FOOD AND CULTURE...

Today's topic is going to be different from the other one. I was planning to introduce some Asian bizarre food, but I would like to talk about my own story it was happened last night.

I love spicy food, especially Korean food. So, I cook Korean food at least once a week. Yesterday around 9pm, I was so hungry after coming back basketball game. But, I was also too tired and lazy to go shop for getting something to eat, so i decided to make Korean noodle in the most easiest way. I mean I didn't add any vegetable into it so it looks kind of miserable one. Actually I just put noodle onto boiled water for 3min and that's it!! It is soooooo easy!!!
The name of noodle is CHAPCHE. It is not looks like udon or soba which are Japanese typical noodle. But it is not looks weird for me because Japan also have harusame. This is much more healthier than udon and soba. Therefore, many Japanese women tend to eat it instead of having rice, udon and soba.

CHAPCHE looks like

before cooking

after cooking


It looks yummy!!! However, as I mentioned before, I did not add any vegetable on it. So, my housemates who are from EU countries was so surprised and told me "WHAAAAAAT?? WHAT ARE YOU EATINGGGG??" At first, I did not understand why they looked my chapche in weird face. But after that, I realized that they are not familiar with a clear noodle. They said "It looks like jello but I know your noodle is not jello. it is just weird!!!" Their observation was so interesting for me. I could also realized my culture as an Asian people. I used to tend to think myself as just Japanese but actually Asian culture affects my life. 
From this conversation, I learned it. From the other point of view, we can know ourselves, our culture deeply.

Gengorou

Hey :) last blog was about locust in Japan. I was surprised that Japan still have such a custom in certain area. Eating insect has a impact for me, so today's blog is also related to the last one. However I want to change the country, I mean today is not in Japan!!


The food is...

photo by soshunfu　






     This is DIVING BEETLE!! It looks very very grotesque and bizarre!!!  I cannot believe some people eat it!!!!
     This food is from Vietnam. The reason why I chose this country is because now one of my friend is there for internship. And I knew that Vietnamese are used to eat this kind of food from her blog.
     As I mentioned before, the first impression was just bizarre but after a while, I am interested in the reason why people need and start to eat these foods. Some web sites said that Vietnam is famous for eating insects. and the reason is this country has a lot of rivers and rice fields in the land. 
     Still it is difficult for me to imagine of biting it, but I realized the fact which food and/or culture cannot be separate from geography. Geography play a big role in our life style.

Inago no tsukudani

Even though I am Japanese, it will take a time for me to decide to bite this one.

Today's food is...

photo: Inago no tsukudani by dairy science

Yay this is locust!! I cannot believe that some place in Japan eat this insect!

The reason why today I introduce it is because the looks is sooooooo bizarre. It looks very insect!

However, as you know it is said "Calcium of the field" in Japan, locust is good for our body. Thus, you can eat it form the head through to the entire body.

Some people said that the taste is like small shrimp. Moreover, this insect has grown up in rice fields, so if you bite a lot, you can feel the taste of rice from this food.

I have never tried to eat it, but maybe try it someday...

Eggplant

This is my personal opinion blog...

For some people, it seems weird but i have never tried eggplants!!

photo: stewed eggplant by miiko

The reason why I think it is bizarre food is so simple. 

When I was a kid, my dad would say to his daughters "This is not foods for human!!" I know it's so wired and ridiculous!!! He just hate it! And that is why I have never tried to bite it since I was born!!! It's also wired but it real story!!!

From such a unusual my story, I learned an important lesson.

I think the environment around kids means a lot for them. I mean the environment is like parents, adults, friends, nature, culture and anything like that... Therefore, I believe that we, as adults,  have to realize and be careful about the effects for kids. Otherwise, many kids may have some strange habitat like yours!

Basashi

Today, I want to introduce my favorite food!!


photo by wikipedia

Umm, it looks just a normal meat. Which element is blizzard for someone??

I believe it is so wired especially for American people. You cannot understand our culture to have it.
This is Basashi. "Ba" means horse and "sashi" means low meat.
That is low horse meat!!!

-What is it?
     It's simple. It is meat of horse. We can eat almost all of a horse's body parts.

-How can I eat?
     You can eat it without cook. Just cut it. Then bite is with ginger, green onions, or soy source.

-Where can I eat?
     Usually you will eat it at Japanese restaurant. Perhaps, you can eat it at home.

-How much is it?
     It depends on which part do you want to eat. The most expensive one is chuck rib. It is going to be about $25 for 3.5oz. On the other hand, the cheapest one is $3 for the same amount as chuck rib. The cheapest part is horse mane!!

-What is the feature of it?
     It is said that horse meat has lots of nutrition and at the same time it is low allergy and it is not easily to make people fat. In other words, it is one of the healthiest meat in the world.

-History of it
     The most famous story why people start eating horse is related to battles between some Japanese areas. Before Japan became one country, there were so many Kuni which means country within such a small island. Sometime wars happened between kuni. Through the history,one big fight, it was at 1529, one military run out their food. Then, the leader decided to eat horses which solider ride on to win.


     You may not feel like trying it. However I can say the taste is so good!!! It is different from beef, pork, chicken... I think it is more lighter and more fresh. Actually, even in Japan, some people against eating horse. The reason is because we have been friendly with horse through long history for example hours could help us in the field of agriculture and battle. Thus, our relationship is like the one between us and dogs... There is some conflict over the matter.

     Still, it is Yum!!

Shirako

Hi, my name is Mei and I'm from Japan:)
This is the totally first blog for me, so today I am going to introduce Japanese bizarre food.

Even though I am Japanese, I was very shocked when I saw it at the first time.

That is...

( it is just after pick it up.) photo by Ko-zushi

Do you know it? Can you imagine how eat it?
Moreover, can you believe that many people really love it?

The Japanese name is Shirako.  I will explain the details about it.
-What is it?
     It is Soft roe. The famous fishes are globefish and codfish. It is also known that the Soft roe of squid is the most expensive one because we cannot get it constantly. Usually it is said that we can get it from December through to April.

-How can I eat?
     The popular way of cooking is to boil it, put it into soup and make it like a meat ball. Many people also like to eat it by dressed with citrus seasoned soy sauce.

-Where can I eat?
     You can eat it at your home and restaurants, I mean both cheap and expensive one. Because the cost can be changeable depends on which fish does it have and which season do you want to eat.

-How much is it?
     As I mentioned before, it depends on the kind of fish and seasons. One of the most expensive one will cost $50 for 14oz at a restaurant. Or you can get it $2 for 4pieces at supermarket.

-What is the feature of it?
     It is said that Shirako makes our immunity strong, anti-aging, and it is good for fat and skin problems.



    It looks not weird but it is one of the expensive food in Japan and actually it is so delicious.When I went to Hokkaido, which is the north part of Japan, my father ordered it. Before that time, I had never known it. Thus, when a waiter brought it to our table, I just thought that "What is it!?" As you see, it looks creepy and I could not believe the price of it and why people want to eat it. However my dad recommended me to eat it, so I tried to eat it bravely. surprisingly, it was super yummy!! And I can say that it is in good harmony with alcohol such as beer, sake...

    Try it if you have a chance!