The Vent and Rant Thread

[Stitchawl]

Rant mode: ON

Ethnic restaurants in Japan...
Italian restaurants should be called 'Pasta Shops.' Besides pizza, pasta is the only thing on the menu... and it's always spaghetti! Sure there are half a dozen different toppings; seafood, seaweed, seafood & seaweed, red stuff (possibly tomato based but I wouldn't swear to it,) red stuff with seafood, etc., etc. That same assortment is also available to top your pizza, along with corn niblets, sliced mini hot dogs, ham, peas...
Not saying that the tastes are bad, just that this is NOT what I think of when I want to go to an Italian restaurant. Where is lasagna? Where is the Veal Parmigiana, where are the risottos, where is the Osso buco? How about some Scampi? No! Just spaghetti or pizza!

Today we went to a new Thai restaurant in town. There were only three Thai dishes; Green curry, Pad Thai, and Tom Yum Kung! All the other dishes were basically Japanese!
I really was in the mood for Tom Ka Gai. My wife was envisioning a Som Tam and Larbgai. Not to be had at this 'Thai' restaurant...

Thank God I can cook!

Rant mode: off



Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Rant mode: ON

Ethnic restaurants in Japan...
Italian restaurants should be called 'Pasta Shops.' Besides pizza, pasta is the only thing on the menu... and it's always spaghetti! Sure there are half a dozen different toppings; seafood, seaweed, seafood & seaweed, red stuff (possibly tomato based but I wouldn't swear to it,) red stuff with seafood, etc., etc. That same assortment is also available to top your pizza, along with corn niblets, sliced mini hot dogs, ham, peas...
Not saying that the tastes are bad, just that this is NOT what I think of when I want to go to an Italian restaurant. Where is lasagna? Where is the Veal Parmigiana, where are the risottos, where is the Osso buco? How about some Scampi? No! Just spaghetti or pizza!

Today we went to a new Thai restaurant in town. There were only three Thai dishes; Green curry, Pad Thai, and Tom Yum Kung! All the other dishes were basically Japanese!
I really was in the mood for Tom Ka Gai. My wife was envisioning a Som Tam and Larbgai. Not to be had at this 'Thai' restaurant...

Thank God I can cook!

Rant mode: off



Stitchawl

haha! that reminds me of trying to eat at Chinese restaurants in Germany. everything came covered with a weird sweet tomato based sauce. that made me into a really good (compared to most Americans) Chinese cook. Mexican restaurants were just pathetic but that was pretty much my native cuisine so I could handle that

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

haha! that reminds me of trying to eat at Chinese restaurants in Germany. everything came covered with a weird sweet tomato based sauce. that made me into a really good (compared to most Americans) Chinese cook. Mexican restaurants were just pathetic but that was pretty much my native cuisine so I could handle that

Oddly enough, the very best Mexican restaurant that I've ever eaten in is right here in my neighborhood. The Chef is Mexican and his wife Japanese. Their menu is 98% Mexican, with just a couple of dishes to cater to patrons afraid to try new things. I've never had better Mexican food anywhere in the world, with a variety wide enough to satisfy even me! Of course that doesn't stop me from trying to produce the same tastes in my own kitchen; to date I haven't come even close!

Stitchawl

[wannabee]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Rant mode: ON

Ethnic restaurants in Japan...
. . . . . .

Today we went to a new Thai restaurant in town. There were only three Thai dishes; . . . . .

Thank God I can cook!

Rant mode: off



Stitchawl

All the restaurants over here have their menus on display in the front windows or on little pedestals so you can see what you are getting yourself into. I avoid the ones with no prices. Basically, if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by wannabee

All the restaurants over here have their menus on display in the front windows or on little pedestals so you can see what you are getting yourself into.

Some (but only a few) do that here too. However, almost all the 'Japanese' restaurants have their front windows as a display of the dishes they serve. The displays are plastic replicas of the real food, and the better one look completely real! These replicas cost a small fortune so many of the smaller places opt for a cheaper, not so realistic, display. (For example, a single piece of top quality realistic sushi might cost $50!)



