Contributers For This Month’s Issue
Kelly Editor/ Illustrator @kellydoodleshk
Monti Fashion Editor/ Illustrator @thisoldmachine11
Venus Wong, Beauty Editor
Miles Anderson, Food Marketing @mylesando
Welcome To Japan Craving to do something quirky? This month, we are talking about everything Japanese, one of the quirkiest countries in the world. Starting from the groundwork, we are introducing how to infuse Japanese sass with our day to day outfits. Then we move on to talk about the cutest Japanese spring skincare, makeup, nails and hairstyles in 2017. Moving up to the intermediate, we not only put sass on our outer appearances, we put it into our inner bodies as well. We are learning how to make the quirkest Japanese cakes and dinners, which take no time to make. To become the masters of Japanese sass, we are encouraging you to fly out and participate 5 amazing spring festivals in Japan and bars etc.
おしゃれ通り lease e r o t ss? a Ready s e s e apan your J Flip to the next page
Can’t be asked to cook after a long day of work? Or not a kitchen fan? We have it all covered for you! These easy and scrumptious Japanese dinner recipes will make you feel like you are sat in an izakaya, Japanese pub in Tokyo without the 11 hour flight. Also, the ingredients can be easily found in your local supermarkets.
Aubergine And Pepper Stir Fry (15 mins to cook) Japanese stir fry is your best friend when you want to eat quick and delicious. The juiciness and tenderness of the aubergine will make you want nothing but more. 1 Aubergine 1 Green Pepper 2 tbsp Mirin 1 1/2 tbsp Tamari 60g Miso 30g Ginger (grated)
1. Stir all of the ingredients in a bowl except for the aubergine and pepper. This will be the miso sauce. 2. Dice the aubergine into cubes and slice the pepper into thin strips. Add some oil to a frying pan. Stir fry on medium heat. 3. Fry the aubergine for 3-4 minutes until tender and browned. 4. Add the pepper, and fry for 2-3 minutes until tender. Add the miso sauce and stir well in order to evenly coat the aubergine and pepper. 5. Serve warm with cooked rice for a light meal.
One Pot Creamy Soy Ramen (Vegan) 20 Mins to cook Who would have thought that ramen broth can be easily done in one pot and also, under 30 mins? The rich texture of soy milk can replace the pork and reduce the cooking time from 4 hours to simply 10 minutes only. With the freedom to put whatever veg ingredients you can be creative about, this recipe will not only bat your eyes visually but also fill your stomach up with great satisfaction. 1 Tbsp (15 ml) grape seed oil 5 cloves garlic (2 1/2 Tbsp | 18 g), roughly chopped 1 3-inch piece ginger, peeled and diced 1 medium yellow onion (110 g), coarsely chopped 500 ml vegetable stock 2 Tbsp (30 ml) tamari or soy sauce, plus more to taste 0.5 ounces (14 g) dehydrated shiitake mushrooms 1 Tbsp white or yellow miso paste 1 tsp sesame oil (for flavour), plus more to taste 8 ounces (227 g) ramen noodles 1 courgette 2 tbsp Sweetcorn
1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. 2. Once hot, Saute the onions, ginger and garlic. 3. Add 500ml of vegetable broth, tamari and shitake mushrooms. Stir for a bit. 4. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer on low heat for at least 15 miutes. The longer it simmers, the more flavour it has. 5. Taste broth and adjust seasonings as needed, 6. Slice the courgettes in pieces. 7. NOODLES: Fill a large saucepan or pot with water and bring to boil. Once boiling, add ramen noodles and follow the cooking instructions on the packet. Drain the water after it is done. 8. Strain broth and reserve mushrooms for serving. If possible, save the onions and ginger for serving as well, 9. To serve, put the ramen noodles in the bowl and pour the broth in. Put sweetcorn, shitake mushrooms and courgettes however you like on top. BE CREATIVE ABOUT IT!!!
Simple Sesame yakisoba 10 mins to cook If you literally can’t be asked to cook but your stomach is grumbling for food, this could be the best solution. With the Asian aroma and the fact that it only takes under 15 minutes to cook, sesame noodles are going to be your best dinner life hack. Feel free to put whatever protein and vegetables if you are feeling adventurous!
