2011/11/24

Kushiyaki


Kushiyaki is typical Japanese cuisine, skewered vegetables,sea food,beaf and chicken etc grilled on an iron plate.
Today I went to the Japanese restaurant in Osaka to have Kushiyaki for my lunch.
It was good!!!

2011/11/23

Tenri

Tenri is the name of a place in the north of Nara prefecture.
Last weekend I went to Tenri after reading about it in a ladies magazine which featured interested cafes,restaurants etc in Nara.
Nara is a very historical place similar to,but quieter than Kyoto so there are many old temples,shops and farm houses.Some of these have been renovated and set up as businesses, which appeal to day trippers from Kansai area.The magazine was featuring these kind of small cottage style businesses.

One article in particular about a cafe caught my attention when I saw the photos.I really loved the atmosphere,the way they mixed Japanese and western style,in the decor,and served a western menu,was something different to the norm.



The cafe was recently renovated and just opened n March 2011.This is a typical Japanese old style house for rich people,the massive gate,huge space with a storehouse,all surrounded by a large Japanese garden,complete with feature stones and topiaried pines.But now it has been made into a western style cafe completely without the normed Japanese drinks and food.



I wanted to eat lunch at the cafe when I read but the reviews on the Internet,I found out that lunch time is can only be made for parties of 6 people or over.I don't like waiting in long queues so I just had breakfast which was average but cheap,scrambled eggs,toast with butter and coffee for 480yen.


It took me 2hours to drive there ,but only because I didn't want to pay the highway toll which is understandable as it would have cost me 1,800yen!!!

2011/11/13

Donabe


Donabe is a Japanese pot which is made from clay.In winter time,people enjoy many variety of hot pot in Japan, so most house hold have at least 1 or 2.
This time I tried to cook very simple dishes for a small hot pot "Chines cabbage and pork hot pot" which I watched on TV ad.
The TV ad sponsored by "Mizkan",a very well known Japanese company which wants to encourage their merchandise "Ponzu". Ponzu is and important condiment in Japan ,it's made from vinegar,shoyu and yuzu(a Japanese citrus fruit) as well as other ingredients.

Ponzu

Of course I already knew the recipe so it was easy to cook and healthy cuisine.


Eat dipping Ponzu