In my search for a low carb diet I paid a visit to Konbini a local Asia store where I was certain I could source some Shirataki Noodles.
These particularly low carb , low calorie, gluten free noodles are made from Konjac Yam (or Elephant Yam). Commonly grown throughout Asia, the root or Corm is used to make noodles and rice. It contains ‘glucomannan’ a water soluble dietary fibre.
Shirataki noodles are so low in carbs (the net carbs per serving is zero) so they are gaining in popularity through diets like the Keto diet.
But despite having hundreds and hundreds of different types of Noodle, they didn’t have any Shirataki noodles. I asked the lady in the shop and showed her the article on line. However, she was puzzled and didn’t recognise this product, so she called her colleague who then called her colleague and the four of us wandered around the shop in a procession analysing every packet of noodles we could find.
In the end we conceded defeat, so I bought a packet of Soya noodles as a token effort which were at least fairly low Carb.
When I got home, Jaki and I took out packets of noodles from our cupboards and compared the contents and the values, as advertised on the packaging. What was surprising was the variation and the range of different values (Calories, Carbs, Sugar )supposedly similar looking noodles contained.
Now I know most people dont get all ‘Geeky’ about noodles. Like most, I would have been hard pressed to know the difference between Chinese Yam Noodles, Hot Pot Vermicelli Noodles and Italian Spaghetti. In fact, I didn’t know there were so many different types of noodles available.
But now I’ve been introduced to a whole new world of noodles and I’m gonna try a few.
This morning I had arranged to drive into Bristol and meet up with my old mate Raf, I hadn’t seen him since before we set off for Spain earlier in the year. Since then, he has been back to Mauritius for a 5 week holiday, to see his family, attend two weddings and check up on his house on Flic en Flac beach.
My plan was to call into the large Chinese supermarket at the bottom of Muller Rd (behind IKEA) and buy some Shirataki noodles there. They had two different types on their web site.
So I picked Raf up from a very wet Ashley Down and headed down Ashley Hill to the store Wai Yee Hong and snapped up a couple of packs, one for me and one for Frazer, who is responsible for this latest Fad.
This huge supermarket is underneath a similarly sized Chinese restaurant and used to be called ‘Water Sky Restaurant’ which offered an all you could eat Chinese buffet. That is, if they could be bothered to serve you.
We went once but after an hour and a half we had only been served two lots of food and when we complained the staff were quite rude, so we walked out and refused to pay. They obviously didn’t like that and threatened to call the Police, but we stood our ground, gave them a name and address and told them to sue us if they weren’t happy. We never heard anything after that.
Yet again we couldn’t find the Noodles, even with the help of one of the staff. I was beginning to give up hope. However, when I asked at customer services the lady there identified them and although they were sold under a different name, she assured me they were the same product.
So at last, I had the elusive noodles in my grasp and at £1.50 a pack I was quite pleased with myself.
By this time we needed to eat, so we stopped in Mina Rd where there is a Cafe which I have had my eye on for ages and Raf was happy to give it a try.
We managed to find a parking space close to the Cafe which was lucky as it was raining quite heavily. Parking in this part of Bristol is difficult and the streets are very narrow which can be a bit off putting.
We had a quick wander along the rank of shops just to familiarise ourselves before going in to Liyas Cafe.
It was rather quirky in there with limited space and the seating areas were small and in short supply, but we found a table and grabbed a couple of menu’s.
The food options were interesting and hit the spot a treat. Lots of fresh salads and veggie options all with a spicy twist.
My attention was immediately grabbed by the large Samosas (£2) on the counter and I couldn’t resist having one with my Mug of Tea. The Samosa and the Tea both tasted great and kept me going whilst we chose our main dishes.
In the end we both went for a salad.£7.85.
I chose the Pakora whilst Raf went for the Chicken. With hind sight I wish I had chosen the Chicken too, not because mine wasn’t delicious but because i think Pakora is probably higher carb than Chicken?
When they came they looked great, an interesting selection of items with a zingy dressing on a funky oval plate, it was both tasty and filling, and not a chip or a slice of bread in sight.
There was a lady behind the counter who I assumed was Liya herself and she served, prepared the food and took the money. This place is obviously popular judging by the amount of customers that came in whilst we were there and they did a roaring take away trade.
Cutlery was a bit grubby and I didn’t look too closely at the sugar bowl but I have seen much worse.
I asked to use the toilet which had an ‘Out of Order’ sign on the door but it was in service and although a little cramped, it was perfectly clean and hygienic.
When we finished eating we ordered another round of tea’s (£4) to wash it all down before venturing back out into the rain where the street people were trying to take shelter but were getting soaked.
Inner city Bristol never looks quite so appealing when its raining but this area of Bristol is well worth exploring further with a trip to the Farm house ( A pub in the City Farm ) high on my agenda.
Give it a try, you’ll love it.
In search of a great Breakfast 