Food and Drink

Aug 30 2004 3 Comments

Pointless poll result #2

Having just arrived back from my vacation, I realized that the Sexiest celebrities poll was way past it’s sell by date, and desperately needed wrapping up. So if you’ll give me a quick drum roll, I’m pleased to announce that Japan’s sexiest celebrity is the delightful Norika Fujiwara.

Ms Fujiwara trounced the opposition, garnering an impressive 46% of the votes. Easily beating second placed songster Namie Amuro, who perhaps surprising (or there again perhaps not) only managed a rather paltry 27%. A long way back in third position were the large chested Kanou Sisters (18%). And sadly bringing up the rear with a measly 9% was the ladies choice, cuddly sumo wrestler Miyabiyama.

But Pointless Poll fans fear not. A quick look to your left will reveal an all-new and utterly meaningless survey. This one going by the decidedly unimaginative title of Most Disgusting Dessert. An endeavor that will surely broaden your horizons and stimulate your intellect.

Given the choice of whale, deep sea water, lettuce and potato, or shark fin ramen ice cream, which would you choose as the most disgusting dessert?

Vote away!

Aug 13 2004 3 Comments

O for octopus

Maybe it’s me that’s a bit squeamish. Or perhaps I’m just a picky eater. But I can still remember the shock of seeing this in a supermarket refrigerator.

Despite being a bit surprised, I convinced myself that after being cooked it would look a lot different. The same way in which English food generally looks nothing like the fish or animal it came from. Needless to say I was wrong. Very wrong.

Cooked octopus looks exactly like it does when it’s alive. Except of course it doesn’t move so much, and its, err, been cut into smaller pieces. Something like this.

Fancy a bite?

Aug 12 2004 1 Comment

N for natto

Natto is fermented soybeans that have a rather distinct and pungent smell. Add to this a stringy and sticky texture, and it’s not exactly the most appealing food you could think of.

After persevering a bit, I’ve come to like this unusual foodstuff, but it has to be said that it’s very much an acquired taste. And it also has to be said that the Japanese enjoy making the most of this.

When the very predictable What Japanese food do you like? question rears it’s ugly head (which unfortunately is very often), it’s never long before it is followed up by the even more predictable How about natto?

The Problem is, for the hapless gaijin it’s a no-win situation. Say no and you are greeted with knowing nods and a detectable sense of pride that the foreigner doesn’t like the unique natto. But on the other hand, give an affirmative answer, and you’ll be met with hoots of amusement and surprise. Plus you’ll probably be forever remembered as a henna gaijin (a strange foreigner).

Perhaps the only way out would be to feign ignorance and pretend you have no knowledge whatsoever of the delicacy known as natto. But you’d be lucky to get away with this, and for me personally, having been here 6 years it’s not really an option. I mean, there is even a national natto day, which has the customary attractive models promoting it.

Aug 05 2004 3 Comments

I for instant ramen

Japan is the land of the bento, or the packed lunch as it was referred to when I was a kid. In those days my lunches contained a staple of sandwiches and a bit of fruit. Perhaps even a biscuit of some description if I was lucky. The Japanese bento on the other hand is far more exotic beast. Often more akin to a work of art than something to eat.

But to conjure up something as elaborate as the above picture takes time, and presumably a considerable amount of skill. So if like me you definitely lack the latter, and quite often the former, there is thankfully a saviour at hand. The trusty bowl of instant ramen.

Yet don’t for a second think it’s a poor second choice. Well, actually it is, but considering the vast array of options available, it’s fairly easy to convince yourself otherwise. Just look, this is merely a small selection that can be found in my local supermarket.

Pour in some hot water, wait 3 minutes or so, and you are all done. Now that’s my kind of cooking!

Jul 28 2004 4 Comments

C for cooking

Or more accurately cooking programs. Well no, that’s not clear enough either. I guess food based television entertainment would be a better description. But seeing as I had another idea for F, cooking will have to do.

Now I must admit that I don’t watch a great deal of Japanese television. For one I have cable, and secondly I don’t share the nation’s intense love affair with food. And whilst a slight exaggeration, it’s fairly true to say that most programs just consist of people obsessing about food.

Whatever they do, or wherever they go (or even if they are just in the studio), tasting different food seems to be the main (and often only) focus. Even if it’s a travel program, all we ever learn about the country is its food. Ok, I know it’s an important part of a country’s identity, but generally there are other places and points of interest too.

But at a pinch I can deal with this. Ok, I can’t (as is probably quite obvious), but it would be a lot more tolerable if it weren’t for the constant and almost orgasmic cries of delicious every time the slightest morsel of food is placed into a presenters mouth. If just now and again they spat the food out and said it was repulsive, I’d be much more inclined to watch. But sadly I fear I may have a very long wait.

Even this would be greeted by cries of it looks so delicious. I kid you not.

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