Subject: Roses are Red
Location: Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan
Photography: Jay Valentine
Tag: Japan
Photo of the Day | Tokyo by Night
Subject: Tokyo City
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Photography: Jay Valentine
Hiroshimates
Once upon a spring time, in the magical island of Honshu in Japan, there were four ‘foodies’: a musician, an artist, a writer and a model. Let us collectively call them as the ‘Hiroshimates’, as their beautiful friendship actually unfolded in Hiroshima-shi. It was all their first time to explore the city (as well as some other parts of the island) together.
They settled in at the capital, Hiroshima, a ravishing city situated in the westernmost region of Honshu. This quiet city is surrounded by three bodies of water: Ota River Delta, Hiroshima Bay, and Seto Inland Sea. Their aim was simple: to eat a lot, to eat something new (or maybe something weird), to see the Sakura and to just have crazy fun. Hiroshima is famous for its Okonomiyaki, Oysters, Momijimanju and Tsukemen.
Two of the ‘Hiroshimates’, the artist and the writer, do not speak Japanese, but fortunately, the other two, the musician and the model, just hailed from the cosmopolitan Tokyo City. The latter were so kind to play as hosts and translator for the group, even though it was also their first trip in the Hiroshima Prefecture.
Among the many stunning places they went to see, the lovely dinner on their first night was by far the most memorable to the writer foodie. It was in the restaurant called Kakiden.
They came on a rainy evening and the place was rather dark and a bit hushed (aside from the conversations coming from the patrons). It could easily accommodate big groups by seating them on tables with large central counters and intimate table setting in partitions for smaller groups. A kotatsu dining type is available if customers wish to be seated on such.
To complete the authenticity and cultural mood of the place, the waitresses were in kimono, wore the same shade of blue eyeliner and were all running around in Japanese sandals or the geta. They could very well communicate in basic, conversational English and were very kind to recommend all their specialties; but, apparently for a small group (3-5pax), a good seven to eight kinds of dishes can be already filling.
When the total bill for their dinner came, it was only around 3,000JPY for each of them and they thought it was a very good value for the services and the amount of food ordered, not to mention everything tasted great!
At Kakiden’s website, they shared that their menu is really friendly for both the local and foreign customer’s budget and it has a wide combination of dishes and they continue to develop it according to the customers’ needs and requests.
Chef Takekawa Masashi, the brain behind Kakiden, said: “I started my love for cooking when I was in boarding school in Tokyo. I would invite my group of friends and cook for them. I really find it fun to make a new dish and then eat together with them.”
“Hiroshima is blessed with fresh seafood and vegetables; and there’s a variety of ingredients that are easily available all year round, too. Now that I am home, I really wanted to share the knowledge I gained in Tokyo. It gives me joy to see the happy faces of our customers in Kakiden as they try our local cuisines here in Hiroshima.”
In Japanese, as the actor foodie shared, ‘Kaki’ means Oyster, while ‘Den’ could mean like a way of telling a story. So perhaps these deliciously prepared dishes below were Kakiden’s way of telling their beautiful story to the Hiroshimates; and it was indeed an irresistible story told right at their dinner table.
PHOTOS: (Top to Bottom) Potato & Ham Salad, Kakiage dish with Shrimps, Kaki Yaki (or baked oysters) with Garlic and Carrot Paste, Fried Cheese, Kaki butter (stir-fried Oyster with Butter), Kinoko butter (stir-fried Kinoko Mushrooms), Tempura (fried Vegetable and Shrimp), Kaisen Salad (seafood salad)
KAKIDEN 
Address: 2-8-24, Hikarimachi, Higashi-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima, 732-0052
Getting there: 7-10 mins walk from JR Hiroshima Station; See MAP
Reservation Hotline: +81 5020181384
Website: http://www.kakiden.co.jp/
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum: Tales of my Village
The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum or FAAM, in Hakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, features an exhibit entitled: “Tales of my Village.” It showcases an interesting array of artworks by great artists from India, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Philippines, Pakistan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, China, India, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The collection has defined the term “My Village” which is something symbolic to the concept of “Homeland.” The exhibit will run until 26th May 2015.
As FAAM describes it, “The works in the collection of the museum are not imitation of Western art or repetitions of traditional works. Instead they seek to overcome the existing framework of art, being made by artists living in ‘contemporary’ Asia.”
While FAAM attempts to express a message of the ever-changing ‘Asia’, the Asian artists featured in the exhibition, depicts the sense of belongingness to one’s homeland and patriotism, if we may add.
FAAM’s “Tales of my Village” simply puts together a charming recoil to the basic questions: “Where am I from?” or “Who am I?”
Exhibit sequence: “Depicting Village Life”; “My Village”; “The Reality of a Homeland”; “Movement”
WORKS AND ARTISTS:
Nunelucio Alvarado
“Sugar Daddy”
Oil on Canvas
Philippines, 1998
Nunelucio Alvarado
“Masskara Queen”
Oil on Canvas
Philippines, 1998
Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)/Aarong
“Women of Bengali/Tapestry”
Embroidery on Cloth
Bangladesh, 2000
Song Hyunsook
“8 Brushstrokes”
Tempera on Canvas
Korea, 1998
Iftikhar Dadi
“Muslims are meat eaters, they prefer food containing salt. Hindus on the other hand prefer a sweet taste.”
