Food and Drinks
One of the easiest conversations topics for us to bring up with our students is food. Here people seem to have quite a different relationship with food than us back in the US. I'm not sure I can verbalize it - not because it is difficult, but because I haven't really asked what the differences that exist mean. I can guess, but, I won't. Instead, here a a few observations, interesting "facts", and photos to enjoy.
1 - You know how you can order a full meal combo at fast food restaurants in the US? Here they are called "sets" and most restaurants have them, not just fast food. A set often has soup or salad, rice or bread, the main dish, a small dessert, and a beverage. The beverages are usually coffee or tea. What's strangest to me is that the drink comes at the end of the meal. Also, the waitress here does not come around and ask how you are, fill your water glass, etc. If you want service, you have a bell to push at the table.
2 - Japanese people don't like root beer flavor, for the most part. We have these suckers at school, and the last ones left are always root beer. The kids would rather go without than eat those. But - there are some flavors they like that are strange to me...
Espresso soda. Tried it, not good! Salty Watermelon Pepsi - didn't try it...but it just sounds so strange!
3 - Breakfast...there is the usual cereal, toast, yogurt. However, many, many people eat salad, rice, and miso soup for breakfast. Everyday. Every single day. Same meal over and over.
A pizza Jason had in Tokyo. It had sauce and cheese, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and tuna. Sounds awful to me, but Jason was pretty happy with it!
This is Obaachan's husband - Ojiichan. He was kind enough to grill us dinner - in his living room. Since living here I have definitely decided grilling is not only for the kitchen or the back yard. All the stuff he grilled was delicious but the best part were the homegrown tomatoes topped with homegrown basil.
This desert was so good. We went to a little place for dinner for our anniversary. The food was delicious and we splurged on desert. Had we known it was so good we might have had two of these and no dinner. It was a crispy sweet roll with ice cream, fresh fruit and some fruit sauce. Here, even the simplest of dishes are given lots of attention.
Okay - corn dogs, or American Dogs as they are called here, are popular. I had to take this photo but it does no justice. The American Dogs on the left are average sized, except they are a foot long. The ones on the right...as big around as a baseball and a foot long. Who could eat that? And how? I'm thinking that using a fork and knife shouldn't be allowed...
1 - You know how you can order a full meal combo at fast food restaurants in the US? Here they are called "sets" and most restaurants have them, not just fast food. A set often has soup or salad, rice or bread, the main dish, a small dessert, and a beverage. The beverages are usually coffee or tea. What's strangest to me is that the drink comes at the end of the meal. Also, the waitress here does not come around and ask how you are, fill your water glass, etc. If you want service, you have a bell to push at the table.
2 - Japanese people don't like root beer flavor, for the most part. We have these suckers at school, and the last ones left are always root beer. The kids would rather go without than eat those. But - there are some flavors they like that are strange to me...
Espresso soda. Tried it, not good! Salty Watermelon Pepsi - didn't try it...but it just sounds so strange!
3 - Breakfast...there is the usual cereal, toast, yogurt. However, many, many people eat salad, rice, and miso soup for breakfast. Everyday. Every single day. Same meal over and over.
A latte and a mocha from a local coffee shop. |
Sushi and a little hibatchi grill set into the table. So much fun! The sushi was the best sushi I 've had. |
A taco party. I introduced my Mom's tacos to some friends. They were definitely a hit! |
Giant snow cones for a hot day. So delicious!
A pizza Jason had in Tokyo. It had sauce and cheese, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and tuna. Sounds awful to me, but Jason was pretty happy with it!
This is Obaachan's husband - Ojiichan. He was kind enough to grill us dinner - in his living room. Since living here I have definitely decided grilling is not only for the kitchen or the back yard. All the stuff he grilled was delicious but the best part were the homegrown tomatoes topped with homegrown basil.
This desert was so good. We went to a little place for dinner for our anniversary. The food was delicious and we splurged on desert. Had we known it was so good we might have had two of these and no dinner. It was a crispy sweet roll with ice cream, fresh fruit and some fruit sauce. Here, even the simplest of dishes are given lots of attention.
Okay - corn dogs, or American Dogs as they are called here, are popular. I had to take this photo but it does no justice. The American Dogs on the left are average sized, except they are a foot long. The ones on the right...as big around as a baseball and a foot long. Who could eat that? And how? I'm thinking that using a fork and knife shouldn't be allowed...
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