Denny's in Japan : Great Desserts are Waiting for You

Denny's is one of the biggest restaurant chains in America and the restaurants are located all over the world. As you know, for Japanese people, Denny's is known as a fancy restaurant where many families enjoy hamburgs and desserts. Meals served at Denny's in Japan are totally different from ones in America. I believe many of you are familiar with American style Denny's, so you will be surprised to see so many unique dishes in Japan.

Now, I will show you some typical and popular desserts served at Denny's in Japan.

1. 

This is called "Mini-choko Sande"

mini Chocolate Sundae

As it is called "mini" , this is relatively small sundae.

About 4 dollars

It contains corn flakes at the bottom, vanilla and chocolate ice cream on it 

and whip cream on the top with some chocolate cookie balls.

This is a perfect portion as a dessert after meals.

Ice cream, whip cream and crispy flakes perfectly match. 

2.

This is Japanese style sundae.

Macha-Shiratama-mini parfait

（まっちゃしらたまパルフェ）

Green tea ice cream & mochi balls parfait

This has plenty of brown sugar syrup at the bottom, sweet red beans on it.

Then  mocha ice cream and shiratama (white rice cake balls) on top, 

sweet red beans and whip cream added.

The combination of brown sugar syrup and sweet red beans

make bitter macha ice cream milder.

Anmitsu with macha and vanilla ice cream

Anmitsu is a traditional Japanese sweet in a bowl.

It contains fruits, ice cream, red bean paste, and agar jelly, and colorful rice cake.

This is good when you feel tired or want to refresh yourself.

Not only fresh fruits but also canned fruits are good for Anmitsu.

We have it, pouring blown sugar syrup. 

Usually this comes with hojicha (roasted green tea)

3. Good for hot summer!!

shaved ice is very popular in Japan.

They are like powder snow! very soft and fluffy.

We enjoy it with various flavors.

Here are one of the best flavors from Denny's.

Ichigo-Milk

strawberry sauce and condensed milk.

氷(Koori) = shaved ice

ichigo=strawberry

Yuzu flavored Ice shaved 

This is so refreshing.

Milk Ujikintoki flavored shaved ice

Do you know 宇治金時 (U-ji-kin-toki)?

Uji is a name of the place (an area in Kyoto)

kirntoki = a brand of red beans

This is almost same as the macha parfait I explained the above.

Actually, this is my favorite.

You should definitely try it (^-^)

Sounds good, right?

Now, you want to try some, don't you???

Why not go to Denny's in Japan?

Let's learn Japanese culture more from Sazaesan: Vol1. What is Sazae-san?

Sazae-san is a manga series created by Machiko Hasegawa.

It illustrates typical Japanese lives in Showa era.

Sazae-san is a main character, 24 year-old housewife and

her family lead their happy, but casual lives.

In 1969, Fuji Television started anime version and has broadcasted for about 50 years.

Any Japanese didn't have dinner without watching sazaesan every Sunday from 6:30 pm.

(Am I saying too much? but it's kind of true.)

In 2013, Sazae-san was awarded the Guinness World Record for the longest series anime in the world. So, Sazae-san should be much more famous than Naruto or One piece. (I believe)

Anyway, by reading Sazae-san, you will understand:

1. How have our ancestors  lived in Showa era, especially after the WWII?

2. How was women's rights movement going? 

3. Japanese language (Some are so old that we no longer use them.)

Before introducing this manga, I would like to explain main characters.

The name of the characters are very interesting because they are derived from marine animals.

Hence, if you remember all character's name, you also remember marine animals in Japanese.

This is Sazae-san, a main character in this manga.

Sazae is called "horned turban" or "turban shell" in English.

She is 24 year-old-housewife.

She loves reading books, especially detective novels.

Sazae-san has one younger brother, Katsuo and one younger sister, Wakame.

Her husband is Masuo and they have a son, whose name is Tarao.

 His name is Namihei, which means waves in English,

He is 54 years old and Sazae's father.

Namihei is a typical Japanese man in Showa era.

(He usually doesn't do any houseworks such as dishwashing and cooking)

He is sometimes strict to his children, but usually very generous.

His hobbies are making haiku, growing bonsai, and playing shogi.

Her name is Fune, which means a ship in English.

She wears casual kimono and and apron.

She is in 50's and a typical Japanese woman in Showa era.

(She works hard for her family all the time.)

I think 良妻賢母 (ryo-sai-ken-bo) is the word for her.

( a good wife and a devoted mother )

His name is Masuo.

Masu is a trout in English. "O" stands for "a man" (男), 

which is generally used for men's names.

Masuo is Sazae-san's husband.

He is very generous and a good father.

He likes to drink beer with Namihei, his father-in law.

He works for a trading company.

His name is Katsuo, which means a bonito in English.

He is in the fifth grade in an elementary school

He loves playing soccer baseball and "planks"

Katsuo doesn't like studying so usually gets bad scores on exams.

