dornachu

Just wondering, is there a difference between chinese and japanese tofu making? I think Chinese use this thing thats the same as making casts to solidify the tofu, pls correct me if i'm wrong, but I've always heard my parents saying that. Is this the same process as in the japanese tofu? Just brought some freshly hand made tofu from San Jose Tofu in bay area, can't wait to try some of Kris's recipe!!!

After tasting konnyaku in a japanese supermarket basement in tokyo, in some sort of pork stew dish, i'm in love with it. What else can i do with it? I get the grey block kind... Thanks!

Anyone has picture of Katakuriko and Kuzuko? I want to try this and get these ingredients in my japanese supermarket. Thanks!

You have to! That sounds very yummy. Tamago Tofu is very expensive here, like $3 for 3 small blocks.

Thanks! I never knew that whale is consumed as food! Anyways, I had sashimi, deep fried, steak, it's actually quite good. I actually didn't really like sashimi one, i like sashimi beef better. I love Tokyo!! I had some 100 yen sushi in Shibuya, there was a long line, but it's so worth the wait, one must finish everything within 30 minutes and also everyone has to order minimum of 7 plates, (easily done!!!). If the sushi you want is not on the conveyer belt, you can always order them from the sushi chef! I also had some of the best udon i've ever had. Very different from the states where it's more soggy here. Very yummy. The best part was my japanese breakfast. I had the "hot spring egg", it is the best thing ever happened!! Amazing texture, if someone has the recipe, i would love to try to replicate this at home!! I did alot of shopping, mostly for young clothes in Shibuya 109, and I'm addicted to Matsumoto Kioshi (drug store) where thhey have alot of makeup!!

Oh!! I usually steam them!! I'll try eat them straight!!Just came b ack from tokyo and had my first bite of Whale!!!!

I bought tamago tofu in my supermarket, but other than just steam them, is there any other more interesting way to eat them? Thanks!

I recently came back from a trip to Tokyo, it was a blast!! And i ate at the aforementioned fugu place; 'Genpin Shimonoseki Fugu' I didn't get the thrilled that people mentioned, but nonetheless, it was a wonderful experience. It wasn't that expensive, but it was adventorous. I had a wonderful time!! And no, they don't speak english. :( I used my limited japanese, but was able to get by.

I agree with you that knowledge about cheese is limited. However, I am very sure that it is not swiss. I'm going back to HK at the end of this month, and I'll find out for all of you!

You know, I haven't had this dish in ages, I can't remember what kind of cheese they used, but I don't think it's cheddar, it's lighter in color, but definately "cheesy". Its very yummy.

Hi all- Sorry for my super late reply, I usually hang out at the Japan forum, but I decided to check this forum out as well!! What a wonderful place! I was born in the states, but grew up in HK, and came back to the states for college and grad school- just my little background. Although I grew up in HK, my taste for chinese food is more towards the northern chinese cuisine, not so much for the cantonese style. Anyways, in regards to cheese. In HK, a very popular dish in the 80s and 90s is "Baked Lobster with Cheese Sauce". Everybody loves it, so don't say that Chinese doesn't like cheese!!!

I've never had matsutake before, how does it taste like? How is it different from shitake?

I actually really like fried rice with ketchup, it's quite popular in HK as well. But we don't eat it with ommelete.

You guys are frightening me!!! Thank god I'm not staying at the century or park hyatt!! Or else, i won't be able to find my hotel!! Is Grand Hyatt a convenience place to stay? I thought my shopping will be mostly done at Shinjuku, no? Here my plan: Day One: Early mornign visit to the fish market, Visit Temples in Asakusa... get traditional souvenirs Go Ueno for shopping in market (very cheap) Maybe Akihabara for some electric or computer shopping Window shopping in Ginza In expensive Kaiseki at Nihonbashi or Ginza Day two: Roppongi Hills and Shibuya area get gadgets at Roppongi and HarajukuVisit Meiji Jingu and stroll in Yoyoki park Ramen from Kyushu at Harajuku for lunch, Tokyo Tower for night scene Dinner at Umenohana Day Three- hmmm.... don't know now... but want to try a sukiyaki dinner or Kani. Sound reasonable?

Hi Kris- Thank you for your info- Yes, I'm trying to fit all those in 3 days, actually, 4 days at 3 nites!! My budget is okay, I can spend about 60/person on dinner, ( I don't know about those 100+ kaiseki meals!!) and the crab dinner i'm willing to pay more. I think the sushi breakfast at the fish market should be pretty cheap, I just want to try the good crab dinner that I see when watching one of those japanese drama (forgot the name, but it was about newsbroadcast, not the new anchor one). Yum yum! Does the shinjuku station has different exits? do you have the name of that crab restaurant? Thanks!

Hi all- I will be visiting tokyo for the first time and I cannot tell you how excited I am. I have several questions for those who live there (Kris sensei) and those who visited!! I'll be staying at the grand hyatt ( i forget the name of the district) for one night, and Shinjiku for the remaining two nites. I want some really good food!! I will definately try to go to the fish market for sushi, but I was told that you have to get tehre really early, can I still go after the first train is scheduled? I want to also try like a hot pot meal, the sumibiyaki thing, or hot pot meals. Do they have something like that in the shinjiku district? What about those yummy crab meals? is that seasonal? Any good, authentic ramen place in areas where I'm staying? I'm planning to go to the temples (hopefully they have street food there?), visit the ueno district, shopping at shijiku, window shopping at ginza. what else should I do? Thanks!

I'm so jealous of the lunch menus you guys get in Japan!! I don't think I mind if they were served in my cafeteria at work!! But I have to agree with the earlier posts that for some odd reason, the taste of milk in Hong Kong is also very odd, its just different....also, the way they make coffee, unless you go to a starbuck.

Wow!! They look so good! Do they taste okay? Very tempted... I SO wish i were in japan. Just too many cute gagets, and .....the best is the cosmetic lines you guys carry there!!!

Can you please send me the link to the article? I wasn't able to find it on the site... Thanks.

I recently listened to a HK radio program, and they talked about this healthy drink recipe created by Japanese. Using burdock, daikon, daikon leaves, carrots and mushrooms, chopped to small pieces, (leave skin on), and boil for 1 hour. Heard it super for your health? Has anybody heard of this???

Thank you !! Now how about the dressing? I only remember quite a strong taste of sesame oil.....

Hi all- I'm new to this forum, but what a WONDERFUL place to learn about japanese culture/food/ even the language!! (daily nihongo)!! I was trying to replicate the wakame salad that one can get at a regular japanese restaurant, but without success. I bought one of those dried seaweed (fuero wakame, spelling??!) soak themin water, and blanched it breifly, but the texture came out to be sort of slimy! Also the ones I had at the restaurant has this gelatin thing...so yummy. Can someone please teach me how to do it? and what kind of wakame to get? Thank you!! Dorna