It makes it very easy for foreigners who can't speak the language... You can just bring the waitress out to the window and point! As a side benefit, you can avoid the restaurants that only serve spaghetti and pizza!

Stitchawl

[wannabee]

That would've helped the bloke who wanted a steak and mushrooms in Spain. He didn't speak the language and asked the waiter for a pen and paper. After studying the blokes instructions the waiter brought the guy an umbrella and tickets to the bull fights.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by wannabee

That would've helped the bloke who wanted a steak and mushrooms in Spain. He didn't speak the language and asked the waiter for a pen and paper. After studying the blokes instructions the waiter brought the guy an umbrella and tickets to the bull fights.

One of the nicest features of my iPhone is the 'Image' look-up. Instead of drawing pictures, I can now instantly have a picture of just what I'm trying to convey to a shop keeper almost anywhere in the world. It saves me from being in the same situation as your steak and mushroom guy... again.


Stitchawl

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Rant mode: ON

Ethnic restaurants in Japan...
Italian restaurants should be called 'Pasta Shops.' Besides pizza, pasta is the only thing on the menu... and it's always spaghetti! Sure there are half a dozen different toppings; seafood, seaweed, seafood & seaweed, red stuff (possibly tomato based but I wouldn't swear to it,) red stuff with seafood, etc., etc. That same assortment is also available to top your pizza, along with corn niblets, sliced mini hot dogs, ham, peas...
Not saying that the tastes are bad, just that this is NOT what I think of when I want to go to an Italian restaurant. Where is lasagna? Where is the Veal Parmigiana, where are the risottos, where is the Osso buco? How about some Scampi? No! Just spaghetti or pizza!

Today we went to a new Thai restaurant in town. There were only three Thai dishes; Green curry, Pad Thai, and Tom Yum Kung! All the other dishes were basically Japanese!
I really was in the mood for Tom Ka Gai. My wife was envisioning a Som Tam and Larbgai. Not to be had at this 'Thai' restaurant...

Thank God I can cook!

Rant mode: off



Stitchawl

Bringing it all together, I once ate at a chinese restaurant in Yokosuka, the facilities were unisex and consisted of a room with some holes in the floor.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by wodin

Bringing it all together, I once ate at a chinese restaurant in Yokosuka, the facilities were unisex and consisted of a room with some holes in the floor.

That was pretty much the norm when I moved to Japan. It took me a while to be able to stand at a urinal while the mop lady sloshed water all over my shoes... to say nothing of having a gaggle of co-eds doing their make-up at the sinks! Fortunately for my bladder, these days it's rare to find co-ed toilets. There ARE still quite a few rural co-ed public baths and co-ed hot springs resorts, and according to the advertising photos, they are frequented by beautiful young women. Unfortunately, when ever I've been in them, the youngest woman has been about 127... I don't mind the co-ed part of it, but these places are social gathering spots for folks to hang out (no pun intended) and gossip. And there is no better subject for gossip than a Foreigner showing up in the bath tub! And I don't even mind THAT part of it... It's when a group of little old ladies begin trying to see around my uni-sex modesty towel (about the size of a Kleenex and held somewhat in front of you) and giggling hysterically that I get a bit frazzled... Cross-cultural living has its moments...


Stitchawl

[Freeshadow]

you could just say: has it been so long ago, that you all have forgotten how these parts look like?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

you could just say: has it been so long ago, that you all have forgotten how these parts look like?

I tried that once... The reply I got was something along the lines of 'no, we were told that Westerners are built 'bigger. But you're not.' I never said anything again...

It's still common for me to be the first Foreigner rural folks ever see, especially older folks, as I travel around the back roads on my bike. For some it's a treat. For others it's a bit awkward. And still others are frightened. I'm big and have a full face beard, neither of which is at all common in Japan. In my riding clothes and helmet I look like a cross between Mad Max and Terminator. They are not sure how they are supposed to behave. One of the most common comments I hear is at restaurants, and the people at the next table are VERY surprised that I can use chopsticks... Even my sister-in-law said the same thing when I first had dinner at her house. And she was very worried that I wouldn't be able to eat the same foods. Japan really had been isolated for a very long time. TV, Movies, and the Internet are changing that more rapidly than Japan can deal with.