Inkjet Print on Transparency, Light Box
Pakistan, 1997
Risham Syed
“The Pillow Story”
Acrylic, Collage, Buttons, Tea on Handmade Wasli Paper
Pakistan, 1999
Mian Ijaz-ul-Hassan
“Thah”
Oil on Canvas
Pakistan, 1973
Gulam Mohammed Sheikh
“Choice of Birth”
Oil on Canvas
India, 1992-1994
Ismail Abdul Latiff
“Valley in Morning Dew, Purification of Princess”
Mixed Media on Paper
Malaysia, 1988
Kazi Ghiyasuddin
“Sound of Nature – 5”
Oil on Canvas
Bangladesh, 1996
Haji Marsidi bin Haji Akip
“Symphony No. 22 (Kite Season No. 14)”
Oil on Canvas
Brunei, 1986
Sulaiman Haji Esa
“Mahsuri 2”
Handmade Paper, Metallic Yarn, Bamboo and Acrylic
Malaysia, 1983
Choi Jeonghwa
“Made in Korea”
Color Photograph, Acrylic Board, Plastic Chair
Korea, 1991
Luo Brothers
“I Love Tienanmen Square, Beijing”
Photograph, Computer Graphics, Watercolor, Lacquer on Board
China, 1996-1997
Manuel Ocampo
“Paradise Open to All” (Paraeso Abierto a Todos)
Acrylic and Collage on Canvas
Philippines, 1994
Raj Kumar Das (Painting); Gaffar Mistry (Rickshaw Making)
“Rickshaw”
Tricycle with enamel paint, Vinyl, Bamboo, Tin, Metal and Photograph
Bangladesh, 1994
Liew Kung Yu
“Sincere Memorial Gift – 1”
Photo Collage, Tile, Cloth, Printed Paper on Wood
Malaysia, 1995
Atul Dodiya
“Gabbar on Gamboge”
Oil, Acrylic, Marble Dust, Charcoal on Canvas
India, 1997
Thawan Duchanee
“Worship”
Oil on Canvas
Thailand, 1964
Thawan Duchanee
“Self”
Oil, Enamel and Gold Leaf on Canvas
Thailand, 1989
I Dewa Putu Mokoh
“Mother and Child Laying Sound Asleep”
Acrylic on Canvas
Indonesia, 1992
Carlos V. Francisco
“Progress through Education”
Oil on Canvas
Philippines, 1964
Marisa Dasaravath
“Spirit of Mother – Hmong”
Oil on Canvas
Laos, 2008
Anonymous
“Chinese Figures and Auspicious Patterns”
Ink and Pigment on Silk
China, Qing Dynasty 18th Century
Luong Xuan Nhi
“A Reading Girl”
Oil on Canvas
Vietnam, 1940
Liu Kang
“Slippers”
Oil on Canvas
Singapore, 1930
Georgette Chen Liying
“Cityscape of Beijing”
Oil on Canvas
Singapore, Circa 1940
Jamini Roy
“Fawn”
Gouache on Cardboard
India, Unknown
![Lionel Wendt Title Unknown [View from a Vernada]](https://eugephemisms.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150406_163859.jpg?w=739&h=415)
Lionel Wendt
Title Unknown [View from a Vernada]
Gelatin Silver Print
Sri Lanka, Unknown
Lionel Wendt
Torso of a Sinhalese Fisherman
Gelatin Silver Print
Sri Lanka, Circa 1936-1937
Su Xinping
“Walking Men”
Lithograph on Paper
China, 1989
Kim Seongyoun
“trans-“
Video (4:20)
Korea, 2003/2005
Khien Yimsiri
“Musical Rhythm”
Bronze
Thailand, 1949
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
7th & 8th Floor, Riverain Center Building
3-1 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City
Telephone: 092 263 1100
http://faam.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/
Taste of Okinawa
10°, two litres of beer, a cuppa hot coffee, familial stories, and a refreshing Japanese vita-power drink with Emil in front of the hotel; and, then we were off to meet his Osaka-based friends, the amusing couple, Ashley and Hiroke. They were bringing us to a ‘secret’ drink-eat-drink-all-you-can-restaurant but when we got there, five groups were on queue ahead of us, so we decided to go somewhere else and found ourselves in an authentic Okinawan resto-bar.
Shima Uta Raibu (Live) Ryūkyū
Indeed, there was a live band playing on stage that evening. Three different kinds of musical instruments (Okinawan as the resto name suggests Ryukyuan folk music) accompanied the vocalists, a lead and a second voice. We were a bit lost in translation but we could easily delve into the emotion of the melodies, which were beautifully interpreted through their flawless head tones. According to Emil, they were singing/playing Okinawan novelty songs. The ambience was just festive. We were lucky to have quickly secured a table and presumably they’re always full house on weekends. Everyone was singing and clapping to the live music and there were finger whistling, too. At some point, some diners went up the stage to join the song and dance interpretation led by the vocalist. It was ‘very cultural’ and we live for those kinds of moments.
