Asian Cuisine
So what is the food like here, you have been wondering? Well, as expected very different, but very good. Of course, there are some things that do not exist here at all and/or are extremely over priced. But no matter, this is the experience of living in a new land. Surprisingly, our vegetarian diet has caused us even more grief here than we got back in the states. The idea of not consuming any meat, particularly pork and beef seems to be unheard of here. As beef and pork are a staple to every meal. This was completely unexpected to us. However, it should be noted we had already decided before moving here we would indeed consume of the Marine-flesh, considering its way fresh and we love sushi. Also, why forgo such a great way to experience the culture and pass up amazing dishes. It also should be noted that animal agriculture is much more strict here, and FDA “standards” simply wouldn’t fly here. In any case… Our daily diet:
Breakfast can be sometimes just toast and peanut cream, a carmel type consistency of peanuts (real peanut butter is incredibly expensive here! $5 for a tiny jar of Skippy), or eggs with fried veggies, or there is the cheapest cereal $3 a small box. The selection is about 7 different varieties, nothing compared to the cereal aisle in the states. But we can still find Frosted Flakes so we’re satisfied. I dont think Japanese really do a breakfast meal.
Lunch depends on our location for the day. Onigiri (triangular shaped rice patties with a mayo and “meat” filling) is quite amazing, if you know your Kanji or colored stickers for the meat you’ll get. Eel, beef, chicken, tuna, salmon, etc. Udon noodles are a staple here, and usually quite cheap. We highly enjoy the make your own toppings and sides of tempura veggies/fish/octopus/etc. Also each supermarket has a “baked goods” section; which includes pastries of all types, pizza like items, hot dog in a crossiant, and many other things. It should be also noted that Japan has a very large amount of Passtiries shops, which becomes more and more of temptation to Samantha.
Dinner is a home-cooked meal of either rice with curry sauce and stir fried veggies or our own form of Udon style meal. Yeah that’s practically what we have eaten everyday. Luckily we were gifted a Traditional Japanese cookbook and we have been slowly learning new little dishes from that. But our skills are still in process.
Oh how could we forget the most notable thing about eating in Japan? Conveyor-belt sushi !!! Absolutely amazing.. A endless supply of fresh sashimi and rolls passing by within an easy reach. Also one of the restaurants had iPhones as menus in case you really liked a particular item then you could inform the chef to keep ‘em coming. (could this be the beginning of the end of waitress jobs?) I should also note that huge deep fried rolls do not really exist here, however many foods are tempura-manized. So long Vegas roll! Though, we have been very daring and have tried some very interesting but delicious seafood products. Hands down the most shocking thing we have discovered, is that “sushi” seems to be a very broad term here. At all of our conveyor-belt sushi experiences, we have found… prepare yourselves… sushi rolls consisting of only rice, and … corn? What? Yeah, it’s true. Not to mention, the classiest of sushi conveyor-belt restaurants send around McDonald’s styled french fries. Uh huh. But strangest of all… is the sushi that is nothing but a ball of rice, with a… LITTLE SMOKEY on it?! Woooah! And don’t forget the Ketchup! Pictures to come soon, because I know some of you won’t believe this one til you see it.
The western food influence of big fatty, greasy fried foods is quickly taking over Japan. The modern Japanese diet is full of carb starch foods: rice, noodles, potatoes, more rice, more noodles and very buttery bready croissants and rolls. One of Samantha’s guilty pleasures is something we like to call “Japanese Cornbread.” It is a hoagie top slathered with mayonnaise and sprinkled with corn. Mmm… they are sold next to the wasabi covered potato chips in the convenience store. Even better. The generation of just fish, rice, and veggies is dying out. But boy can those oldies get around! The older generation certainly is in great shape. We get passed up on our bikes daily by people over the age of 70.
All in all we are quite happy to have bikes and walk everywhere to keep ourselves slim n’ trim. And are loving the cuisine!