Travelling to Japan has made me big old tofu snob. That white glue they pass off as tofu in the US sucks!
Both Tom and I adore the Inari here (usually sold as sushi in the US, its a rice ball wrapped in the thin sheet of fried fresh tofu). We've tried inari back home and found it to be just plain gross...nothing compares to good, fresh sweet tofu. Nothing. I've not yet decided what to do about this exactly, but if anyone knows a good tofu maker in Minneapolis you must share!
Today we travelled up to Mount Koya - a sacred mountain village with nearly 100 temples and even more historic tombs. It was quite scenic and the foggy day at times made me think we'd jumped into that classic game Myst. The rather dramatic cable car climb up the steep slopes for the last 5 minutes was not for the faint hearted or those who rather enjoy feeling securely attached to the ground. Unfortunately it rained and sprinkled all day so we saw most of the monuments by bus and quick darts in and out of the outdoor areas. We did manage to have a fantastic lunch of tempura and udon at a little restaurant we stumbled into after hearing the call of the plastic food in the window. They had teapots at the table with yummy Oolong tea (I'm also becoming a tea snob, but I think that's an easier fix to get with more tea shops than you can shake a stick at in the Twin Cities). Hot tea on a rainy mountain day has to be experienced to be understood - just trust me when I tell you it you it was a thing of beauty.
Tomorrow (Thursday) is our last day in Japan before we're off to Singapore.
PS. We love reading everyone's comments - keep 'em coming! I've also added a link to the full photo album off to the right. Kumbawa!
7 comments:
Now we're talking food!!! I'm having dinner at TGIFridays tonight. I hate you both.
Heh. Are you having an extreme fajita?
I know the feeling of tea snobbery. After living in Taiwan for four years, the stuff they server at Chinese restaurants here is mediocre at best.
Great pictures btw!
I'd eat it.
Gwen and Tom,
I've living through you! The pictures are wonderful! You are talented photographers.
I thoroughly enjoyed and laughed at your toilet story. When traveling outside the US, I now make it a point to take pictures of bathrooms and grocery stores. Sometimes it's the every day things that are fascinating too ... and good for laughs.
Keep on having fun!
Teri Goethel
We will need to go on a quest to find the best authentic japanese in Mpls when you get back...
I look forward to the challenge.
Tom - I'm going to need tea consultations when I get home :)
Adam - I slurped some Udon just for you!
Teri - Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Deb - You're ON!
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