Cooking With Richard

Last month I sent our friend Ya-chan from Japan some Indian spices so that she can make the ten minute curry (please buy the book, I’ll make some tiny wonga). I also sent her some of England’s finest sweet treat, liquorice.

So while I was away in Seville we got a huge present from Ya-chan. Her father works in the off license trade (as we’d say here in the UK) and the liquor company has started giving away 携帯ストラップ to everyone. She sent a lot to us:

At this point I promise yet again to buy a good camera soon. Just as soon as J– pays my expenses for the last year. Anyway back to the plot …

She bought us also こげパン.

And a tomato.

And some rubbers – erasers as the Americans would say, not a gentleman’s something for the weekend.

And something called “Milky” which apparently you spurt in the bath.

And strangest of all, a shiitake mushroom 携帯ストラップ. I’m not going to use this. I’m going to save it along with my rare and valuable domo-kun collection.

And finally …

Lots of updates today because I’ve just got back from the historic Spanish city of Seville where I was attending a friend’s wedding. There’ll be lots of photographs later for those on my special list. Here is just a small taster.

Last night we went to Thai cafe. It’s probably about the cheapest place to eat thai food in London. And strangely enough it’s also about the best.

This place is so grotty and unpretentious. From the outside it looks plainly unsafe to eat there. But inside we find food which is simple and good, prepared by a husband and wife team.

Excluding the cost of wine, a meal there will cost you about £8, including tip. Last night eight of us went and ate quite a big meal. Including a rather generous tip, it cost us £9 each. The highlights were the battered fish cakes; the beef with mint leaves; prawn-fried rice; squid with chilli and ginger; spicy noodle salad.

It’s BYOB with no apparent corkage charge, so our suggestion is to go and grab a few bottles of wine from the Sainsbury’s along the road.

Here it is:

Now I really promise that we will be buying a better camera soon, and so you won’t have to endure too many more crappy camera-phone pics.