Bento #263 (World Tour to Japan)

Actually missed the tour which left yesterday, 19 October. For some reason kept thinking 25th instead and was taking my own sweet time packing, don’t ask me why though – eye sight failing I suppose! Hopefully am able to wrangle my way for a later flight and catch up with the rest of the group!! Ha ha

Well better late than never I suppose….especially since it is one of my favourite country to visit….J-A-P-A-N.

Despite the language barrier, I’ve noticed that if you take a little effort to arm yourself with a few basic/simple local phrases, people are more wiling to help especially when you get lost or ask for directions!!!

Transportation is easy to get around and there is just so many things to see, from funky cool high tech gadgets, to kawaii (cute) things, beautiful sakura flowers (cherry blossom) and also Japanese culture and tradition – Kabuki, Toji temples, Sumo wrestling, etc. Not forgetting the food – just love them especially wagashi (aka Japanese sweets) and of course macha ice-cream. Presentation of food is always so delightful and pleasing to the eye. I remember eating crabs and was awed by the way the dish was prepared since I could enjoy eating the flesh easily from the crab shell with a pair of chopsticks!! *no need to worry about chipping the teeth or using hammer to mangle the hard crab shell and no messy fingers - makes me feel a little barbaric with the way we locally eat our crabs, no class indeed but nevertheless syiok and finger licking good!! Ha ha, guess there are somethings that shouldn't change right?*

The only downside about visiting Japan is that it is SO EXPANSIVE (sigh, everything so takai – well that is based on my country currency conversion). So my best tip to anyone wanting to visit and see the ‘real’ Japan without burning a huge hole in the pocket is to travel on (1) an exchange program or (2) a business trip.

Ok enough rambling. Back to the bento. Challenge here is to include maki in the bento. I’m actually a dreadful sushi roller. I’d guess practise makes perfect and it is true that less is more when rolling sushi.

Anyhow, here’s what I boxed for the world tour.

The ‘fish’ maki reflects the Japanese carp fish that you’d might have seen hanging/flying around, in particular on May 5th, Children’s Day in Japan. The carp kite known as koinobori symbolizes strength and courage.

In the bento is maki rolled with furikaki and cucumber (for the centre), some meat patties, cucumber and carrot slices and grapes with a small fish soya sauce bottle. Made the fish-like skeletal with fried egg yolk and white sheets.

Do join in if you like being part of the bento world tour. Next destination is USA, really stuck on ideas for this one so would welcome any suggestions.