Japan 2007 - Food

After taking hundreds of pictures from our trip to my sweet-home Japan, I was a bit shocked that 80% is pics of food. Hope you can enjoy the taste through this blog... Vegetarians, please bare with my country.

How many times did we eat Ramen? My boyfriend loves ramen and he actually wanted to have ramen once a day. This picture is a place in Shibuya called Ichiran. It was good and you can customize the level of richness, spices, noodle texture and etc. In here, you sit on the count with each seat devided with a sparation and a bamboo curtain between customers and kitchen. Completely privacy. Perfect Ramen spot for salary men and ladies who don't like people to see her slurp.

Monja-yaki is a typical Tokyo food, particularly popular in Shitamachi area (old downtown Tokyo). You eat and cook yourself - that's the fun of it. On the iron pan, scoop all ingredients except the soup and cook a little. Then make a small bank in the middle of ingredients. Slowly pour soup from the bowl. Without letting the soup run over the bank, mix from inside slowly. When the soup starts to get thicken and browned, you scoop directly from the cooking pan with a little spatula. It's not visually appealing but the taste is GoooooD!

We had tons of yakitori at different places and this join in Kichijoji was arguably the best. Although, it's not really yaki-tori but yaki-buta. They serve pork organs. They are so fresh and liver sashimi is superb. It's not fancy but always get packed early in the evening. No server. You just tell the guy behind the counter what you want. I'd love to go back there. In new york, decent yaki-tori restaurants are way too expensive. This dish is supposed to be reasonable, casulal snack or quick bite.

Squid ichiya-boshi is a good snack with sake, beer and shochu. Usually, we broil the semi-dried squid lightly and have it with mayo. Though it's not raw, overnight drying process keeps the squid tender inside. My boyfriend finished thie whole squid by himself.

NYC Marathon 2007

I don't have any willpower to even try run more than a mile but I did get myself out on the street, in a flip-flop, to cheer the 2007 NYC marathon runners. Amazing, over 20,000 people ran such a long distance. Luckily, I only need to step outside of my apartment as we are right on Bedford Ave, one of the main course the crowd run along.

The top 3 Japanese runners were all above 40 yrs old. Unbelievable. Maybe someday, once in my lifetime, I should try this. But maybe not. I can't event think of walking all the way from the Island to the city. I will start with joinning a gym, I guess.

Hair Cut

My super hair stylist Shin-san has a cute, cozy salon in the E.V. All the drawings on the wall are works of his wife, Kimiko-san. When my appointment is not later in the day, we often spend the session with a glass of wine.

His cut last at least 3 months and easy to handle. Lazy Miko can't do fancy curl or blow dry in the morning. If you'd like a bit of fun with your hair, he's the man.

Bear Mountain Park

Not to miss the foliage, we hopped in a Zipcar and drove up to Bear Mountain in upstate. BTW, Zipcar is really awesome. Easy to use and cheaper than rental cars. Bear Mountain is just off the Peekskill and it doesn't feel like it's only 1.5 hours away from Manhattan. We drove a bit, enjoying the colors of leaves. Then we ran into the last day of Octoberfest. Lucky us! German wine, beer and sausages. It made Miko's hungry tommy happy happy. Bakc on the car. I insisted to drive, on a 25mil/hour road. I officially have both Japanese and US license. But I never felt safe driving. In fact, my boyfriend (current and old) rarely let me drive. But hey, we are in the mountain, I can do it. I drove for 2 minutes. Just keep the same speed is hard enough. 4 cars are making a line beind me. Panic. Give up. What's wrong with me?I loved the rocks. Huge rocks. Some with beautiful surface made by moss and water dropps. We did a bit hiking and found a small fall. The iron racoon-dog is actually a grill. How cute!

Wave Hill 2

We visited again the Wave Hill garden in Riverdale, Bronx. The last time was in early summer. It was a bit chilly but enjoyed the plants and flowers of this season. All the funny-looking plants give me inspiration for my drawing. Nature creates so many amazing shapes and colors. Simply amazing.

Korean Parade

I happened to be in Korean town on the day of Korean festival. A huge parade on the Broadway from 34th. While waiting for my friend, I totally enjoyed the parade. Interstingly yet rightly so since we are in NYC, there were non-Korean people in the parade. I wish Japan had such major event to celebrate our own culture.

