“There is an ancient dispute among the men of Tohoku as to which of the six prefectures produces the best sake. The keenest rivalry is between Akita in the west and its larger Pacific-coast neighbor, Iwate. The men of Iwate state flatly that their sake is better because their rice is better. The men of Akita counter that their sake is better because their water is better. I have studiously avoided taking sides in this dispute because I have found that, by maintaining a noncommittal silence, I have cup after cup of free sake urged upon me in an effort to elicit the judgment I shall never give. Solomon in all his glory lacked this simple wisdom, or perhaps wasn’t thirsty.”

(Alan Booth in The Roads to Sata p. 90-91)

Posted on July 16th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: alan booth, book quotes, food. Comments: 2

When you are hungry and walking home after a long day of work (or play) few things look as good as this on a Japanese street. So inviting, so mouth watering, so enticing. “Enter me,” it seems to say. “Let me fill your stomach and quench your thirst,” it beckons. “Come and put your cares aside for a while and enjoy life.”

You smile.

And enter.

By the way, in case you don’t know, yakitori is skewered chicken cooked over a fire, possibly after being marinated in a sweet, teriyaki sauce of some sort. Next to a bowl of rice, more dipping sauce, and a cold beer you are good to go.

Posted on May 7th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: buildings, food, japan pictures, kyoto, night photography. Comments Off on Yakitori (焼き鳥 or やきとり)

ラーメン = ramen (and real Japanese Ramen is nothing like the stuff you buy off the shelf in the U.S.); やみつき = being hooked on or addicted to something (although in this case I think it is also the chain name); ギョーザ = gyoza; やきめし = fried rice; karaage = fried chicken

So what are you going to order?

Posted on April 23rd, 2009 under Japan. Tags: food, japan pictures, kyoto, night photography, ramen, signs. Comments Off on Ramen in Kyoto

This was a sign board on the Hakone Loop. Notice the interesting flavors. Sure you can still get vanilla, chocolate (cocoa), and strawberry, but have you ever been able to order purple sweet potato, green soybean, bean jam, potato chips, or tiny rice cracker flavor ice cream before?

Burend is not a brand name. It is supposed to be blend as in ブレンドソフトアイスクリーム.

Posted on April 1st, 2009 under Japan. Tags: food, hakone, signs. Comments: 1

Let’s wrap up our mini, Portland, Oregon week with a view of part of the interior of Voodoo Doughnut, made famous on The Amazing Race. If you want to see more of Portland, check out my other blog.

Voodoo Doughnut was quite an experience. I don’t know if it was just because it was Spring Break or not, but the place was crazy packed. There was a line going out the door of 20+ people. The people lined up outside were getting soaked too as it started to pour rain just after we got inside.

Today’s view of Voodoo Doughnut includes the wacky chandelier and part of the motto, which was the clue on The Amazing Race, “The Magic is in the Hole”. If you look closely you can also see a donut holding a piece of bacon. They actually make and sell donuts with bacon (and many other strange things). You can see a picture here.

Posted on March 30th, 2009 under Oregon. Tags: food, portland. Comments Off on Voodoo Doughnut