Diaries of a Grumpy Gourmet in Tokyo

Guess what Japanese people eat most?
Nope, it is not sushi. They actually eat a wide variety of local and international foods. They don't have Jerashi Labneh or Makdoos, but they do have olive oil and many other oishii (delicious) things.

Like many people, I used to have the impression that Japanese people eat sushi almost everyday. Until a few years ago when I started to mingle with Japanese people, I realised it was just another misconception.

I could compare sushi to "Mashawi" (BBQ) in Jordan. People like it, but can't eat it daily, which makes it more of a delicacy.

I will not talk about sushi, but rather share with you part of my gastronomical adventures in Japan, and for those who don't know me well, I can tell you -not so proudly- that I can be any waiter's or chef's nightmare in a restaurant. Not because I am picky -la sama7 Allah (God forbid)- but maybe because I have adventurous taste buds that demand new challenges every now and then

As I walk carefully between shelves, and look closely using my limited resources of Kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese language) I try to identify my target and escape from any malicious traps. Not to forget trying to find my way through a menu by tracing Katakana (letters used to write foreign words as "orenji-juusu") in what seems to be a speed test before the waiter comes for the third time to try and take my order. All of this makes a simple visit to a supermarket or a restaurant in Jordan into an exciting and adventurous Treasure Hunt for Halal Food (compliant to Islamic law) in Japan.

Being the grumpy gourmet I am, made me familiar to the possibility of not finding what I want in every menu or on every shelf. In addition to that, I am not very fond of meat, and I like sea food a lot, so I don't consider eating in Japan a major problem, but rather a tough enjoyable adventure.

Speaking of fish, I have been enjoying eating it in every possible form and shape, and when I say form and shape, I mean "form" and "shape".
Japanese people have been amazingly creative in preparing sea food in general, but for those who don't believe me, you can have a look at how you can have "fish sawdust" (katsuobushi) which can add a very nice taste to many dishes and can be very helpful in making the quickest fish stock.

In the photo collage to your right, you can see how it is being used in a fatty and tasty dish. The name of the dish is "hiroshima-fu okonomiyaki". I don't know anything about its origins, whether it is a traditional dish or a restaurant speciality, but I enjoyed watching it being prepared in front of me and definitely enjoyed eating it.

One of the bright sides to living in Tokyo, is that it makes you want to embrace the hands that planted and picked the fruit and vegetables in Jordan. In most places, you cannot believe your eyes when you see the price tag on a small little netted purse-like bag that has 8 pieces of okra that are suitable for wearing as jewellery rather than being tossed in a cooking pot.

Don't dispare, there are other alternatives, but it takes some time to know where to buy your fruit and vegetables for reasonable prices. I have been enjoying the refreshing taste of "batteekh" (watermelon) after my neighbour has found a very cheap grocery near our dorm.

One of my favourite dishes is based on Soba which is a Japanese kind of noodle made from buckwheat. Soba is the main component for many dishes and can be served hot or cold. I have been enjoying the different tastes and textures of Soba, and here is an example of one of the cold Soba dishes:
It has a mountain mashed potato-like sauce with some green onion and green vegetable leaves. You can spice it up with a hint of wasabi. It is so delicious and very refreshing especially in hot days. Yum, yum.

For those who love meat and worry they will not enjoy the different tastes of Japanese food, you can find a few Halal restaurants like the excellent one named "Karachi" which is a Pakistani restaurant that has delicious open buffet for 1000 yen (JD 6) with all you can eat, but if you leave anything uneaten in your plate you will pay an extra fee. A very important penalty that should be applied in every restaurant -and house- in the world.

A common Japanese breakfast, which may not appeal to many foreigners -excluding yours truly- is "Natto", which is fermented soy beans known for its acquired taste and unpleasant texture, though very nutritious. It can be eaten in several ways, and here is one example:
For a more acquainted taste you can pass by a very familiar scene that will be very hard to resist. A decent "shawerma" sandwich that is worth your 500 Yens (JD 3).

Another familiar taste will be the baked sweet potatoes and chestnuts that you can pick up from Shibuya -or any other public place. Mind you that eating publicly is socially unacceptable in Japan, a behaviour also discouraged in Islam.

In the school cafeteria, there is a good selection of Asian dishes that change from time to time. Not all are tasty for it remains a school cafeteria but very economical.

One good thing I learned here is not to mess up with the system -in general- especially in the cafeteria. I do tend to alter many dishes according my taste by adding something or replacing another. I don't have any photos from there, but I do have this video of a VISA card Ad that depicts the situation in the school's cafeteria when someone like yours truly tries to mess up with the system and asks for something "different".

That is an important lesson for all those who are planning to come here: Never mess up with the system. Go with the flow, especially when there is a procedure which is a very common thing here. Honestly speaking, I really like it, and anyone who likes chaos will not be able to live here.
Enjoy the video. (^-^)y