kimosabe

Oh, I wish I could help you. I really don't know how to make them from scratch; they sell masa even in the regular grocery store here. If you can find white corn, <a href="http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/masa.htm">here</a> is a page that shows you how to do it. My dad grew up in Venezuela and one of the highlights of weekend mornings for me growing up was a delicious arepa breakfast. My favorite way is to scoop out most of the soft inner dough, spread a little butter on, and fill with eggs, bacon, cheese, and a little fresh salsa. We had them occassionally for dinner as well, sometimes with carne asada. Mmmm...I think I may have to dig that masa out of my freezer and make myself a comforting brunch...

JasonTrue, Okinawa cuisine really is in its own category. While I absolutely adore traditional Okinawan foods (I find them more "comforting" than many other Japanese foods), you're right, it's hard to judge what's really "Japanese" from the island. Also, I think Americans probably had more influence in Okinawa than in the rest of the mainland; just look at stuff like taco rice.

I've had avocado and cream cheese in makizushi in Japan in quite a few restaurants. Even though I know it's not traditional, my American palate just thinks it's tasty sometimes. I've seen Japanese eat these as well, though. Of course, I lived on Okinawa; because there are so many more Americans living on the island, there are bunches of restaurants that cater to them. "We are creative about foreign foods like pizza and spaghetti, though." OOh, boy, that is the truth! I got so used to getting corn on any type of pizza I ever ordered off-base that it doesn't even seem weird to me anymore...

GlorifiedRice, my mind is on the same track. I sent them an email this morning mentioning that Austin is full of rich yuppies that would gobble up their stuff in a heartbeat.

i live in pasadena, ca, and 2 or 3 famima!! (the sign really does have both exclamation pts, ha!) have opened up in a 10 block radius of my place. i adore their onigiri (so far i've had the kombu and cooked salmon filling) and hand rolls (mentaiko and spicy squid is my favorite). i haven't tried the entrees, but they have stuff like fettucine alfredo and loco moco as well as a bunch of desserts. pasadena's a terrible place for late night snacks, so i'm quite happy to have these stores near me. i also know that there have been some store openings in LA proper. ← oh, you lucky lucky girl. How much do they charge for onigiri? I always love them because they are so cheap--105 yen (a bit less than $1) for a tasty miso one.

Ohhh, how I miss conbini! Lawson, Family Mart, Hot Spar...there is nothing in the States that compares. What I would give to be able to get an onigiri, nikuman, or the daikon from the oden here anytime of the day. I have to add to the love for the pizza-man; shoot, or any of the -"man." When I go back to visit my family (still in Okinawa) I looove to grab an anman for breakfast. Yum. Has anyone been to those Family Mart-run stores in California? Sure looks similar...and tasty