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The List: 2011 Edition
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Kyoto: Nishiki Market
Friday morning we said goodbye to my sis, K and j and took the shinkansen back up North to Kyoto.
We ate a green tea muffin on the way. D wasn't too keen on the red bean filling inside and there wasn't much matcha flavor.
After checking into our room (more on that later), we took the bus to Nishiki Market for lunch. The market is made up of a long, narrow street filled with various food vendors.
Although probably made with tourists in mind, D wanted the tuna roll. There was a little wasabi inside, and D thought it was the best he has ever had.
These fried balls were wrapped in bacon and smelled good. We asked what was inside and the woman said "onion". We thought it was some sort of bread and bought one. Turned out it was fishcake! Not my favorite, though D managed to eat most of it.
D's co-worker had told him that he had to try takoyaki (ball-shaped dumplings with octopus). We passed by a takoyaki stall and a whole group of school kids were chowing down on them. D looked over the menu, and tried to ask the kids what the difference was between the three different choices.
I think the kids were laughing at us when they saw our faces, as it was obvious that is was our first time. There was another couple from the UK that assured us that they were delicious, and that they loved them.
They weren't bad...I tried to think of it as calamari. However, I wasn't too fond of the liquidy-chewiness of it all. I actually ate two, but then on my third one, I had a bite that was extremely fishy-tasting. I didn't want to spit it out in front of everyone, so I managed to get it down. However, I was desperate to buy something else to get the taste out of my mouth.
The UK couple recommended that we get one of these next:
Baby octopus on a stick! (Tastes like candy!) Um, I don't think so.
Instead, we went for freshly fried kinako (soy flour) donuts with brown sugar and whipped cream.
So good. And a good palate cleanser.
D tried some unagi (eel) on a stick.
Grilled mochi dipped in a salty-sweet sauce.
Freshly baked wasabi senbei (rice cracker) wrapped in nori.
So, that was probably one of our more interesting eating adventures. We were ready for some more sightseeing.
We ate a green tea muffin on the way. D wasn't too keen on the red bean filling inside and there wasn't much matcha flavor.
After checking into our room (more on that later), we took the bus to Nishiki Market for lunch. The market is made up of a long, narrow street filled with various food vendors.
Although probably made with tourists in mind, D wanted the tuna roll. There was a little wasabi inside, and D thought it was the best he has ever had.
These fried balls were wrapped in bacon and smelled good. We asked what was inside and the woman said "onion". We thought it was some sort of bread and bought one. Turned out it was fishcake! Not my favorite, though D managed to eat most of it.
D's co-worker had told him that he had to try takoyaki (ball-shaped dumplings with octopus). We passed by a takoyaki stall and a whole group of school kids were chowing down on them. D looked over the menu, and tried to ask the kids what the difference was between the three different choices.
I think the kids were laughing at us when they saw our faces, as it was obvious that is was our first time. There was another couple from the UK that assured us that they were delicious, and that they loved them.
They weren't bad...I tried to think of it as calamari. However, I wasn't too fond of the liquidy-chewiness of it all. I actually ate two, but then on my third one, I had a bite that was extremely fishy-tasting. I didn't want to spit it out in front of everyone, so I managed to get it down. However, I was desperate to buy something else to get the taste out of my mouth.
The UK couple recommended that we get one of these next:
Baby octopus on a stick! (Tastes like candy!) Um, I don't think so.
Instead, we went for freshly fried kinako (soy flour) donuts with brown sugar and whipped cream.
So good. And a good palate cleanser.
D tried some unagi (eel) on a stick.
Grilled mochi dipped in a salty-sweet sauce.
Freshly baked wasabi senbei (rice cracker) wrapped in nori.
So, that was probably one of our more interesting eating adventures. We were ready for some more sightseeing.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Miyajima Island: Part II
We stopped for a quick snack of momiji manju (maple leaf shaped cake with red bean filling). Miyajima is known for these, and there were tons of different shops selling them. The momiji manju machines were fascinating. We were able buy a couple of manju hot off the press.
This place was cute. There was a tiny seating area, and they had free tea.
There were two choices, skin on and skinless bean filling. I thought I would like skinless, but it turns out I like the texture of the skin on better.
Other places had other fillings like chocolate and custard. There was also a place that sold deep fried momiji manju on a stick, which my sister and BIL tried.
Hello Kitty Momiji Manju!
Next we took the ropeway up Mt. Misen. We bought a one way ticket and planned to hike down.
Whaddayouknow? Another pictorial map!
I had read there were wild monkeys at the top of the mountain. These signs would certainly indicate that is the case.
And my personal favorite:
However, no monkeys were to be seen :( There was a nice view of the Seto Inland Sea, however.
We started the trek down and realized maybe it wasn't such a good idea to do the one way trip. I especially felt bad for K, who had j on his back! Fortunately, it was not a hot day. After tons of stairs (some of which were a bit treacherous), we finally made it down the mountain. Someone told us it would take about an hour, and I think that was about how long it took!
j was a trooper!
Having worked up a good appetite, we were ready for lunch. We found a place serving Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, so we thought we should give it a try.
Here is the front window display complete with a diagram and felt model. Love it!
Unlike regular okonomiyaki, which has all of the ingredients all mixed up, Hiroshima-style is carefully cooked in layers. It takes some skillz!
