Okonomiyake and Yakisoba

For our dinner my aunt decided to have Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), though my aunt is a Filipino I can say that she is good in cooking Japanese foods. Working for almost 5 years in a Japanese restaurant where she learned how to cook. My aunt prepared the mixture and the ingredients but it was her Japanese husband who do the cooking. When I first ate okonomiyake (お好みやけ) It reminded me of pizza, well, I can say that it is a Japanese version of pizza. It has a lot of toppings and at that time, I started to like it, because it's oishii (delicious). After we ate okonomiyake, my aunt's husband started to cook yakisoba (焼きそば), a perfect partner for okonomiyake, in our frying plate, though I am full I also try to eat yakisoba. It was a nice dinner and I really enjoyed it. Gochisosama deshita (Thanks for the food!).

Okonomiyake (お好み焼き)

Okonomi means "what you like" or "what you want", and yaki means "grilled" or "cooked" thus, the name of this dish means "cook what you like". The customers choose their own ingredients and then cook up their pancakes right at the table. It is said to be originated in Osaka and continues to be most popular there.

Recipe

Ingredients for one pancake:
Cooked bacon (2-3strips, cut into small pieces)
Cabbage (3/4 cup, shredded)
A few prawns
Baking powder (1 teaspoon)
Cake flour (4 tablespoons)
Salt (1/6 teaspoon)
Chopped green onion (1/2 cup)
Water (3 tablespoons)
Egg

Okonomiyaki Sauce
Ketchup (3 tablespoons)
Soy sauce (1 teaspoon)
Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon)
*Mix the above together

Okonomiyaki Toppings
Mayonnaise (1 tablespoon)
Aonori (dried green seaweed) and dried bonito shavings (to taste)


Procedure:

1. Mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder and sift. Gently mix in the water. Next, add all the remaining ingredients and mix them together thoroughly.
2. Heat the griddle (or frying pan) and lightly oil. Spoon the okonomiyaki mixture on the griddle and spread it into a round shape about 1.2 to 1.5 cm thick.
3. When air bubbles start to rise in the middle of the okonomiyaki, turn it over with a spatula and fry while pressing down on it slightly until done.
4. Spread the sauce over the okonomiyaki, top with mayonnaise if you like. Sprinkle on the aonori and dried bonito. The okonomiyaki is now ready to eat.

Yakisoba (焼きそば)

Yakisoba is a kind of Japanese fried noodle as yaki means fried in Japanese. Soba means noodles. Originated from China Yakisoba noodles are not made from buckwheat (soba), but like ramen noodles, are made from wheat flour.

Recipe

Steamed Yakisoba noodles (1 pack)
meat (pork or beef, 50 g (2 oz), cut into thin, small pieces)
cabbage (1/2 cup, chopped coarsely)
carrot (1/4 cup, thinly sliced)
onion (1/3 cup, thinly sliced)
Worcestershire sauce (to taste)
water (2 or 3 tablespoons

Procedure:

1. Oil the griddle (or frying pan) and fry the meat (fry pork until it turns white). Next, add the onion and carrot and fry until they soften slightly. Then add the cabbage and fry until soft.
2. Pull the noodles apart to keep them from staying in a clump, and stir them into the mixture. When everything is nicely mixed together, pour 2 or 3 tablespoons of water over it and stir-fry a little longer.
3. Add the seasoning sauce (powder or liquid) that comes with the pack of noodles, or if there is no sauce, use Japanese Worcestershire sauce. If you like, top with aonori (dried green seaweed). It's ready to eat.

* You can use any kind of meat for Yakisoba. It is also delicious with seafood, such as prawns. It tastes good with any vegetables - for example, green peppers, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, celery, and broccoli - so put more vegetables in if you like.
Just cut them to the right size and thickness for stir-frying and saute them until they soften. For bigger pieces of vegetable you might have to boil them a little to soften them up. You can also give the yakisoba a more Chinese flavor by using soy sauce or oyster sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce.