Namihei, his father scolds him and tells him to study hard.

He is such a naughty but a very nice guy.

Her name is Wakame, which means seaweed in English.

She is in the third grade in an elementary school

She is very smart and kind.

Her hobbies are reading books and writing poems and pictures.

She really respects her mother, Fune and wish to be like her in the future.

His name is Tarao.

Tara means cod fish and O means 男 used for man's name.

He is three years old and a child of Masuo and Sazae.

He has a pure heart, but is sometimes stubborn.

He really loves Katsuo and Wakame.

(Katsuo is an uncle and Wakame is an aunt for him)

Tama is a white male cat.

Tama is a typical name for cats in a few decades ago.

(A typical name for Dogs was Pochi, you might know)

These are all members of Sazae-san's family.

Their neighbors are very nice and friendly as well.

Finally, I am going to show you a four panel cartoon.

cited from Sazae-san 

Sazae-san is using a pedal sewing machine.

Sewing machine is ミシン (Mishin) in Japanese.

Mishin is a sound that people misheard the word "machine"

Isn' it interesting?

Try tasty Takoyaki from Japan : Gindaco

You know the hottest ball in the world?

It contains chopped octopus, covered with strong sauce.

The name of the ball is Takoyaki, octopus balls.

Osaka is famous for takyaki and it is their soul food.

There are many kinds of Takoyaki shops all over the Japan.

One of my favorite takoyaki shops is "Gindaco" founded in Tsukij, Tokyo

Why is the shop called "Gindako"?

This is because the founder had a desire to open a shop in Ginza in Tokyo.

Takoyaki at Gindako is crunch outside and fluffy inside.

You will be addicted to the texture .

Now, I will introduce Gindako to you.

As you see the below, Gindako shops are everywhere in Tokyo and all over Japan.

You can enjoy takoyaki at the food stall, even at Izakaya.

Here is Tokyo Tower

The secrets of tasty Takoyaki

You don't like octopus?

I know they look ugly, but they are surprisingly good taste.

Gindaco selects high quality and fresh octopus.

They are chewy, moderately salty and very juicy.

Toppings of Takoyaki are green onions, tempura batter, and red pickled ginger.

Their size and texture are just perfect for Takoyaki.

The secret of Gindako is that the outside of takoyaki ball is very crispy,

while inside are so creamy.

In addition, chewy and fresh octopus inside wakes you up.

Be careful! It's really HOT!

Cholesterol free oil (corn oil) is used.

This is very healthy and makes the Takiyaki crispy.

But, this doesn't meant Takoyaki has no calories.

Aonori, seaweed and dried bonito flake are keys of Takoyaki.

 Spread on Takoyaki, they begin to dance!

Now, I believe you really want to try Gindaco's Takoyaki.

Regular Menu

Regular size: 8 takoyaki balls are in each package.

だんらん＝Danran=Happy family communication / circle

So, だんらんパック means family size.

Seasonal Menu (for summer)

Two seasonal takoyaki are now on sale.

One is 青じそおろしポン酢 (Aojiso Oroshi Ponzu).

Aojiso ＝Japanese herb

おろし＝grated Daikon radish

ポン酢＝Ponzu Sauce

You can have Takoyaki with these on the top.

It's so refreshing.

Other secrets of Gindako

Iron plate for Yakoyaki is very important.

Gindaco has created an original iron plate 

so that takoyaki gets crispy outside and creamy inside.

Containers are also very unique.

They are made of thin tree barks shaved with a plane.

Each container has a brand "銀だこ" as you can see.

Packages for takeaway are also special.

It has air holes so that it keeps Takoyaki crispy.

Cited from Gindaco Official HP

This is one of the best Takoyaki shops in Japan.

There are various types of takoyaki, but I strongly recommend Gindaco's takoyaki.

Bon appétit ! 

Japanese Best Instant Udon noodle

One of soul food for Japanese food is Udon.
Udon is made from white wheat flour.

There are different levels of chewiness and thickness in Udon.
Besides, there are several types of soup. Some are weak and others are strong.
Each region has unique udon.

During summer, we dip cold udon in a cold soup
with seasonings such as green onion and graded daikon.

During winter, we have udon with a hot soup in the bowl.
There are many toppings such as dried tofu, tempura and vegetables.

Typical udon noodles in Japan

・きつねうどん（Kitsune-Udon) = fox Udon
This hot udon has deep-fried bean curd on the top.

Do you know why we call it "fox Udon"?


The answer is this:
We Japanese visit shrines of Oinari Okami, the Japanese fox god.
It is said that the god loves deep-friend bean curd, so
we serve it as offerings in addition to rice and sake.





・たぬきうどん (Tanunki-Udon) = Racoon Dog Udon
The Udon has bits of deep-fried tempura batter on the top
and have both cold and hot one.


