Simple Japanese Cooking

One of my friends asked me to share easy Japanese cooking, so here it is! I have bought all of these in Asian markets in the States. They will look exactly like these, but will have names written in English. I have bought at Mitsuwa (Japanese), 99 Ranch (Chinese), and H-Mart (Korean) markets. There should be directions in English, but I will give you a brief overview. 

***Be sure to read the directions on the packaging with regards to measurements and cook times. I am in no way a professional cook and do not intend this to be your only source of directions. ***

Yaki Soba - a savory noodle dish, often eaten at festivals. Can be found in the refrigerator section, one bag (three noodle and three powdered sauce packets makes 3 - 4 servings.

You will need: 

-The above noodle and sauce packets from Maruchan

-2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or cut of your choice) - cubed

-1/4-1/2 head of cabbage - chopped

-2 or 3 large carrots cut into coins 

-any other vegetables you like!

Directions:

1. Brown chicken, set aside.

2. While chicken is cooking, steam or boil vegetables, set aside.

3. In a pan, put some water and noodles. Heat to loosen. 

4. When noodles are loose, add chicken, veggies, and sauce packets. Toss to coat. Enjoy!!!

Japanese Style Curry - one box makes 10 servings. It's a very common dish in Japan. Found in the sauces aisle, with other boxed sauces (including Hayashi Rice). It can be bought in varying spice levels. The one pictured is what a boy, a medium spice level. 

What you will need:

-The above S&B curry sauce box

-2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or cut of your choice) - cubed

-2 or 3 large potatoes - cubed

-2 or 3 large carrots cut into coins

-2 or 3 onions - diced 

-any other veggie of your choice

- rice, Japanese people use short grain rice, but medium CalRose was my go -to in the States

Directions:

1. Prepare rice in cooker or on stove top.

2. Brown chicken.

3. While chicken is cooking, boil vegetables.

4. Drain veggies and combine with chicken in a large pot. Measure water according to directions on box, as this will make the sauce. 

5. Follow directions on box with regards to when to add sauce cubes, and let simmer for time indicated on the box. 

6. Serve with (or on!) rice. Enjoy!!! 

Hayashi Rice - one box makes 8 servings. Comfort food in Japan, it is a brown gravy with meat and veggies. Found in the sauces aisle, with other boxed sauces (including curry).

What you will need: 

-The above S&B Hayashi Rice sauce box

-2 or 3 onions - diced

-thinly sliced beef, cut into bite sized pieces

-sliced mushrooms, or other desired veggies (optional)

- rice, Japanese people use short grain rice, but medium grain CalRose was my go - to in the States

Directions: 

1. Prepare rice in cooker or on stove top.

2. Separately Brown meat and onions.

3. When both are cooked through, combine and add amount of water indicated on the box. Let simmer to thicken. 

4. Serve with (or on!) rice. Enjoy!!!

Let me know if you decide to try any of these and how you liked it!!!

Bicycle Culture

Riding a bicycle in Japan is a perfectly normal, everyday occurrence in Japan.  It's NOT just for leisure time or sport as it is in the States.  Almost everyone rides a bicycle from young to old, from business men to students, and even families!  

This is one of my favorite photos from last fall. This lady was walking her bike as she viewed the Spider Lilies.  

This was from last spring, in a park.

This was also last spring, of a tiny child on a balance bike.

It is not uncommon at all to see business men riding bikes to the train station.  Women also ride bikes in dresses and skirts. My question is: How to do they keep from getting too sweaty?!

Features you may not find on bikes in the States: 

A light that is built in and powered by the turning of the wheel.

A built in lock that t simply stops the rear wheel from turning. No one is worried about the man with a truck coming around and tossing their bike in the bed. 

Built in bell. I don't think most adult bikes have them in the States.

A kickstand that goes under the back tire and isn't as easily broke off as the single post kind.

A lock for the kickstand so your bike doesn't accidentally fall if it gets bumped.

Of course, mom (or dad) have responsibilities of taking care of their children, so they can't ride alone! It's not uncommon to see these bike seats, children even in the front and the back at the same time!

Since bike riding is so common place, certain features are available that I have never seen in the States. This is an apartment building with bike parking out front, as well as a ramp to make getting it there easy.

Bike ramps can be found on hills that include stairs.

Bike ramps are also quite common on street overpasses. 

I always walk my bike down these, but I think some people ride down! I'm too scared!!!  Many overpasses have cones to block bikes from doing this.

Bike parking is a common sight.  Many places have bike parking, even covered bike parking (for rain/snow and sun protection).

This is my local supa (grocery store) bike parking. Several times a week I ride my bike here as it probably takes only one minute on the bike to get here.  It's all downhill!!!

This is my bike laden with the day's haul.  I always put the heaviest things in the back as it makes the handlebars too hard to keep straight with heavy items in the front basket. 

 

Two level bike parking!

This is a photo of how to get your bike up to the second level.  Space in Japan is at a premium.

When I go to the station by myself to use the subway, many times I will take my bike to go faster.  Many stores you can park for free in front of, but for longer than an hour or so, it is safer to pay a nominal fee (near me is is 100 - with today's exchange rate, that's $0.67) so your bike doesn't get impounded. Peace of mind = worth it!

