About Jen Tsai

Jeanette Tsai was raised in Canada and has been living in Japan for over two and half years. She hopes to introduce and bring out your curiosity in the foods found in Japan.
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Horse Meat in Japan – Taboo for Some, Delicious for Others

by Jen Tsai on 2010/07/28 in Asia

Disclaimer: If you are a horse lover, don’t continue on with this; but if you love all types of food and are willing to try anything, please continue reading and I dare you to try it yourself!

My first encounter with horse meat was the week after I first arrived in Japan. I had just finished my orientation/training session and a large group of us decided to head to an izakaya in the Ginza area – I think it was Watami – and celebrate by getting drunk! Well, my group of co-workers decided it would be fun to order horse meat for us newcomers. One co-worker even tried to pass it off as raw beef just so that we would sample it.  Coming from Canada, the only times I’ve seen and ridden a horse was during my elementary school camping trips, at Bowen Island, and in Inner Mongolia. Not being wasted yet and hearing it was horse meat, I adventurously picked up my chopsticks, grabbed a slice and ate it. Now, because this was over 2 years ago and I was, admittedly, slightly intoxicated, I can’t remember what it first tasted like, but I can say that I didn’t spit it out!

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izakaya pub

Drunk and Missed the Train in Japan? Just Go Back to the Izakaya Pub and Keep Drinking….

by Jen Tsai on 2010/07/20 in Asia

izakaya pub

I briefly mentioned about izakaya’s in my last article about must-try Japanese alcoholic drinks. Basically an izakaya is a Japanese bar or pub, a fascinating place for getting drunk. Often packed on Friday nights, you can find all types of people frequenting these establishments; from your typical salary-man, to the housewives, couples, young adults and even seniors! Everyone goes drinking at izakaya’s for all occasions. I don’t think I’ve met one Japanese person who hasn’t been to an izakaya! The drinking age in Japan is 20 for those who are wondering. In Japan, the most important to do before getting drunk is planning how you’ll get home! (you’ll either be too drunk to get home or just above the legal limit to drive) The only thing a person drinking in Japan has to worry about is catching the last train and getting off at the right stop. Trust me, if I had a jar to put a 100 yen coin every time I’ve heard about someone who missed their stop, I’d be rich, and most of it would be courtesy of my boyfriend! Continue Reading →

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Umeshu and Shochu

Must-Try Japanese Alcoholic Drinks at an Izakaya pub – Gotta Try ‘Em All!

by Jen Tsai on 2010/07/13 in Asia

umeshushochu

One thing I’ve come to realize is that Japanese people love their alcohol.  When a work day is finished, the Japanese salary-man would go to an “izakaya” (Japanese pub) for some drinks with fellow workers. If the boss is going along as well, you have no say in the matter and don’t really have a choice but to go! The selection of Japanese alcohol is impressive, especially outside of the typically known sake. With the trend of Japanese food and Japanese bars in North America, it only helps to understand all the options (or poisons) available to enhance your night! And as they say in the popular Pokémon anime series…. “Gotta Try ‘Em All!” (Or more correctly, “Gotta Catch ‘Em All!”).

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Soba

Soba – A Cool Summer Japanese Dish

by Jen Tsai on 2010/07/06 in Asia

Soba

With summer already here, it’s often difficult to find a dish which is not only delicious and cool to the taste, but also healthy.  When I say Japanese, you automatically think sushi, am I right?  Well there is more to Japanese food than the typical California roll (which isn’t even Japanese)!   Another Japanese dish with a long history is soba.  Originated during the Tokugawa Period, soba can be eaten hot on those cold winter days as well as cold in the summer heat of Tokyo.  It is the latter, however, in which the noodles are better known to be eaten as.

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