There are various theories about the reason why we call it Tanuki-Udon.
One of the theories is that it has only tempura batter on the top.
Vegetables and seafood for tempura are called "Tane". 
Tempura batter doesn't have Tane, so "taking out Tane"is called "Tane-nuki" in Japanese.
Tane-nuki is abbreviated to "Tanuki" Therefore, the udon is called "tanuki."

My favorite instant noodles from Maruchan

Do you want to save your time cooking? Yes!

How about trying instant udon noodles?

I recommend easy, quick and tasty udon from Maruchan.

We are familiar with this logo,

 from Toyo-suisan corporate.

The red one is "Red Fox" (Akai Kitsune) udon.

The green one is "Green raccoon dog" (Tanuki) buckwheat noodle.

You can buy them at any convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan.

One udon is less than 200 yen.

There are many different flavors in different regions.

The black one is pork curry udon.

The red/white one contains rice cake on the top.

The left one is Miso-nikomi Udon, which means miso flavor simmered udon.

Udon in miso soup originally comes from Nagoya prefecture.

The right one is burdock tempura on the top.

burdock is gobo in Japanese, so it's called Gobotem Udon

History of Maruchan Udon

Kitsune-Udon cup was born in 1975.

It was the industry first instant Udon noodle in Japan.

1975 is when Shinkansen railroad service started from Tokyo to Hakata in Kyushu.

A new brand name of the brand was chosen and Akai-Kitsune Udon was born.

1978 is when Space invaders, an arcade game, became so popular among young people.

Midori-no-tanuki (buckwheat noodles) was born.

Interestingly, the company made different soup flavors in different regions.

For example, people in Kanto area prefer strong soup, 

while people in Kansai area like weak soup.

The following are limited to a specific region.

Travel around in Japan and find unique maruchan udon.

Ingredients for soup are different in terms of regions.

How to enjoy soup with dashi (broth)

1. Don't add red pepper, but sip soup once and enjoy the dashi flavor.
2. Look at the inside of the cup when you finish it. You will see some black powders around.
, which means the soup contains nice broth. You should try!

Now, do you come interested in Kitsune-Udon?
It is good for you and your friends to share Kitsune and Tanuki noodles and enjoy different tastes.


Cited from Maruchan Official HP

Bring Fortune from Japan : A Lucky Cat

Japanese people love good luck charms.

We give them as a gift or display in our house.

Consciously or not, we see these around us in our daily lives.

Some are derived from Hinduism or Chinese culture.

Japanese good luck charms also come from Shinto and Buddhism,

in which we wish prosperity of our descendants and health.

Japanese good luck charms are not only cute, but have a lot of meanings

for Japanese people. I would like to share them with many of you

in different countries and want you to know about Japan more.

Today, I would like to introduce a lucky cat to you.

A lucky cat is called "Maneki-neko" in Japanese.

招き猫 (Maneki-neko)

maneki= beckoning 

neko= cat

Meaning:

A cat that brings luck and happiness or to us.

A cart that brings customers to shops or restaurants.

In general, people who run their shops or restaurants display a lucky cat to have more customers and make their business more prosperous.

There is a unique museum called Manekineko museum,

where you can see so many kinds of lucky cats.

Here is the link:

Maneki-neko museum

 (in Seto city, Aichi prefecture)

Bring Fortune from Japan : Daruma

Japanese people love good luck charms.

We give them as a gift or display in our house.

Consciously or not, we see these around us in our daily lives.

Some are derived from Hinduism or Chinese culture.

Japanese good luck charms also come from Shinto and Buddhism,

in which  we wish prosperity of our descendants and health.

Japanese good luck charms are not only cute, but have a lot of meanings
for Japanese people. I would like to share them with many of you
in different counties and want you to know about Japan more.

Today, I would like to introduce Daruma.

daruma

Do you know a Japanese old saying, "七転び八起き" (Nanakorobi-yaoki)?

七転び八起き（ななころびやおき）

Nana-Korobi-Yaoki

Nana＝seven times
Korobi＝falling down ( 転ぶ＝korobu= fall down)
ya＝eight times
oki＝stand up / （起きる= okiru = raise your upper body / get up )



Meaning:

If you fall down seven times, stand up eight times.

A man's walking is a succession of falls.

Daruma has a round shape and if I fall it down, it always raise his body up.
Therefore, Japanese people display a daruma when we have to take an exam or run for an election to wish for our success.

In English, daruma is called :

lucky daruma

good luck-daruma

good fortune-daruma

Here is how to make a wish with a daruma.

1. Make a wish that you want to achieve
2. Draw a left eye of daruma. （Draw a circle and paint black)

3. Once your wish comes true, draw the other to show your appreciation.

Then, we display it for a year.  During New Year's holidays, usually around January 15 to 20,
we have an event "Dondo-yaki" where people bring fortune things such as daruma, charms or arrows
to a certain place and put fire on and burn them in each community.