Author: Malia Yoshioka

Malia Yoshioka is a freelance food and travel writer from Hawaii, slowly eating her way around the world and currently based in Istanbul. Born and raised in beautiful Upcountry Maui, she created Shoyu Sugar to share her hometown favorites with visitors and kama’aina alike. Consider this your insider guide to the best things to do, see and - most importantly - what to EAT in Hawaii and beyond!
Avoid the crowds at the Acropolis: Pristine Parthenon Tour in Athens
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Avoid the crowds at the Acropolis: Pristine Parthenon Tour in Athens

My first visit to Athens was in 2008 on our way to a cruise of the Greek islands – which also included my first ever stop in Turkey. That trip, we visited the Acropolis ruins in the middle of a sweltering summer day and I was too hot and weary of the crowds to truly…

Neighbors
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Neighbors

When I first moved into my apartment it was unfurnished. In Turkey that means a complete blank slate: no appliances, curtains, not even light fixtures. I felt excitement at being able to fill up my space thoughtfully, surrounding myself only with carefully-selected things I loved. But at the same time, furnishing a whole 2-bedroom apartment…

Day Trip from Washington DC: Fall Foliage in Shenandoah Valley
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Day Trip from Washington DC: Fall Foliage in Shenandoah Valley

Washington DC is full of historic sites, museums, parks and is one of the top dining destinations in the country. You could easily spend weeks here and never tire of the bountiful options for things to do! But if you’re the type who loves a good road trip and beautiful fall foliage, a self-guided road…

Life in Turkey: Seker Bayram and Ramazan
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Life in Turkey: Seker Bayram and Ramazan

Today was a bit of coincidence as there are major holidays happening in both my homeland and adopted home. So while I’m watching 4th of July beach parties, BBQs and red, white, and blue fireworks displays back in the states, here in Turkey they’re getting ready to celebrate three days of Seker Bayram, which marks…

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Where to Eat in Lisbon: Cervejaria Ramiro

I had first seen Cervejaria Ramiro on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations episode on Lisbon. Known for serving a huge variety of fresh seafood with grilled steak sandwiches for “dessert”, it was on my short list of places to visit in my trip to Portugal. I had plans to meet my friend Flavia from Brazil for…