Popo Turns 97 | going back to Hawaii | Aja Dang

This video makes me cry every time I watch it. I know how blessed I am to have Popo still with us. Between Brian and I, she is our last living grandparent and was my rock during my childhood. It makes me very emotional thinking about how old she is and how much time I have left with her. My only regret is that the childhood dishes I grew up on, are now lost. I need to make a list of all the dishes I remember and need to start testing recipes - maybe I can get them close enough to where she can remember certain ingredients or tip and tricks. Happy birthday Popo, we love you.
• FOOD IN THIS VIDEO •
Lee’s Bakery (Popo's bday pies)
Tamafuji Tonkatsu
Waiola Shave Ice (the past few times I've been there the workers were very rude so not sure if I can recommend)
Rinka Japanese Restaurant
• OAHU Food Suggestions •
Andy's Sandwiches & Smoothies (whatever herbs they put on the sandwiches 💕... I like the Turkey with everything)
Off The Hook Poke Market (this is right next to Andy's so you can take to go)
Helena's Hawaiian Food
Hy's Steakhouse (this is where I got my famous Caeser salad recipe)
Young's Fish Market
Kaimana Shave Ice (they served Shave Ice at our wedding)
W&Ms Burger (Teri Burgers. Go early or call in the order before going)
Tankatsu Tamafuji
Japanese Restaurant Rinka
Akasaka
Zippys (fast food but better)
DO NOT GO TO:
Matsumoto's Shave Ice
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
* they are so overrun with tourists that the quality of both has SIGNIFICANTLY gone down.
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[@lydiaz5236]

Oh I think your vlogs to Hawaii are perfectly entertaining. Rather than seeing Hawaii through a tourist’s point of view, I get to see it through the lens of a person who has lived there

[@jenaereyes5309]

Aw…happy birthday to your grandma! ❤ So many parallels! I’m from Hawaii, lived on the mainland (Seattle) since moving away for college, all my fam is back home on Oahu, and my GMa Alice turns 98 this October! I get a I visit her in June. Makes you realize how little time is limited with aging family, but at that same time we’re so lucky to be able to experience that cherished time.

[@AjaDang]

Happy early birthday to Grandma Alice!

[@TYSWong]

Just stumbled upon this video and instantly identified with it. I have a Chinese father and haole mother. I was born and raised in Hawaii amongst my father’s large family. I’m the fourth generation of my Chinese family in Hawaii. I saw that you were wearing a Punahou sweatshirt in one of your videos so I assume you went there for school. I’m also a Punahou graduate, class of 1971. I’m enjoying your videos. Much aloha!

[@letaek]

Omg when Popo said thank-you into the camera...tears. Loved this vlog.

[@wonderingpusheen]

Hi Aja, the dish you spoke about at the end sounds so similar to a dish my family makes every Chinese New Year. It's called Hakka Yeung Hao Si. It's a deep fried ball made of pork mince, with an oyster stuffed in the middle. The ball is wrapped in caul fat (yes it looks like cobweb) before deep frying. Idk if that's maybe something close to what you're describing? Hope it helps!

[@bringitdanielle]

Happy b to Popo! I found my lola’s jewelry box this past week and it has a strand of her hair. I immediately started crying. I love seeing your cute grandma- how special! Also, when I visit a new place, I like to see tourist things day one and local things the days after. Grocery stores, parks, libraries. I enjoy pretending I live in that city so I like your Hawaii vlogs.

[@Ms.MD7]

I love how realistic your vlogs are; nice to see your family. Popo is so cute.

[@akirebara]

Happy birthday Popo!

[@LadyAudi]

Awww! Happy Birthday Popo! Bless her heart. 😘🎂

[@tinalinton2253]

Happy birthday, dearest Grandma. Blessings from the United Kingdom. God bless you!😊❤❤🎉🎉🎉🙏💐🎈🎁

[@LizEsguerra]

HBD Popo! 🥳 She is absolutely adorable 😍

[@jaymiesmith5848]

Happy Birthday Popo! This video made me homesick. Every time I go home to Kona all I do is eat too.

[@jilliannatividad1045]

I love watching these vlogs. So happy you were able to be there 🫶🏽

[@jc___z]

ahhh aja happy bday to popo! ❤️ I miss waiola shave ice and plan to go try that tonkatsu spot in June when back in Hawaii. Always nice to pop in and see how u are doing in a new video 😊

[@honeylynj]

Happy birthday popo! I miss the sound of rain back home in Hawaii ❤ thanks for taking us along

[@SimpleCasualChic]

When you mentioned the recipes! Omg I realized my grandma wrote down all her Japanese recipes in a book for me! She has yet to hand it my way but now I'm grateful to have it

[@sabrinakuuipomagdato7740]

I just started watching your videos (binging them all lol) and you just gave off the vibe that you are from Hawaii or lived in Hawaii!

