Cynic aside
August 29, 2006
Sometimes I forget how cynical I’ve become over the years and reading some of the posts and pictures I put on my webpage, I can easily see how some people might misinterpret my intentions. In no way am I bashing Japanese culture. Sometimes it’s just funny to see such cultural differences that I feel it is my duty to point them out to the world. Incidentally, no one has accused me of Japan bashing but I just feel it, when I’m reading my own writing.
So cynicism aside I’ve decided to write more about things in Japan which I utterly love and have grown so accustomed to in my four years in Japan. The first thing that comes to mind is the food.
Never have I had such wonderful food so available in my life. If we just look at Japanese food, it will take volumes to describe the numerous dishes, tastes, textures, and aesthetic appeal of the Japanese culinary art. I now expect weekly kaitenzushi trips, monthly okonomiyaki and kushikatsu runs, and now it seems, weekly yakiniku runs too (although this particular cuisine is Korean in nature, it has certainly developed into its own thing in Japan).
One concerned about money has no worries either. I’ve found places to eat ranging from super bargain to ‘better get another mortgage’. Quality, it goes without saying, has a direct relationship with price but I’ve yet visit a cheap place that I stormed out angrily. If visiting restaurants is not your cup of tea, making your favorite cuisines at home is definitely not beyond imagination. So far, I’ve had/made nabe, tempura, tonkatsu, takoyaki, and yakiniku all in the comfort of my apartment. For the cuisines that require special equipment, a visit to your local department store or Doguyasuji is all it takes. (Our butane yakinuku grill cost a measly 4000 yen and it makes superb grilled meats).
A word of caution is needed. The myth that Japanese food is very healthy must be taken with a grain of salt, pun intended. I’ve seen my weight flux all over the place depending on the kind of food and of course, the quantity consumed.
Itadakimasu!
