okonomiyaki: savoury Japanese pancakes, any way you like them!

This will be a quick post, much like the dish, which can be thrown together in a matter of minutes.

The only ingredients that I would say are standard for this recipe are flour, egg, and chopped cabbage; after that, you can go nuts throwing in leftover vegetables, pieces of meat, seafood, etc., and if you want it to taste Japanese, at least one ingredient with a Japanese flavour (such as dashi instead of water, bonito shavings (katsuobushi), or nori flakes). These items are super cheap in Japan, and can often be found in Chinese or other Asian supermarkets.

borrowing from britain: japanese niku jaga

“In coming to Japan, I was really looking forward to catching up with my friend Kyle (he moved here from Toronto years ago). I had little expectations for learning opportunities, as it was very difficult to get anything organized in advance. But now that I’m here, everything has changed. After meeting me face to face, the same people who were apprehensive about planning things online are proud to take me into their homes and restaurants to share their cooking and culture! Each day has been full of lessons and learning, scurrying from one city to another. I’ve even had to turn people’s offers down after being double and triple-booked! It’s been more than three weeks here, and I’m wishing that I had more time. Here are a few of the highlights from my stay:

Korean cucumber kimchi made quick

“I asked a Korean friend what a typical food day is like here. He said it would usually be similar for all three meals at home: it may include a meat dish like bulgogi (thin slices of beef and onion marinated in a mixture of garlic, sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil), but it’s always served with soup and rice as the main course, and kimchi on the side.

refreshing orange and ginger Thai noodles

This beloved recipe is not from my travels in Thailand: I adapted it from a great cookbook, which I unfortunately don’t have the name of at this time (it’s packed away in Canada).

The combination of fresh ginger, juicy chunks of orange, and aromatic greens (either garlic greens, chives, or spring onions) creates another light, rejuvenating meal.