Michelle Gunn! Michelle Gunn! Michelle Gunn!

Oink Oink

In Japan pigs go ‘bu bu’. Whatever language they speak, they’re still delicious.

Pig! Pig! Pig!

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Riced cooly beatnik.

I love ramen. I spent many mealtimes at the counter of my local ramen joints while I was living in Tokyo, enjoying their various specialities.

One place down the road from my apartment did a mean plate of fried rice. When I first arrived, I was able to shovel it down with a bowl of tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen and a plate of gyōza (dumplings). After my appetite had adjusted to Japanese portions, just the fried rice was enough.

This is a recipe I derived from watching the chef at work. It is quick and easy. After all, ramen shops are in the fast food business. It is also an excellent way to make use of leftover rice.

Details:

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Ramen & oral sex. Unfortunately not the latest fad diet.

So what’s the connection?

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Miso horny. Sorry. So very, very sorry.

Here’s an easy recipe for tonjiru (豚汁, miso soup with pork) I learnt from the fabulous Princess Fugu.

Tonjiru is perfect with boiled Japanese rice and fresh, simply flavoured, grilled fish. The deep, salty flavours of this hearty soup make a wonderful contrast with the simple pleasures of rice and fish. The soup is also great as a healthy snack on its own.

Details:

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Fish tales.

• Nearest station: Tsukiji-shijō (Ōedo Line, click here for a route planner)
• Open: Before dawn to ~1 p.m.
• Closed: National holidays, Sundays, some Wednesdays. Click here for 2008 opening days [red dot = closed; blue triangle = temporary opening day].

Background:

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It’s around that time of the year again. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. And the fat men are booming.

The 2008 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo is gearing up for its opening day later this month (11th May - 25th May). Go if you have the chance.

Here’s a look back at the 2006 event:

More on my first time (at the sumo) after the jump.

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Aspergillus Oryzae: the Mifune Toshiro of microbes. The quintessential Japanese mould.

This prince amongst microbes is also the star of Ishikawa Masayuki’s (石川雅之) manga and anime Moyashimon: Tales of Agriculture (making my Toshiro Mifune analogy a little less tenuous).

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