cookaburra

Thanks for that Kris I'll check it out

Me too

I'm not sure. I've never tasted soju. I imagine it would be though. Shochu is popular with hot water and umeboshi, or "on the rocks", or with a sweet flavoured soda water. I didn't like it so much. But I might like it if it were mixed with some grapefruit flavoured soda water or some other kind of sweetened soda. I took a real liking to sake whilst in Japan and tried to taste as many kinds as I could. All in the name of research of course.

This is the 2nd installment of my food diary from my trip to Japan which was from the December 26, 2006 to January 17, 2007. This installment will cover the dates 29.12-30.12 In case you need to refer to the previous postings on this thread featuring the following dates, here they are: 26.12-28.12 29.12-30.12 31.12.06-2.1.07 3.1. WEDNESDAY In the true Japanese tradition of Hatsumoude the first pray of the year, we took the train to Mount Takaosanguchi to exchange our uchiwa (paper fans) and make a wish at the temple at the top of the mountain. Unfortunately the Gods were not with me that day. Just as we were about to approach the temple, an error message appeared in my digital camera. A faulty Dick Smith Electronics 256mb compact flash memory card decided to pack up and die. This is why there are no photos up to this day. I could wait to get back to the house to insert my back up memory card. I was so disappointed to lose so many precious photos from this trip up to now. No money from the shop refund could ever replace that loss. LUNCH-When returning to the base of the mountain from our chair lift ride, we wrote our name in the book at the soba restaurant on the corner of the walkways, Takahashiya(Japanese), and waited for a table. I had the opportunity to try soba sake ¥840 and ate the tempura soba ¥1260, while Hidemi had the sansai soba ¥840.After the meal we bought some soba miso ¥520 from them. We then walked down the path and found a shop selling fresh grilled sembei (rice crackers).We bought a few varieties-miso, garlic, negi-miso. Very nice. Should have bought more. Across from the sembei shop is another soba restaurant. The chefs were on display in the front window rolling and cutting the fresh buckwheat noodles. DINNER-We just settled for some inari sushi and yakitori from inargeya supermarket. At less than ¥1000 for the two of us you can’t go too far wrong with that. 4.1. THURSDAY LUNCH-We caught up with Miki and Yasuko, friends from Hidemi’s childhood. I wanted to try a Japanese pizza.ph 1 So we called Dominos.We had the teriyaki chicken and vegetarian ½ and ½. The thick crust was OK, pretty normal for that sort of thing I guess. However I should have gone for the thin crust I think. We supplemented that with some just made shumai, gyoza and a roasted vegetable and deep fried anko(monkfish) salad, all from the Keio store at Seseki Sakuragaoka. Drinks with lunch included beer and umeshi (plum wine). We finished the meal with an icecream biscuit sandwich and some strawberries which were very sweet, perfectly ripe and soft in the mouth, unlike most Aussie strawberries. I noticed that characteristic in all the strawberries I tasted in Japan. I must confess though we did always but the more expensive ones in the supermarket to be sure they would be good. We paid about 800yen for a punnet most times. DINNER-We went to No no Budou.This is a photo of their advertising plaque This was a baikingu (buffet style) restaurant on the restaurant level of the Keio store at Seseki Sakuragaoka.ph 2 The menu prides itself on healthy foods and farm vegetables. There are over 80 menu items. I really enjoyed the freedom to select anything from the buffet that looked interesting for ¥2600. I also opted for the nomihodai option,where you pay ¥2000 and have as much beer, wine, sake, shochu and soft drink as you like from their page of choices. I was interested to try shochu again as an unpleasant past experience had turned me off it for a while. So I figured that if I didn’t like it this time then I could move straight onto the sake. The shochu is like a Japanese schnapps I would say. It was too harsh for me, and when mixed with water I felt is this really worth it. Anyway, I ended up tasting 4 different shochus. Each made from a different grain- soba, barley, rice and sweet potato. I discovered that I still prefer sake. The next part of my trip involved a bus tour to Akita for 2 nights,4 days.