Soba Dinner

Another evening by myself. Another chance to cook myself a nice Japanese meal. Tonight's menu is soba noodle soup and kabocha pumpkin. Soba is Kake-Soba style, just with scallion and tororo-conbu (slimy seaweed). Simple simple. Kabocha pumpkin is not like squash. More flavor and sweet. It's pretty cheap and easy to get at supermarkets. The skin is really tough when uncooked, but it gets soft and edible (actually taste really good) once cooked. Kabocha is perfect for pumpkin soup.

Butoh America

Japan Society has hosted another week of Butoh performance. This year commemorated the 101 birthday of Kazuo Ohno, the founder of Butoh, who is still teaching actively. Our first pick was the last performance by Kazuo's son, but it was sold out. So we went to a show directed by one of Kazuo's students. To my surprise, 6 female dancers in American Aparrelish costume. My body was stiff for the first 5 minutes. But then I began to feel the softness within the powerful movements. I really enjoyed seeing female playing—Butoh is normally known for male performers. 6 girls act completely different moves. How could the director come up with all these moves and how can they remember that? Finally, the director/choreographer Akira Kasai, who himself is a mid-aged man. The concept for this show was to produce a new Butoh that cannot be produced in Japan or Europe, but only in America. Next, I aim to see Kaisanjuku.

Apple Cider Season

Instead of coffee, I got a cup of fresh hot apple cider for pick-me-up. Many farmers have hot apple cider but this one was pretty good, a bit sour and lots of apple. $1,50. It's the orchard that sells famour juices. Nice way to start a Monday morning...

Adam's Rib

Desprate for some fun movie, I picked this movie, one of the highest rates on Netflix. Turned out this movie features a feminism—specifically the equal rights between Man and Women before the law. Story is simple. A love, mid-age, lawyer couple (Spencer Tracy and K Hepburn) gets assigned on a attempted murder case: A housewife finds her husband flirting with another woman in her apartment and shot him. Spencer on the husbund side, Hepburn defending the wife. Hepburn's eloquent and powerful approaches and her passion toward equal rights unfortunatelly brings inaccordance to their house. Besides the story itself, Hepburn's costume is so worth watching.

Scallop and Beets Salad

My boyfriend made scallop in cream sauce and beets salad with mustard dressing. He's always a good cook but this dinner was one of my favorites. So lucky to have a boyfriend who likes to cook.

The sallop was top-notch. He browned the scallop and cooked in the cream sauce which had shallots, butter, cream, garlic and white wine. Top it with fresh basil. His signature beets salad is the recipe he learned from the chef he used to work for as a waiter in Minnesota. Roast the whole beets. Cover them and cool. Peel and slice beets. The dressing is a mixture of olive oil, ground mustard, dijon mustard and a bit of honey. Top with sliced caramelized or roasted onion and some blue cheese.

Hofstra University Visit

I was invited to speak to a small group of students at Hofstra University. One of the students picked me up aa the LIRR Mineola station with his MINI. The group was small but they were all very nice. Creative advertising is not the main focus for these marketing students, but they were all well-mannered and listed to me without dosing off. This campus is a state arboretum as well. Seasonal flowers and plants are nicely planted throughout the campus. Evangelistic Miko enjoyed this one-day trip.

Natto Noodle

I was craving for Filet-O-Fish, hesitated to have junk food, went to Japanese grocery store and ended up buying an instant noodle (Nakisoba, stir-fried noodle in worcestershore-like sauce). I also picked up some Natto (firmented, slimy, stringy, stinky soy beans) to help myself with nutrition. The noodle's sauce was a bit too intense and I came up with a solution. Add Natto. I love tomato sauce pasta like Amatricciana with natto. I love natto. The result was above expectation. Natto make the sauce mild and balance up the saltiness. How about slimy yakisoba?!

Flat Tire Sadness

On my way to my friend's place in Prospect Heights, I got a flat tire. Glad I wasn't speeding—my vintage-looking heavy bike cannot speed up anyways—and I didn't get in an accident, and it was a walkable distance where the tragedy happened. Still, I was looking forward to this Sunday evening bike ride and upset enought to be grumpy. See my face...

