Cold Noodle - Hiyashi Chuka

Hiyashi-chuka is one of the most popular noodle dishes for summer in Japan. I can get the noodle with sauce (usually in soy vinegar flavor or sesame sauce) is available at major Japanese grocery store. Typically, you serve the noodle with egg, cucumber (julienne), ham. My version is with grilled shrimp or chicken, with the sauce spiced up with hot sauce. Julienne cucumber is so refreshing.

Turkish BBQ

For me in my little 2nd floor apartment, the only option to BBQ is at the firescape by the kitchen window. I’m always scared of the flame outside of window, fanatically worried neighbors might call fire department.

We were invited to their biennial BBQ party. They have a beautiful, spacious terrace to accommodate group of guests. The host friend’s mother prepared super yummy side dishes – cabbage salad, ratatouille -ish roasted veggies, couscous-looking thing, and the host friend grilled 30lb lack of lamb. My favorite was the cabbage salad. I like his BBQ because there’ s always a good selection of side dishes—unlike typical American BBQ which involves little cooking... We brought bacon-wrapped asparagus (roll fresh asparagus and so easy, perfect to grill), which successfully sold out.

Utagawa: Japanese Woodblock Print

Not to miss, I went to see the exhibition of Japanese woodblock print at Brooklyn Museum. I always liked the Japanese print, specifically Ukiyo-e, for its subtle yet beautiful color scheme. I find resemblance in color pallet between kimono and west African and Indian textile, which I also adore. That makes me wonder where old Japanese people picked up such design taste? My guess is our fruitful four-season culture and the color indigenous nature of the island offers.

Each of Utagawa family has his own characteristic. A collaboration of two artists was also common where one artist did figures and another did the landscape. My favorite was the ones done by indigo. It's simply amazing how tiny details are clearly printed by one color, of course in different shades. Interesting, too, to see the difference in Japanese traditional indigo (Ai) and western indigo.

One of the work was created when the artist was over 70 years old; completion in details is almost the work of craftsman, rather than an artist.

Since I was there, I checked out MURAKAMI. I don't like it as 'art." What's interesting is (stealing my boyfriend's idea, which I agree) that he established the fact anything called art can be major influences in any other industry, including fashion and commercial. At the same time, its effective in many fields therefore makes me feel like denying its pure art. It's characters, anime, design, and phenomenon. Question of 'what's art' never gets answered, at least for me.

Russian & Turkish Bathhouse

After a week-long event at work, my body was feeling like 200lb... And I needed a serious massage, for which I would have needed to spend good $200. Plus, I don't like the idea of making an appointment to get a massage. I want to get is when I feel like it. So I tried something new: Turkish & Russian Bathhouse. It has been in business for over 100 years in now the Japanese mecca in Manhattan, East Village. Although the majority of clientele is male and I wouldn't go there alone, there are quite a few female guests and couples.

You walk in and put all your valuables in narrow tin can at the reception. The locker room is very small; obviously not a luxurious spa environment. They have shorts and robe for men; some girls were also wearing them. Towels are provided so are sandals. I changed in my bathing suit and now to the sauna. It's steamy and hot all over. You walk into sauna (different temperature), and when you can't take it, jump into the icy cold pool. This is PAINFULLY cold and cannot stay more than 1 second. When you get out the pool, the whole blood circulation starts to detox. Such a refreshing feeling.

In one of the rooms, Russian guys give Platza (Oak Leaf treatment). Basically, the guy hits your body with bunches of oak leaf. It's a bit rough and done among other guests. Some girls were making moaning noise when the guy lift their legs in like 90 degree, which kind of made me reluctant to try myself... They also have regular massage in a private room.

My body felt cleaner and lighter. It's only $30 and you can stay as long as you'd like.