This is the 3rd installment of my food diary from my trip to Japan which was from the December 26, 2006 to January 17, 2007. This installment will cover the dates 30.12.06-2.1.07 In case you need to refer to the previous postings on this thread featuring the following dates, here they are: 26.12-28.12 29.12-30.12 31.12. SUNDAY We decided to check out the newish patisserie located next to the bento shop in Fuchu. The name Lumiere indicated to me that it seemed quite a professional operation. I have since found that the pastry chef worked in an Alain Ducasse restaurant. Framed trade certificates, possibly from France are proudly displayed on the wall of the shop. We bought the Mont Blanc and a very rich mini chocolate cake. The cake had some crepe layers as one of it’s components. It also had a rich chocolate mousse and was topped with a shiny ganache and some gold leaf. The Mont Blanc had too much whipped cream for Hidemi’s liking. She told me that she has had better. This shop has a table and two chairs which I assume are just for tired customers as they wait for their goodies to be wrapped with so much care and style. Like only the Japanese can do. LUNCH-We just had cup ramen and some fresh corn bread from Cosco DINNER-In true Japanese New Years Eve tradition we had toshikoshi soba. This consisted of fresh buckwheat noodles blanched and refreshed, then dipped in the traditional soba sauce. It was served with some bought tempura. Sake helped to ease the awkward feelings I felt sitting at the same table as the old man. After dinner, Hidemi assembled the jubako for osechi ryori. These stackable boxes were to contain all the varieties of foods served specially on the first few days of the New Year. Our version of this was simplified as it was just going to be the 2 of us eating it. Of course all the photos of the their assembly have been lost so I’ll do my best to remember what Hidemi chose to fill these boxes. We ate our breakfast from these boxes for the first 3 days of the New Year. In one box: kamaboko -red and white datemaki -rolled omelette with a fish paste Kuro mame-sweet black beans kobumaki -we used the salmon wrapped in cooked konbu kurikinton -sweet cooked chestnut in a sweet potato paste Onigarayaki-little crunchy grilled prawns on a skewer In the other box: Sudaco-vinegared octopus namasu-daikon -and carrot with sweet vinegar and yuzu Smoked salmon-not traditional Subasu-vinegared lotus root Kohada-vinegar and millet cured fish(gizzard shad) 1.1. MONDAY BREAKFAST-As well as the jubako, Hidemi’s stepmother prepared ozoni. A clear chicken soup with a sticky rice cake ( mochi ) inside it. It was garnished with carrots cut into shapes of pine, bamboo and plum flower to symbolise a celebration. This time it was the New Year. The others had some yatsugashira, a big hairy yam which I dislike. Other Japanese foods I cannot stomach are the foods which have a neba neba (sticky) consistency. Some of these include nagai imo, okra, tororo konbu and natto. I also hate shiokara (raw marinated squid guts). Up to this point we cooked, washed up and dined together with Hidemi’s father and stepmother. From here on in, when we ate at the home it was in the privacy of our own room, due to the tensions between us and the father. LUNCH-After a 15 minute walk to the main centre of Fuchu Shi we found MOS Burger. I had a shoga yaki rice burger. Instead of a bread bun, a bun is made from lightly compressed rice. The filling was stir fried ginger pork. Later on we went to Starbucks. The matcha tea latte was very nice. DINNER-We went to a family restaurant called Dennys. Their menu had a few things I wanted to try. The gobo(burdock) potage was delicious. Cheese fondue with veges and bread was good too. A rice congee with chicken and eringi mushrooms was well executed. While Hidemi enjoyed the vegetable hotpot cooked in a milky broth. Like a vegetable pot a feu. We ordered a bit too much food as I wanted to taste a few things. Dinner for 2 costed ¥2590 with no drinks. 2.1. TUESDAY MORNING TEA-We went to Seseki Sakuragaoka. This is only 2 train stations away from Bubaigawara station,which is 5 minutes walk from the house. The café in Keio department store called “Afternoon tea” had a short but confident menu. We shared a chestnut cake and I had a pot of chai tea. They served the spices on the side so you add what you like. The 3 or 4 cakes on display all looked tempting. The tasty looking pastas going to other tables made us return on at a later date. Does any one have the link to this store? LUNCH-The bread shop in Keio department store had a good selection of things. The potato croquette sandwich was a winner. DINNER-A massive New Year Feast at Hidemi’s aunty. Her husband is a chef and likes to put on a big spread of food for the family every New Year. He likes to feature both Western and Japanese items in his selection. Here is a list of what I can remember he offered that night………….. stuffed egg with salmon roe, puff pastry stuffed with sardine, puff pastry stuffed with ham, Prosciutto, salami, smoked duck, coppa Green olives, semi dried tomato, blue and brie cheese, Warm grilled prawns in their shell with cocktail sauce lotus root, Kamaboko, kinpira (burdock root salad), daizu (sweet soy beans), shiitake, tamagoyaki(omelette), kazunoko (salted herring roe), konnyaku Namasu,ozoni, Main course-The best cooked medium rare roast beef I have tasted. It was a shoulder of Aussie beef served with potato gratin, carrots vichy, broccoli, fresh grated horse radish and a beautiful sauce using glace de viande. Beer, whisky, ocha, coffee All this for 8 of us. It certainly was a generous feast. My next installment on this thread includes a trip to a soba restaurant at Mount Takaosanguchi and a healthy Japanese buffet restaurant called "No No Budou"