Original Greeting Card

I am taking some time off from my ceramic class this fall, which is pretty hard for me because I love it. Now my hobby is making greeting cards. Cards can be really pricy and I'd rather want it to be somehow original. I have a mini water color kit with basic 5 colors of brown, yellow, blue, green and red. Surprisingly, these four colors can create a good variety. It's fun and nice to write a note on my original cards.

Fall is Here

On a serene fall Saturday morning, I took a bike ride to the McCarren Park's farmer's market. Ungly-looking mini pumpkins caught my attention. A dollar each. They don't look edible but do look pretty in my apartment. Also got a bunch of fall-looking flower. They are both adding nice autumn feel to our apartment.

FDR Library

The 32nd United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He's been one of the most successful Democratic President and arguably the most influential person in the US history. At the end of Hadson River Valley trip was his library and home in Hyde Park. Once you drive in this town, you see FDR's flag alongside the roads. We started the visit to the library. The part of this building is FDR's actual office. Furnitures and books remain the way he left before he passed away. One item that took my attention is his hand-writing revision of the famous speech he made in response to the Pearl Harbor attack. I do not neglect the fact many Japanese American had to go through terrible time in the camp due to his decision. It was a political decision and I still respect FDR as a President. All the items tell his personality and what a great writer and speaker he was. It's sad that most of recent Presidents and politicians do not know how to use words effectivelly. Unfortunatelly, we got there a little too late to see inside of his house. The rose garden, in which FDR and his wife sleep, got me emotional.


FDR LIbrary and Hometown
Hyde Park, NY
website

Best Thai Food

Sripraphai in Woodside, Queens, has been mentioned on Chowhound and other food blogs. It was the best Thai food I ever had. When we got there around 8pm on Saturday night, there was a crowd of people waiting outside. I thought we couldn't get a seat as this place closes at 9:30pm. Surprisingly, we were told it would be 15 - 20 minutes wait. Shortly, we got our table. This place has been expanded to the next door, which you don't really see from outside. It's a huge place. Plus, they have a nice garden seating.


As big as the space is its menu. Not only are they many, they all look good. Even with the pictures, I had hard time chosing. Many dishes were so authentic/original that I had never seen anywhere else. We started with a classy Papaya salad and minced beef in chili sauce for appetizer. For main, we got red curry and Thai rice noodle with beef stew. The salad was perfectly shredded and spice was just right. The beef dish was a bit salty but my boyfriend who went to Thai thought it was so authentic. The red curry and noddle were both serious heat. I loved the noodle dish. So original and perhaps authentic. After this experience, all these Thai places in our hood are tasteless. They don't compromise with spices. They use the right amount for each dish. Some are really hot. But that's why it's good. We sweat a lot and drunk lots of beer. I have to go back and try more. Better to go in a big group so that you can try many dishes.

Sripraphai
64-13 39th Ave
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 899-9599
7 train to 61st or 69th

Richard Serra Exhibition

I can’t remember the first time I saw his sculpture. Perhaps at the Dia Beacon upstate. But I do remember becoming a huge fun of his work right away. He makes hard, heavy iron material turn into a soft, warm piece. His works, especially the later ones, are huge, environmental work. Viewers feel the piece by walking through his gigantic iron walls. Physics and artist’s skill create this magical feeling of space and gravity. It makes me feel as if I were floating in the space.

What I enjoyed most at the exhibition was his earlier works. Much smaller but same treatment of iron. It’s amazing pieces of iron can look just like leather bands and how he builds heavy pieces stand in balance that are barely touching each other.

The biggest wonder of this show is how they installed such huge pieces inside of each room.

Richard Serra - Richard Serra Sculpture: Forty Years
June 3–September 10, 2007
MoMA

Mantauk Trip

Our friend couple invited us to stpend a weekend in Montauk this summer. As excited as we were to see them, we were looking forward to this trip, the first and eventually the last leasure trip we took this summer. They offered a room in the town house they were staying. All we needed was to jump on the LIRR. The water was too cold as expected. But we tried "skin board." You waite the wave to start fading at the shore. Then you put the board and step on it. You basically slide on the sand with a think layer of water. This sport is not for kids. 2 out of our 4 adults got injured hitting their knees with the board. It's a slim plastic board. But the shallow wave could push it hard enough to have the knees bleeding and huge bruise. I tried twice.

