking place one weekend a year in Chicago, typically in May, its 30,000+ attendees puts it in the top three anime conventions in North America. Sure, I haven’t watched an anime series in almost three years and I can’t even […]

EXPERIENCING THE LIBRARY HOTEL COLLECTION IN NEW YORK CITY

Researching where I’d stay in New York City, I realized something. NYC is filled with tiny, tasteless hotel rooms. I was less and less impressed with each option as I scrolled through the page on Agoda. Sure, it was a short trip and I could have easily just settled with some fifth floor walk-up with no […]

AUTHENTIC JAPANESE OKONOMIYAKI RECIPE

Living in Osaka, I became well-acquainted with one of the region’s specialties– okonomiyaki (お好み焼き). We’d often eat this for lunch and dinner whether at home with my host family or when out with friends. Like a pancake of sorts, okonomiyaki is made from batter mixed with cabbage. Sure, that might not sound all that exciting (or tasty), but […]