Islander in the City

I don’t even know what it’s called in nihonggo. I just grabbed it at the convenience store as I walked towards the office. It’s salad, with a thin slice of raw fish wrapped in edible film (whatever it is). Sauce comes packed with it, and it tastes, well, “japanesy” (whatever that meant).

Since I got posted here, lunch has always been a problem. There are a thousand and one restaurants in the area but only a few have English menus. Some are kind enough to attach pictures, but sometimes what comes out does not really look like the one I choose. Nor would they taste as I fancied.

So through all these time, I played safe.

My all-time favorite is Yoshinoya, where the beef strips taste not so different from our own adobo. If I want a little more meat, I go to Pepper Lunch. Some other times, I’d go for Vietnamese noodles and Thai cuisine.

As you would notice, not much Japanese food. Not that I can’t eat it. Aside from tempura, it’s just not really something that I’d pine for. What funny is, I must be the only islander who is not fond of “kinilaw” or sushi and its brothers.

But maybe I should change – and give authentic Japanese food a chance to convince my palate. I will start slowly. Starting with this “japanesy” veggie salad.