To eat good seafood was one of our primary aims. We went to seafood restaurant for every meal. The first place was a few minute from the station. Forgot the name but they had super fresh lobster. Somehow there are lots of Russian ladies working at these seafood joints. We had oysters of course. But my biggest surprise and favorite was the grilled fish sandwich. The charcol flavor was so good and just perfectly fatty fish on the buns blew my mind. My words are too poor to express this experience.

Our cultural and intellectual part of this trip was a visit to Pollock's house and studio. We were not allowed to take any photo inside the studio, which is actually a small house. Its floor has all the paintings he splashed around each canvas. Their living house is also very minimal and modest.

Japanese Fish Stew

This is probably a very typical and authentic Japanese dinner menu. Take any white fish (cod, seabass, snapper, founder work), and simmer in soy sauce, sake (rice wine) and some mirin (or sugar). I added a pinch of chilli and topped the fish with some fresh ginger. It only takes 10 minutes to cook and requires no skill. If you don't mind, cook it a bit sweeter because that's Japanese style. With some rice and hearty miso soup, I proudly this was a really good dinner.

Airport Express - Yes!

My neighbors have been cheap, ungenerous. Every one of those who use to have WiFi have started to use passwords. I live in a 1-bd apt with my boyfriend and for me to use Internet on my own is to steal other's connection. My boyfriend thinks if you pay for your airport anyway, it shouldn't matter to keep it to yourself of not. There's a reason for sure.

Sharing your network slows down the connection, and for security reason it's not good. We decided, rather than waiting for another generous airporter, to buy our own. Airpor Express $99 is a really good deal. It works perfectlly for 1-bd apt. It looks like a charger of your laptop. Plug it in and install the utility application. Done.

Of course I set a password.

Marlow & Sons

This is my favorite restaurant in W'burg and possibly in entire NY. Next to Diner, another American French restaurant owned by the same guy, this little bistro has a groumet deli up front. I love their interior. It's a quite small place and they' don't take reservation. I'm glad to have such a restaurant in my hood.

This time, the special scallop dish was a huge hit. Sweet corn puree and perfectly browned scallop. Their potato tortilla and chicken liver pate are my regular pick.

Marlow & Sons
81 Broadway
Williamsburgh Brooklyn 11211

Fette Sau - W'burg BBQ

If you love BBQ and look for a joint with a bit of fun atmosphere, try this spot. The same owner runs a beer pub right across the street where they serve good pastrami and cheese as well. At Fette Sau, you order meat by 1/2, 1/4, 1 pound along with the S/M side dishes like potato salads and broccoli. Just pace your self when you order. On a steel bat (they use no plate), it doesn't look enough for two people. But after a few pieces of smoky, rich ribbs and the heavy, flavorful beans, you may feel sick. The cheek was my least favorite. It was too gummy and fatty. They have a huge selection of beer and bourbon.

Up and Down - Horem pádem

I was always interested in the DVD cover and yet didn't feel compelled to see it. But as a tribute to my good Czech friend, I gave it a shot last night.

I haven't seen Babel but I did see Crash and didn't quite like the over-done interwoven story setting. This Czech movie renders similar scenario but by far better than Crash. It's not a commedy. It's not a serious movie. It's not like I was particularly impressed or some scenes were memorable. But it was showing many aspects and lives of Czech people smartly. The interlocking story style is subtle yet very effectively applied.

Humorous Song Agitates Feminists

This song humorously represents how Japanese men treat women. It was a really popular song but also famous for the politically arguable content. It got criticized by a feminist group back then.

Kanpaku Sengen - by Masashi Sada

Before I take your hands into marriage
Let me tell you a few things.
Some may sound harsh
But I want to tell you honestly.
Don’t wake up after me.
Don’t go to bed before me.
Cook well.
Keep yourself looking nice
Just as much as you can.
Remember that a man who’s not a good worker
cannot keep a family.
Certain things are better done by you.
Don’t mind other things
Just follow me.

Your parents, my parents
Take a good care of both.
Deal with my mom and sisters smartly.
It should be easy. Just love them.
Don’t say or listen to rumors.
Don’t get too jealous.
I won’t cheat on you.
I probably won’t.
I don’t think I will
But be prepared just in case.
We form the happiness together.
Shouldn’t be mended by one’s effort.
You leave your house and family for me.
Think you have no place to go back.
I am your home from now on.

