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Confectionery in shape of an ogre's face

2019.01.23

This is a Japanese confection called "Wagashi" in shape of the face of "Oni", the Japanese ogre. It's made of sweetened bean paste, and about 1.5inches in diameter.

It's a confectionery for "Setsubun", the 3rd day of February. The literal meaning of the word Setsubun is "division of the seasons", and it especially refers to the day before the beginning of Spring. The Japanese traditional confectionary shops usually seem to be in "Setsubun" mode in the latter half of January.

This "Oni" is like a demon in Japan, but it is not always only strong or scary but sometimes kind, cute, or a little funny. This ogre of sweets will also show various expressions with a hand technique of the maker.

It's fun to imagine what kind of facial expressions of ogre are lined up at the confectionary shops in Japan.
T.S

The birthplace of rice omelet: a restaurant "Hokkyokusei" 　

2018.12.20

Gourmet

When I went to Osaka the other day, I had a rice omelet at the "Hokkyokusei".（Hokkyokusei means Polaris in Japanese.)
Although the restaurant seems to have been well known, I didn't know at all that there was a birthplace of rice omelet in the first place.

You can read why the rice omelet was born on Hokkyokusei's web site . In short, there was a following conversation between a customer and the owner.
"This is very good. What is the dish called?" "Rice and omelet, so it is a rice omelet!"

I went to their Shinsaibashi head restaurant, which is like a retro Japanese-style house with a courtyard. It was nice to have a delicious rice omelet in the spacious retro Japanese room. So I understand the restaurant is popular among foreign tourists.

The omelet was fine and thin. I thought that the word "gentle taste" was truly to describe the rice omelet.

There was a multilingual plate on each table.

This one is for the restaurant staff.

The entrance of the Hokkyokusei　

I went there around 1 p.m. on a weekend and waited inside about 20 minutes before I was guided to a table. It was good that I didn't have to wait long outside. They have a few branch restaurants in Kyoto as well. (H.S)

Recommendation of Italian restaurant in Fukui City "iL bosco"

2018.10.04

Gourmet

I sometimes go to the Il bosco as it is not so far from my house.
The other day, I went there for lunch with friends.
The following are some of dishes that we had that day.

Appetizer sampler

Hot and fresh focaccia is put in a wooden box and served.
Focaccia can be taken out.

Pizza with prosciutto and arugula grown in Awara City

Homemade tagliatelle with bacon and spinach in cream sauce

Sauteed Spanish chestnut pork with Marsala sauce

Dessert: Pistachio semifreddo

Inside the restaurant is filled with customers.

The appearance of Il bosco

The signboard

Each dish is authentic Italian cuisine and so good. Although Il bosco is not such a big restaurant, it has many staff, so they serve customers well. They provide a special lunch menu on weekdays. You should make a reservation on weekends. (H.S)

Recommendation of bakery in Fukui City ”bakerium”

2018.08.08

Gourmet

The "bakerium" was opened last year.
The breads are in a showcase and they sell them face-to-face.
I think that it is hygienic and you don’t have to buy breads on impulse.

The inside of the shop has a nice atmosphere, which looks like some kind of a retro variety shop. The breads are made carefully and taste very good. (H.S)

The nameboard of the shop.
It is stylish and doesn’t look like a bakery.

Around the entrance.

The logo looks nice on the bag.

The breads I bought that day.
They gave me a spinach bread as a service.
Somehow I was very happy to get only a bread for free.

Restaurant you can enjoy Spanish and French dishes together in Fukui "Le PLUS MUCHO"

2018.08.05

Gourmet

“Le PLUS MUCHO” opened last year. Two chefs, one who loves Spain and Spanish food and the other does France and French food, started the restaurant. The other day, I went there for lunch for the first time.

They have two ‘set-lunches’ and I ordered paella course. The other is meat dish. For dinner, they have tapas and homemade sausages, so you can have a pleasant meal with wine. (H.S)

Salad of seasonal vegetables (A friend put a marinade salmon on it.) 　