A Tokyo Thanksgiving

Celebrated with friends for a late Thanksgiving dinner yesterday.

Making creamed spinach in my new 'nabe'.

Our completed 'Mac & Cheese'.

Might I add, a gourmet one made with three kinds of cheese.

The completed creamed spinach on the bottom.

Our friend roasted a turkey for us.

Didn't think I would get to eat turkey in Japan!

Stuffing.

Aftermath.

MAJOR food coma...

I love the holiday season!

Frijoles

Mexican food in Japan is rare.

Casual, authentic Mexican is SUPER rare.

I was SO excited when I discovered this place was opening.

Frijoles recently opened and I couldn't wait to try.

Exterior.

Interior. Its EXACTLY like Chipotle.

Chicken Burrito.

The size is awfully generous in Tokyo standards.

FINALLY!! Oh how I missed you.....

SATISFIED :)

P.S. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my family and friends in the US!

It doesn't feel like Thanksgiving here :(

Ebi no Hige

Dined at Ebi no Hige (海老の髭) in Niigata.

We randomly found this place and went in

because it was so packed. Another good choice!

Started with the Sashimi platter.

Special Tsukune. So huge!

Organic Veggie Sticks with Miso and Salt.

Washed it down with cold Sake. Yum.

Souzu

A couple of weeks ago,

I went to Niigata City to translate at Food Messe in Niigata.

Souzu (ソウズ) was a cozy izakaya near out hotel

and was an excellent choice.

Interior.

Plum Wine made of Japanese Sake (Niigata's specialty).

Shirako-Ponzu (白子ポン酢).

Nodoguro Sashimi (のどぐろ、赤ムツ)

which is a fish found only in this area.

Fried Tofu & Taro (里芋と豆腐の揚げ出し).

Gorgonzola Cheese & Rice Pasta Gratin.

(Niigata is famous for rice)

Naha-City, Okinawa

Entrance to Shurijou (首里城).

View from the entrance.

Okinawan 'Family Mart'.

Pork Market.

Not very nice...

Izakaya Ryoji (りょう次)

A local friend took us to Izakaya Ryoji (居酒屋野郎りょう次)

which served authentic Okinawan dishes.

Umi-Budou (海ぶどう),

which is directly translated as 'Sea Grapes'.

Mimiga (ミミガー),

broiled Pig Ear.

Beni-Imo Fries.

Beni-Imo is a purple colored sweet potato.

Rafute (ラフテー)

which is the Okinawan term for kakuni.

Shima-Rakkyou (島らっきょう).

Grilled Okinawan Chicken.

Washed it down with Awamori (泡盛).

Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)

One of my main motives to visit Okinawa

(the beach was #1 but a huge storm hit Okinawa)

was to visit Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館).

Storm. So unlucky.

Entrance to the aquarium.

This fish is... unattractive. haha.

Sea turtle.

Leopard print Ray. Stylish.

WHALE SHARKS!!

THIS is the main reason for my visit.

Could stare at this the whole day...

Such an elegant beauty...

Dreaming until the day I get to swim with one!

(notice the huge Manta Ray in the back)
Found this amazing video that features this aquarium.
So soothing.

The Fish Market

The Fish Market in Okinawa.

The colorful fish looks artificially colored.

More colorful fishes.

The fishes above turned into this platter.

Matsu-Soba (松そば)

Went to Okinawa a couple of weekends ago.

Sign at the airport, 'menso-re' meaning 'welcome'.

Our first lunch at Matsu Soba (松そば).

This restaurant specializes in Okinawa Soba, or Okinawan Ramen.

This store is owned and operated by my friend's relatives

where a part of their home is renovated.

My first Okinawa Soba.

The soup here was so delicious!

'Soki Soba'.