Onsen (Hot springs)

It is colder and colder in Sweden.  When Swedish summer is over, I always miss Onsen (hot spring).  In Japan, there are so many osnen spots and it is very common to go to Onsen over weekends or even one day trip.  Every time I visit Japan, going to Onsen with my family and friends is highly prioritized. The picture above shows a view from outdoor Onsen. The hotel we stayed is located in front of Pacific ocean and it was wonderful moment. Onsen outside is called Rotenburo. I prefer Rotenburo to indoor onsen because I  can enjoy fresh air.

If you go to snow are in winter, you can enjoy Rotenburo with snow. One thing you should be careful is that the floor is a bit slippery. But I believe Swedish people are good at walking on snow and icy streets.  Chances are, you should try!    

Mont Blanc (chestnut cream cake)

Mont Blanc is one of my favorite cakes.  I am not talking about a tall mountain in Alps.
Unfortunately, I have never seen my favorite cake in Sweden...

Mont Blanc is a chestnut cream cake which is very popular in Japan. Where it came from is not clear but it seems it originally came from France, but the first Mont Blanc cake sold in Japan was in 1933. So it was quite long time ago.

Mont  Blanc is a soft layer of cake with a pillowy mound of chestnut cream, all topped with strands of sweet nutty chestnut puree. It’s creamy, sweet and earthy with a few different textures in each bite.

Inarizushi

 Inarizushi is one of popular sushi and often made at home in Japan. Because it is easy kind of sushi to make with food results.

Inarisushi is a clump of sushi rice in a fried tofu pocket. Raw fish is not used for Inarizushi, therefore it is common food for picnic as well.

The picture is Obento I made with my nephew when I visited Japan and we took out Obento for a picnic. To make it fun we decorated with Japanese and Swedish flags.

Obento includes Inarisushi, Edamame(soybeans), Kamaboko( made of pureed white fish), Rolled pork with vegetable and Kyoho (Japanese Grape). Kyoho is one of my favorite fruits, it is extremely sweet..

It is important how to decorate to make it beautiful even it is not easy though.  For kids lunch box, mothers try to decorate Obento with animal or character goods to intrigues kids and motivate to eat. 

Japansk kultur på Östasiatiska museet

I went to Östaistiska Museet where Japanese cultural events were held on 9th of September.

This is a mini Obento which mean small lunch box with several dishes. Obento is very common in Japan and you can easily access to get at supermarkets and convenience stores. Previously I wrote about Ekiben which is also one of Obento and sold at only stations.    

Above picture shows Kyudo, Japanese archery, which is one of traditional Japanese sports. As all Budo ( traditional Japanese sports) includes the idea of moral and spiritual development. I can not deny this interesting combination with the traditional Japanese sport and the typical Stockholm background.  

I can say that this is getting new Japanese culture called cospre. Two girls wear in Samurai costume and they really look like Samurai. I enjoyed many young peoples cospre shows.

Ekiben (måltid låda)

Ekiben is a specific type of  meal box, sold on trains and train stations in Japan. Each station sells different types of Ekiben so you can enjoy local food. They include several dishes like above picture such as Sushi,  Karaage, Boiled vegetable with soy source etc. Tasting Ekiben is one of enjoyable ways during domestic trip in Japan.
People normally eat Ekiben with tea on trains and enjoy view and talking with your friends or families.
I always enjoy the moment every time I visit Japan.
If you have a chance to travel to Japan, I strongly recommend to try Ekiben!

Italiensk mat

I visited my Italian friend and tried to cook gnocchi.  The first time I had gnocchi was in Rome long time ago. After that I have not had a chance to have it. Finally I did and it was very good. One is with tomato source with   mozzarella, the other one is with gorgonzola and wholenuts.

My friend made my favorite Tiramisu!

