For anyone who's been feeling in need of some food inspiration, I would highly recommend a trip to Japan.
I have just returned (and by "just" I mean it's been a little while, but I've only just gotten round to talking about it) from a trip to Japan. My mother and I went to Uji, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Tokyo for 10 days and spent as much of that time eating as was humanly possible.
I must start by saying that I'm going to focus here on the food, but of course the scenery was absolutely fabulous: the bamboos, the shrines, the zen gardens (with all the moss that I have now realized is one of my favourite things in nature)... and also, the people who were always so very kind. All in all it was a fabulous trip, but lets get down to the food.
Below are some of the highlights:
I think what I enjoyed the most in Japan, was finding remote typical places to eat and ordering off the menu according to the pictures or simply pointing to something and hoping for the best, that must seem very uncultured of me... but no I do not speak Japanese and did not manage to learn everything for a 10-day trip #sorrynotsorry. Soba noodles with tempura shrimp were my first experience of barefoot eating. They were delicious and unexpectedly in an idyllic little restaurant with view over a canal.
I also love finding new ways to eat food. I think that's one of the reasons I loved Japan so much, everything was done very differently. I particularly enjoyed restaurants where food was ordered on a vending machine at the entrance. For example, a pork donburi which was probably one of my favourite meals throughout the trip #umami #heaven, accompanied by a yuzu lemonade which actually complemented the fattiness of the pork beautifully.
But it turns out that going for a Coconut Coffee Frappucino at Starbucks every morning did bring us some occidental joy, i'm sorry to say we did get a bit homesick, and this morning stop was just the ticket (ticket home... see what I did there?).
We also tried takoyaki from the market - not a fan. Where they fun to see being made? Yes.
Are they an ingenious idea for food on the go? Yes. Do they technically contain all umami flavours you could wish for? Yes. Was the runny custard egg texture mixed with a fishy taste for me? No.
And then, there was Chazuke - This dish was a completely new discovery, and it was indescribably good. The version we tried was quite intricate yet simple.
Three bowls are presented to you: Rice, Vegetables (greens, sweet potato, tofu, mushroom), and White Fish in a Sesame Marinade. And on the side you are served green tea, so far nothing out of the ordinary. But then, you are given instructions on how to eat what is in front of you.
I can't remember the exact order, but the important part is you end up with rice, marinaded fish and green tea in one delicious spoonful. 10/10, would eat again, and again, and again.
Had to mention the amazing raindrop dessert served with brown syrup and bean powder, although this one wasn't in a rain drop, just strips, it was still the perfect way to finish a meal.
One dish I did not adhere to at all, was the cold noodles you reheat mouthful by mouthful in a bowl of broth. But perhaps it was just a particularly bland version as it just felt like eating a bad and unpractical pasta salad.
Another one worth mentioning is the traditional breakfasts, they were ... interesting.. Soy marinated runny eggs with pickled seaweed and smoked fish is probably extremely nutritious and quite the umami experience. I can completely understand how you could find this very luxurious and delicious if you were brought up with it. However, I'm already not a morning person and not the biggest fan of fishy tastes, therefore coffee and buttered baguette is sort of my maximum on an ordinary day.
Also, if you have time, go to a good cocktail bar. We went to Lamp Bar in Nara. It was an amazing and relaxing experience with tailor made cocktails.
Speaking of musts, had to stop for some Wagyu beef in Kobe. 100% worth it if you like butter that tastes of beef, which as it turns out... I DO.
Main highlight was Ichibancho Teruya - A Sushi Master in Tokyo.
I will never be able to eat sushi the same way again. In fact, I have yet to encounter a worthy adversary for the sushi we ate in this restaurant. I also discovered that sea berries are my favorite type of seaweed... who knew?!
And there you have it. Other highlights included a lobster roll in Tokyo and an Omakase meal in Osaka where my mum had a lotus root congee she still thinks about to this day.
Also a special shoutout to Bob at LBK Craft in Nara who introduced us to Shu (a form of fruit wine, most famous version being plum wine or UmeShu), my new favourite drink. If you ever come across YuzuShu, just trust me and pour yourself a glass.
One thing's for sure, We'll be going back to Japan.
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