THANK YOU FELLOW FOOD LOVERS

IT'S BEEN THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME

Well, this has been quite a journey for me and hopefully for all of us.  I know I have learned a lot and created a longing in myself to go and explore as much as I possibly can. Take a look at all the places we were able to visit during our time together.  


The cities we explored:

• MARVELOUS ATHENS, GREECE
• FABULOUS LONDON, ENGLAND
• WELCOME TO MANILA, PHILIPPINES
• UNSURPASSED BEAUTY OF MAUI, HAWAII
• THE CITY OF ANGELS & CALIFORNIA CUISINE
• MYSTERIOUS ALLURE OF BEIJING, CHINA
• FAST-PACED TOKYO, JAPAN
• COLORFUL BARCELONA, SPAIN
• EXOTIC MARAKESH, INDIA
• SPICY NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Which one was your favorite?  It's hard to choose, isn't it?   Perhaps we can just choose to love each one separately for their own uniqueness and significant contribution that they give to each of us. Then again, perhaps the one we hold most dear to our heart is the one we are most familiar with.

  

I know I truly enjoyed the Weekly Features on my hometown, Portland, OR, and I think I reconfirmed for me that there's no place like home.  Thank you, Portland, OR, for making my son and I feel at home. 

PORTLAND, OR WEEKLY FEATURES:

1. FOOD CARTS OF PORTLAND, OREGON (An exploration of the fabulously delicious variety of food carts available here)
2. KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD (A closer look into what makes Portland "weird,'' what we consider "weird," and how to become "weird" if you're up for the challenge and adventure!)
3. PORTLAND, OREGON IS...... (A list in my personal view of what Portland is to me and why I think it is so special)

And, of course, thank you fellow food lovers for coming on this journey with me and letting my son and I come into your lives for a little while.  It has been a true adventure in many ways.   There is a connection people have with food and we should embrace all the flavors that life has to offer.  Not just the wonderful flavors that come from the food, but the flavors that come with the experience. The culture, the history, the feeling that you are experiencing something that played a huge role in the creation of who we are as a people.  

As I move on to other things for now, I encourage not only myself, but all of you to keep on learning and keep on tasting.  You will never be finished exploring, experiencing, and getting to know yourself and those around you.   The best way to do this in my opinion is to have food be a part of that journey.  Eat to your fill, but never lose your hunger.

See you on the next journey of a lifetime......where shall we go then?  New Delhi, Dublin, Jerusalem, Kenya, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, or maybe Fairbanks or N.Y.C. back in the good ole U.S.A. 

I can't wait!   Until then....  Adios, Cheerio, Paalam na, Aloha, Later Dude (Goodbye), Zai Jian, Sayonara, Ma'as salaama, and Au revoir.      

PORTLAND, OREGON IS.....10 THINGS

A.K.A. Bridge Town, Stump Town, Beervana, The Rose City, PDX, 

& "The Place Young People Come To Retire" 

My Third Weekly Feature on Portland, OR

A world traveler...that's me.  Well, I have traveled parts of the world - just not nearly as many parts as I had hoped.  A closer-to-home traveler....that's me too.  I love to take weekend trips with my son...to visit friends & family, to the coast, to the forest, to the mountains, to neighboring states, etc.  All over.  I'm not very good at sitting still. Always on the go or always planning to be on the go.  Then, after awhile I realize I've been away too long and it's time to come home.  Really, there's no feeling like it.  Coming home to familiar faces and surrounded by familiar objects that put me at ease.

I'm back, Portland.  It's good to be home.  There's so many things I missed about you....here's 10 that top my list:

PORTLAND, OREGON IS..........

1) A FOOD LOVERS DREAM!

Have I mentioned that Portland is food heaven to me?  I'm thinking that it might actually be a dangerous place for me to live, from a caloric perspective that is.  Portland is known for its craft beer, Pacific Northwest salmon, hazelnuts, fresh dairy, tantalizing Oregon wines, fresh produce, incredible restaurants with any cuisine you can imagine, and those wonderful food carts I talked about in my first Weekly Feature.