Japanska efterrätter ( Japanese sweets)

Sometimes I want Japanese sweets. But it is almost impossible to buy them here so I have to give up or make by myself.
The picture is Japanese sweets served when I stayed in a traditional Japanese hotel in Japan.  Kaki sorbet (on the top ), Sesame pudding ( on the right) and Yokan ( on the left).
Yokan is a tradional Japanese sweet, which is basically made of azuki beans, kanten (agar agar), and sugar.
Unlike western style it is very common that several sweets of small pieces are served.  I like that way so I can enjoy different taste before being tired of.  

Tokyo Skytree

As you may already know, Tokyo Skytree opened to the public on May 22,2012.  This tower with height of 634.0 meters is the tallest tower in the world   The picture is from their website. The name of Tokyo Skytree was decided by the public survey.  

Japanska lunch med Tonkatsu, Ris bollen och potatis salad

My friend came to my place with her family and I prepared Japanese food for lunch. We wanted to take the food out and have a small picnic but it was a little bit chilly unfortunately. So we had lunch inside instead.

My friend has been curious about rice balls ( Onigiri in Japanese) and  upon her request I made Onigiri with Ume ( Japanese salt plums) furikake and Tonkatsu ( Deep-fried pork cutlet) and Japanese Potato salad.   

Japansk matlagningskurs: Picknick Lunch box (Obentou)

Today a teenage girl came to my Japanese cooking class. She is the youngest girl in my class. Surprisingly, she can speak Japanese pretty well. So we enjoyed talking in Japanese !

We cooked Obentou ( Japanese lunch box) with Chicken Karaage, Teriyaki hamburger, Japanese styled potato salad and Onigiri( rice ball). 

T

We took out the Obento with us and enjoyed a small picnic near cherry blossom. It like Ohanami  (Cherry blooms viewing ).

Uramakisushi

Recently this Uramakisushi ( seaweed is inside )  is very popular especially outside Japan. Ura means back in Japanese. Uramakisushi is a little bit easier to make than ordinal makisushi which seaweed is outside. This time I made salmon and cucumber makisushi.

Kungsträdgården

It was a beautiful weather today. I went to Kungsträdgården to see cherry blossom with my friends.
It was so breautiful. I always enjoy seeing cherry blossom because I can feel like being in Japan.

Cooking class- matlagningskurs

There are 2 people coming to my Japanese cooking class. We cooked Tonkatsu , Teriyakichicken and Japanese curry rice. It was enjoyrable time!  They never cooked Japanese food.  Of course this was the first time for them to eat the Japanese food they cooked.  After tasting, both of them said " I really like Japanese curry rice."

Udon- Japanska nudlar

Udon is one of my favorite noodles and my family living in Japan sent my favorite Udon.
Udon are white and thick wheat noodles which are basically made by kneading wheat flour. Dried, pre-boiled, and fresh udon are available at supermarkets in Japan. 
There are several Udon dishes in Japan. Udon is served either warm or cold. I prefer cold Udon during summer. Cold noodle is eaten by dipping into mentsuyu which is soy sauce flavored dashi soup. You can also add some toppings such as grated fresh ginger, chopped leek, sesame seeds, wasabi.

Cherry blossom in Japan - Sakura

Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese. Sakura is one of my favorite flowers and it is the most loved flower for Japanese.
My parents sent some pictures of cherry blossom last week.  Now Cherry blosson i Tokyo is almost over....and making pink carpet on the ground.

Japansk frukost ( Japanese breakfast)

I often have Japanese breakfast on weekends.  Traditionally Japanese breakfast come with rice, miso-soup and some dishes.
My favorite is Natto which is fermented beans.  Natto is very characteristic smell and taste but it is very tasty and healthy.

Makizushi

I made Makizushi with salmon and carrot that is easy to get in Sweden.

Ingredients

Sushi rice
Seaweed
Salmon
Carrot

1.  Cut a carrot and salmon to long thinly
2.  Boil pieces of carrot a few minutes
3.  Put a seaweed on a makisu ( bomboo sheet) and put sushi rice on a seaweed and carrot and salmon and wrap!

The first time is very difficult but it matter of practice.