I enjoyed the new McGriddle for breakfast when I was in Japan recently. I had a teriyaki burger as a snack one day and didn't like it.I think the processed meat was the offputting factor.

As an Aussie, I grew up speading my toast with butter or margarine and vegemite of course.Not too thick though. I never get tired of it.Could eat it everyday.

I had a very nice meal at The Welcome Hotel in Rozelle recently(22.11.06).It's not a fine dining atmosphere but the food is not far off it. Some notes I took on it read........Big duck leg(generous).Just warm scallops(perfect).fine dining presentation.all delicious.perfect wine-Barwick margret river chardonay The items we had were....Scallops wrapped in pancetta,salad leafs,sc vierge,crisp pancetta.Duck confit salad,haz nut,apple,cress,red wine vinaigrette.Chicken ballotine, cabbage and diced leek and carrot,jus.Pork belly and blood sausge wrap in proscuito, parsnip cream,crisp and dice,jus. The only points lost were for over cooked hazelnuts. I'd like to try Omega this month for a birthday celebration. I have the Entertainment coupon book , so can get one free main course with a paid one.

I've just come back from Japan and am in the process of documenting everything we ate so I can post it on egullet.I just keep getting busy(and sidetracked).We got plenty of meals from the supermarket-breads,pastries savoury and sweet,sushi,bento boxes,yakitori,salads to name a few. Always good value and the quality is OK too.

Yes they are not plantains.I think they were picked too early and may have experienced some temperatures not agreeable to the ripening process prior to my purchase. Thanks sb.I'll checkout the technical dope

They have been in a warm spot for two weeks.I think I'll have to try the paper bag trick

As bananas are not as cheap as they used to be here in Australia due to a cyclone ealier this year that knocked out most of the plantations,I thought I had found a bargin purchasing a bunch of green bananas.Two weeks later they are still green and hard. I have not tried putting them in a brown paper bag with a ripe fruit as I figured they would ripen soon enough. Does this sometimes happen to poor quality bananas? PS.The price of bananas has finally begun to drop from the previous mark of $12/kg back down to about $5/kg. They used to be $2/kg before the cyclone.

My wife had some left over hijiki nimono (abura age,carrot,soy,mirin,sugar) and tried it in a toasted cheese sandwich.The result was a sucess.

I love chewing on some dried seasoned ika too

The fish also seem to go by what ever the maker calls them. My husband likes to eat the niboshi that are used in stock making, but these are not normally eaten out of te bag..... Ones I buy specifically for eating are usually called taberu niboshi (I guess that could be translated as niboshi for eating), I have seen other names but can't recall any of them now. I will pay more attention on my next trip to the supermarket. ← Aji Gonomi by Bourbon.They are my favourite.I love the sweetened niboshi inside the packet.

