September sweets and events

I am baaaaack！
Please come baaaack！

I spent really hot summer in Japan. Sorry that I left the cafe closed for three weeks in August.
Although I just came back a week ago, I already feeling the days in Japan didn't happen in real.
I always feel the life in Japan is a bit like in another world, as if the speed of time there is a bit different from one in the UK. After I come back, the feeling I have is like..."was it a dream?". Funny,isn't it?

There were so many things I found them bizerre in Japan this time, I am going to introduce them a bit by bit here.

Well, here is a photo of the cafe door. I bought this signage in Japan this time!
Have you noticed the door of an-an cafe opens to outside? In normal British way, doors open towards inside. So most of customers pushed the door to come in and thought "closed?" as door was not opening...
So now no one would confused. You need to pull to open the door!!!
Just a small thing happened to be "very Japanese" in cafe an-an.

Cafe an-an is business as usual... from Tuesday 5th September.

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September sweets

Strawberry Mochi　￡1.50 each
British Strawberry season is almost coming to the end...
If you want to eat tasty Strawberry Mochi, now is the last chance!

Kuzu Mochi　£2.00 per case
It's been cool, but still a bit of summer left. Before it's get really cold, let's have a Kuzu mochi revival.
It contains Soy.

Ohagi　￡1.50 each
Higan is coming in mid September.
Please chose from Chunky or Smooth Adzuki bean paste, or Roasted Soy flour and smooth Azuki bean paste. It contains Soy.

Dorayaki　￡1.50 each
Please chose from Chunky or Smooth Adzuki bean paste, or Matcha Green tea paste. It contains Eggs and Wheat flour.

Daifuku　£1.00 each
Please chose from Chunky or Smooth adzuki bean paste.

Sanshoku (Three colour) Dango　￡1.50 each
It will take 15 mins to be steamed after ordered. If you are eating in lunch, please order at the same time.

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September Events

Sunday 3rd September
Okonomi yaki Day was scheduled on this day. However, due to family affair, it needs to be cancelled. 
Monday 4th September is scheduled to close.
Next opening time is at 11:30 on Tuesday 5th September.
Sorry for the inconvenience.

We have Okonomi Yaki night Every Thursday!
Please book a table if you would like to use Tabletop Hotplate.
No need to book the counter seats or outside sittings.
Take away is also available. It may take time to prepare, so I recommend to order on phone in advance.

Every other Thursday, We have delivery from Namayasai, Japanese Organic farm. Their box scheme is really reasonable and full of seasonal vegetables. The owner is keen to introduce Japanese vegetable and the box includes information and recipes. please order the box scheme before Monday night.
Cafe also have some individual vegetable on the counter or table.
Please come and chat about Japanese cooking using those vegetables.

Saturday 23rd September an-an Japanese sweet has a table top sale at Japanese School in Croydon.
Public are allowed to enjoy the table top sales full of Japanese goods, some are commercial, some are homemade...from 10 to 12 am... (Please note; 40 mins from 10:45, only pupil time, so no public can enter)

Thank you for many requests about Japanese afternoon session.
Cafe an-an will have new member from this month, I should be able to make more time for Japanese sweets...
I will let you know as soon as the date announced.
Please watch this space!!!!

arigatou! [(_ _)]

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I am still away... but I am not ”off”, though!

Here is me in Japan some miles away trying some old and new foods and trends.

I have to say Sushi is tasty as always.
MUCH tastier than ones I make at the cafe. (well, I don't mean my sushi is not tasty, though!!!)

Noodles... there are so many choice.
Not only Ramen, there are so many kinds of noodles as well as methods of eating.
Udon, Soba, Somen, etc.etc.

It's been already one week since I landed.
Although I need to travel with my children, they are low-teen and pre-teen.
I need to compromise quite a bit as they have allergy and dislike.

However here is the first report I ate so far...

 

shaved ice with Matcha Green tea ... mochi and Adzuki bean paste 

Matcha American Scone and Hojicha Latte @Starbucks. Both are a bit too sweet.

Good old Tamago (Akashi) yaki. Much simpler than Takoyaki... you only get a piece of octopus in each ball. takoyaki is often asked on Okonomiyaki night recently...

It seems to be one of the latest trend. Serving Japanese sweets in mess... @Hands Cafe.  Monaka plates with two kinds of Warabi Mochi, Azuki icecream, whipped fresh cream with a half of frozen strawberry. topped with a Dorayaki pancake. Drizzle of black syrup finishes the deco. total "pick and mix" of favorite Japanese sweets...

