Japanese Food

So, my unit has deployed to Japan, and I have been in Sasebo for the past few weeks. We've went off base every weekend and tried local quisines and places, any reccomendations that you guys like? For dishes I mean, I have had a bit of it all. Sushi is amazing here, I love Rice Balls, and have yet to try Sashimi. BUT I did go to a Shabu Shabu (Kinda likea Korean BBQ where you cook your own food) and ordered squid and my was it amazing, I thought it would be nasty but lightly cooked and browned it is delicous, chewy, and not slimy or fishy tasting at all. Spent a cool 2000 Y that night.

[Jimbuna]

If you like curry try the Katsu Kare....very nice.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2351.html

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by USNSRCaseySmith

I have been in Sasebo for the past few weeks.

I hate you. My ship was supposed to go to Sasebo for the 1970 World's Fair. When Nixon sent troops into Cambodia our orders changed. We spent an extra month on the gun line and then headed straight home. I never did get to Japan.

Did I mention I hated Nixon too?

ordered squid and my was it amazing

Back when I was driving skiers to the various area resorts I got to take the Japanese Olympic Ski Team from Park City over to Snowbird for a day's outing. On the trip they shared something I had never tried before: Squid jerky. It was pretty good.

[Stealhead]

Try some traditional Japanese candy most of it is pretty good.Rice cakes are pretty good though I have had them home made by my friends wife who is Japanese. Not sure about the store kind but they are most likely pretty good as well.My friend usually gives me a batch of the rice cakes every month or so.

If you have the nerve you can try Ikizukuri.

[Stealhead]

By the way USNSRCaseySmith double thumbs up from me for being willing to experience a different culture.Not everyone takes opportunity that being stationed over seas allows a person.

I knew people that basically refused to ever leave the confines of the base in Germany and Turkey what a waste of a perfect chance to see and experience another country.

[Takeda Shingen]

Oh man, before I went vegetarian I used to eat sushi all the time from this amazing Japanese resturaunt. It was the best I've had outside of Japan.

[the_tyrant]

I LOVE Japanese food. Its just, I eat a LOT of it lol.

Yeah, in a bit of time, your wallet would be screaming.

[Stealhead]

A single young man in the US Navy he should have plenty of spending money seeing as room and board are covered.

What would be funny is if he meets his future wife in some Japanese restaurant.

[ETR3(SS)]

Sake. I recommend sake.

Wow guys thanks for the awesome replies!!!

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

If you like curry try the Katsu Kare....very nice.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2351.html

Curry, I never had it until 2 weekends ago, we went to a little back street noodle shop, think like a family diner. Ordered the most delicious pork dumplings ever and then I got a bowl of Yellow Curry Pork Ramen, spent about 900 Y and was filled up. First time I had curry too and it was delicious. I want to hit that place again before I leave. I will definitely take it into consideration.

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I hate you. My ship was supposed to go to Sasebo for the 1970 World's Fair. When Nixon sent troops into Cambodia our orders changed. We spent an extra month on the gun line and then headed straight home. I never did get to Japan.

Did I mention I hated Nixon too?


Back when I was driving skiers to the various area resorts I got to take the Japanese Olympic Ski Team from Park City over to Snowbird for a day's outing. On the trip they shared something I had never tried before: Squid jerky. It was pretty good.

I'm sorry Steve! I do feel for you, I like the base nice and small. And the people of Sasebo are REALLY friendly to Americans, its a shame you couldn't check it out here. On another note.. I am here for the next 6-8 months On the bad side, there have been some serious liberty incidents in Japan in the last few months, enough so that all Pac sailors in general are on a restricted liberty. I do not mind though, its just that we can't drink in town, which is okay with me. I enjoy the cuisine and learning the language and about the culture. PS: Feel free to grammar correct away, I have not been in English class in a few years

Originally Posted by Stealhead

Try some traditional Japanese candy most of it is pretty good.Rice cakes are pretty good though I have had them home made by my friends wife who is Japanese. Not sure about the store kind but they are most likely pretty good as well.My friend usually gives me a batch of the rice cakes every month or so.

If you have the nerve you can try Ikizukuri.

I have had a bit of the Japanese snacks here. Trying to stay away from them since Im trying to gain muscle / cut weight. However I am addicted to Japanese green tea, I hated it at first since it had NO sugar in it but now.. I cant get enough of it. So much healthier than the crap in America that is loaded with Sugars.

On the other hand, my Chinese/American friend introduced me to this Japanese ice cream, it comes in packs of 2 balls, and its basically ice cream wrapped in a sweet dough coating... best. thing. ever... seriously... its too good.

Originally Posted by Stealhead

By the way USNSRCaseySmith double thumbs up from me for being willing to experience a different culture.Not everyone takes opportunity that being stationed over seas allows a person.

I knew people that basically refused to ever leave the confines of the base in Germany and Turkey what a waste of a perfect chance to see and experience another country.

Definitely, there are a small number of us here on a det. and what gets me is about all but 4 or 5 of us (Not including our OIC and AOIC) get drunk every weekend, and don't even leave the barracks, their first concern is getting liquored up as soon as 5 PM hits.

The way I see it, I get meals paid for, and free room and board. I am here for 6 or more months and its practically free (We get to use the Gov. Trucks for liberty ) I mean, people pay like 5k-10k for a month or 2 of time here where I have 6. I am DEFINITELY taking advantage. I believe me and my buddies are going to Hirado or the 99 Islands this upcoming weekend (can you say 3 days off!?) for the Oyster fest. and then Mt. Fuji is definitely on my list to climb! Cannot wait

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Oh man, before I went vegetarian I used to eat sushi all the time from this amazing Japanese resturaunt. It was the best I've had outside of Japan.

