About
Wok with Me 🙂
Hello and thank you for stopping by my blog. My name is Samantha Han and my friends call me Sam or Semi. I believe that cooking and eating with family is bonding time. And sharing recipes with acquaintances can quickly turn them into your good friends. My philosophy is old school – “If you love them, feed them. If you want to know them better, eat with them and learn their culture”.
Life is short, eat dessert first :p
Click!
😀
Sam Han
Bam was born on a farm in Melbourne and now living in Singapore.
Places I’ve lived and been to.
What we eat, who prepares it, who is at the table, the origin of the dish and why we eat it is a form of communication.
The recipes I provide have been tried, tested and adjusted to my family’s preference, unless otherwise stated. On seasoning of food; when in doubt, less is more.
I am not a food critic nor connoissuer on gourmet food so you’ll seldom, if any, see ratings of the food or restaurant. “Food Tastings” are free food sessions I get invited to. Restaurant and food reviews I post here are NOT meant to criticise in any way but merely to reflect and share my personal taste experience. I like to approach everything from a discovery point of view and take in what others do with keen interest. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. What I like and dislike may be in conflict with your opinion. To each his own.
I do write on things that has nothing to do with food but matters to me. In a way, I’m journaling for my personal development.
Please feel free to leave a comment or just say “Hello”.
I hope you join me in my adventures 😀
The Bonding Tool 
very true x
Glad that you agree, Mark 🙂
Greetings from Australia Samantha,
I agree with you wholeheartedly; being of European heritage, eating with family friends or even strangers is an outward expression of hospitality, and above all love for our fellow neighbour. 🙂
Hi Konstantine, thanks for visiting.Your photographs are beautiful! They let me see what you’ve seen. I’m so looking forward to the day when I can mingle with other cultures like you 🙂
“Too often. . .I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.” – Louis L’Amour
Thank you kindly for your lovely words Samantha. Take great care and continue with your amazing blog. 🙂
I agree whole-heartedly (and whole-stomachedly). Food is a great intimacy with friends. The Native Americans shared the piece pipe. Many have their drinking buddies. For me, it is sharing coffee and/or food. Cheers!
Thank you for stopping by, Pastor Ashcraft! I love coffee too and sometimes overindulge in this beverage (like 16 cups a day!). While I believe food connects people, I also believe what you mentioned in your blog that “But if you want “good” news, read the Gospels…Prayer connects you directly to Almighty Power” – for man cannot/shall not live on/by bread alone. Cheers 🙂
You win! Sixteen cups a day!! Wow! You blow me out of the water (out of the the hot, percolated water — haha!).
One of my — our church’s — favorite verses is Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” As you can see, eating together is one of the four spiritual activities of the Gospel! How’s that for good news?!
Thanks for showing interest in what I put out too.
I sincerely hope you continue to find my works entertaining & pleasurable.
Be safe.
Hi Yas, you have very interesting articles on your blog and the pleasure’s all mine to be able to access them any time and any where. Thank you for sharing them. Cheers 🙂
Thanks for dropping by my blog. Your food looks delicious! I have always insisted our family eat together, even when things have been a little fractious! It has paid off over the years and they all see it as a time for good communication and relaxation. Too many people eat in front of their televisions! Shall be following 🙂
I am glad we share the same philosophy – eating with family does bond us closer even though we may have differences at times. Communications lead to better understanding even if we have to learn to agree to disagree 🙂 Your posts are very inspirational and interesting! Love the name Be Well And Happy.
Thankyou! it is the name for all my publicity stuff so my website is http://www.bewellandhappy.co.uk and this blog and also my facebook page, business cards etc. It comes from the Buddhist Loving Kindness Meditation practice (Metta Bhavana)…. may all beings be well, happy and free from suffering….
I will check out your link. Stay well and happy 🙂
What a great quote to introduce yourself with – and so true.
Thank you for stopping by, Beeseeker. I enjoyed your blonversations and will continue to be inspired by your poetry 🙂
Samantha,
Thank You for stopping by my blog and liking my post! I really appreciate the support. Being a food lover myself, all I can say is your blog is delicious! I will definitely be stopping by to read your posts in the near future. Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Victor
Hi Victor,
Thank you for checking out my blog, too.
I am particularly attracted to your belief “that every individual has the ability to learn, the power to adapt to any situation, and the will to conquer any challenge presented to them. My philosophy stems from my burning desire to self-improve! Whether it be mentally, physically, or spiritually I believe that we can always improve some way, somehow.”