... the list is still goes on...

August Sweets and Events

Ok, it's the top of Summer holiday!
I hope you enjoy this.... ummm.... summer like warm weather.

an-an is a bit overwhelmed with busy day and night ... as well as weekends. To be honest, I cannot win the speed of filling up fridge/ freezer to make Chicken Gyoza, Chicken Katsu and Beef Croquets! Thanks to you all my favorite customers💛

So, this weekend is going to be the last weekend an-an is open.
...well, no worry, I will still open Sunday 3rd September, which will be Okonomiyaki Day! (Although, I have to close on Saturday 2nd, as my daughter's Japanese School in London will starts on the day.)

It will be very short, but here are some August sweets and events.

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August's Sweets

Mizu Yokan　Smooth Adzuki or Green Tea　￡1.50 each
Smooth and cold Agar Jelly with Adzuki beans or white beans with Matcha green tea flavor. Suitable for Vegetarian/Vegan.
We can serve this with a scoop of vanilla icecream at the cafe. Please request on order. (50ｐ＋）

Strawberry Mochi ￡1.50 each
I am struggling to find the right size strawberries, but I carry on making this till British Strawberries disappear from the shop shelves. Suitable for Vegetarian/Vegan.
We can serve this with a scoop of vanilla icecream at the cafe. Please request on order. (50ｐ＋）

Strawberry & Agar Jelly　£1.50 each
Strawberries in Vanilla flavored Agar Jelly. Suitable for Vegetarian/Vegan.
We can serve this with a scoop of vanilla icecream at the cafe. Please request on order. (50ｐ＋）

Dorayaki 　Smooth Adzuki bean paste, Chunky Adzuki bean paste or White bean paste with Matcha Green Tea flavor ￡1.50 each
Japanese sweet pancake sandwich with fillings. This contains Eggs, Wheat flour, Gluten and Natural honey. Suitable for Vegetarian.

Daifuku Mochi ￡1.00 each
Smooth Adzuki Beans paste or Chunky Adzuki Beans paste.
Suitable Vegetarian/Vegan.

Sanshoku Dango ￡1.50 each
this will need 20 mins after ordered, as we steam it. If you are eating in, please order with your meal.
Suitable Vegetarian/Vegan.

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August Events

Thursday 3rd　Okonomiyaki night　18:30～21:00

Sunday 6th 　Okonomiyaki Day　11:30～15:00　（Each Okonomiyaki needs more cooking time than other menu, so please don't forget to have plenty time for getting ready to attack... or please make pre-order by phone.)

Monday 7th ～ Monday 28th CLOSED

Thursday 31st Okonomiyaki night　18:30～21:00　（fully booked）

　　　　　　There are still some seats left outside or accept take away order.

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I am prepare for more improved service on my return.
So, Please, please be patient with us!
I really appreciate your supports on Cafe an-an!!!

Summer Holiday Opening Hours

Summer Holiday has started!
However, my son is still at school for two more days😁

Recently, more customers visit cafe an-an from quite far away.
I really appreciate it and am happy to serve more people, I would not know if I were not at this cafe.

So I need to make sure no one would be disappointed by this awkward Summer Holiday opening hours!
Please, please check this calendar before planing to come to my cafe.

Green is the Open, and pink is close.
Instead of opening 3 weekends, 3 Mondays are closed.
Sorry for the inconvenience.

July Sweets and Events

an-an is into the 4th year, and still very busy as usual.
Thanks for coming to the Tanabata Festival at Hove Cornerstones Church on 1st July. I could see some familiar faces there and made me so happy!
Weather was excellent and it was a success!

Well, I again didn't have time to take photos, I borrow other's. Thanks for letting me to use your photos.

Photo from Step Up Japanese 
Here is the website for Step Up Japanese



And, Wagashi ya an-an is…

Photo from Food Standard Agency

awarded !!!  °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°　
Apparently, there is no certificate, so I just got sticker... but I don't have anywhere to stick it. I don't think it's right to stick on the cafe window as this is not for the cafe, it's for my home kitchen where I make Japanese sweets...

At the moment, the cafe has got 4* because of very minor reason. I am waiting for another inspection to get back 5* with polishing and scrubbing fridge/freezer and recording temperature on the diary. Last month's hot day made the freezer overworking and build a huge layers of frost making the doors hard to closed. Now my first job in the cafe is crushing frost in the freezer every morning. Apart from it, the freezer keeps well below -18 degree and working perfectly.