Oh yes.. I can't even begin to describe how good Sushi is here. I love it. We got a little place called Sushi-go-round where the plates are colored and that means a price (100 Y, 250 Y, 400Y) and you just eat and stack your plates and then pay. But they make it all fresh right there, my favorite is just plain yellow fin sushi on rice. Too good.

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

I LOVE Japanese food. Its just, I eat a LOT of it lol.

Yeah, in a bit of time, your wallet would be screaming.

Actually, I'm doing well so far. I only get the chance to go out and eat about once a weekend. And I spend about 2000 Y a weekend (About 25 USD) So I bank quite a bit, pretty happy about that, hoping to have 1000+ Credit card paid off and 5-10k USD in the bank when I get back to homeport for a new car.

Originally Posted by Stealhead

A single young man in the US Navy he should have plenty of spending money seeing as room and board are covered.

What would be funny is if he meets his future wife in some Japanese restaurant.

You know... I've heard good things about Japanese women!! On a side note, I love how much friendlier people seem when you really seriously try to conversate (even in basic form) in their language. They do seem to appreciate it greatly, I've seen plenty of smiles and laughs as I try to push out "Do you have ..." or "have a good night" in Japanese. Im learning though, my shipmates have dubbed me "The Translator" haha. Hope to learn at least enough to have a very simple but fluent Japanese conversation before I leave. I have a Japanese guy I see about 2-3 times a week who is always excited to see me and learn English from me as he teaches me Japanese. Pretty neat if you ask me.

Originally Posted by ETR3(SS)

Sake. I recommend sake.

I've had cold from the store on base. Once this restriction is lifted and we can drink in town, I plan on trying all kinds of Sake.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by USNSRCaseySmith

Definitely, there are a small number of us here on a det. and what gets me is about all but 4 or 5 of us (Not including our OIC and AOIC) get drunk every weekend, and don't even leave the barracks, their first concern is getting liquored up as soon as 5 PM hits.




You know... I've heard good things about Japanese women!! On a side note, I love how much friendlier people seem when you really seriously try to conversate (even in basic form) in their language. They do seem to appreciate it greatly, I've seen plenty of smiles and laughs as I try to push out "Do you have ..." or "have a good night" in Japanese. Im learning though, my shipmates have dubbed me "The Translator" haha. Hope to learn at least enough to have a very simple but fluent Japanese conversation before I leave. I have a Japanese guy I see about 2-3 times a week who is always excited to see me and learn English from me as he teaches me Japanese. Pretty neat if you ask me.

I know the type you speak of unfortunately some people see the alcohol consumption aspect of military culture and become more or less alcoholics as a result.Nothing wrong with a little drinking on a Friday or Saturday night but when a person drinks a "12 pack" every night they most likely have a problem.


I've heard good things about women from different nationalities just be sure to see the woman's actual personality not your ideal and you'll do fine....hopefully.

[geetrue]

Sometimes I would think that the rice I ate in Japanese resturants had sugar in it, but perhaps not according to this article:

<H3 id=pd3>Rice Varieties:

Japanese rice is short grain rice. It gets slightly sticky when it's cooked. There is a kind of rice called mochigome (glutinous rice). It's the stickiest rice and is used to make mochi rice cakes, sweet rice balls, and so on.

</H3>I always like Filipino food better anyways. I will never forget my first bowl of fried rice while being a mess cook on a diesel submarine back in 63.

It was the most delicious thing I had ever had made fresh right in front of me by the filipino cook.

[Stealhead]

It would have sugar if it was part of a rice cake no doubt other wise I don't see any sugar being added.If it had a sugary taste it was most likely Glutinous rice which is grown all over Asia this rice has sweet taste to it naturally.

Japanese rice is not the same as Glutinous rice but also has a sticky texture but not the same taste as Glutinous rice.I would not surprised if many places used Glutinous rice and hope that no one noticed.Another dark secret many places outside of Japan that serve "Wasabi" are really serving you horseradish sauce(not made from Wasabi) that has been colored to have the green color of Wasabi.

By the way the specific type of rice cake I mentioned earlier are called Daifuku.I can eat my weight in them easily they can be filled with just about anything fruits and bean paste usually.

[Oberon]

You take care Casey, you're better at Sasebo than Okinawa but it can still be a bit hairy lately. Some bad blood about, but it's good that the locals are friendly and not like the kite flyers further south.

I'd love to go to Japan, although not as much as my wife would, I'd love to see the Sakura trees blossom, and visit some of the old temples, they have some fascinating architectural designs, likewise the modern cities. Quite a fascinating country.

In regards to the food though...well, I guess I'd try it out but generally speaking I'm not a major fish eater so I'd probably stick to noodles and rice, particularly noodles, love them.

Originally Posted by Oberon

You take care Casey, you're better at Sasebo than Okinawa but it can still be a bit hairy lately. Some bad blood about, but it's good that the locals are friendly and not like the kite flyers further south.

I'd love to go to Japan, although not as much as my wife would, I'd love to see the Sakura trees blossom, and visit some of the old temples, they have some fascinating architectural designs, likewise the modern cities. Quite a fascinating country.

In regards to the food though...well, I guess I'd try it out but generally speaking I'm not a major fish eater so I'd probably stick to noodles and rice, particularly noodles, love them.

Yup Ive heard Okinawa can suck according to friends! I do very much like it here however!! And noodles are delicous!