1. 4 cloves Garlic 2. 4 Green onions, whole Thin 3. 1/4 cup Soy sauce/ Tamari 4. 12 fl oz Noodles of your choice 5. 1/2 tsp Chili oil, Hot 6. 2 tbsp Sugar 7. 4 tbsp Canola oil 8. 2 tbsp Rice vinegar 9. 3 tbsp Sesame oil, Pure 10. 1tbsp Sesame
1. Add 500ml of water to a hob and bring it to boil. 2. Add in noodles and follow the packet instructions 3. Mix soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, sugar, sesame oil and rice vinegar in a bowl to make the sauce 4. Once the noodles are cooked, toss it with the sauce 5. Chop green onions into pieces and sprinkle with sesames on top to serve.
YUM!!
Probably the most luxurious ice cream in Japan. Better lick that up before the gold melts away! Available in Gion, Kinana Honten, 1000ÂĽ (7ÂŁ approximately).
Purple Sweet potato tart
Ingredients:
Crust: 250g Flour 80g Coconut Oil
Little Intro
My take on an America classic with a hint of Japan. Cultural fusion in food keeps things interesting in the kitchen.
Filling: 1 Purple Sweet Potato 1tbsp Maple Syrup 250g Single Cream 1tbsp Cinnamon Sprinkle Of Crushed Cashews
Cooking time 90 minutes
Editor/ Baker Miles Anderson 1. Peel the purple sweet potato and steam it for 30 minutes 2. Mix 250g of plain flour and 80g of coconut oil to form a pastry 3. Whisk the cooked purple sweet potato, 1tbsp of maple syrup, 250g of single cream and a pinch of cinnamon together for the filling. 4. Roll out the pastry and put it in your favourite mould. Pour the filing into the mould. 5. Bake it in the oven at 180 for 45 minutes 6. Enjoy a well earned slice with your favourite tea or coffee after all the hard work
Nose Lifter
Japanese are convinced that having a higher nose is beautiful. However, due to the Asian figures, a lot of them tend to have flatter noses. They came up with an idea of wearing a nose lifter, which clips their nose bridges overnight. Their noses will lift up if they carry on doing for a certain time of period.
The hangover makeup look is rising above recently. The Japanese think that hangover cheeks are very cute and attractive. Instead of sweeping the blush on top of the contour back and forth, they put their blush right under their eyes to create the ‘hangover blush’ effect. Also, they would use a glittery white pencil to draw thicker lines under their eyes to represent the ‘eye bags’ after the big night out.
Hungov er Makeup Loo
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Onsen Powder
This might interest some of you who are looking for an easier way to get fit. The Japanese have come up with bath sachets that claim to help people lose weight. After putting the powder in the tub, the bath temperature will rise up to 45 degrees and keep it until you unplug the tub. It is proved that the hot temperature can enhance your metabolism, making you burn fats quicker. Eyelid trainer Japanese like to follow western beauty standards, even though that western and Asian figures are different from head to toe. To make their eyes look bigger like western women, Japanese have developed a eyelid trainer. Thrusting the eyelid trainer in their eyelids can create a second layer, the double eyelid, to make their eyes look more defined. Although these trends are very bizarre to the rest of the world, feel free to try as long as they make you feel good, which is all they are about! Women have the rights to make them feel great about themselves!
Talking about Japanese lipsticks brand, apart from Shu Uemnura, Jill Stuart, there are lots of drugstore brands that are great quality.
KATE A lot of you would associate Kate with eye makeup products. Actually, their lip products cannot be missed. With their simplistic triangle designs, Kate lipsticks are very easy to apply. Also, their signature black colour makes everything look even more edgy. When you first apply, it might look very sheer, but the colours will turn richer throughout the day. Their biggest feature is they change colours according to different individuals’ body temperatures. They are perfect to match with heavier eye makeup.
MEDIA LONG LASTING LIPSTICKS Media lipsticks are enriched with collagen from the sea, olive oil and Jojoba oil. They have always been regarded as the best lipstick brand amongst Japanese women as they keep themselves natural. Having more than 20 colours to choose from, you are guaranteed to find your kind of colours. They are highly pigmented just like the ones you browse in high end brand counters.
ZA MOISTURISING LIP PENCILS INTEGRATE LIP PENCILS Integrate Lip Pencils are extremely moisturising even though lip pencils are associated with dryness on lips. Not only do they retain lip moistures, their are long lasting and pigmented.
