Enjoying Okinawa

The capital city of Naha.








Since we finished our two year excursion of our ping pong travels- trying to see as much as we can in a short amount of time, we decided to spend one whole week in one place. Arriving in Naha felt like Hawaii, Philippines, and Los Angeles all at the same time, which equals good nostalgic feelings and promise of a great vacation. On our first full day in Naha, we enjoyed the colorful Kokusai-dori that was filled with souvenier shops and AMERICAN-ish food. Our lunch was tacos, which actually tasted amost authentic. We enjoyed the nearby beach and sun knowing that our friends in Morioka were still relying on heaters. We biked uphill to the famous castle, but since we were on a no castle/temple diet, we didn't enter but enjoyed the surrounding scenery. We were quickly falling in love with this addicting city.






Don't worry everyone, we're still coming back home!

Finishing Japan Day 3

Nagasaki

Nagasaki was a day for eating. There was so much incredible yummy things. Ron and I ate Champon, Sara-Udon, Castella Pound Cake, Turk rice (I want to say it's something from Turkey, but I dunno) and Pork Sandwiches in Chinatown. We used our pedometer that day and managed to walk our 10,000 steps to keep us in top eating form. We also saw the Peace Park filled with beautiful statues. At night we enjoyed ourselves by drinking wine through the streets and listening to street performers entertain the night folk. For the food lover, we recommend Nagasaki.











Beppu

We managed to endure the three hour+ bus ride to the other side of the island. Luckily we had the movie King Kong to entertain us...in Japanese. When we arrrived at Beppu, the rolling green hills, and natural steam coming from the ground looked a little bit like from a movie in itself. There's no well known food in Beppu so Ron and I ate on the cheap. But we did manage a side trip that took us to the biggest tourist trap I had ever seen. We took a 30 minute bus ride to the "Blood Pool Hell" that is suppose to be a deep red gurgling pond of the hottest onsen water. When we got to the location, paid our 800 yen, and meander through the big gift store, we made it to a pond of water with red clay on the bottom, giving the illusion of red water. The funny part is, this is one of 8 hells in Beppu, each with their own unique character, but I'm betting my 800 yen, about the same amount of disappointment. Adding to my belief that Japan puts too much effort in their tourism industry. It was fun and Ron and I enjoyed our adventure.

Finishing Japan Day 1

Fukuoka, Japan




After 7 hours on the night bus, we finally made it to Tokyo Station at 5:30 am. We hopped on the plane at 7:50 and arrived in Fukuoka by 10:00 am. Unfortunately, when we arrived it was raining raining raining. Luckily, Fukuoka is not big on sightseeing, but it is huge on FOOD! Indoor, warm, satisfying food. We ended up spending the day at the prettiest outdoor mall I have ever seen. Ron and I surprised ourselves when we decided to watch The Lion King since it was playing at the mall. We enjoyed it so much, which was surprising since it was all in Japanese. But since we are the Disney generation, all it took was tapping into the archive of Disney movie plots. We also ate delicious ramen. The famous Tonkotsu, pork broth and a type of Kyoto ramen with thick chewy noodles. And even though it was rainy, we made it to the food stalls that were lined up along the river. We had overpriced yakitori and delicious beer to finish the greatness. Next stop for tomorrow...Nagasaki.

One Less Craving

The other day we went to a Kyushu Food Fair in Morioka. Since we are going there tomorrow, we wanted to sample the food we would we would be gorging very soon. There we found Sasebo Burgers. Since there is a Navy Base in this small world of Sasebo, they have American style burgers, just what I needed.

Bun, thick patty, ham, bacon, egg, cheese, (onion), tomato, lettuce, mustard, ketchup, bun... YUM!

Another week of school, and then another weekend of fun. This seems to be the blogging trend. Not that I am one to complain. This weekend, we drove to the highest point of the Honshu Island to the small town of Mutsu. A town so small that the name of it isn't even in Kanji. Our friend Adam who lives in Morioka did live near this small area and wanted to show us the pride of Mutsu, THE TUNA FESTIVAL. This is a fisherman's village and they patrol the waters nearby and catch 200 pound tunas. So on this day we ate the freshest tuna possible, right off of the fish itself. We finally even tried the famous OTORO, the fattiest part of the tuna which is usually triple the price of normal raw fish. Yummy!

My Japanese Style Pasta

Back at home, I often go to Spoon House which has the best Japanese Style spaghetti, even in Japan. There are few places that compare. There is this one dish that I absolutely love and I have been looking for it in Japan, but can't find any place that does it. Additionally, Ron and I have finished our new Japanese drama called "Bambino" which is about this Japanese guy who wants to be a chef for Italian food. Needless to say, they make a lot of food in the movie. More so, we have been having dinner at a friend's house and he makes us dinner showing off his skills of living in Italy, while I take notes.

Spoon House+ Bambino+ Italian lessons= My own recipe!