For more information on the great places you can indulge here, check out Portland Food & Drink.

2)  A POLITICALLY ACTIVE KIND OF PLACE

Freedom of expression.  It's a wonderful thing.  It seems to be a place where everyone has a voice and that is priceless.  I am not a supporter of all issues I have seen presented here, but I am a supporter of  the right to present them.  

Both Portland and Oregon lean a tad bit to the Democratic side with a large number or Oregonians identifying themselves as "liberal" which is listed as being part of a 2010 Gallup Poll.

Oregon's Congressional Delegation of two U.S. Senators and five Representatives is entirely Democratic with the exception of one U.S. Representative. 

3)   RAINY & WET AT TIMES (SHOCKING!)

All this beauty comes from somewhere...it's our plentiful water supply that falls from the sky on a frequent basis.  It's actually been fairly mild and not as rainy as I pictured since I moved here, but I realize that will surely change and I'm fine with it.

I regularly get asked with raised eyebrows how I like the weather here.  My answer, though not often believed, is that I like it just fine.  There are days when I'm convinced (and my son too) that the day should be called on account of rain.  Then, out of nowhere, it stops.  The sky fills with sun (although it is frequently short-lived) and everyone runs outside if they can to take advantage of the stunning scenery and endless possibilities of things to do here.    

4)   UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL

In addition to being a world traveler and a closer-to-home traveler, I am walker.  I love to walk everywhere - much to my son's dismay.  Most of the time, I have our very large puppy at my side who is eager to pull me into the next county every chance he gets.  When he stops to take a break, I stop too and look around.

It's then that I marvel at the incredible beauty that surrounds me everywhere I go.  I grew up in the desert, so I tend not to take even one fall leaf, one flower petal, or one blade of grass for granted.


Some of our favorite places to take in the scenery include Washington Park International Rose Test Garden (great city skyline view as well) and Oaks Bottom Park Wildlife Refuge.

5)  CULTURAL

Art museums, Broadway theater (Keller Auditorium), local theater and fantastic plays (Portland Center Stage), opera, symphonies, ballet and even Shakespeare in the Park.   All of this and more is available here in Portland.   Regularly there are also a number of festivals taking place....some of the most popular being the Portland Rose Festival, Feast Portland, and the Oregon Brew Fest. There is never a dull moment and you can always find wonderful things to do. 

6)  HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL 

Portland history begins with Lewis and Clark's Expedition in 1804 and continues with the name Portland being selected as a result of a coin toss in 1845.  Oregon became a state in the year 1859 and began to grow quickly from there.  Portland is one of the oldest cities on the West Coast and the largest city in Oregon.   Historical buildings dating back to 1882 such as The Old Church and Historic Union Station dating back to 1895 can be found in the city and beautiful architecture is everywhere.  Styles of Portland architecture can be viewed here on the Moving to Portland website

7)  WELCOMING & FRIENDLY

Portland folks have gone out of their way to welcome my son and I here.  I have found those we've been lucky enough to meet to be very accommodating and helpful in any way they can.  Realizing we are still relatively new to the area, they offer us insider tips on great places to dine, explore and visit.   

I have also found that this is a true community where people seem very connected to the place they call home. Volunteering is not only common, but refreshingly it is just the thing to do here.   I have found that this is an especially friendly town if you happen to be a dog, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist!  

8)  FULL OF PERSONALITY (SEE KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD)

I think you might have gotten the picture in my last Weekly Feature on this very topic, but with the help of a fellow classmate's suggestion, here's one more to help convince you!   The annual World Naked Bike Ride, right here in Portland, OR.  

So, now I will ask of you what I asked of my friend and classmate.....

Do you think those bikes are rentals?

