Packets in Japanese Food

Just a friendly word of advice,  often in Japanese food like, onori (seaweed), there is a little packet that contains a dry powdery or grainy substance that is often in a gray or white packet that is used to keep the food dry.  This packet is not food and should not be opened or eaten.

When you eat Japanese noodles, the packages often contain a packet of dry seasoning that you open and put on noodles that have been boiled in water and the seasoning creates the noodle broth.

Well, one day, a relative of mine told me that a person, who shall remain nameless, ate a bowl of noodles but commented that the seasoning tasted a little weird. Well, my relative realized that the "person" put one of the packets used to keep food dry on the noodles. So my relative got excited and called poison control and was told it was okay, but that you really are not supposed to eat that stuff!  Just so you know...

Slurp Noodles!!!

I couldn't believe it when I was told you can loudly slurp noodles when you eat them in Japan.  In fact, the louder you slurp the better, since the slurping means you think the noodles are absolutely delicious.  Next time you eat a bowl of Japanese noodles slurp away, it is a compliment.

Don't Pour Your Own Drink in Japan

I think it is an interesting custom in Japan to never pour your own drink if you are sharing a bottle of sake or tea when out eating with friends or family.  It is considered very rude.  If you want more to drink, like Sake for example, you ask those with only a little Sake in their cup, if they would like more and they, in turn, should then check to see if you would like more. It is a roundabout way to get what you want, but it does ensure you are looking out for others as well.

I went out to lunch with a friend at a Japanese restaurant the other day and I found myself pouring tea for myself and it felt weird for a moment, but then I remembered I was in the United States, phew!

Chocolate Omochi - Sweet Treat!

One of my favorite treats is freshly-made chocolate omochi. My cousin makes this at his store Fugetsu-Do.  The chocolate is so rich and creamy and the omochi (rice cake) is so soft.  I have yet to meet a person that didn't like it.  If you are a chocolate lover, you must try this!  I think it is so sweet that my cousin named this omochi after his son. He calls it "Korey's Mochi".