4.03.2004
First ever ranking list on this h'yar site
Top 5 Japanese foods that really by all rights ought to be more popular in America.
5 - Ramen. Okay ramen is popular. And evidently Chinese, although the Japanese version probably bears little relation to it's ancestor, but what do I know. Regardless, there really ought to be better ramen in the US. I just had really good ramen and life is good.
4 - Daikon. Slice it, grate it, boil it. Daikon (Japanese radish) makes the world go round. I eat it every other day with shiso dressing (yes from the conbini, I can admit that). Daikon is fresh, delicious, cheap, and ridiculously useful in all kinds of food or as a condiment.
3 - Dried squid. Sooooo many kinds of dried squid, and I'm sure there are many more throughout Asia. But when you're drinking there is no finer snack than dried squid. To tell the truth, the only reason I came back to Japan was for the squid. Really. I live for squid. It's a symbiotic relationship.
2 - Onigiri. If everybody in American weren't on that crazed low-carb thing (that I'll never do no matter what they say about low-carb beer) they would be scooping up rice balls. Rice balls with salmon, tuna and mayo, who knows what Americans would put in there? Butter and sausage? Sauerkraut? I don't know but it's cheap and easy (just like me!) so how could you not love it?
1 - OKONOMI-FREAKIN-YAKI. I can't describe okonomiyaki to you and make it sound good, but back in the olden days sushi was out there. Now sushi shops keep pace with pizza-by-the-slice on the streets of New York (fine reportage). And it's waaaaaay easier to make good okonomiyaki than good sushi. Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but I'm never, never going to be able to eat HEB sushi. You can use this fact against me when I get too guilty liberal on you.
As for everyone else, get with the program people! It's not just a cabbage pancake, it's God's gift to your tastebuds. You don't HAVE to smear mayo on it. Okay sure the grated bonito looks kind of alive but that's why it's cool. I swear, if only someone would try...
...On second thought, rereading my post, I think I am probably totally out of touch which is probably why I'm here and not there. Evidently, this entry is the product of hyper-carbing on ramen when I should have been heading home. Shoulda coulda woulda...
Besides, there is nothing worse than Japanese food adjusted for American tastes--ala Zen. Udon noodles served over mandarin oranges with light honey-soy dressing? Soba noodles in a sesame soy vinaigrette? No no no no no no no...and yes, I have tried this place.
5 - Ramen. Okay ramen is popular. And evidently Chinese, although the Japanese version probably bears little relation to it's ancestor, but what do I know. Regardless, there really ought to be better ramen in the US. I just had really good ramen and life is good.
4 - Daikon. Slice it, grate it, boil it. Daikon (Japanese radish) makes the world go round. I eat it every other day with shiso dressing (yes from the conbini, I can admit that). Daikon is fresh, delicious, cheap, and ridiculously useful in all kinds of food or as a condiment.
3 - Dried squid. Sooooo many kinds of dried squid, and I'm sure there are many more throughout Asia. But when you're drinking there is no finer snack than dried squid. To tell the truth, the only reason I came back to Japan was for the squid. Really. I live for squid. It's a symbiotic relationship.
2 - Onigiri. If everybody in American weren't on that crazed low-carb thing (that I'll never do no matter what they say about low-carb beer) they would be scooping up rice balls. Rice balls with salmon, tuna and mayo, who knows what Americans would put in there? Butter and sausage? Sauerkraut? I don't know but it's cheap and easy (just like me!) so how could you not love it?
1 - OKONOMI-FREAKIN-YAKI. I can't describe okonomiyaki to you and make it sound good, but back in the olden days sushi was out there. Now sushi shops keep pace with pizza-by-the-slice on the streets of New York (fine reportage). And it's waaaaaay easier to make good okonomiyaki than good sushi. Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but I'm never, never going to be able to eat HEB sushi. You can use this fact against me when I get too guilty liberal on you.
As for everyone else, get with the program people! It's not just a cabbage pancake, it's God's gift to your tastebuds. You don't HAVE to smear mayo on it. Okay sure the grated bonito looks kind of alive but that's why it's cool. I swear, if only someone would try...
...On second thought, rereading my post, I think I am probably totally out of touch which is probably why I'm here and not there. Evidently, this entry is the product of hyper-carbing on ramen when I should have been heading home. Shoulda coulda woulda...
Besides, there is nothing worse than Japanese food adjusted for American tastes--ala Zen. Udon noodles served over mandarin oranges with light honey-soy dressing? Soba noodles in a sesame soy vinaigrette? No no no no no no no...and yes, I have tried this place.
