One of my favorite restaurants is Koi Palace. I love Chinese food, but I’ve sometimes found authentic Chinese cuisine a little too spicy for me. The food at Koi Palace, however, has just the right amount of heat and that distinctive kick from Sichuan peppercorns, which makes it very enjoyable and easy to eat. It’s a place I find myself going back to again and again. Mapo tofu is one of my favorite comfort foods. When I lived in Japan, I often ate it whenever I was feeling tired. There’s something about its warm, spicy flavor that I find especially comforting.

When it comes to cafes, I love exploring downtown Campbell and Saratoga. Whenever I come across a stylish or inviting cafe, I usually can’t resist stopping in and checking it out. One of my recent favorites is Mademoiselle Colette, a French bakery in Palo Alto. I especially loved the beautiful cake designs—they were so charming and caught my eye right away. If you enjoy pretty pastries and discovering lovely little bakeries, I definitely recommend stopping by.