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Food and Drink

Nov 27 2008 2 Comments

Bygone Tokyo barbecues

After what felt like only a week or two of autumn, Tokyo seems to have well and truly waded into winter, resulting in the capital’s riverside barbecue retreats battening down the hatches and waiting for the weather to get warmer again.

However, whether it was due to either the climate or a considerable lack of customers, this secluded little spot appears to have closed for business at least several seasons ago.

Japanese barbecue

Meaning that as well rust being the only thing on the rack, the welcoming room or whatever it was is now little more than a ramshackle wreck.

Japanese barbecue

And, despite plenty of storage space, the only things left there now are leaves,

Japanese barbecue

and lopsided lamps.

Japanese barbecue

Plus, somewhat surprisingly, a sort of semi-suspicious canned clock and canister combination,

Japanese barbecue

although needless to say there’s now no need for any, ahem, alarm.

Japanese barbecue

A demise which in many ways is decidedly sad, as although it could do with a clean, in late summer at least it’s really quite a colourful little location.

Japanese barbecue

Categorized: Food and Drink, Haikyo

Nov 25 2008 8 Comments

Japanese bowl-based bistro

When dining on delectables doled out in dishes, it’s sometimes nice to sit in suitably styled seats.

Tokyo restaurant

Allowing one to boast,

Tokyo restaurant

although it’s a bit of a mouthful,

Tokyo restaurant

about eating from a bowl in a booth that’s a bowl.

Tokyo restaurant

Categorized: Food and Drink

Nov 22 2008 4 Comments

Kentucky Fried festivities?

As Christmas decorations have been common in the capital for quite some time now, it’s not really surprising to see fried festivities now forcibly pushed to the fore,

Japanese KFC Christmas

with premium picks,

Japanese KFC Christmas

as well as more basic barrel-based buffets available.

Japanese KFC Christmas

All cleverly coupled with commercials that are almost as sickly as what’s being sold.*

And of course Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas (even though it’s not even nearly Christmas) without the practically traditional practice of cosplaying colonels.

Japanese KFC Christmas

*This is last year’s commercial as the current one hasn’t been illegally uploaded yet, although rest assured they are very similar, with grinning and grease the main ingredients.

Categorized: Food and Drink

Oct 26 2008 4 Comments

Japanese drinks #8: Yummy Pepsi yoghurt?

When it comes to japan-specific special editions, Pepsi appears to have a penchant for non-cola colours, as, after its relatively recent bright blue abomination, the beverage behemoth has now worked its way round to white with this creamy Pepsi and yoghurt concoction.

Pepsi White

A potation that Pepsi deserves plenty of praise for, as amazingly it actually tastes as sickly as it sounds. The drink’s slightly thick texture and peculiar taste making it akin to sucking down some slightly watered down shampoo. A pot of Pantene perhaps — only worse.

In the meantime, as you mull over any possible merits it may have, here’s a video of how the standard stuff was sold many moons ago.

Categorized: Food and Drink

Oct 06 2008 3 Comments

Japan’s promiscuous packaging

Packaging in Japan invariably seems to work on a more the merrier mindset, with even a trip to the bakery leaving one on the lookout for a new local landfill, as each item comes with its own bag, which in turn often has an additional unused bag for storage should you save some for a second sitting, with all of the above conveniently contained in, yes, you’ve guessed it, another bag. A process that is almost as long-winded and unwelcoming as that opening sentence, although at least as far as bag usage goes, certain supermarkets are now encouraging customers to come with their own carrier.

A habit that, it has to be said, does appear to be catching on, although unfortunately Triumph International’s hugely innovative bra-cum-bag somehow failed to catch the public’s imagination. A contraption that was both environmentally friendly and fetching, which is no mean feat.

Japanese eco bra

Still, there does appear to be a long way to go, as although bag consumption may well be becoming less carefree, packaging is still prodigious. And, while it may be deemed desirable for fancy, and far from cheap fruit,

expensive Japanese fruit

individually cushioned and covered tomatoes does seem just a tad too much.

expensive Japanese tomatoes

Categorized: Food and Drink

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