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July Sweets

* If you are eating in the sweets, you can have 1 scoop of vanilla icecream with £0.50. Please request on the order.

Star Kuzu sweets　￡1.50 each *

This will be twice as large as ones I made this for Tea ceremony in the Cornerstone's event. Two stars, represent Orihime and Hikoboshi in the Kuzu Ball. Available till 10th.


Kanten Cubes with Fruits　1cup　￡1.80 *
Kanten cubes with the seasonal fresh fruits (Strawberries, Apricot pieces and Cherries etc.) in a cup. Mix with Azuki bean paste and home-made Morasses sauce.  Sorry I don't have the photo, so please come to the cafe!

Strawberry Daifuku Mochi　￡1.50(£1.80）*

The most popular sweets anywhere I go!
If you haven't tried any of Japanese traditional sweets, Wagashi, this would be the one to try!






Dorayaki  ￡1.50 each
Smooth Azuki Bean paste,
Chunky Azuki bean paste,
Matcha Green Tea flavored paste
It's contains eggs, Wheat and Gluten.

Waka ayu (Sweet Fish)  ￡1.50 each
Representing a young fish strongly swim up a stream in the early summer.
Yuzu flavored sweet mochi inside.
It's contains eggs, wheat and Gluten.

Daifuku Mochi  ￡1.00 each
Smooth Azuki Bean paste or Chunky Azuki Bean paste available.

Sanshoku (3 colour) Dango　￡1.50 each
this will need about 20 mins as this needs to be steamed on order. If you are eating meal at the cafe, please order with your meal.

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Events in July

Saturday 1st　Tanabata Festival＠Hove, Cornerstones Church 1:30～4:00pm　
　　　　(This event is finished.）
Thursday 6th　Okonomi Yaki Night　6:30pm～9:00pm　
　　　　　with Japanese savory pancake. Please reserve seats for eating in.
Friday 7th　Tanabata Festival (I am planning to do some celebration...still thinking.)
Thursday 13th　Okonomi Yaki Night　6:30pm～9:00pm　
　　　　　with Japanese savory pancake. Please reserve seats for eating in.
Saturday 15th　Summer Festival at Maeda Gakuen, Acton　
　　　　　Time：12:00～4:00pm　ticket sold at the entrance. No parking.
　　　　　Place：Queens Drive Playing Field, Queens Drive, London W3 0HT
　　　　　　I have donated a Wagashi workshop worth £100 for the raffles!
Thursday 20th　Okonomi Yaki Night　6:30pm～9:00pm　
　　　　　with Japanese savory pancake. Please reserve seats for eating in.
Saturday 22nd~ 　Changed to Opening hours of Summer Holiday.
　　　　　　Detail of Summer Holiday opening hours will be in the next newsletter.

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There are more to let you know... (don't say any more💦）
1) Card payment- No matter the amount you spend, ￡0.50 will be charged. Itemized receipt will be sent by email. Please type in your mail address. Sorry for the inconvenience.

2) Opening hours on Tuesday is changed to 11:30 to 2:30pm. It's due to school time change. It will be back to normal once Summer holiday Opening hours starts.

Thank you. See you at the cafe or in London!

Cafe an-an is 3 years old!!!

It's the 3rd Birthday of cafe an-an!

Thank you so much for all of your support! I would like to say thank you to all of you!!! To cerebrate the BIG milestone...

１）Cold Salad noodles will be served from this week.
２）A free small piece of birthday cake for everyone on Wednesday, 21st June.
３）Open on Sunday, 25th June lunch time! (possibly Okonomiyaki?)　Not on Saturday as informed on the last blog. sorry.
But, I hope to see some of you cannot come to the cafe during weekdays!

Most of all, this year's Birthday present to this cafe is a "Card Reader”！When you are paying more than £20.00, we now accept card payment. Until we are used to use the machine, payment takes a bit longer, so please please be patient.

Look forward to seeing you💛

June Sweets and Events

What a day!
Winds from Atlantic Ocean blow directly through the street of Cafe an-an... almost taking away tables and chairs!

This is always I moan...
My body cannot adjust to the change of temperature. Sometimes feeling soooo down.

I am not sure because of that, an-an is invited to the Healing Bazaar at West London. I will hold a small workshop making some seasonal sweets.
Wagashi contains a lot of nutritious ingredients and shaping in hands gives relaxation and satisfaction at the end having tea with it.

