Zipangu is, as far as I know, the first sparkling sake. Shouchu has traditionally held the sparkling beverage market with chuhai. But, since shouchu is moving upmarket, it’s time for sake (or properly, nihonshu) to move down market.

It will be consumed tonight, and I will report back.

Posted in Traditional Japanese Foods No Comments »

Yet another Western restaurant practice kinky sushi dining while excusing it as a Japanese “custom.” Nyotaimori, or naked female sushi has never been a common practice in Japan. In fact, I never heard of it until I saw it in an American movie. Not to say it’s never been done – people do all kinds of things. But people always assume Japan is this bizarre place with exotic and kinky customs. Un-uh. Notice the sushi chef here is not Japanese.

It’s not all that fun anyway. The last thing I want to do with a beautiful naked woman is eat sushi off her. And don’t forget that it will be quickly warmed by her body temperature, possibly spoiling and causing very exotic food poisoning. Try explaining that when you call in sick the next day!

In fact, the only reason most Japanese have heard of this is because it’s increasingly being practiced by Americans, even in Minnesota of all places.

Posted in Seafood No Comments »

Beats a taco stand at Santa Monica beach, that’s for sure.  This was a fairly cheap dish, about $7 I think, that we grabbed at a modest beachside cafe where we showered after swimming. This is the kind of thing that gest thrown together quickly in Japan. There is nothing special about it, but you would be hard-pressed to find anything approaching this in the west, except at very high-priced restaurants with attitudes.

So, in the States, you might settle for a taco or a cheeseburger. In Japan you get a salad dressed with fresh maguro, ikura and calamari.

Do you see why all my Japanese friends are disappointed when they eat at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf?

Posted in Japanese Fusion Cooking, Seafood No Comments »

My wife has been feeding me gelatin desserts all week long, and telling me it’s good for my diet. The kanten diet is fairly well known in Japan, and extraordinarily healthy. Kanten, red seaweed also known as agar-agar, makes a gelatin that is low in calories, rich in protein and high in fiber. 80% fiber, in fact. It’s great at cleaning out the intestines, and has been tested and shown to aid in weight loss. After eating, the kanten triples in size, making you feel full and going on to clean out your digestive system and even blood. The dessert is commonly given to diabetics. And it’s completely natural.

This is just another reason why it’s easier to stay thin in Japan.

Posted in Traditional Japanese Foods No Comments »