Japan is really into seasons. From clothing to food, everything changes when the weather changes. Something I’ve had recently that will never go out of season in Japan (besides rice) is seafood! But not just any seafood. Fresh from the fish market with the ocean right across the street and behind a factory building.
I went out to Omika which is north of Mito to the Hitachi fish market. This fish market is pretty small but the size of the products were huge! My friends and I rented out a table and grill, bought food from the fish market, and grilled our own food. It’s 300 yen per person for the table charge and there were sets as well as individual items we could buy from the fish market. I think all together, I paid less than $20. Which, in America, it probably would have been $100.. maybe. It’s definitely something to do for the experience and to hangout with friends, but it’s not an every weekend type thing. The quality of the food is great but it takes a while to cook the food. I bought a combo plate which included 2 clams, 2 oysters, 2 scallops, and 2 shrimp thinking that they were going to be small like what the serve in restaurants. But these things were huge! I shared my combo plate and was still stuffed after. I swear, I will never be able to look at seafood the same back in America…. Japan, you have spoiled me.
Something else that’s really popular in Japan is yaki niku (grilled meat). It’s kinda Japan’s rendition of Korean BBQ just not as spicy. You order meat and cook it yourself and the table. Whenever I go out to eat, I’m most likely going to yaki niku. You can order all sorts of meats here, cow, chicken, pig, as well as vegetables. They offer different cuts and are seasoned with a soy sauce base or salt. I’m not sure what they are in English so sorry I can’t be any help with that.
For mine and my friend’s birthday, our Japanese teacher took us out to a yaki niku place. It was small and hidden so you know it was good. This man had every cut, and we were even able to try new stuff. We had regular meat, and a cow’s third and fourth stomach. I had to specify because they are very different in texture and in looks. They don’t taste bad, but they definitely have an interesting texture and they’re a bit chewy. I like to live by eat now, and ask later when trying new foods. So far, it’s worked out for me.
I’m trying to expand my horizon with food. Sadly, it’s pretty difficult with the whole gluten intolerance thing. They sneak it into everything here! It can be discouraging sometimes but there are times I’m grateful I can deny food because of the intolerance. ?
I have a series of long weekends coming up so hopefully I will be doing something fun to share with all of you!