This is my bike parked at one of the local stations.

You have to pay attention to the number on the yellow spot you parked, that is how you will pay.

Here is the pay station at my local subway entrance.  You type the number of the stall you parked in and then pay. This machine has the option to pay with the same card as you do the train (IC card).

Sometimes parking can be SUPER TIGHT! It's possible to get your bike in there, but I don't want to do it.

Some bike parking will even tell you if it is is full or not (like a parking garage!) The green kanji right under the tree is telling you that parking is not full.



This is another two story bike parking. I have never used it. I believe you can even buy monthly parking here.

This is another public parking; this one takes coins only. 

Here are the instructions on how to use this system. You take the lock and lace it through your bike and insert it into the box. When you are ready to go, you pay your fee and push the button to release the lock. One time this parking was almost full and someone had LOCKE THE LAST ONE WITHOUT A BIKE, so I had to pay BEFORE AND AFTER using it! 

This is our local bicycle retention facility, what I like to refer to as "bike jail." Every bicycle should have registration, so it should be possible to get your bike back, but it seems many bikes just go here to die.

The last thing is actually riding your bike. Believe it or not, it can be confusing at first. 

On major streets, many times there will be clearly marked sides - for pedestrians and bikes. 

On smaller streets, this is a common sight. However, I have been told that you will never be ticketed for riding your bike on the sidewalk, even if these signs are present.  Thus, the confusion!!!!

What do you think? Would you give bicycle life a try in Japan? Is riding a bicycle common where you live?

Grocery shopping just got more high tech!

Our local grocery store got a faster way to check out!

First, pick up a device here. The colorful katakana says "rejigo," (pronounced ray-gee-go). Reji is short for register and go means go. 

Next, pick up a cart with a special device holder.

Select the language in the bottom right corner (only English and Japanese available).

We put our shopping bag straight in the cart, then we pack it as we go. 

Push the blue "scan" button, then scan the item. 

You can change the quantity of each item, so you don't have to scan something 2 or more times. Push the pink arrow next to the number, then you can change it. 

For loose produce, you click "items without barcodes." 

Then choose from a list with pictures and prices, which can be seen behind the quantity in the picture below. Then tap the quantity. 

To check out, follow the footprints with the colorful rejigo. 

Click the yen (¥) symbol that says "payment."

Then scan the checkout QR code.

It then will tell you which register to go to. 

When you are done making payment, this comes up on the screen. 

Scan it next to where you turn in the device. Then take out the bag and you're ready to hit the road!! 

What do you think? Is it more of less convenient than shopping methods you have used in your countries?

Clothes Shopping in Japan

Clothes shopping in Japan can be very difficult.  As a foreigner at 176.5 cm (5' 9.5"), I have a difficult time finding clothes long enough or big enough (I HAVE HIPS) to purchase in Japan.  I have had luck, however, at Uniqlo.  

NOTE: I have NOT shopped in store (or online) at Uniqlo in the States, so please let me know if something is the same there that I don't know about.  

Trying on clothes in Japan is a little bit different than the States.  

The same: 

1. Inside there is a row of fitting rooms

2. They want to know how many pieces of clothing you want to try on (you get a number) 

3.You go into your own cubicle to try the clothes on  

Different: 

1. There is only one fitting room, so men and women use the same one.  

2. There is a slightly raised platform in the cubicle and you have to remove your shoes before you stand on it, as if you were going into someone's home. It makes perfect sense.  It keeps that area where people are in their socks cleaner.  Those same socks will be touching their floor at home later that day when they leave.  

3. I went to try on a dress (yay for dresses that are supposed to be long on Japanese women!) and they gave me this: a face covering. On one hand it makes perfect sense: many women wear make up and I have seen foundation on clothes that I have wished to try on in the States and I have been grossed out.  On the other hand, I felt ridiculous! 😂

4.  This is where I don't know if Uniqlo in the States uses this technology for check out; if they do, that's awesome!  If they don't, then here's a little video.  I checked out in less than a minute.  It might have been even faster if I had their app (I should probably download it, since it seems to be my go-to store for clothes now). 

My basket of clothes.  This was filmed in winter, thus the jacket.  

SIDE NOTE: In the States, fire extinguishers are in glass boxes mounted on a wall.  In Japan, they are just sitting around in stores, sometimes not even in a holder like this one.  Why do you think this is different?  In the States it seems that there is a smaller degree of trust in individual people and so I would assume that they are behind glass so that no one uses them at the wrong time.  But in Japan trust seems to be put more in people, like people leave their shopping carts in a parking area after paying for things at Costco and waiting in line to buy food,  AND NO ONE TOUCHES ANYTHING. They also leave crane toy prizes ON TOP of the machines NOT LOCKED UP and NO ONE TOUCHES ANYTHING.  Any ideas as to what the difference is?  It's got to be cultural and perhaps based on the individualism in the States versus doing things for society as a whole in Japan.  

So what do you think of clothes shopping in Japan? Do you think the differences make for a better experience? Let me know!