9)  ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS & PROGRESSIVE

Portland is one of the greenest, environmentally conscious, and progressive cities I have seen.  Local and sustainable foods are highly valued as is recycling and the use of public transportation whenever possible.  The transportation system (TriMet) is readily available.  Additionally, it continues to expand making it accessible to a greater number of people.  It is one of the most bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly places in the nation.   It's progressive mentality is illustrated here in two great articles (EcoHearth Article & Portland Monthly Article) I found on this topic.

10)  OUTDOORSY

With so many options available close by (skiing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, ) at Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge, it would be a shame not to take advantage of all around us.

Portland also has more than 10,000 acres of public parks, including Tom McCall Waterfront Park,so there's sure to be one close by for a picnic, bike riding, or an enjoyable walk.  Fantastically, it also has the largest number of dog parks in a city.


So no matter what you had in mind, there is plenty to do.  Even better, you can bring your pooch along (check out the website Portland Pooch  or Portland Recreation for a park to visit near you).    

For further reading and more ideas to fill your visit, check out Travel Portland.

See, I told you it's a great city!  That's not even the half of it.  It may not be for everyone, but it sure seems like it's for me.  I really have enjoyed these Weekly Features.   I hope you did too. 

Thanks!

SPICY NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

The motto of New Orleans

We’re back in the USA, specifically the jazzy and resilient city of New Orleans, Louisiana.  I see images of Mardi Gras with its boisterous festivities and colorful costumes, artistic architecture with ornate ironwork, historical cemeteries abuzz with ghost stories from long ago, funeral processions that halt sections of the city in its tracks, a cultural paradise, and, of course, incredible music served up alongside a style of food all their own called Creole.   

What better way to accompany this delicious food than with music?   Not just any music though –  New Orleans Jazz.  The kind of music that seeps into your pores and stirs your soul.   I can distinctly hear the lively beat coming from the endless party right this minute.     

THE PERFECT STORM

Hearing the story of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, one might think that this would have done this wonderful city in with no possibility of recovery. Thoughts such as those could only stem from people not familiar with the true spirit of this city and all that it means to them.  

Hurricane Katrina was definitely devastating and a trying time in our nation's history as a whole; however, after a long and difficult road with efforts still continuing, New Orleans has fought to come back and they are more than ready for our arrival here today. 

HISTORY

New Orleans celebrates influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa, etc. that are evident in the culture, the architecture, the music, and the food.  Founded by the French in 1718, it was originally named Nouvelle-Orleans after the Regent of France.  It then came under Spanish rule before being returned to the French.  

The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory, which actually encompassed several present day states including Louisiana, in 1803.  Previously the capital of Louisiana, New Orleans remains an important city in Louisiana and also the United states due to its tremendous volume as a port city, its draw as a tourist destination, and its rich cultural and historical offerings.  

WHEN TO VISIT

I would have to advise that the best time to visit New Orleans would be during Mardi Gras (fluctuating annual dates in February - March) as this is the piece de resistance of this flamboyant city.  One who doesn't appreciate crowds, though, may not enjoy this time of year. 

Temperatures are mild during the months of February to May, so an ideal visit should be planned during this time - whether that includes Mardi Gras or a quieter period during that time frame. 

WHAT NEW ORLEANS HAS TO OFFER

New Orleans - The Crescent City
Nicknamed after its shape

I was amazed at all that New Orleans has to offer.  Visitors can experience activities including visiting historical sights, taking a haunted tour, visiting countless museums, taking in the nightlife, and so much more - all while enjoying the food and music it's so famous for.   