I am working on all these at snail pace 🙂
i agree, hence the bonding tool=we like food, a lot!
Hi Prodigal, our lives have become so hectic, meal time is about the only time we have for communicating with family and friends. Glad to know another fellow food lover 😀
Hi Samantha,
I hope you don’t mind but I have nominated you for the liebster award.
Take a look at my site for details–>http://vrtraining.wordpress.com/
Thanks!
Victor
Thank you very much for your kind nomination, Victor 🙂
I don’t know how to go about this (shy…)
lovely philosophy Sam.. ahem..also great blog with a lot of yumms & delights..! =)
Hi Sam,
Thanks for stopping by and putting in kind comments.
I was in France end of 1992 and your 9th photo taken from below Eiffel Tower made me feel like I was there again, eating roasted chestnuts from the road vendor and getting in line to go up the iron lattice :p
Your photographs are fantastic! Love the way you present them 😀
Thank you so very much Sam..! Really glad to know that…! =)
I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. Hope you acccept! 🙂 Go here to find out more: http://robertmudge.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/the-liebster-blog-award/
Thank you Robert. I was nominated by Victor of LAC also but have trouble fulfilling his requirement as I like to know the bloggers on a better level. I am very thankful for your stamp of confidence and nomination. I will try harder this time round 😉
Btw, did you know I nominated you for Very Inspiring Blogger Award? Check it out here https://bondingtool.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Oh dear, do I need to inform all my nominations? I did not as I assume they would be linked. Oh my bad…
You’re welcome. And it’s ok I don’t think there is a limit on the nominations you can receive :). Thanks for trying harder this time, ha.
Haha, no I did not know. Yup, you need to let them know. Just comment somewhere on there blog wioth that link you just posted here 🙂
I got it done. Now go accept your Very Inspiring Blogger Award 😀 Congratulations, Robert!
Don’t boss me around, ha. I will hopefully get it done in the coming days :). Thank you!
😀
I’m accepting another one now and I’ll do yours next 🙂
Congratulations on yet another award 😀
Catching up with you 😉
Your philosophy is so true!
Thank you Jessica for stopping by and dropping a line. I’m very happy you agree too 😀
Hi Sam! Your pictures are amazing! Thank you for this great blog! 🙂
Hi Itanni, thanks for dropping by and the kind comments. I love what you share on your FB page. Everything there is so amazing! Thank you for sharing. 😀
Thank you Sam! Looking forward to following your page too! 🙂
Thanks for Following me there as well.You are such a wonderful and great friend.
Have smiling and peaceful time always my dear friend !
I hope you keep visiting and supporting me there !
Be Happy 😀
Your posts are uplifting. I love reading them, short, sweet and to the point 😀
My pleasure my so kind and nice friend !
I am happily following you on pinterest too !
You have amazing collection there as well .
My best wishes with you my dear friend !
Have a wonderful day 😀
Sam! Just checked out your beautiful food photos in your Gallery, and even though I’ve just had breakfast, I’m all of a sudden HUNGRY again. THANKS for visiting my funny-caption photoblog and leaving the “likes.”
–John R.
Hi John, thank you for visiting back. You have a great blog and I love your witty captions. Will be dropping in often 😀
Hi Sam! I hope you don’t mind being nominated for another blog award.:) I’ve just nominated you for a Dragon’s Loyalty Award! Please click here for more info: http://eyedancers.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/a-best-moment-award-and-a-dragons-loyalty-award/ Thanks!–Mike
Thanks Michael 🙂
Hi Sam! I’m nominating you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award which I’ll publish in a moment. You dont need to do anything, its just to say I like your blog!
Congratulations on your receiving the award! Hehehe and nominating me, thank you 🙂
Hello Sam, totally agree with you 🙂
Thanks for visiting Patricia. Your crochet is beautiful work of art 😀
thanks for your kind words 🙂
You have a lovely about page! I love your philosophy. I’m going to explore the other pages:-)
Hi Elaine, thank you for stopping by and saying hello 🙂 I’m so glad you think my blog is worth exploring. Like you, I’m a rookie blogger and am exploring some photography along the way. Let’s make this blogging journey together 😀
Hello. Thank you for the visit. 😀
My pleasure, you have a lovely blog 🙂
Hi Sam 😉
Thanks for stopping by to visit…
I’ve enjoyed browsing your blog. Your recipes look very enticing!
