Hi,
I enjoy the site and lived in Japan in the 1980s for nearly five years.
In the north, there were some restaurants that specialized in “mountain” food — yams and leafy greens etc. This was regional food and very good, and different.
Also, there was a Korean presence in the north, even influencing the Tohoku dialect to a small extent. What this really meant was that one could buy kimchi in farmer’s markets (not as spicy as in Korea), and there was some interest in grilled meats and “throw it all in” dishes from Korea.
We tended to look at seafood in two ways: sushi/sashimi and grilled. Restaurants catered to either, and we ate a lot.
Another northern treat was udon, especially Nabeyaki Udon, which was delicious in the winter, but painfully hot in the summer.
There were cookpot restaurants where food was prepared in a large pot hanging by a chain from the ceiling and everyone sat around the charcoal pit (to keep warm) and eat from the pot. Lots of eggs, veggies and some beef/fish in the pots.
I’m not sure when korean food became popular, but it is very common to see kimchi in supermarkets now, I often go to yakiniku restaurants when I’m in Japan. Nabe is a favourite too :}
Hi Kumiko,
I lived in japan from 2001 to 2002 and then again from 2005 to 2006. Total 2 years plus many many short visits. I worked for TMC during these times and often ate at Sizeria… I still miss the spaghetti with meat sauce.. How about the recipe..
4 Comments
Kumiko - 25/08/ 08 @ 7:31 am
I wonder how many people who visit my site, have been to Japan? or would like to go.
I’d like to take my husband to Okinawa and Kyoto, the food in Okinawa is very different to the food in Tokyo.
Have you been to Japan? What did you eat?
TikiPundit - 25/08/ 08 @ 4:49 pm
Hi,
I enjoy the site and lived in Japan in the 1980s for nearly five years.
In the north, there were some restaurants that specialized in “mountain” food — yams and leafy greens etc. This was regional food and very good, and different.
Also, there was a Korean presence in the north, even influencing the Tohoku dialect to a small extent. What this really meant was that one could buy kimchi in farmer’s markets (not as spicy as in Korea), and there was some interest in grilled meats and “throw it all in” dishes from Korea.
We tended to look at seafood in two ways: sushi/sashimi and grilled. Restaurants catered to either, and we ate a lot.
Another northern treat was udon, especially Nabeyaki Udon, which was delicious in the winter, but painfully hot in the summer.
There were cookpot restaurants where food was prepared in a large pot hanging by a chain from the ceiling and everyone sat around the charcoal pit (to keep warm) and eat from the pot. Lots of eggs, veggies and some beef/fish in the pots.
Kumiko - 26/08/ 08 @ 10:00 am
Have you been back to Japan?
I’m not sure when korean food became popular, but it is very common to see kimchi in supermarkets now, I often go to yakiniku restaurants when I’m in Japan. Nabe is a favourite too :}
Willy - 22/08/ 09 @ 7:35 am
Hi Kumiko,
I lived in japan from 2001 to 2002 and then again from 2005 to 2006. Total 2 years plus many many short visits. I worked for TMC during these times and often ate at Sizeria… I still miss the spaghetti with meat sauce.. How about the recipe..
Kind regards
Willy