  Leaving home for university coincided with my father discovering the entertainment possibilities of the Internet. Subsequently we have maintained a rather sweet father-daughter e-mail communication sharing YouTube videos, rugby match reports and location-related news articles. One such e-mail pinged into my inbox in February: a scanned clipping from the Times about Japanese research…
What is Bento? A traditional bento is a complete Japanese meal, with all the side dishes, packed lovingly into a small portable box. A bento lunch should fill the box completely, so that the carefully arranged food doesn’t shift during transport, and it should look immensely appealing, so that even the pickiest of eaters will…
I’m going to prepare you for Valentine’s Day this year. In Japan the whole day revolves around chocolate. This recipe can be made for friends, co-workers, boyfriends and girlfriends so you’re either making tomochoco (å‹ãƒãƒ§ã‚³), giri choco (義ç†ãƒãƒ§ã‚³) or for your own true love, honmeichoco (本命ãƒãƒ§ã‚³). Whoever it is, this recipe is easy to do…
Last February I ventured north to Hokkaido for the famed Yuki Matsuri. Admittedly the sculptures were very impressive, the snow slides worth their two hour queues and the atmosphere buzzing. But even though I am a snow-junkie, the festival is not something I feel the need to visit again. The local food, however, demands a…
In amongst the faux snow and strains of, “I’mmmmmm dreammingggg of a whiteeeeee Christmassssss”, you may have also seen in your department stores and supermarkets ornate square boxes filled with products in every colour, begging to be bought at obscene prices. A far cry from roast turkey (northern hemisphere) or seafood (southern), this is osechi…
Living in Hyogo you can’t get away from the big, fat, drunken cow in the room: Kobe beef. Locals boast about its Hyogo roots; and many travel far to taste the real deal. Of course it comes with a hefty price tag, so it’s almost essential you pick the right spot among the bright mooing…
Simple Chicken Nabe for One. As the “samui†grunts enter the staffroom you know what’s coming: winter. My solution to tackle this season is nabe, lots of nabe. Nabe is a soupy hot pot recipe literally full of meat and veggies ready to cure your winter blues (or flu?). It can be enjoyed party…
In October there was an 英国 fair at the Hankyuu department store in Umeda. There was a picture of pasties on the advertisement for it. Pasties! Teachers at work may have been lusting after scones, but meh, they’re easy enough to make at home (though the cream is an issue I will allow). When I…
I don’t think this can technically be classed as Japanese food but this heart attack handful is a trendy alternative to the American hamburger. Ingredients Instant ramen (not a Cup Noodle – the packet kind!) 1 egg 100g minced meat (pork or beef) A pinch of chopped spring onions 1 tsp soy sauce Vegetable…