Hi Denise, so nice to hear from you 😀 I was redirected to your blog by Carmen. After reading your post, I knew you’ve come a long way! You have been courageous in taking steps to heal yourself and making a difference in someone’s life by what you’ve shared. I liked your last paragraph; the sentence “But it does free us from the poison of anger, resentment, and shame” is encouraging and loving indeed. We all have issues with forgiveness. Some we are not ready to face and deal with. You’ve showed how strong you are and how we can be too! THANK YOU!
Thank you so much. I appreciate your encouragement. It does help to know we’re not alone…
Happy Cooking!!
Thanks, Denise 😀
OMG Sam! Your food kills me!! It makes me want to get on a plane, knock on your door and demand that you take me to all the places you have reviewed followed up by a meal cooked by you. Then I will crash on your couch and do it all over again the next day. Sigh. That would be wonderful. 🙂
If you are ever in town, you MUST call me! We’ll have crash dieting the other way round 😀 Lol…
Oh, and arghh…must you be so photogenic!!! Grrrr. 😉 xo
Photogenic? Thank you so much for your kind words. I chose presentatable photos and destroy the ugly ones, lol…
Oh please! You look great!
It would be amazing to visit your side of the world. If only….sigh.
Itanni, anything is possible! One day, you might just up and come. We can travel to JB, Malaysia, an hour’s drive from Singapore and savour the many yummy dishes there too. Oh, I’m so hoping and looking forward to that day! 😀
I travel a lot. I am one of those people that will get on a bus tonight and be in a different country tomorrow. I love to get away. The problem is that I don’t get enough time off to travel to beautiful far away place like Singapore….yet. But I will make it happen. I just came back from Miami, the month before that I was in Chicago, the month before that I was in New York, and in a month I am going to Charleston, South Carolina! I am so excited!
I’m so excited for you too! Love all the food pics you posted on FB during your travels. Keep them coming. You’re doing a pretty hot number on red velvets too 😀
Awarded:
http://wingedprisms.com/2013/07/03/always-here-when-needed-award/
Thanks Cate, for this nice 4th July 2013 pressie 😀
😀
Hi Semi! Nice meeting you in person! You have a new follower! 😀
Hahaha, thank you! Nice to have met you too and let’s go makan together and take some food pics when you’re free. Btw, Lor Mee is one of my fav noodle dish and the white rabbit candy too, hahaha. We have quite a few things in common. 😀
I was wondering why your blog was called the Bonding Tool but now I understand perfectly! Great concept. You are so right… food always brings people together, regardless of language, status or other barriers. Looking forward to reading more of your work! xx
Hi Laura, thanks for visiting. You have a great blog and lovely photos too! I am following and shall be returning to your blog and read those delicious recipes 😀
Hi! I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award, so if you’re interested please check out the link here… http://dailygluttony.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/versatile-blogger-award/
Thank you, Jessica and congrats on your award 😀
Hello Sam,
I’ve just been cruising through and loving your site.I grew up with a large extended family that had the same philosophy about food/eating/bonding as you’ve expressed above. I often joke that my mother’s mantra was, “Eat, eat, eat.” So many wonderful memories of our large family at the table, eating, laughing, and breaking out in song. Joyous. So nice to meet you in this great cyber community. Paulette
Paulette, nice to meet you too! 😀 Older folks tend to ask the younger ones to eat. That’s their way of showing love and concern. I’m doing that to my children these days too. So glad you stopped by and sharing your view.
Thanks very much for the support on my blog- much appreciated!
As a foodie, I’m gonna be spending a lot of time here.
Much success!
-Andrew
My wordpress has gone wonky and I only saw you just 😀 You have a witty take on food and I enjoy reading them 😉 Thank you and you are most welcome to feast along with me. Btw, I thought I recognise you from the Wu-Tang Clan :p
Sam, your blog looks amazing! So many awards too! How do you post them? I think I have 1 award. 😦 Btw, do you know what happened to Peckish Kiwi?
Hi Itanni, thanky you for your kind words. The awards can be posted as images using Widgets (in admin). I am missing Peckish Kiwi and Anjo, too.
Love your very honest reviews. It’s refreshing to read them.
