I’m Stephanie, a home cook with a passion for learning about food history, culture, and stories around food. I live in Saint Louis, Missouri in a neighborhood that is rich in history and diversity. I love being able to walk down the street to grab a bag of the best tamales in the city!
I love trying out new recipes and spending time with friends and family over drinks and food. I want people to enjoy spending time cooking and eating— whether it is in the kitchen, camping on the river, or preparing meals for yourself.
You can find me putzing around town in my 1992 Honda Acty Kei van. Be sure to wave hi!
Meet Vanchovy: A 1992 Honda Acty Kei Van
What the heck is a Kei van?
Kei vans and trucks in Japan benefit from reduced fees and taxes by meeting specific "kei" vehicle requirements. These include compact dimensions—limited to about 11 feet, 2 inches long by 4 feet, 10 inches wide—and an engine displacement not exceeding 0.66 liters, with power capped at 63 horsepower.
Vanchovy, with its 660cc engine and right-hand drive manual transmission, perfectly fits this criteria. Ideal for city streets, it's compact yet capable, reaching speeds of up to 65 mph. Though, I prefer taking the scenic stop sign route in STL.