Well, I almost for got Japanese traditional sweets, Wagashi is made from the world of Zen.

I put the detail of the event. It is getting too close, so be quick if you are interested.

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Sweets in June

Strawberry Daifuku Mochi　￡1.70 each　(￡1.50 each at the cafe）

I cannot help talking about strawberries this time of year! It's the best!

Wimbledon Tennis starts means it's the season of British Strawberries. It's Strawberry & Cream on the side of the grass coats, but it's Strawberry & Mochi at an-an. ｗｗ


Kuzu Mochi  ￡1.80/cup
Using Real Kuzu from Japan. Cool and hydrating sweets in Summer.  As Chinese medicine use Kuzu, it has good nutrients and we believe it removes toxins from bloodstreams. Enjoy with a lots of Organic Soy powder, roasted by an-an, and Black Syrup.
This contains Soy Beans.

Waka Ayu (Sweetfish)　￡1.50 each

This is one of really popular sweets can go with not only Green tea but also English tea or Cafe Latte.
Mochi with Yuzu (Japanese citrus fruits) is wrapped by Dorayaki pancake, so some of you are not fond of Bean paste love this sweets. It looks cute, too.
This contains Eggs and wheat-flour, gluten.





Minazuki　￡1.50 each
Available from Mid-June. This sweets are for the event on 30th June, Nagoshi-no-Harai, started from Kyoto.
triangle shaped steamed mochi with aduki bean on top. This shape is for longing for health and warding off bad luck for another 6 months.
You can make it cool and enjoy.

Daifuku Mochi (smooth paste or chunky paste)　￡1.00 each

Sanshoku Dango  ￡1.50 each

Dorayaki（Smooth adzuki paste、chunky adzuki paste、Mattcha Green tea）　￡1.50 each

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Events in June

Thursday 8th June 　Okonomi Yaki Night　18:30～21:00

　　




Saturday 10th June　Second Book Market at Croydon Japanese School
                                     10:00～12:00　open to public
　　                               (11:00～11:45 not for public)
　　　　　　　I will prepare a lot of Summer Sweets.　

Saturday 10th June　Arbury Carnival at Cambridge
　　　　　　　　Time：11:00～17:00
　　　　　　　　Place：Cambridge Aubery Community Centre
　　　　　　　　　　　Campkin Road, Cambridge CB4 2LD
Yakisoba, Chicken Karaage? Many Japanese foods and crufts workshops! The profit will go to the Japanese toddler group in Aubery. If you live near there, please pop in!

Sunday 11th June Healing Bazaar　Speical No.4

As well as Wagashi Workshop, I will bring some sweets to sell, and seasonal sweets to be enjoyed in Tea ceremony.
For the detail, please go to this link.
https://healingbazaar.wixsite.com/events
If you would like to join the workshop, please apply from this link.
There are so many kinds of Healing you can try. Please pop in if you are interested in.


Thursday 15th June Okonomi Yaki Night　18:30～21:00
　
Monday 19th～Friday 23rd　Cafe an-an's 3rd Birthday week!
I am planning free birthday cakes and Japanese afternoon tea sessions during the week. I will issue another newsletter near the time.

Thursday 22nd June Okonomi Yaki Night　18:30～21:00

Saturday 4th June　Special Weekend Open💛Umm... I want to do something special though...

Thursday 29th June No Okonomi Yaki Night. Sorry for the inconvenience.  Lunch service business as usual.

Saturday 1st July　Summer Festival of Japanese Toddler Group, Ohisama Ahaha!.
　　　　　　　Place：Cornerstone Community Centre
　　　　　　　　　　Church Road,, Hove BN3 2FL
　　　　　　　Time：10:00～16:00
The profit will go to Ohisama Ahaha! There will be free Japanese class trial, Origami and Face Painting and, so on... Of course, you can enjoy Japanese lunch and snacks, too.
There will be another announcement near the date.

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I am really shocked to see what's on the list. 
well, my daughter's birthday do will be added on top of this list, too. 
I just don't have any moment to waste...

Then, an-an will come to West London again on 15th July, at the Summer festival of Maeda Gakuen.

Note:
I need to go shopping trip to Japan in Summer.
Cafe will be closed from 7th to 27th August. Sorry for the inconvenience... 
Once Summer holiday starts, I will open Cafe on Weekends. I hope it's ok...