Hana Yori Dango ( 花より男子 )

My friend just had he's internet connection and he always talked about Meteor Garden which he, again started to watch in YouTube. Sometimes I even heard him humming it's theme song, Meteor rain. Meteor Garden was a hit in the Philippines and to other parts of Asia. I was in 2nd year college when F4 fever hit my country. The series was dubbed in Tagalog, actually I never got the chance to watched it from the beginning, so I don't have any idea of the series story settings. Accidentally, the TV from my grandmother's room is on but nobodys watching, it caught my attention when I saw Wa ze Lei, one of the F4, a Taiwanese group, who has the lead roles in the series. I then started to watch it just wanted to see these Taiwanese hunks, knowing the story made me hooked up with this drama series. Instead of hanging out in school with my friends after my classes which I normally do, I came home early just to catch up Meteor Garden.

Meteor Garden

A Taiwanese drama that began its broadcast 12 April 2001 on CTV. It is Taiwan's attempt at a live version of the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango (花より男子) which has spawned off an idol-singer group, F4. F4 members are now officially known as JVKV, after Japanese TV producers decided to use the name F4 in the live version of the anime "Hana Yori Dango". It stars Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu and Barbie Hsu. Due to the popularity of the series throughout Asia, two sequels, Meteor Garden II and Meteor Rain, were produced. Meteor Garden remains as the highest rated Asian drama overall shown in the Philippines, garnering a 57.4% peak rating with an average rating of 42.9% in mega manila and a peak of 73.0% nationwide with an average of 62.0% which was shown over ABS-CBN. The replay value was just so high, that when it was replayed again every Saturday and Sunday, it rated an amazing 42.0% on its finale.

Hana Yori Dango (花より男子)

Boys Over Flowers in English, Hana yori Dango is a Japanese shoujo manga series by Yoko Kamio and it ran in the bi-weekly shoujo manga compilation called Margaret, which is published by Shueisha. This manga is the best-selling shoujo manga in Japan of all time (54 million copies in 2005). By 2003, the story had been adapted in Japan into an anime television series, a live-action television drama, an animated movie set in a parallel universe, and a live-action movie.

Plot

The plot revolves around regular girl Makino Tsukushi, who is stuck in Eitoku High, a school for rich kids. She hates the place and wants her 2 years there to pass peacefully, and more importantly, quickly. Then she crosses the path of the F4, a foursome of beautiful boys with impressive wealth and influence. Their leader sticks red paper in lockers to show dislike for someone, and the rest of the school will do the bullying for him. This is what happens to Tsukushi, after she boldly gives these rich brats a piece of her mind. Rather than leaving the school like the other F4's victims, Tsukushi stays. But now there's another problem: she has developed feelings for two members of the F4!

The cast of Hana Yori Dango drama series

Kaki vendor

Caught in a traffic jam, on the way to work, we took a different route, along the way our driver saw a stall with kaki for sale. Since our driver wants to buy, we stopped for a while, out of curiosity I also went outside to buy. I've never seen this fruit in the Philippines. Hmm.. where is the vendor? The Kaki were placed in a table under a big umbrella, and at the side of it is a coin bank where you'll place your payment. One pack cost 300 yen. As I put, the coins in the coin bank I wonder, how I wish we can do something like this in my country.

Japanese Persimmon (Kaki Fruit)

"Kaki" means "food of the gods" from its scientific name Diospyros. DIOS means gods and SPYROS means wheat (food). Originated in China but the Japanese cultivate it by the name of kaki. The fruit resembles large, orange tomatoes but instead, they have a wide, pale brown calyx and translucent, edible skin. At their best, they have a very sweet, honeyed flavour, described as being like a combination of plum,honey, apricot, pumpkin, and mango laced with perfume. The Japanese persimmon is highly cultivated, in Japan the centers of Kaki production are the prefectures Wakayama, Nara and Fukuoka. In Eastern Asia the main harvest time for Kaki is in the months October and November.
There are two types: astringent and non-astringent. Non-astringent types can be eaten firm, as soon as the beautiful golden color appears. The astringent type will cause your lips to "pucker" if eaten before they become soft and turn color.