New Orleans is divided into several districts - the most famous include the French Quarter where one of the oldest streets, Bourbon Street, is located as well as Jackson Square; The Garden District which contains some of the most historic mansions in New Orleans; and the Central Business District in Downtown which includes the Arts & Warehouse Districts as well as Canal and Julia streets.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE, TRY TO DO & SEE:

• A haunted city tour (Several to choose from)
• An evening of theater or opera
• Dance the night away with exciting nightlife
• Tour of the different districts listed
• Audubon Aquarium / Zoo / Insectarium (maybe not)
• Mardi Gras (Don't forget to bring your shiny beaded necklaces)
• A parade or funeral procession
• Southern Food & Beverage Museum (Perfect for foodies!  Closed temporarily, but reopening later this year)
• New Orleans Museum of Art 
• Louisiana Civil War Museum
• National World War II Museum 
• African American Museum
• Cabildo (18th Century Building)

What an unbelievable list – and that only scratches the surface.   There's certainly no shortage of museums or cultural attractions to see while you're there.

MUST TASTE FOODS OF NEW ORLEANS

• Gumbo (A must. Okra simmered with Creole spices and vegetables with a variety of meat variations such as Chicken Gumbo)
• Jambalaya (Sausage, vegetables, & meat)
• Red Beans & Rice (Creole classic traditionally made with leftovers)
• Andouille (Smoked pork sausage)
• Crawfish Etouffee (spiced up Gumbo!)
• Po' Boy Classic sandwich (Variations include shrimp, fried oyster, or even gator!)
• Shrimp Creole (Tomato-based shrimp dish)
• Mufaletta Italian Sandwich 
• Oysters Rockefeller (their home town)
• Beignets (Mini French doughnuts with powdered sugar - a signature item here)
• Bananas Foster (I would like to personally shake the hand of the person who came up with this - flambeed bananas, brown sugar, spices, rum & ice cream.  Thank you!)

WHAT IS CREOLE CUISINE?

Not to be confused with Cajun Cuisine, Creole Cuisine is a style of cooking that was born in Louisiana and can be found all over New Orleans.

Creole is heavy on the spices and seasoning and full of flavor.  Traditional foods from France, Spain, Portugal, Italian, Native American, African, and Southern cooking are combined to create these incredible flavor combinations.  This unique combination of flavors are the heart of New Orleans food.  Make sure to savor every bite, keeping in mind your tolerance for spicy foods. Better have some Bananas Foster on hand just in case to extinguish that fire you're sure to have burning inside!

New Orleans has proven to be a sumptuous feast not only for the belly, but for the eyes, mind and soul as well. Thanks for coming along with me.   It’s been a wonderful adventure. 

It’s time for this journey to come to a close.   We’re headed back to my hometown of Portland, OR where we’ll talk about some of the great things you should see and do here before you head back to your hometown.    

EXOTIC MARRAKESH, MOROCCO

A SULTRY KIND OF CITY

Mystical and magical.  A city of great depth and beauty and one of the major cities in Morocco on the continent of Northwest Africa.

Just the word "Marrakesh" evokes images of busy streets with merchants abound offering their wares for sale.  In my mind, I picture seas of intricately detailed lanterns, glorious fountains decorated with exquisite mosaic tiles, yards of textiles in rich colors, and women adorned in traditional, deeply-colored garments.

Welcome to Marrakesh.

HISTORY

Marrakesh, meaning "Land of God", is the third largest city in Morocco and is considered the cultural center.  It is busy and, at times, overwhelming.  It is also full of breathtaking sights, such as the many mosques that were built there, and also its incredible scenery as the picture illustrates. It was founded in 1062 and was inhabited by the North African native ethnic group, the Berbers.

Today it is an economical center and a popular tourist destination.  Part of its attraction may be combination of old (Medina historical portion of Marrakesh) and new (Gueliz new European district).

WHEN TO VISIT

My research suggests that avoiding the summer heat may be a good idea; however, you will miss some of the festivals that take place during those months.   If you can bear it, this might be the time to visit for you.  For the winter months, skiing is an option in the nearby Atlas mountains.   The most mild temperatures can be found in the spring and fall.  For your consideration - Ramadan is an Islamic fasting time of observance that occurs during the summer months of July and August and may have a minimal impact on a trip there during that time.

