Recent wanderings

Mama Tanuki’s Japanese Honey Castella Cake

Mama Tanuki’s Japanese Honey Castella Cake

This is basically the cake of my childhood! Mama Tanuki used to bake me this cake whenever my school had bake sales or when our family craved some kind of Japanese style sweets. Back then there were not so many Asian grocery stores so any 

Student Housing in Helsinki! How does it work?

Student Housing in Helsinki! How does it work?

Welcome to Tanuki’s Habitat! Today I want to introduce how student housing works in Helsinki! It is one of the most pleasantly surprising aspects of studying here. U.S. student housing can be a nightmare; small dorm rooms, sharing a bedroom, high prices, no kitchens, etc… 

The perfect Japanese-style roast beef

The perfect Japanese-style roast beef

If you’re like me and find slightly rare roast beef irresistible, this recipe is for you! It is pretty much fool proof and the flavors are Japanese-style or wafuu (和風) featuring a blend of sake, soy sauce, mirin, and topped with green onions, grated ginger, 

5 Days in Barcelona Part 2

5 Days in Barcelona Part 2

The second part of our trip was all about visiting museums, the Sagrada Familia, and Parc Güell. We also ate as much as possible along the way. If you haven’t read the first part check it out here: https://wanderingtanuki.com/5-days-in-barcelona-part-1/ Day 3 Breakfast  🍽 Caravelle Carrer del 

Japanese-style Thousand Island Dressing

Japanese-style Thousand Island Dressing

A literal blend of two cultures, this dressing is a Japanese twist on the iconic thousand-island dressing. I think that it resembles the salad dressing they serve at American Japanese steakhouses. Personally, this taste brings me back to childhood birthday parties at “Japanese” steakhouses where they 

5 Days in Barcelona Part 1

5 Days in Barcelona Part 1

I have dreamed of visiting this vibrant city since my high school Spanish class days.  What struck me most was the sheer number of restaurants on every corner, and the Tapas(small plates) way of eating allowed me and my friends to go to more than 

Soy milk white miso soup: a triple soy packed recipe

Soy milk white miso soup: a triple soy packed recipe

This is the ultimate cold-weather lazy soup packed with nutrients and protein to stay energized throughout the day. I like having this for breakfast but it can easily be any meal especially paired with rice, noodles, or even mochi. This soy milk white miso soup 

Welcome to Wandering Tanuki!

Welcome to Wandering Tanuki!

Nice to meet you, I’m Tanuki! I was born in Japan and grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. I now live in Helsinki, Finland. Through this blog I want to share about Japanese language learning and culture! I grew up bilingually learning both Japanese and 

A Day Trip to Miyajima (Itsukushima) – Comprehensive Guide!

A Day Trip to Miyajima (Itsukushima) – Comprehensive Guide!

If you’re seeking a one-day adventure filled with awe-inspiring natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual experiences, look no further than Miyajima, officially known as Itsukushima. This picturesque island in Japan’s Hiroshima Bay is a treasure trove of wonders, with its iconic floating torii gate,