My wife uses miso in a risotto and serves it with grilled mackeal Furikake in fried rice.Salted kobu in fried rice. Nori and or furikake in wafu spaghetti are also some of her specialties. She use her home made pickles ginger in various things especially salads All very oishii.

Thanks for the link.I didn't realise we could read all that information in English about Ume no Hana.Very interesting !

Yes that's the one.I went there in September 1999. It is in Kichijoji.Will give you the address if I can find it.I still have the pamphlet from there.A small place of only about 20 seats-one chef,2-3 waitstaff/helpers.We had cabbage rols stuffed with chicken mince sv with a white miso and sesame sc;onigiri in a cylinder shape;miso soup w/daikon,carrot,charred peeled eggplant;and tea.The only way I can remember this is because I took notes and still have them.That day we walked around Kichijoji-lots to see. Ume no hana is great we went there twice.Once for lunch on that trip in 1999. We went to the Tachikawa site.I took notes there too.Will tell you what we had soon as soon as I get some more time.Great value and lots of variety.

Thanks sw. For those interested the link for local Japanese foods is here http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=49980.A wonderful source of information collated by Torakris. Will keep you updated

I always soak defrosted and cut calamari tubes in milk for both sauteeing and frying.It tenderizes it like nothing else.I heard that it breaks down the protein in the calamari.Is this true?

Sounds like a must do! Ukai Toriyama is not a Ryotei. I've never been to one- they are extremely expensive and many don't serve walk-ins, prefering costumers to be introduced. ← [/quote

Thanks for all your imput smallworld.I am definately considering a day trip to Kamakura and if time permits an extra night in Hakone whilst in the area.So Shojin ryouri could be a possibility. www.bento.com/tokyofood.html]Tokyo Food Page is a great site .Will spend a fair bit of time looking through that. It seems we may take a 2 night tour to Akita by bus.It promises to offer a few culinary points of interest along the way. Chankonabe and sumo sounds like a good combination if time permits.And all the other places in the same area sound excellent.My wife has heard of these too. Ankou is not really seen in Australia.The closest species to it I believe is called Stargazer.Apparently tastes similar to flathead(kochi?).I remember seeing it featured on Iron Chef where the chef fillets it while it hangs vertically from a hook. Dojo and hokke fish I've never heard of.I'll look out for those! Tsukudani........I think I'll have to purchase a selection from a major departo to take home.Hope Aussie customs don't mind!

Any particular food you especially want to try on the high end? I can recommend a couple of the places we ate at in Tokyo. One sushi - one tempura. Also - do you speak any Japanese? If you don't - I assume your father-in-law does - and I'd recommend taking him along for his translation skills. We went to very few places in Japan where any English was spoken - and - although my husband learned a little before we went - I was happy on those occasions where we had company who spoke Japanese. Robyn ←

Many thanks to all who have helped so far with advice and links. I love soba but one of the few foods I actually dislike are yamaimo.I cant stand the neba neba (sticky) foods such as torroro konbu,okra,natto etc.However my wife still loves all that food so we may still get some soba at Takahashya if we confirm Ukai Toriyama. I've never had kushiyaki so that could be interesting. Great idea Robyn to have our main meal at lunchtime. Torakris I will be on the Nambu and Keio lines.

Thanks for getting the ball rolling. I shall check out those websites for sure and will also look into the other restaurants mentioned.Great reccomendations. This will be my 3rd time in Japan .Each time just spending 2-3 weeks in the country. Although I am not a stranger or newcomer to Japan my times in Japan were more than 5 years ago so I still appreciate anyone's suggestions as my knowledge is a bit outdated. Coincidently,I was taken to Tsunahachi Rin the 1st time I was in Japan.Good choice.And my wife has eaten at Ukai Toriyama, but that was about ten years ago.So that is good to hear someone else expressing interest in the same place in more recent times. Some places I have been to already include.......Soybean Farm,the narrow walkways of Kichijoji,Yamato sushi restaurant at Tsukiji,Ume no hana tofu restaurant in Tachikawa,Torigin yakitori ya in Ginza to name a few. Look forward to some more suggestions.Thank you