Shokuji
Alright, time to talk about food! I've already shown you some, like the Takoyaki and McDonalds, but of course, there's a hell lot more to that.
Before anything else, all of them taste good. So good. I love Japanese food to begin with, so this is just heaven for me. Let's just get that out of the way. I've also only had one sushi (literally one piece of sushi) since I got here. Why? Just look at the pics of this post. Also, the conversion rate I am using is 1 USD = 120 Yen. And so...
The Akai Ramen 
~5.50 USD
I remember when I used to watch a show called Oh Tokyo and in one of the episodes, the host was eating Akai Ramen (akai means red) so I finally got to try it! They mix something with the regular Shoyu to make it sweeter but more spicy. This one is from a ramen restaurant nerby. However, they also sell it here in campus. This is a typical meal (along with curry or some donburi) and you can get it for as cheap as ~3.00 USD.
Ambasa 
~0.90 USD
The reason I put this even though it's technically not a meal is because I finally found my favorite soda. Of course, after denouncing coke and any of its manifestations in my life, this is an exception. The taste is really simple: it's a like a Yakult soda. For those who don't know what Yakult is, shame on you. But if I really want to stick with no soda, we also have Bikkle. They're large Yakult drinks. These are easier to find, hence the picture.
Curry Rice 
~5.00 USD (but the one in school costs about 2.50USD)
This one is from an American restaurant that Keiko showed us, so obviously we paid more. But usually, we just have the basic potato, curry sauce and some vegetables and rice srved on a bowl. I was surprised how common these are here.
Mimoji 
~1.00 USD
These are the fried ones, but they usually pack it in boxes. They're not too sweet and come with different fillings. A nice way to end a meal while walking around Miyajima!
Okonomiyaki 
~5.00 USD
The simplest way to describe it is the Japanese burrito, but better. It has egg, noodles, vegetables, dried squid, bacon, sauce, onion leaves and whatever secret ingridient that they put it there. You can also add extra topping of your choice like shrimp. In my case, I had it with diced octopus. Here is a guy making one and me, eating it teppan at an Okonomiyaki place owned by Ronald Sensei's friend.
Currently still my favorite Japanese dish.
Traditional Japanese Set
~free? (it was paid for by the program - hehe)
If you think the serving is little, you are wrong my dear friend. This thing filled me up with every bite from different assortment of traditional Japanese delicacies. Pickled everything, anchovies, unagi, sashimi, tempura, custard egg and I think that other one was pickled tuna. The meal ended with a nice hot oolong tea.
Shabu-Shabu + more...
~free c/o Nakamoto-san
See that? That is why I will go crazy if I post one more picture. Oh my god, you do not even know. This is at the Nakamoto's and I guess they went crazy with the food! Full on Japanese style. Shabu-Shabu is the main thing (it's where you cook the raw meat by putting it in seasoned boiling water) but there is also the super rice (I call it super rice because I don't know the name, it has shrimp, vegetables, fish eggs, sea weed, egg strips.. a meal in itself), sushi, Japanese spring rolls, fried shrip, gyoza, tamago rolls and a really really soft steamed meat that melts in your mouth.
The one on the lower left is the super rice. Can I say heaven?
With that, I am really hungry as some of you probably are too. I will now sign off and get me some dinner. Hope you enjoyed! Later, everyone!