[@rosamondhazell2149]

Happy Birthday Popo 🎂I know what you mean going back home always refresh me (Caribbean) it slows me down to enjoy the simple things. Thank you for bringing us along with you.

[@JenniferWeeks-sx8zi]

Happy Birthday to grandma 🎉❤

[@jenniferaguilar446]

Happy Birthday Popo!!

[@C_Beaty]

Happy birthday to your Popo!

[@user-pw3ot1vv4d]

Happy birthday to your precious Popo

[@leehonglee9384]

happy birthday popo!

[@christinelew1844]

Love Popo!!!❤

[@michaelrichardt]

we love your non-talk all-eat family vlog)))

[@marissat9953]

Happy Birthday Popo! What a blessing to still have her around! i understand about regretting not watching her cook. I'm starting to pay attention to my Mom when she cooks. I wish I had my Auntie's lumpia recipe. She had a secret ingredient that I still cannot figure out. QQ. Why don't you recommend Matsumoto's Shaved Ice? Just curious. :)

[@AjaDang]

lines are too long and quality of shave ice has gone significantly down since they grew.

[@justinmartin1666]

FIRST COMMENT AND FIRST LIKE : 🥇🏆 happy 97th birthday to your Popo !!! 🎁🎊🎂

[@AjaDang]

per usual!

[@modelno2004]

There is a place next to Tamafuji, that gives THE MOST INCREDIBLE foot massage I’ve ever had in my life. I think it’s called Zen Spa. My husband and I went there after we did two massive hikes in one day. I still think about it a year later.

[@cammywong8453]

Happy Birthday to Popo! Can you share the recipe for Popo's famous spinach rolls again please? thank you!

[@carrieobrien2333]

We need Popo's secret to longevity!

[@primrosed2338]

Beautiful Hawaii has to be part of it.

[@AjaDang]

she says "watching TV, drinking tea and Diet Pepsi"

[@lilianr513]

5 slices of Lee's pie

[@AjaDang]

@@lilianr513 exactly lol

[@Cecilia-]

sounds like a coastal southern province dish. It's likely her childhood dish too that you got to taste. Do you know which province is your grandma's ancestry from? Maybe you can search it through there

[@AjaDang]

I know HER grandfather came from Hong Kong but that's a good point, I'll look into that!

[@debbiej1319]

I have the same regret with my popo ♥️

[@bodshey]

Popo means grandpa in Tibetan!

[@hunnywoowoo]

Which Chinese subgroup is your family from? Cantonese? Hoisan/Toisan? I am Hoisan Am and Popo is uniquely a Toisan honorific. That can help me find out what this dish is.

[@AjaDang]

Cantonese from Hong Kong

[@courtneyquiamzon6279]

Hey Aja! Not sure if this help but sounds like a dim sum dish with tripe! I know not helpful but it may narrow down your google search? LOL Sending love from Waipahu! :)

[@AjaDang]

I'll give that a try!

[@DesertBlue]

Chef husband (also Hong Kong background) believes it could be caul fat!

[@AmyyRoox3]

Could this recipe be similar?? www.google.com/search?q=caul+fat+fried+oysters&sca_esv=e51d7e6dd0626cd3&sca_upv=1&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS774US774&hl=en-US&udm=2&biw=430&bih=745&ei=8lUsZriNNKOFwbkP7deYgAc&oq=caul+fat+fried+oysters&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhZjYXVsIGZhdCBmcmllZCBveXN0ZXJzMggQABiABBiiBEiGMFCWJVi3LXAAeACQAQCYAZYBoAH2BqoBAzAuN7gBA8gBAPgBAZgCBqAC9QXCAgQQIRgKmAMAiAYBkgcDMC42oAf6Cg&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp#vhid=noVhu490fJIN2M&vssid=mosaic

[@ncowanful]

I'm guessing the recipe used tripe or caul fat.

[@AjaDang]

I've only ever had tripe is Pho so that's interesting

[@petracho1897]

Aloha Aja!​@@AjaDang You might want to check out Popo's Kitchen, The Chinese in Haeaii 200 yesrs cookbook. Or, check Net (Popo June Tong). The leafy fat is from the pig. Hope this helps!