Edited by Venus Wong
Za praise themselves with their highly pigmented and moisturising lipsticks. Apart from the oval tip shape that is for more advanced lipstick appliers, Za lipsticks are flawless. In 2017, Za have introduced 6 limited lip colours. With their special pop art designs, you just want to bring them home.
Asian Spring Fashion Trends
Illustration By Monti
Spring has arrived!! Edited By Monti
It’s never too early to start thinking about what your Spring wardrobe is going to look like this year. If you are anything like me and are obsessed with Instagram, you would have already been searching and probably know that this coming season is all about making your outfits look like geometrical sculptures; meaning that the bigger and puffier your sleeves are, the better. So if you are into this type of style, along with gingham patterned everything, pinstripes, knots, extra-long sleeves, and wrap shirts, then it is definitely a good time to shop. Thanks to Instagram, I have recently discovered the amazing Korean born designer, Rejina Pyo, and in my opinion, her designs embody what SS17 is all about. Her ‘Victorian-esque with a modern twist’ clothes give the everyday woman a chance to dress simple yet elegant. And this is what Pyo tries to push forward with her collections. It is every woman’s dream, to be able to wear chic clothes without feeling uncomfortable, and look feminine but yet powerful. In an interview with Vogue, Pyo explained exactly what her aesthetics are about: “I find it beautiful when something doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard but has surprising elements that excite you. It feels exactly like you need to offer something that people didn’t even realise they wanted! Without a crystal ball, I can only follow my gut instinct” (7 Feb, 2017). This is exactly what spring will be about. Of course, not all of us can afford to make such investments so we have to look for alternatives. In terms of high street shops, ZARA never fails to disappoint. The Spanish brand’s new collection is very similar to Pyo’s designs in terms of the frills, the knots, and the simplicity. Block colours, especially different shades of fuchsias and pinks (which we all love), will be the one to look out for. Style these blouses with a nice pair of mum jeans and some nice pastel coloured mules and you are ready to set the trend.
3 Must Go Spring Festivals in Japan As the temperature is warming up, spring is the best time to travel to Japan after a dark and cold winter. Here are the top 5 spring festivals that you have to visit before they disappear until next year. Miyako Odori, Kyoto With more than 140 years of history, Kyoto’s Miyako Odori, Geisha dance festival will open your eyes to the Japan back in the 19th century. Miyako Odori offers not only Geisha dance performance, but also tea ceremony that you could take part into. From a tea ceremony, you will be learning how the Japanese life values through making a cup of matcha. Miyako Odori festival is available from 1st April to 30th March. Tickets are from 2000 yen (second class) to 4500 yen (special class seating with tea ceremony). For more information check out http://www.miyako-odori.jp Date: 1st April to 30th April Address: Japan, 〒605-0074 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 祇園町南側５７ Phone: +81 75-541-3391
Kanamara Matsuri, Kawasaki Shrine (Penis Festival) Celebrating the penis, Kanamara Matsuri is definitely the day that you can talk about penises with pride. Taking place on the first Sunday in April for over 50 years, it will be hosting on the 2nd April 2017. There is a penis temple that you could pray to get pregnant and be blessed with children. Looking for outlandish souvenirs for friends and families? There are penis shaped lollipops and chocolate available in the market! Kanamara Matsuri is a great campaign that raises money for HIV protection. It has now become a popular tourist attraction so even though it starts from 11am, better get there by 9am. Entry is free. Date: 2nd April, 11am to 4pm Address: Kawasaki Shrine
With 2 million visitors coming to see every year, Sanja Matsuri is one of the greatest events to know more about the main religion in Japan, Shinto. Happening from 19 May to 21 May, locals will be carrying over 100 deities, some of them can be over 1 ton to the temple to pray for good fortunes. Geisha, which are quite rare in Tokyo will be dressed in Edo period costumes and join the parade. Asakusa will be packed with food stalls, festival games and Japanese flute and drum performances. Only available in May every year, if you are around Japan don’t miss it. A shinto ceremony will be held after the parade. Date: 19 May to 21 May 2017 Address: Asakusa Shrine to Nakamise
Sanja Matsuri, Tokyo