Because we can not speak conversational Nihongo, we confidently deputed the ordering of food and drinks to Ashley, Hiro and Emil. All the dishes they carefully chose for us came one by one and each has its own unique taste and character. Everything was new to us so, everything tasted fresh to our palates. We also tried the Orion beer, Okinawa’s local brew. It tasted a bit like San Miguel Light and its mild taste perfectly blended with the food. After the beer, they felt that it’s time for us to try the Awamori, a refreshing Okinawan cocktail but we were warned about its strong kick.
Yeah, maybe we felt a little bit of the kick but not until we had more cocktails and shots of various spirits at a ‘frenzy’ place we went to after the dinner. Overall, it was an epic night at a new place, meeting new friends, trying new drinks, and tasting new dishes. The special dishes at Shima Uta Raibu (Live) Ryūkyū, which Emil helped to document were: Hechima Chanpuru, Seaweed Tenpura, Tamago-yaki, Karaage (deep-fried chicken), Raftī (pork belly), Goya Chanpuru, Beef Tofu. The next time you’d encounter an Okinawan restaurant, wherever in the world, just revisit this post and if there’s difficulty in communication, show them the photos of the dishes, take a bow, smile, open up a cold Orion and enjoy your dinner!
Sweet Weekend
It is getting more and more expensive to travel these days. Since Singapore (or most cities for that matter) already has an array of international flavours that are available, let your palate roam around and get a taste of different cuisines in just one weekend.
A pseudo-globe-trotting adventure where you can just transit at any destination you want. Here’s how we let our palates hop on such fun, cheap and sweet ramble!
First stop. ITALY: Pasta Brava
The appetiser, pastas and mains at “Dinner Dates” hosted by Stephen Quedi.
Stephen, Paul, Ryan, Abu and Toni—until our next “Dinner Dates!”
Layover. JAPAN: Dolce Tokyo
Detour. VIETNAM: NamNam Noodle Bar
Home sweet home. SINGAPORE: Tiong Bahru Bakery by Gontran Cherrier
eugephemisms: Mickee and Tin: “Let’s do more normal things and activities like normal people.”
Photo credits: Paul, Abu, Stephen, Alfie, Mickee, Tin.
Menya Sanji (The Three Warriors)
Kristine Gumabay, Mickee Nadal Balagot and Jen Macapagal were looking for a place to celebrate their birthday dinners together. “Ramenan!”, one suggested. We could then picture out the long queues somewhere in Tanjong Pagar. At least for those living in Singapore, they may be familiar with the juxtaposed ramen shops at Orchid Hotel, Tras Link.
There were queues indeed but the only place who can (quickly) accommodate a (hungry) party of 10 was Menya Sanji. Named after the three warriors, it was most suited for the celebration of the evening, the birthdays of our beloved three warriors, our dragon boat team’s Women’s Captains (from past to present)—Mickee, Tin and Jen. The shop originated from Kagoshima in Kyushu, Japan. It also has shops in Taiwan and Guam.
The place is small yet cozy. The food–straightforwardly delicious. The Japanese folding and hand fans at each table are an added delight to its customers, too.
They say, “great minds think alike,” and so our orders were pretty much the same–the popular Sanji Ramen, 13SGD. Irrashaimase! It was a fun, zen, and happy Japanese-themed birthday celebration!
MENYA SANJI | 1 Tras Link, Orchid Hotel, Singapore; Tel: +65 6604 8891
Operating Hours: 11.30am-3pm & 5.30pm-11pm
Sandaime Bunji
+ Salad, Tofu, U-men noodle, Chawanmushi
+ Hot Stone Bowel Rice with Salmon & Salmon Roe Topping, Salad, Tofu, 3pcs Oden
+ Grilled Saba (Mackerel), Salad, Ox Tail Soup, Mugimeshi (Rice)
+ Gyu Harami (Beef) Steak, Salad, Ox Tail Soup, Mugimeshi (Rice)
It’s been a a year since we visited Tokyo. The sights and the weather were perfect but it was the food which captured our hearts the most (or maybe next to shopping). In the span of our stay, we tried to eat something different everyday. We had one on the street, by the train station (JR), at a mall, at a fancy restaurant, a fast food chain and even on those vendo food stores. Everything was just mouth-watering.
We promised ourselves to come back but the second time will be in Osaka. We have not done it yet but hopefully time and our pockets will permit us in 2014. This featured restaurant indeed made me relish those wonderful gastro-experience we had in Japan.
Sandaime Bunji is one of the brands that Abezen Restaurant Systems (ARS) operate. Located at the Park & Dine Zone of The Millenia Walk, this is ARS’ first branch outside of Japan. Its other Izakaya concept brands are Eimon and Surimiya. ARS was once voted as Tokyo’s, “Most Exciting Dining Experience.”
It was an impromptu late dinner with Alex, Paulie and Mickee. Our meeting at Millenia Walk finished late but it (dinner) sure wasn’t a hurried one. We had so much fun, so much laughter which made us stay until they closed for the night. Its interior and the food presentation are shown in the images. As for the taste, we all loved it, and, to me it tasted authentic.
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