I actually made my own Japanese pasta that greatly resembles the pasta that I love so much in America. Ron loved it, I loved it, and I am so happy that I was able to think of what I tasted and it came out the way that I wanted.

Brava me!

ジュニのあさり和風スパゲーティ　Juni's Japanese Style Clam Spaghetti



Clams with sauce
Dashi
Shoyu
Sake
Pasta
Shimeji Mushrooms
Garlic
Sliced nori

Happy July!

NOODLE WATCH #1

To commemorate the glory of the summer months, we would like to show collections of the noodles that have come our way so that everyone can enjoy our delicious food with us. OK, it may cruel and unusual since you won't be able to taste it, but try to imagine the best tasting thing you have ever had in your life... then look at the noodles... There, isn't that better?

いただきます～～～～～

To start, here is the Ramen we had in Yokohama.

First, Tokyo Style Shoyu Ramen



Then, Tonkotsu Ramen from Kyushu. Slightly milder in oil, but rich with flavor.


Finally, a cold summer version of the Hakata Ramen. It felt like drinking a salad. If you look closely you can see a jelly star in the middle.


And last but not least...

Everyone loves a Scary Movie

Before explaining the tropical, lush beauty of the land of Aloha, I would like to share a scary story that was experienced before setting foot on the Hawaiian islands.

14 hours before my boarding time, I awoke to the sounds of Tokyo traffic. Being in the home of my friend Kunino along with my friend Joy, we (Joy and I) wanted to experience Tokyo sightseeing, before I myself would be sightseeing myself off. So bright and early at the ridiculous hour of 5 in the morning, we scooted our way to Tsukiji Fish market, the prime spot to go for the early bird tourist. Unfortunately we were too late for their daily fish auction, but eventually we made it to the warehouse of fish selling. Once we entered, the stench of fish overtook any other smell that may be present. As we meandered through the narrow walkways, surrounded by a myriad of underwater animals, I started to feel like the unlikely heroine of "I know what you did last weekend in Tokyo on Elm Street." Everywhere Joy and I looked we were surrounded by cleavers as big as my head, fish swimming in their own blood, one ton tuna having their frozen parts chopped off by a fast moving saw. All around me was the carnage that is seen before the pretty pieces of undistinguished sashimi makes it on my plate. Uhh... reality check!

So after leaving the area and getting the empty fish eye image out of my head, we decided that the best way to get over these images was to in fact get sushi for breakfast... 7 am breakfast. We chose a nice spot where the menus were in English and the aptmosphere was the complete opposite of the slaughterhouse we had just experienced. Joy and I talked about what we saw, our thoughts, and how pretty the fish were that was in the tank behind the sushi bar... lively decoration for the restaurant. As I was taking a bite out of my tuna nigiri, I heard a splash!

The sushi man just took one of the beautiful fish out of the tank, held down by it's head, raised the cleaver, and ended it's life as I was chewing on my maguro. Joy and I were stunned. But after the climax of any scary story, the heroines of course asked the one question that many other movie heroines have asked... "What kind of fish was that?" After pointing at the picture of the flounder, Joy and I found ourselves ordering one piece each from the sushi bar. After all, why look at the dead creature and not try it? To our horror and surprise, we weren't given the refrigerated prepared pieces. Rather, the sushi chef sliced a filet straight from the recently deceased, added wasabi and vinegared rice and plopped it on our laquered plates. As we ate it, we felt the warmth that comes from an animal that had been living just 5 minutes earlier...It was yummy!

MUAH HAHAHAHA!!!!

My tummy hurts...

This weekend had a theme of meat. On friday, Ron and I hosted a yakiniku party at our house with some friends. Well... some is an understatement, more like 20 people. We probably had about 6kg of meat. One of the perks of hosting a Japanese party is that everyone brings stuff for the party and the hosts end up with it. So after the party, Ron and I ended up with still 1kg of meat. On Saturday, we invited our friend Tom over and had yakiniku yet again, oh not to mention having it for breakfast after the party. Then on Sunday, we decided to have a mini road trip to test out our car with a few friends and we ended up...of all places... at the Maesawa Beef and Beer Festival. Yet again, another 3kgs of meat. This was pretty yummy though, but in the end I ended up eating 20% meat, 80% grilled veggies.

Today at school, I feel BLEGH! My stomach hasn't had rich food like that in a long time. Right now it's 4:00 and I haven't had lunch yet. I can't stomach it. I think this week will be a diet of cabbage, tofu, and raw veggies.

I really want a salad.

"Bento" means "March" in Japanese

Because of all the graduations, exams, corrections, farewell parties, and welcoming parties, I have had my fill of food this month. The best part of this month, however was in the free bentos that our school would give the teachers. So, to give everyone a chance to feel the Japanese spirit in the best way, I want to share with you my school bentos. I wish you all can taste it. It is as good as it looks. Now I have to wait a whole year for more bentos.






Itadakimasu!