When our kids grow and we get old.
Don’t die before me.
Even just for a day
Don’t go before I do.
I only need you hold my hand.
Drop 2 drops of tears.
Then I say my life was wonderful
Thanks to you.
I promise. I will say so.
Don’t forget. You are the only woman I love.

The Mirror - Ayneh

An actress with the cutest voice in this charming Iranian movie.

A girl waits for her mother to pick her up at the school. Without much help from her teacher and other adults, she decides to find a way home on her own—not remembering the address or which bus to take. On her journey to home, the movie turns into a completely unexpected direction.

I simply couldn't get over her sweet, high voice.

PUMA Urban Jungle

What would an artist do with 1,200 shoes and 35,000 shoelaces? Make a jungle. Columbia-born conceptual artist Federico Uribe created an urban jungle with PUMA sneakers. “When I started working with shoes I could not avoid thinking where they came from and all the materials from nature that we use to comfort our life. So as a tribute to what nature gives us all, I got the idea of reconstructing nature from its own raw materials. I can not give my creations true life but I may give them the echo of life, which is as much as art can do,” says the artist. Indeed, each animal is really well made. I just don't if this 'nature' made of thousands of shoes truly contributes something to the real nature.

Summer in Queens

In my 6th year in NY, I finally had a chance to go to PS1. I didn't know the exact location and got off the 7 line, barely seeing anyone around. But I easily found PS1 because of the house music coming from a specific direction. About 70 people are in the general admission line but I got through the MoMA members entrance. The direction and assistance there was terrible. I was completely misguided and ended up paying the admission which I didn't have to. My boyfriend took me back to the ticket counter, asking for the refund. But the people there are as bad as the temporary security staff who pays no attention to details. Long, annoying story short, I would never go back there. They rudely joperdized my loyalty to support MoMA and turned down the whole evening.
After the PS1, we went over to the beach party by the river and took the water taxi, which was a nice experience and the view was pretty cool.

Kamome Shokudo

Here's a new Japanese movie called Kamome Shokudo (Kamome Diner) which I just saw at the Japan Society. I've known about this movie mainly because of the famous female actresses I love. My American boyfriend among all other Western audience laughed a lot and enjoyed this charming movie.

It's a stroy about a little diner in Finland. One female owner whose background and history is omitted in the film meets other two Japanese females who happened to meet the owner and start helping her. All three are famous in Japan not only for their acting skills but more for their unique character. You love them. And this is not a typical Japanese story that forces the audience to appreciate the Japanese culture. With humor and great script, this movie brings you happiness and appreciation for Japanese food. I'd categorize this movie as humorous drama.

You won't regret.

Setagaya Ramen - Booooooo..

Why no picture for ramen story? Cuz it doesn't even deserve one. Setagaya almost completely disappointed me, hurt my Japanese food-patriotic loyalty.

A long line is a good sign. But if 90% of the people in the line are not Japanese, then it's a not-that-good sign, especially if you are looking for authenticity. Call me racist. Fine. After such a huge expectation and hunger for good, Japanese ramen, we had to try. After 20 minutes wait, we got our seats. Ready to order right away, of course. 95 degree out tonight. First comes a bottle of beer. "We don't have a license yet." What? "Can we bring in our own beer then?" "No. Sorry." What the F!~ I clearly saw BEER on the menu outside. It wasn't covered with a piece of paper or crossed-out like on the menu inside. Right there, an faithful business. Bad feeling.

We gobbled up a cup of water. The salted egg and menma could have been far better with beer but let's compromise. Now the main dish. We all had Shio Cha-shu men (salt flavored soup with slices of pork). Setagaya is known for its salt-flavored bloth. Noodle is way too hard. My friend picked up 10 noodles stuck together as a chunk. It could be for foreign customers who take forever till the noodles melts down to finish a bowl of ramen. To Japanese customer like myself, this was a ridiculous hospitality.

This wrongly cooked noodle totally lower the score. Soup is intricate and complex. If you don't like some scalloppy, fishy flavor, you'd better stick to Menkui-tei. Wait. Everyone should stick to Menkui-tei anyways. But I give them credit for the orinal flavor of their soup.

All I wonder is how the authentic Setagaya in Japan serve its signature dish. I gotta ask my family in Tokyo to go and try this place. At least in NY, they don't get any high score from Japanese. Obviously, there was a few Japanese tonight.