Thanks for visiting and the kind words 😀
Hi, I have nominated for you the Liebster Award xx
http://shortandsweetreats.com.au/2013/11/25/the-liebster-award/
Hi Nicole, thanks for your kind nomination. I have that award already and will add your link to my post 😀
Hi Sam! I hope you don’t mind a blog award.:) Please click here for more info: http://eyedancers.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/some-of-my-favorite-things-blogs-or-the-blog-of-the-year-award-2013/ Thanks so much! You have an awesome site! –Mike
Hi Michael, thanks for remembering me in your awrds nominations always 😀
I am leaving for Macau in a few hours’ time and I will do the necessary when I return. My posts have been scheduled as I may not have internet.
Thank you and congrats on your award too! 😀 😀 😀
Hello Sam, I don’t normally do this award thing but wanted to nominate you for ‘The Sunshine Award’…. because your blog posts are always so interesting – cheers me up on a rainy day. If you want to accept it then just go to my blog and follow the questions…. if not, just take this as a nod of appreciation 😉
Thanks for the nomination 😀
It’s an honour.
You’re welcome 🙂
Hey Sam,
Nice Blog!Just dropped by to say Hello! :)Would love for us to connect over our blogs and recipes…
Hi Prash, went to your facebook and loved what i saw. Thanks for dropping by. Of course i would love to connect but i seldom cook now and am sharing more of my daily activities like a diary with food in them most of the time. hope you enjoy this this ride with me too 😀
Hello Sam,
I live in Singapore too, I can cook Indian food. Lets have potluck sometime!
Great blogs. Love them all, and at 2AM you just got me hungry!
BP
Hi BP, thanks for visiting! Perhaps you can cook and I blog about you and your food 😀
Hi Sam,
Really amazing your blog… 🙂
Thanks Laxman. You have an amazing blog yourself 😀
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and like and read my post! I appreciate it very much. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I liked the “real friend experiment”keeping the spouse and dog in trunk, lol… won’t both be dead in an hour’s time?
ha ha ha 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting and following my blog! 🙂
dear Sam, care to dance with DC’s disco flutterby? if you’re game, raise your dancing pen and do the link http://kintal.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/the-butterfly-light-award-disco-flutterby-award/
;D
Thank you Marlyn 😀
Hello. I’d like to nominate you for Singapore blog Awards, but I couldn’t find your email. I love reading your entries because they are full of joy, love and compassion. So consider this a nomination and register yourself: http://sgblogawards.omy.sg 🙂
Hi RERG, thank you very much for this nomination. I deeply appreciate your thoughts and comments which is enough to fuel me 🙂 THANK YOU.
Great blog and wishing you more amazing recipes and dining adventures this year! Happy new year!
Thank you for visiting and your kind comment Karen. Happy new year to you and your family too! 😀
Great blog, Semi! I like your style. Hope to follow you.
Thank you very much Venice. Have a great weekend ahead! :)))
still lovin your blog and posts my dear lil friend! most excellent! Love ya! Bill
Thank you Bill. Lots of love to you and Teri, too! Happy 2016! 🙂
I was brought to your blog in one of your posts on Kukup. It’s been quite a while that I haven’t seen such a high quality, nicely composed and professional grade photos. Nice color editing too. I challenge my brother who’s photography crazy and asked him to reconsider selling his 70-200mm tele lens. And I told him about your site, all photos shot by a lady that has two adult grown up kids. Kudos! Excellent!
Hi Des,
Thank you very very much for your kind encouraging words. Tell your brother I regretted deeply selling my 70-200mm lens. This lady is now a grandmother, haha… I am more active in G+ these days concentrating more on insect macro-photography, food and landscapes. (https://plus.google.com/u/0/100543882973615460981/posts)
Hi Samantha,
Now that our favorite playground Google+ has shut down, I believe here is the last resort to follow your key ideas and activities with the name of the bonding tool. Keep in touch. 😉
Best wishes from Tokyo, surrounded by fully bloomed cherry blossoms.
Hello Masahiko-san,
Thank you very much for your kind greetings and follow. I believe the fully bloomed cherry blossoms must be beautiful. I have been to Japan a couple of times but never had the chance to witness their beauty. I hope to be able to travel to Japan again and perhaps catch up with you in person. It would be a great cultural exchange! 🙂
Hi Samantha,
Thanks a million for finding my message. Surely it’s worth for visiting our country just to enjoy dramatic beauty of cherry blossoms. I believe the famous saying “Life is short but beautiful” fits to the flower very well.
As you must have already experienced, here is a good place for foodies and drinkers, ranging from highs and lows. And yes, I do love to share time with happy conversations.
Cheers, and have a lovely weekend!