NOT TO BE MISSED IN MARRAKESH:

Example of one of Marrakesh's
stunning tiled fountains

It is the beauty of the artwork in addition to the culture and history that takes your breath away here.   Make sure to take in as much as possible when visiting.   Beauty is lurking around every bend.

TO DO AND SEE:              

• Djemma el Fna (Medieval entertainment "heart"in the center of the city)
• Majorelle Gardens
• Marrakesh Medina (Shopping Mecca & Marketplace)
• Wool Dyers Souk (Peek and visit the age- old tradition of dyeing yards of silken fabrics) 
• Museum of Moroccan Arts
• Ali ben Youssef Medersa & Mosque (pictured here)
• Badii (Sultan's) Palace ruins
• Learn to belly dance 

I think I may have temporarily taken my mind off of food.   Oh my, ladies - look at all the fabulous shoes they have there!!!

Pardon the digression.  We can move on now.

Marrakesh is a shopper's paradise with marketplaces full of beautiful trinkets, blankets, shoes, lamps, spices, etc.  Anything you can imagine in a market setting is surely to be found here. Find that special something to treasure and display in your home when you return....if you ever decide to leave.

THE FOOD OF MARRAKESH

The food of Marrakesh is brimming with flavor and the spices of the region.   The cuisine is becoming popular in the States as illustrated in this New York Times travel piece on this foodie city.





The food stalls in Djemma el Fna offer a variety of traditional
Moroccan foods such as:

• Couscous (Coarsely ground Semolina wheat pasta)
• Shish kebabs (Meat marinated in Moroccan spices)
• Harira Soup (Tomato, lentil and lamb)
• Pastilla (sweet pastry stuffed with chicken & icing sugar!)
• M'semmen (Moroccan pancakes)

THE SPICE OF LIFE

When I think of Moroccan food, I think of flavorful spices first.  Their use of spices such as cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and saffron become stamped in your memory and leave you longing for more.  In addition to proteins such as beef, chicken, lamb and seafood, a variety of salads and couscous are traditional and there is something to be found for everyone.  The midday meal is the largest and food is often consumed with hands or by using bread.

Marrakesh, Morocco.  Just incredible.   I don't remember having this feeling of complete and utter awe to the degree that I have now.   It is definitely magical there.  In fact, it's everything I imagined it would be and more.  I am sad to go, but it is time to move on.




We'll be returning to the United States for our last stop.  In the words of Andy Dufresne as written to his friend Red in my all-time favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption, "And if you've come this far, maybe you're willing to come a little further."  I hope you will come a little further for this journey would not be complete without your presence in the last city we'll be visiting.  

We're headed to New Orleans, LA next for some spicy Creole Cuisine before returning to Portland, OR.  See you there fellow food lovers. 

COLORFUL BARCELONA, SPAIN

AN EXUBERANT FOODIE PARADISE

Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain after Madrid.  It's known as a supreme tourist destination, a cultural & sports mecca, as well as a bustling transportation hub for Europe. Coincidentally, it is one of the world's greatest food cities!   It's also the site of the '92 Olympic Games which brought a lot of good attention to this wonderful place.

HISTORY

Barcelona is an ancient city going back to 230 B.C. when it was discovered by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians.    It was not until the 19th Century when it became the important city it is today.   It was in 1888 when it was named seat to the World's Fair.  It is now one of, if not the most happening cities in Spain.

WHEN TO VISIT

Most people think of Barcelona as mainly a summer town; however, it can be hot and crowded during that time.  Beaches and the water temperatures of the Mediterranean are certainly at their peak during the main summer months; however, June or September may offer warm temps with less people.   Rainy season is in the spring and the fall, but those are very lovely months....specifically May.   The winters shouldn't be ruled out as even though chilly temps might be present, it is still pleasant, less crowded, and less expensive during that time.

