Instagram story viewer> @chuonthisco> Posts

Annie Chu (Chu on This®)

@chuonthisco

3.8K

followers

1317

following

Your guide to fulfilling food and travel experiences.
Toronto/Anywhere.
Art and design: @chuonthisstudio

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

You’ve probably heard me talk about how much I love @survivorcbs for years. So, I thought I’d finally put my money where my mouth is and dress up as @jeffprobst to host an all-day all-ages birthday event! Here are just a few snaps of a ridiculously good time.

#Survivor #Survivor50 by @chuonthisco

244

16

7 months ago

Taiwan Road Trip Diaries Part 15: How to Eat Soup Dumplings (小籠包or Xiao Long Bao)!

Like I said in the video, there’s no wrong way but this is the BEST way, IMHO. Xiao Long Bao (XLB) is one of my favourite foods of all time and even with its insane crowds, 鼎泰豐 (Din Tai Fung) is a class act for consistent quality (18 folds exactly on every XLB!) and service and definitely worth a visit when you visit Taiwan (even if you’ve been to another location elsewhere).

P.S. A few months ago, I posted about a very mediocre soup dumpling experience I had in Montréal, and several of you asked me to explain why it was so frustrating, but I really couldn’t do it properly without some visuals. So, I decided to go all the way to #DinTaiFung in Taipei and make this video as a response! @gingerrosefood @eric.b.r and @hanasmusicwastaken this one is for you in particular! 😊

-
@dintaifung.tw @dintaifungtw @dintaifungusa #xlb #soupdumplings #soupdumpling #taiwanroadtrip #taiwan #taiwanculture #台灣 #台灣美食 #小籠包 #鼎泰豐#xiaolongbao #worthit @buzzfeedworthit @stevenkwlim #chuonthis #foodie #foodblogger #culinaryculture #foodculture #authenticfood #eattheworld #exploretaiwan by @chuonthisco

265

12

4 years ago

With the start of a new year (and a reckoning of the changing landscape of social media) I’ve been quietly making a few changes around here:

1. I changed my Instagram handle from “chuonthisblog” to “chuonthisco” to reflect the reality that I have ceased to have a “blog” in the conventional sense for years. Still a writer and photographer; just don’t blog!

2. I deleted my TikTok account for good (any content I posted there including the gelato videos can be found here as well, without the high octane commentary).

3. I am still cooking a lot (and even went to culinary school last year), but you won’t find as much cooking content here anymore. Thousands of other talented people are better at recipe development than me. Plus, documenting food I make in a repeatable way is not my forte, and not that fun for me (or my camera equipment when it gets splattered with tomato sauce).

4. I am leaning more into my actual website (chuonthis.ca), and hope you’ll visit it from time to time as well. I feel comfortable that I can curate the entire experience for you there, free of ads, algorithms, and AI-generated content. There are many pages that I still need to update, but I’m trying not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

5. I’m making it easier for you to share what I do with others, and for you to work with me, starting with this visual post above!

Thanks for being here.

#ChuonThis by @chuonthisco

118

9

2 years ago

New Toronto speakeasy alert! @barbokeh is the spot @leslievillebia has been waiting for. Tucked inside a @matchahaus.ca at 890 Queen St E, you can visit during their soft opening between Thursday to Sunday from 6 PM to 2 AM.

If you love @barchef, you’ll love it here!

Thank you @foodiefork and Bar Bokeh for the invite.

P.S. I had to keep the original audio in these clips because how perfect are these door creaks?

#invited #torontorestaurants #cocktailbar #speakeasy by @chuonthisco

466

4

4 months ago

I cannot recommend bike tours enough, and Barcelona is a perfect city to do one in!

I recently discovered the joy of @getyourguide and booked this tour through their app (and have also become a creator community member, so this is actually an #ad but I’m fully endorsing!). The app/website features many individual providers but they’re all nicely organized in one place with verified reviews and certifications (there are so many sketchy sites out there). Plus, they have a very flexible “we understand plans change” cancellation policy, which can be priceless.

DM me and I’ll send you my discount code for booking any experience off GetYourGuide, and/or if you want the link for the specific experience I booked for this tour! taken in Barcelona, Spain by @chuonthisco

22

0

5 months ago

Captured during my recent visit to La basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon, France. Chuckled to myself all the way down the hill!

Shoutout to my versatile @frankandoak (are we back??) dress that carried me everywhere throughout this entire trip. taken in Lyon by @chuonthisco

305

16

6 months ago

Springtime in Paris; a few photos with a tower. by @chuonthisco

137

5

6 months ago

My Paris Pâtisserie Guide (from my recent short but mighty tour!)

