A taste of Japan?

So, you want a taste of Japan? Obviously, you can't say yes if you live there. Also, I realize that some of the things that will pop up in this thread are not...authentic. But it's the best we can get short of traveling there. [I will, one day]

So, you've got your ramen, your yakisoba, your gari and sushi. You've got your pocky, your kiwi flavored gummies [I love those], your Hapi snack mix - I eat that like Tony Montana snorts coke. You've probably been to a Japanese restaurant, did they put the raw egg on top?

What else is there?

Here's my contribution. If you're old enough - AND ONLY IF YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH - go down to the local liquor store. If your town has an asian population, chances are there's some Sake there, it will be in with the wine. I have not found it in TX, but I have not looked. I got it in Binghamton, NY, though. You may be able to order some online, depending on your local laws. Try it if you haven't, it's certainly unique. And go read up on how to drink it, I'm not doing your homework for you.

Done that?

Go to your local beer store -might be your grocer, might be a specialty shop depending on your state...and pick up a six pack of Sapporo, which is Japanese imported beer, made with RICE. It's tasty, in my opinion.

Again, you should only take my alcohol advice if you are old enough to do so in your state or country. Always drink responsibly.

What do you recommend?

Um, go to Japantown? Hit up the Cherry Blossom Festival when they have it..


We have a Japanese Tea Garden. But I haven't been there since Elementry School.

as a proud weeaboo i want all of these things.........but im so poor :(

I never got to check out Japantown when I was in SF, but I'm sure I'll go back to visit. Amarillo isn't big enough for any enclaves like that, but I believe there is an asian population on the eastern side of town. I'll have to check the stores over there for some of these sorts of things.

A lot of the snacks aren't too expensive and your grocery store will have them. Expect to pay $8 for the beer, and about $20 for the sake.

We have 100 Yen stores here and everything there is 100 yen. They sell udon, some japanese spices, containers, even mascaras~ yay.
There's the restaurants called Matsuya and Yoshinoya where you don't have to encounter Japanese waiters if you don't speak Japanese. Just go ahead to the vending machine and choose your meal. A ticket will come out and that's your order and your bill.

I'll keep an eye out for those when I get to visit Japan. I don't care to stay in expensive hotels, and I won't spend every meal in an expensive restaurant. I just want to sleep and explore when I travel. All I need is a bed, a bathroom, and WiFi is nice but not required. I don't mind spending money on a good meal, though. I'll have more money to see stuff if I don't.

In Japan, are there Japanese restaurants? I'm never going to order a pizza when I'm in another country. Heck, I rarely ate American food in SF. I was always looking for new things to try.

Wait, what?

On a forum where you're not even allowed to post a series of asterisks because it could imply a curse word, you're advocating that members go out and drink sake and Sapporo bear? How exactly is that a contribution to anything?
There's really no discussion here...

Well SF's Japantown pales in comparison to it's Chinatown. It's an ok place to go. I used to go there a lot more often when there was a bowling alley there. Now a days I seem to go mainly for late night Korean food or karaoke.

I've never found that the Japanese beers were too expensive. Not anymore really than something like Heineken. I prefer Kirin out of all the Japanese beers though.

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Originally Posted by revile

In Japan, are there Japanese restaurants? I'm never going to order a pizza when I'm in another country. Heck, I rarely ate American food in SF. I was always looking for new things to try.

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I'd try pizza in Japan. Just because of the different toppings that they'd do. Like mayonaise, seaweed, octopus, etc. that you wouldn't find on pizza in the states.

I've never been to Japan, but I've been to parts of Europe and S. Korea. And you know. Going to McDonalds was kind of cool. They have different menu items in the different countries and it was kind of fun to try the Bulgogi burger when I was in Seoul.

I rarely eat American food when I go out and I've lived in SF my whole life. With the exception of a burger or pizza as the "American" food I'll get I usually end up with some form of Asian food or something from a Taqueria.

Sure there is. It's a food and drink thread. There's no profanity here, and I specifically stated that I don't recommend such behavior to minors. And I don't recall any rules against this topic. Alcohol is a part of daily life in many countries across the globe, and is perfectly safe when taken in responsibly and legally.

Don't like it? I'm sorry. Report it to the mods, or just don't look.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wio

Wait, what?

On a forum where you're not even allowed to post a series of asterisks because it could imply a curse word, you're advocating that members go out and drink sake and Sapporo bear? How exactly is that a contribution to anything?
There's really no discussion here...

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Edited to Add @RF Switch I was meaning that I wouldn't go expecting pepperoni pizza or an American style Big Mac. Unique takes on those staples would be interesting. I like seaweed.