Okane, okane, okane

Learning Nihongo (日本語, Japanese language) is a must but knowing Japanese currency is a priority. Off course I am talking about money (お金 okane) . First, I let myself be familiarized with Japanese yen. When I did know the value of yen I was really surprised how expensive commodities in Japan. Imagine, I was really hesitated to buy something for 100 yen because in our money it's like 40 pesos. For example, a 100 yen hamburger of Mc Donalds, in the Philippines you can have a hamburger, drinks and a fries for that same amount. Every time I go for shopping I always convert the cost to Philippine peso, my aunt gave me a word, "if you are always like that, you cannot buy anything" she said. Well, she's right, now I don't regret if I bought something for 100 yen after all, it's just 100 yen.

Japanese Yen (日本円)
The Japanese monetary unit is yen. ¥ is the symbol used for International, while in Japan it is 円(En). Introduced by the Meiji government the yen ( 円 en) was established as the official unit of currency in 1871. The name en was used because it means round, as opposed to the oblong shape of previous coinage. Japanese currency is designed to facilitate easy use by people with sight impairments. All of the bills and coins are in different sizes.

Japanese Bills
1,000 yen (千円 sen en) - features world-renowned bacteriologist Noguchi Hideyo, on the reverse side is the Mt. Fuji. Original Size: 150 x 76 mm

5,000 yen ( 五千円 go sen en) - has Higuchi Ichiyo, one of Japan's earliest feminist novelist, reverse side are Irises. Original Size: 155 x 76 mm

10,000 yen ( 一万円 ichi man en) - features the Meiji Period educator Fukuzawa Yukichi. Reverse side is a Phoenix from Byodoin temple. Original Size: 160 x 76 mm.

2,000 yen ( 二千円 ni sen en) - are a rare sight today. This bank note was issued to commemorate the G-8 Economic Summit in Okinawa. Shureimon Gate in Naha, Okinawa; Scene from "Genji Monogatari" (Tale of Genji). Original Size: 154 x 76 mm.

Japanese coins
Japanese coins are dated by Emperor and the year of their reign. There are 6 denominations in Japanese coins:
1 yen (一円 ichi en) - Obverse: Young Tree. Reverse: Value, year of minting. Material: 100% Aluminum, Weight: 1g, Diameter: 20mm, Edge: Smooth, Year of First Issue: 1955

5 yen ( 五円 go en) - Obverse: Ear of rice, gear, water. Reverse: State title, year of minting. Material: Copper 60 - 70% / Zinc 40% - 30%, Weight: 3.75g, Diameter: 22mm, Center hole diameter: 5mm, Edge: Smooth, Year of First Issue: 1959

10 yen ( 十円 ju en) - Obverse: Hōōdō Temple, state title, value. Reverse: Evergreen tree, value, year of minting. Material: Copper 95% / Zinc 4 - 3% / Tin 1 - 2%,Weight: 4.5g, Diameter: 23.5mm, Edge: Milled (1951), Smooth (1959), Year of First Issue: 1951 (Bronze coin milled type), 1959 (Bronze coin plain type)

50 yen ( 五十円 go ju en) - Obverse: Chrysanthemum, state title, value. Reverse: Value, year of minting. Material: Copper 75% / Nickel 25%, Weight: 4g, Diameter: 21mm, Center hole diameter: 4mm, Edge: Milled, Year of First Issue : 1967

100 yen ( 百円 hyaku en) - Obverse: Cherry Blossom, state title, value. Reverse: Value, year of minting. Material: Copper 75% / Nickel 25%, Weight: 4.8g, Diameter: 22.6mm, Edge: Milled, Year of First Issue: 1967 .