1. @ritzparislecomptoir The most 1er Arrondissement experience! Famous for their long croissants (uniform texture) but I actually preferred the filled madeleines, and the croissant as a jambon comté sandwich. Tip: Instead of eating them in the café (and waiting in line) enjoy them in the Jardin des Tuileries.

2. @le_pain_retrouve For sourdough and long fermentation fans! I got the light, indulgent but elegant Kouign-amann but the bread and pizza looked amazing too. Tip: plan to enjoy this Rue de Martyrs spot going to or coming from Montmartre.

3. @tenbelles A charming neighbourhood café. I only tried their cinnamon bun but it was great! Tip: This would be a perfect place to kick off your morning along the canal.

4. @dupainetdesidees Prepare for lines at this popular all-rounder spot. The Pain Suisse was fantastic and the Pistachio escargot was nice but I would’ve loved to try a few other things. Note: No seats but there are nice counter spots to enjoy your pastries and coffee!

5. @toutautourdupain A no-frills kind of establishment. We came only for their classic croissant - light and flaky and felt like it had a million layers! Tip: they also have award-winning baguettes if you want to take a few for a picnic.

6. @lapanifacture If you like a very substantial, bouncy pastry that holds its structure, this is for you! The Pain Suisse is rightly famous and we also enjoyed the classic croissant and flan. Tip: bring scissors/friends to share with - these are massive!

7. Just a photo of La Panifacture and a reminder that there is no such thing as an objective “best” croissant in Paris! Plan to go early, go where it’s convenient for you along your itinerary’s path, and double check to make sure the bakery is actually open on the day you go! ❤️🥐 by @chuonthisco

46

3

6 months ago

This isn’t at all a “hidden gem”; the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is pretty well known for having one of the best free panoramic views of Paris! You’ve got your Palais Garnier, Sacré-Cœur in the distance, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. Even in the rain, it was a beaut.

Open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM most days and les @galerieslafayette is worth a stop for actual shopping (and a bathroom break)! by @chuonthisco

42

1

6 months ago

When you imagine eating at a “really charming Parisian bistro”, @le_bon_georges is what dreams of made of. Everyone around you is in a good mood. The wine menu is the size of a small child. You’re probably going to order some form of steak frites (especially if it’s steak au poivre you’ve been craving). You’re here in April so you get to try the gently roasted giant white asparagus covered in a blanket of hollandaise that puts your usual brunch order to shame. And even though it’s a portion for four, you still say “pourquoi pas ?!” to sharing a fluffy chocolate mousse between two.

Would I recommend Le Bon Georges? Of course. Everything we ate was the Platonic ideal of what that thing should be and we left very satisfied. A few final notes: book early, check the prices (some eyebrows may be raised lol), and yes, the mousse only comes in one size (giant). by @chuonthisco

31

0

6 months ago

Let me tell you about my new favourite place in Collingwood… @endswellbeer! This brewery is owned by business/life partners Dana (who, full disclosure, was also part of the party crew) and Mike, and was clearly reverse-engineered for maximum fun and enjoyment.

After a day of cross-country skiing at @highlandsnordic for @anelanutella’s 40th birthday, this was the perfect location to après-ski. The beer is the highlight, but I was particularly impressed with the “Soda Bros” non-alc options including a Ginger Hops Water (which was exactly the right thing I want to drink when I am in a beer environment but don’t like non-alcoholic beer) and really, really good mineral water! The pizza (love the sesame crusts!) and salads are made by @later_pizza in-house.

If you’re looking for a spot to host a party in the area or just a great place to relax over beer and games, this is it!

P.S. How cute is the platter of @dayshaped branded cupcakes made by the Dujsic/Bajric fam?! by @chuonthisco

49

4

8 months ago

One of the most common pieces of advice I was given while preparing for the One of a Kind Show was that the food options were really limited. Of course, there were delicious things to sample in the “Flavours Section” and many treats gifted from friends and other exhibitors, but the actual “meal options” were literally just a few fast food trucks. So for an almost two-week all-day event, I knew I had to plan super intentionally for me and lil sis, as if I was prepping for a marathon (which is what it felt like at times).

I made slightly different variations of high-protein oatmeal for breakfast at home every day. Then for breakfast and lunch, I ensured every meal was high fibre, high protein, low spices/alliums (so as to not be worried about greeting customers with garlic breath etc.), and nothing too blood sugar-spiking. I tried to cook as many meals as I could while also timing out a few visits to Liberty Village and UberEats deliveries to the Enercare Centre when I knew work was going to be too busy.

It took a lot of time and effort, but man, do I feel better for having done it. Now that I’ve lived through it, I’ll pass on the same advice to anyone who is doing the show or any similar event - stay nourished out there!! 🙂 by @chuonthisco

62

13

10 months ago