WHAT TO SEE WHEN YOU'RE THERE

There are some sights not to be missed here, ranging from the Medieval to the the Olympic Games site. My research leads me to believe that La Rambla street, pictured below, is definitely one of the most entertaining and colorful place to visit of the ones I found. 

Street Performers on La Rambla

• Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter in the center of Old City with Medieval buildings)
• Camp Nou (Soccer Stadium)
• Sagrada Familia (Incomplete cathedral)
• Hospital de Sant Pau (Historic hospital)
• La Rambla (Most famous street)
• Boqueria Market (On La Rambla)
• El Borne (Picasso Museum)
• Montjuic ("Big Hill" with Olympic Stadium) 

WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU'RE THERE

Arguably one of the world's greatest food cities, Barcelona is hard to be beat when it comes to delicious cuisine which has both French and Italian influences.  Because of their excellent location on the Mediterranean, olive oil, garlic, and tomato are found in many of their creative and yummy dishes. Seafood is also widely available and graces many plates.  

Tapas (small bites), which come in many delicious varieties, are plentiful and available at the many tapas bars in the area. One of my other favorites, paella, with its beautiful color and flavor courtesy of saffron and other traditional spices, is served with the traditional rice or alternatively with with short, skinny noodles which is then referred to Fideua.  Make sure to try those both while you're visiting.

In addition to the famous Spanish tapas, paella and fideua,
other specialties not to be missed include:

Paella with local seafood

• Gazpacho (Chilled vegetable soup)
• Calcots (Grilled onions dipped in red pepper sauce)  
• Crema Catalana (Spanish Creme Brulee)
• Escalibada (Eggplant, red pepper, onion & potato dish)
• Sarsuela (Seafood of the Mediterranean medley)

I think you can see how the foods of Barcelona are exciting, different, creative and very tantalizing.   It seems that you would never run out of options or incredible flavors there.  That, combined with the beautiful color and vitality of this city make this a must-see for the historian and food-lover alike.

Thanks for coming along with me today.   I hope you will stay and finish out the journey before we return to explore one more foodie city in the United States.   As of right now, we're off to exotic Marakesh, Morocco.

See you there I hope. 

FAST-PACED TOKYO, JAPAN

AN EXCITING METROPOLIS

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.   It is definitely exciting and yet, at the same time, full of history, tradition, and culture.


I have been fascinated by Asian culture and it has played a large role in my life.   As I mentioned in a previous post, my son is 1/4 Filipino so I have come to learn a lot about Asian culture.  What I so love much again goes back once again to the word "simplicity."   Japanese people seem to have a true appreciation for food, art, culture, tradition and life.  They seem to take nothing for granted.

When I think of Japan in its entirety, I think of pink cherry blossoms first that perfectly frame the stunning cultural areas and beautiful, tranquil gardens they are known for.  A palette of watercolors against sharp, red and black pagodas such as the one pictured here. When I think of Tokyo, I think of the word "energy."   A fast-paced mecca of lights, technology, and skyscrapers with people crammed in every crevice.  Then, because I'm a food lover my mind naturally drifts to food.  When I think of Japanese food, I do not automatically picture delicious street fare that my research has revealed.  Instead I think of simple, clean flavors with an appreciation for each ingredient in the dish that is so ingrained in their culture and heritage.

In reality, all of these things and so much more are Tokyo, Japan.

HISTORY

Tokyo Prefecture (sub-national area) merged with the City of Tokyo and the Tokyo Metropolis was formed in 1943. Tokyo is one of the world's major financial centers, the seat of Japan's government, and home of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.  Beyond the excitement, combined with the beauty, tradition, history, & delicious cuisine, Japan is also known for its cutting-edge animation, "techie" gadgets, the famous movie monster "Godzilla", & most recently the devastating tsunami of 2011.   There's a whole lot more....check out some other things not to be missed that you'll find only in Tokyo.

