Globalization of Food

Globalization covers a broad array of possible topics with Western influences adapted to the East, with its architecture, its fashion, and technology. Yet, the one topic that I could write for days about would be centered on food. There have been some famous examples in history where Marco Polo’s journey to China and discovering noodles there lent itself to the introduction of pasta back to Europe, and to recent times with the introduction of MacDonald’s and Starbucks Coffee to this part of the world. Seeing familiar establishments like these makes me forget that I am in a foreign country, trying to acclimate and immerse myself in a new culture. However, those differences are blending together, through Japan’s adoption and adaptation of other nations’ foods and the readily availability of Japanese food outside of Japan.

‘Fusion’ cuisine back in the United States carries an air of the exotic with European or Asian food often being combined together to create a new taste in order to allure its customers. Yet, here in Japan, this idea of ‘fusion’ seems quite difference. In fact, it is more of an adoption of the Western food that I have had before or ‘yoshoku’ (Japanized Western-style dish). For example, when I was in Dotunburi Street in Osaka (One of the most famous streets in Osaka, Japan, known for its neon lights brightly glowing at night) I tried ‘doria’ for dinner. We ate at a Western Style restaurant (For reasons that we were poor, but not to stray) and found that this restaurant had adapted its ingredients and dishes to match the Japanese palette. Indeed, here in Japan, expect to see a Teriyaki Burger from Mickey D’s on the menu versus a ‘Big and Tasty’ you would find in the United States. The former addresses the adaptation of a burger to Japan, the latter exemplifies the idea of 'big is good' in the West.

Nowadays, thanks to technology and the Internet, accessibility to other types of cuisine has become easier and more readily available. Mitsuwa Marketplace is a growing chain of supermarkets which sell various kinds of Japanese ingredients and food in the United States. Here, you can easily find some Japanese crackers and snacks, and pick up ingredients to make your favorite Japanese dishes. I visited Mitsuwa Marketplace shortly before my arrival to Japan. This visit whet my palette for Japanese food and I realized how easy it was to pick up the same snack I would find here in Osaka. Furthermore, there is an ‘Online Shopping’ section of their website. You could have the order shipped to your home if you lived in the United States! This surely would not have existed over 15 years ago.

(Picture credit to: The Hiroshima Brand)

Though you could obtain famous local treats such as Miyajima’s Momiji manjus (small waffles shaped like a maple leaf with various types of filling) by ordering them from outside the country, I would never trade the experience of eating one that was freshly made by one of the shops diligently producing them every hour. Perhaps it’s more than the idea that I readily buy it elsewhere in the world, but I wouldn’t be experiencing Japan, sharing in those opportunities at its epicenter.

You can find out more here:

Momiji Manju: This blog shares more information about Momiji Manjus

Mitsuwa Marketplace : The website is written in English and you can also place an order for some Japanese treats!

Doria : After some searching, it is actually a French food which was adapted into Japanese cuisine.

Undokai - Sports Festival

Last Sunday, I was invited out by my host mother to attend her school’s annual sports festival. Little did I know, I was in for a pleasant surprise.

The sports festival, undokai , is an annual event held in autumn . Preparations for this event are made far in advance, the students practice for these events about a month or so in advance. This special day is usually held for the students to show off their athletic abilities for their family and friends. Everyone in the community joined together to watch including parents, friends, and alumni.

Though I was only able to attend the afternoon portion of the day, the sports festival was filled with exuberance and excitement.

The entire elementary school was divided into three team colors of red, blue, and white. School competitions in the States are based upon individual success, yet all of these games were group activities. These included a baton relay race, a game where four people must balance a large ball between them, and more. Even the cheerleading was unified and organized as they cheer for their teammates.

This sense of community was further exemplified in the execution of the events. Often times, “(Color) Ganbatte! (Good luck (Color))” was spoken through a microphone as a word of encouragement for the team in currently in last place. There was no one who was left behind in these events, and the activity did not conclude until the last child crossed the finish line.

The last event was a display for the audience. All of the sixth graders participated in a dance and a performance for the audience. These included a few acrobatic-like displays and human pyramids. One could not help but admire the work and preparation that these students to put in in order to show their family and friends.

Still curious?

Check out SoftyPapa’s Blog for more information about Sports Festivals:

Riding the Yonsama Wave

When exploring Japanese pop culture and entertainment, it’s easy to think of what is considered “popular”: anime, manga (comic books), fashion, etc. Yet, these things target a youthful audience of teens and young women. The population I wish to investigate is the one who will swoon at one word - “Yon-sama.” The Korean television and movie star, Bae Yong Joon,37, is colloquially known as “Yon-Sama” in Japan. Don’t expect legions of teens to be following his every move, you are more likely to find him adored within the middle aged female population. Rather than asking why a movie star’s fan base mainly consists of an older generation, the more interesting question to ask would be why a Korean actor is so popular in Japan.

Briefly, Yon-sama’s rise to fame originated with the Japanese broadcast of the Korean television series ‘Winter Sonata’ (Korean: 겨울연가 Japanese:冬のソナタ) in 2002. Since then, the popularity of the series, and consequently the actor’s, exploded with commercials, television series, and more in subsequent years.

Who could I ask to better understand Yon-sama’s popularity? The answer: a fan. My host mother fits in within the ideal demographic. I was able to ask a few short questions (with my limited Japanese) to her in order to analyze his popularity. My host mother answered that the portrayal of his character lets her think about an idea of true love, and that his character’s sweet, thoughtful, and attractive qualities are some of the things she adores. Her fan girl pleasure is expressed through her book, which contain the script of the series, pictured below:

Then why is this character so popular among the middle aged population and not with the modern youth? According to a few female Kansai students, these women are reminded of their first love. Though they could not give a reason to why they did not like Yon-sama as much as their older counterparts, their answers to why the older women may adore him are the same.

One wonders who the next “Yon-sama” will be, or will there be anyone else who can supercede his success in Japan? Can one of the series in this aisle below contain the answer?

For more information:

Don't know who YonSama is? Check out his profile at HanCinema.

The official website for "Winter Sonata" (Note: This website is in Korean.)

A short article which covers Yon-sama's return to Japan to promote Winter Sonata can be found here.