The final result was delicious, all the more so because we were so hungry. We split two among the four of us.
I also appreciated that they didn't cover it in kewpie mayo as I have had on previous occasions. I think we have a new food truck concept!
After we finished, we saw a place selling Hiroshima buns right across the way, so we gave them a try too. Beef or conger eel? Beef, please.
These were very hot, temperature-wise. I imagine they would be really good on a cold winter day.
To top it all off...one green tea soft serve. D really liked this one.
Finally, we saw the world's largest rice paddle:
Impressive.
I think we returned back to my sister's place around 3 p.m. My sister and I then headed back out for a brief visit to a nearby fabric store. (Very exciting, about five floors of sewing/craft supplies). My BIL showed us his Japanese cooking by making beef-rice bowls for dinner. Yum. Also, we learned that Lawson's (a popular convenience store chain) makes a mean tiramisu. Who knew? We briefly considered going out on the town after dinner, but decided to take it easy. This was probably our most relaxed day of the trip, and we needed it.
This place was cute. There was a tiny seating area, and they had free tea.
There were two choices, skin on and skinless bean filling. I thought I would like skinless, but it turns out I like the texture of the skin on better.
Other places had other fillings like chocolate and custard. There was also a place that sold deep fried momiji manju on a stick, which my sister and BIL tried.
Hello Kitty Momiji Manju!
Next we took the ropeway up Mt. Misen. We bought a one way ticket and planned to hike down.
Whaddayouknow? Another pictorial map!
I had read there were wild monkeys at the top of the mountain. These signs would certainly indicate that is the case.
And my personal favorite:
However, no monkeys were to be seen :( There was a nice view of the Seto Inland Sea, however.
We started the trek down and realized maybe it wasn't such a good idea to do the one way trip. I especially felt bad for K, who had j on his back! Fortunately, it was not a hot day. After tons of stairs (some of which were a bit treacherous), we finally made it down the mountain. Someone told us it would take about an hour, and I think that was about how long it took!
j was a trooper!
Having worked up a good appetite, we were ready for lunch. We found a place serving Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, so we thought we should give it a try.
Here is the front window display complete with a diagram and felt model. Love it!
Unlike regular okonomiyaki, which has all of the ingredients all mixed up, Hiroshima-style is carefully cooked in layers. It takes some skillz!
The final result was delicious, all the more so because we were so hungry. We split two among the four of us.
I also appreciated that they didn't cover it in kewpie mayo as I have had on previous occasions. I think we have a new food truck concept!
After we finished, we saw a place selling Hiroshima buns right across the way, so we gave them a try too. Beef or conger eel? Beef, please.
These were very hot, temperature-wise. I imagine they would be really good on a cold winter day.
To top it all off...one green tea soft serve. D really liked this one.
Finally, we saw the world's largest rice paddle:
Impressive.
I think we returned back to my sister's place around 3 p.m. My sister and I then headed back out for a brief visit to a nearby fabric store. (Very exciting, about five floors of sewing/craft supplies). My BIL showed us his Japanese cooking by making beef-rice bowls for dinner. Yum. Also, we learned that Lawson's (a popular convenience store chain) makes a mean tiramisu. Who knew? We briefly considered going out on the town after dinner, but decided to take it easy. This was probably our most relaxed day of the trip, and we needed it.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Miyajima Island: Part I
During our second full day in Hiroshima we went to Miyajima Island. It was about a half hour train ride and 10 minute boat ride.
Getting ready for our trip.
Walking to the train station. There were tons of people riding bikes and walking around. Makes you realize why people in Japan are not overweight, on the whole.
Saying goodbye to the mainland.
Me and my sis
It was a nice day
A bit windy on the boat, though
The "floating" Otorii greets you upon your arrival.
There's lots of free-roaming deer to greet you as well.
D loves pictorial maps:
Pagoda
House of 1000 Tatami Mats that I think we paid 100 yen to enter (approx. $1.20)
Turns out there was not actually 1000 tatami mats, but that it was the size of 1000 tatami mats.
Nice view, though.
They provide green rubber clogs for you to wear inside.
Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
There was a ceremony going on inside
D spotted a crab outside
We walked around the shore to get a better view of the Otorii gate
D in deep contemplation
My sister does a better job of talking about the historical/cultural facts in her blog (and they have better pictures, with their fancy camera, too). You can read her take on this part of our trip here.
Getting ready for our trip.
Walking to the train station. There were tons of people riding bikes and walking around. Makes you realize why people in Japan are not overweight, on the whole.
Saying goodbye to the mainland.
Me and my sis
It was a nice day
A bit windy on the boat, though
The "floating" Otorii greets you upon your arrival.
There's lots of free-roaming deer to greet you as well.
D loves pictorial maps:
Pagoda
House of 1000 Tatami Mats that I think we paid 100 yen to enter (approx. $1.20)
Turns out there was not actually 1000 tatami mats, but that it was the size of 1000 tatami mats.
Nice view, though.
They provide green rubber clogs for you to wear inside.
Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
There was a ceremony going on inside
D spotted a crab outside
We walked around the shore to get a better view of the Otorii gate
D in deep contemplation
My sister does a better job of talking about the historical/cultural facts in her blog (and they have better pictures, with their fancy camera, too). You can read her take on this part of our trip here.
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