WHEN TO VISIT

Once again, spring and fall are the most pleasant times of the year to plan the trip of a lifetime here.   In spring, you will see the lovely cherry blossoms in bloom....a sight that cannot be rivaled by much.   Summer is the most popular season for family travel and also the warmest.  Additionally, it is the rainy season and a chance of typhoons (yikes again) is a possibility.   Winter temperatures can be very cold, but discounts are abound in this season and all the attractions and sights are still open for business.  

THINGS TO DO & SEE

Tuna Auction At Tokyo Fish Market

There is no lack of things to do in and around Tokyo.   Tokyo is an eclectic mix of old and new that seems to have it all:  shopping, entertainment, culture, and dining.







While you're there, make sure to see:

Shubuya Station - Famous Intersection
All lights turn red & pedestrians take over for awhile!

• Shinkjuku (The Skyscraper District including offices, shopping and nightlife)
• Tokyo Fish Market (Largest & busiest in the world with live tuna auctions!)
• Ginza Neighborhood (A shopping paradise)
• Take in a Sumo Tournament or Sing Karaoke!
• Meiji Shrine (Ancient place of worship)
• Yoyogi Park (Entertaining street talent)
• Shibuya Station (Famous Intersection)
• Daimaru Department Store (10th Floor Kimono Shop)
• Tokyo Disney
• Take a ride on the Shinkansen "Bullet Train"

THE FOOD OF TOKYO

My son enjoying a meal of conveyor belt sushi.
You must try - it's just so much fun!

For my son and I, Japanese food is the type of cuisine we can always agree on when dining out.   We first discovered that he liked Japanese food on our first trip to the Oregon Coast, in one of my favorite towns named Seaside.  He fell in love with miso soup (fermented soybean), chicken katsu, and gyoza (pot stickers).   His fondness of rice; however, was already deeply rooted in place.  Below are some foods that Japan is famous for:

• Gyoza (Potstickers)
• Ramen, Soba & Udon Noodles
• Sushi (Oh, glorious sushi.  How do I love thee?)
• Tempura (Veggies/shrimp battered in Panko)
• Rice, rice & more rice (Again)
• Yakitori (Grilled meats on a stick)
• Tonkatsu (Pork cutlets breaded & fried)

For Tokyo dining, you will have a lot of options available to you such as formal restaurants featuring ethnic or even International food, food stalls known as Yatai you may see on the street or at festivals, and a fair share of vending machines as well offering everything from drinks and ice cream to cameras.

Shabu Shabu Dining

For restaurants, the only problem will be deciding what to have.   There are plenty of sushi restaurants to choose from, both sushi bars and conveyor sushi pictured above.   There are also noodle houses specializing in soba, udon, or ramen noodles served in a broth whose recipe may have been crafted over several generations, Gyudon (inexpensive fast food bowls), Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu (hot pot restaurants), Teppanyaki (my favorite), which my son and I refer to as Benihana-style - our favorite Japanese restaurant in Las Vegas.    

Don't stop now, finish it off with some Mochi ice cream!   Green tea is my personal favorite, but they have a number of different flavors.   It's basically a pounded and sweet rice ball that has been filled with ice cream.  I don't know what it is about them, but they are delicious, fun, and addictive too.

Thanks for visiting beautiful Japan with me, specifically the exciting city of Tokyo.  I think you can see why the beauty of the Orient has attracted me for so long.  It's definitely tops on my wishlist and I have a feeling it might be tops on yours too.   How could it not be?   Sayonara Tokyo.  I hope to see you in person soon.  Until then, I guess I'll just have to watch Memoirs of a Geisha to feast upon some of the beautiful scenery and visit the yummy Japanese restaurants in my own neck of the woods!






We're winding down on our food lovers exploration, but we're not done yet.  Next, we're off to Barcelona, Spain mi amigos.   Tapas and paella and gazpacho.....oh my!   I sure hope you'll come along.  

Adios for now!