Culinary Inspiration by Otao Kitchen

It doesn’t matter if you are a professional chef or a home cook, we all have bad days in the kitchen where you accidentally put too much salt in your stew or overcook your pasta. In this blogpost, we would like to share some cooking tips that will save your dinner on one of those bad days!

Healthy eating goes beyond just consuming nutritious food. The way you prepare your food is equally important. If you had been eating out lesser and cooking at home more often, kudos to you!! That’s a great start to healthy eating! Now, let’s take a step further by using these tips to cook healthier meals at home!

It's always good to be a little saucy, especially when it comes to food! Sauces play an important role in maximising flavours, adding juiciness and improving the mouth feel of a dish. For instance, if you’re having a BBQ party at home, having a delicious sauce to slather over your BBQ meat will make a world of difference.

There is only couple of weeks to go until Christmas and while you are working you head might be planning for a Christmas lunch or dinner ideas. Whether you are guests or hosting, here are some tips to make things run as smoothly as possible.

Your team is doing a great job to achieve sales or completing an important project. You seem to be too busy with your work and often we don’t give thanks nearly enough: Many employees quit because they didn’t feel appreciated. And ignoring this important gesture may do some harm for the business and relationship so to give thanks to those that we lean on every day in the workplace.

During a time where the end of the year is fast approaching, employees rush to get projects completed, and planning for next year has already begun, it's important to take a step back and give thanks to your team. Here are a few ways you can show your team some love and appreciation this holiday season.

Check out the secret to better work here

Rice is more than just a side dish—it’s the heart of many cultures and cuisines, especially across Asia. Whether it's part of a hearty biryani, a spicy stir-fry, or delicate sushi, rice holds stories of tradition, comfort, and creativity.

In many Asian countries, rice isn’t just a dinner staple—it’s often eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! And while plain steamed rice has its place, there’s a world of flavours waiting to be explored. Here are three simple rice recipes that showcase the versatility of this humble grain—plus how you can learn to make them hands-on with our expert chefs at Otao Kitchen.

Affordable Healthy Meals to Make with Lentils or Beans

If you're looking to eat healthy on a budget, beans and lentils are your best mates in the kitchen. These humble pantry staples are packed with fibre, rich in B vitamins, and are a fantastic plant-based protein source—especially great for vegetarians and vegans.

In addition to being affordable and versatile, beans and lentils are the cornerstone of many delicious, wholesome meals from around the world. Whether you’re feeding a family or cooking solo, these ingredients will stretch your dollar without compromising on flavour.

👉 Want to know which beans and legumes are the healthiest? Check out this guide from Healthline.

Now, let’s take these budget-friendly ingredients to the next level with easy, healthy recipes from Otao Kitchen:

Tips on How to Plan the Ultimate Surprise Party

Create unforgettable birthday memories with a mystery dinner and hands-on cooking experience at Otao Kitchen

Birthdays come once a year, making them the perfect occasion to do something truly special. If your usual birthday routine feels a bit repetitive, it might be time to try something different—something memorable, fun, and full of surprises. Why not plan a unique surprise party that involves an interactive cooking class or mystery dinner?

At Otao Kitchen, we offer unforgettable birthday experiences that combine fun, food, and festivity, making it the ideal way to celebrate a loved one. Here’s how to plan the ultimate surprise birthday party that your guest of honour will never forget.

Choosing the Right Beef Cut and Cooking the Perfect Steak

With the huge variety of beef cuts available in the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing the popular cuts. Most home cooks stick to familiar favourites like rib-eye, sirloin, fillet, or rump steak, but each cut has its own unique texture, flavour, and best cooking method.

At Otao Kitchen, we believe understanding your ingredients is just as important as mastering your technique. So, let’s dive into some helpful tips and tricks for selecting and cooking the perfect steak—whether you're pan-searing, grilling, or broiling.