500 yen ( 五百円 go hyaku en) - Obverse: Paulownia, state title, value. Reverse: Value, bamboo, mandarin orange, year of minting. Material : Copper 72% / Zinc 20% / Nickel 8%, Weight : 7g, Diameter : 26.5mm, Edge: Milled, Year of First Issue : 2000

The Beatles (Japanese Version)

I was about to meet a friend in Sakae unfortunately, I made the wrong exit instead of Exit 8, I went to Oasis 21. I called my friend and we decided to meet halfway. Exiting the subway, from the stairs I heard a loud song "She loves you yeah! yeah! yeah!", It's The Beatles I silently uttered. As I passed Central Park I saw that there's a mini-concert but I just ignored it for I am in a hurry to go to Louis Vuitton shop where me and my friend supposed to meet. Upon crossing the pedestrian I already saw my friend, waving his hand he said he will just go to where I am. When we met he said to me about hearing The Beatles songs, so out of curiosity we went back to Central Park. And so it is.. It's like The Beatles, Japanese version. We stopped for a while to watched the concert. The band is composed of four male Japanese maybe in their mid 40's, they have their music instruments with them, drums, guitars but there is one female playing the keyboard. All of the songs they played are from The Beatles and I can say that the band is good. Though it's a bit raining, there's a lot of audience, Japanese, foreigners, oldies and also youngsters. A lot including me took pictures from mobile phones. As I see the crowd's reaction they are enjoying the show and even sing together with the band. All of a sudden, I remember Tobita San my Japanese co-worker, everytime we request him to sing a song, he'll immediately sing "Hey Jude", then I realized how popular The Beatles are.

The Beatles in Japan

On June 29, 1966, The Beatles arrived in Tokyo for their first and only tour of Japan. Beatlemania had reached such a peak that concert tickets were oversubscribed by seven times. The band were confined to their room in the Tokyo Hilton (now the Capitol Tokyu Hotel) and with police roaming the hotel corridors, they spent their time painting and listening to acetates of what would become the ‘Revolver’ LP. The concerts were held at the Budokan, the martial arts arena built for the Tokyo Olympics two years previously. Now familiar as a music venue, the Beatles were the first rock group to perform there – their appearance at the national home for martial arts was considered almost sacrilegious by some in Japan. To keep order at each of the concerts – and to make sure that people remained seated – the 10,000 audience were overseen by 3,000 police. The Beatles visit to Japan in 1966 was the first and the last time that they played in Japan creating a social phenomenon, and having a major musical influence on generations to come. Japan holds the distinction of releasing more Beatles records than any other nation.

Reference: The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Happy Birthday Arisa!!!

My cousin Arisa turned 11 this October 1. "Achang" as what we used to call her is always excited about her birthday, off course what I mean is birthday presents. A week before her birthday we went to Apita, a shopping mall near our house and she dragged me to the shopping mall's toys section, Achang showed me a Pokemon Nintendo DS software which cost around 4,980 yen, she asked me if I can buy it for her as a present, I told her I will think about it. When we came home Achang rushed to my room and gave me a letter convincing me to buy the software, wanting to know my answer she also put a YES or NO choices. I placed the letter near my calendar as a reminder. When I came home one night, upon entering the door instead of greeting me "okaeri nasai"(Welcome home) as what she always do, she run to me and said "Ate, you don't need to buy me Pokemon", I was surprised so I asked her why? Achang told me that their Obaachang (Grandmother) will meet them and she will buy the Pokemon and she added that I should buy her a new present, I nodded. Last Sunday, I got the chance to go to Nagoya and so I stopped at BIC Camera (a big electronic shop in Nagoya). I planned to buy her a DS software but I change my mind when I saw the game UNO Stacko, I remember playing it when I was a kid and found the game really exciting, so I decided to bought it as a present. When I came home Achang saw the present, though I intend to give the present on the day of her birthday I handed it to her but I told her to just open it on her Birthday. So excited, Achang can't wait to see what I bought for her and so she immediately open the present, after she unwrapped it she asked me how to play it, since her brother Ayumi know how to play it, they played till night. On the day of Achang's birthday, while eating breakfast, she announced about eating dinner on her favorite restaurant "The Red Lobster", I replied with a simple "OK" then greeted her a Happy Birthday! Since her Dad and Mom came home late, our plan of eating dinner at the restaurant was cancelled, instead her mom had a take home chicken, pizza, cake and a wine for kids. Before eating, her dad lit the candles and we all sang a Happy Birthday song, her dad opened the wine and pour it on our glasses...Kampai!!! Otanjoobi omedetoo gozaimasu!!!