Okashi: February 2015

Danjiri Ojiichans!

They say with age comes wisdom. I think it also comes with a significant amount of not giving a f**k. To me, that is a very valuable bit of wisdom. This freedom of the elderly, although physically and mentally expensive, is why I think Japanese ojiichans are ichiban tanoshi.

Japan is a reserved country, not as much as the guidebooks would have you believe, at least not in my experience, but it is a bit more restrained than home. Your public appearance is very important and social roles and customs are well defined. But when men reach a certain age, and have had a certain amount of sake, those social conventions go out the window. They get louder, more bold, and more bawdy. There is lots of laughter, gestures, facial expression, and all around merriment. It reminds me of home - sitting around the table playing poker and being with my favorite uncles. Or listening to Popsie, Uncle Bob, and Uncle Travis tell stories till late in the night. Old men tend to be amazing storytellers, even if it is in a different language.

Kampai! Ojiichans from a walk in the woods.

But even when they haven't been drinking, I find it is older men who brave the language barrier and try to talk to me the most. There are several possible reasons for this, but I am going to go with the hypothesis that, like young children, they are free of the constraints of posture imposed by Japanese society. And unlike children, they usually have at least a minimal English vocabulary. Not to mention a curiosity about the world and new experiences.

Now this is a vast generalization. I am sure there are stiff ojii-samas out there that would give any southern patriarch a run for his money, but the old men I have met have all reminded me of the fun loving, storytelling, easy laughing older men who have been such an important part of my life. In a way, they have become beloved great uncles who might make inappropriate comments (I am assuming from the accompanying gestures), but whose warmth and zest for life are inspirational.

Are you ready for lots of pictures? I have been in Japan for six months, and I am still finding amazing things to eat and drink. Some are different versions of the same thing (like Osaka and Kyoto style okonimiyaki), but each has been an amazing adventure for my taste buds. I have even started trying to cook Japanese food. This is a little more difficult since I lack both skill and space for doing any real cooking. But when I do use my tiny kitchen, the results have been delicious. So enjoy these pictures of food. Just be warned, you might want to have a napkin handy to wipe your drool.

Let's start close to home. Osaka is well known for its unique and delicious food. I have been lucky enough to eat lots of it. Here are some of the local fares I have tried.

Ramen. So much ramen. And all kinds too. Thanks to my tomodachi, let's call him Ling, after one of my favorite Fullmetal Alchemist characters, I have been able to experience an range of ramen flavors and types. I never knew it could be so tasty! Great for the cold season here in Japan.

Something spicy to fight the cold I had at the time.

Ramen set. A great beef and seafood broth with pork, green onions, and all around deliciousness. And a side of gozya. What could be better!

I remember this one was duck. An interesting flavor.

Pork, bean sprouts, homemade noodles, and a delicious garlic and soy sauce broth.

Other traditional foods. I only have a couple pictures, but I try these in a lot of places.

Okonomiyaki from my local street vendor. Still one of the best I have found. Not to mention great service.

Takoyaki, another Osaka favorite. Basically batter balls with green onion, pickled red ginger, and octopus inside. So warm and delicious.

Nabe. Delicious soup that boils down right in front of you. This one was nice and spicy.

Omelet covered things. This was yakisoba, but you can get most things topped with egg here.

Omochi! I actually helped make these. It was a great experience. Omochi is basically just pounded steamed rice. All that pounding is hard work, though.

Omochi in homemade soup

Yakiniku

During my gastric quest, I also came across and authentic New Orleans restaurant! I can't say enough about how good the food is. So if you are in Osaka, stop by Bistro New Orleans. Just look at this food!

Muffaletta

Cajun Karage

Red Beans and Rice

And, of course, a Hurricane

Finish it off with Red Velvet Bread Pudding

Sooooo delicious!

And some other dining adventures... The special Halloween burger at McDonalds

Traditional Japanese dinner made by a friend.

It was even more delicious than it looked!

Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant after meeting new people and playing board games...

Tacos in Denden!

And churros, butter beer, and pork ribs at USJ.

Somehow, with all this eating, I still managed to save room for dessert.

Creme brulee and fresh fruit.

Including a special birthday cake from the staff at my school.

This is just a sample of the things I have found outside my home. But my kitchen hasn't been collecting dust. I might not cook at home a lot, but when I do it usually comes out really tasty. The thing I cook most often is some variation of beef curry. It usually has potatoes, carrots, onions, and whatever else I can get for cheap at the grocery store. This particular one had eggplant and persimmon.