Stitchawl

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

One of the most common comments I hear is at restaurants, and the people at the next table are VERY surprised that I can use chopsticks... Even my sister-in-law said the same thing when I first had dinner at her house. And she was very worried that I wouldn't be able to eat the same foods. Japan really had been isolated for a very long time. TV, Movies, and the Internet are changing that more rapidly than Japan can deal with.

Stitchawl

LOL I went for dim sum Sunday morning with my nephew. It's very crowded on weekends, probably about 80% Asian family groups. When we were seated the hostess put forks on our table alongside our chopsticks. We joked about whether or not we should be insulted, but really, I'm not too proud to use a fork to cut a particularly intractable or slippery dumpling in half before trying to get it to my mouth with chopsticks.

Sunday morning dim sum is one of my favorite dining out experiences. I love the food, I love choosing from the carts, and I love the whole atmosphere. It's definitely more fun in a larger group, but I enjoyed it even with just two of us.

[Freeshadow]

Stitch: Haven't tought about that, but you're right. There are enough rural corners in Europe which never have seen an Asian.

On chopsticks: I learned how to use them out of curiosity, but since the so called 'asian' restaurants in germany don't serve the rice cooked sticky it's rather pointless to ask for them.

your appearance: have you ever considered to sculpt some kind of japanese demon-mask (of course soft: foam and latex) onyour helmet? could be funny

[WT Sharpe]

Reminds me of a question I've wanted to ask Stitch: Have you ever made your own leather stamps?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

LOL I went for dim sum Sunday morning with my nephew. It's very crowded on weekends, probably about 80% Asian family groups. When we were seated the hostess put forks on our table alongside our chopsticks. We joked about whether or not we should be insulted, but really, I'm not too proud to use a fork to cut a particularly intractable or slippery dumpling in half before trying to get it to my mouth with chopsticks.

My second day in Japan (these many year ago) my host (who spoke no English and I spoke no Japanese) brought me to a cafeteria restaurant. I chose a dish from the plastic displays that looked like something I might actually eat. (It turned out to be Curry Rice - white rice with a brown curry 'gluey' sauce with a few chunks of beef and potato.) My host offered me a spoon, which I refused, instead pointing to the chopsticks. He tried again to give me the spoon, and again I refused. He tried once again, shaking his head, but again I insisted that I could use chopsticks, and he relented... It turns out that for this dish, EVERYONE in Japan uses a spoon, NEVER chopsticks!

Sunday morning dim sum is one of my favorite dining out experiences. I love the food, I love choosing from the carts, and I love the whole atmosphere. It's definitely more fun in a larger group, but I enjoyed it even with just two of us.

I'm jealous! There are no 'cart served' dim sum places in Japan. If you want them, you can order from a VERY limited menu. It's one of my favorite breakfasts when we travel to S'pore or Hong Kong!

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

your appearance: have you ever considered to sculpt some kind of japanese demon-mask (of course soft: foam and latex) onyour helmet? could be funny

There are several really neat demons in Japanese mythology to choose from, and I think it would be pretty funny too. Unfortunately, humor does NOT cross cultural boundaries, and the Japanese would simply wonder why I did it...

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Reminds me of a question I've wanted to ask Stitch: Have you ever made your own leather stamps?

Yes... but the post office wouldn't accept them...

I have made 2-3 but not the sort that you hammer into the leather. After casing the leather I'll place the stamp into position and then use a clamp to press it in. I find the leather needs to be really well cased for this to work. If it's still too firm the stamping is not well defined. I have seen quite a few home-made stamps that people have made, using a Dremel and either steel, wood, or Delrin for the stamp.


Stitchawl