Today’s topic is one of those quirky aspects of Japanese food culture that recently blew up on X (formerly Twitter) .

The story began with a simple everyday exchange:
A wife asked her husband, “What would you like for lunch today?”
He casually replied, “Somen is fine” .

So… what’s the problem here?
Notice how he said “Somen is fine” instead of “I want somen.” That small difference is what triggered the debate .

For context, somen are very thin white noodles that Japanese families often eat during the summer . They cook quickly, and on the surface, they seem like an easy meal .

But here’s the catch . By saying “Somen is fine,” the husband implied that preparing somen is effortless . Many women strongly disagreed, sparking a heated discussion online .

Some of the counterarguments went like this:

• You can’t just serve plain somen! You also need side dishes and condiments , which makes it a lot of work.
• Serving style matters . Somen isn’t usually dumped in a bowl. To make it easy to eat, you often have to twist small portions neatly with a fork , which is surprisingly time-consuming .

The reasoning behind these complaints makes sense :

• Nutrition: Somen alone lacks protein and vitamins , so most women feel responsible for adding side dishes with proper nutrition.
• Flavor: Just dipping noodles in sauce gets boring , so toppings like green onions or myoga (a fragrant Japanese herb) are considered essential.
• Texture: Because somen noodles are so thin, they dry out and stick together quickly . If you serve them in a heap, they clump into something that looks like a tangled ball of yarn . That’s why restaurants often present somen in small, bite-sized portions .

In short, what looks like a “lazy meal” to some, actually requires a surprising amount of behind-the-scenes effort .

”Somen, From a Woman’s Point of View”

”Somen, From a Man’s Point of View”

I couldn’t help but think this whole controversy was so typically Japanese .

You see, I once lived in the UK, and the standard “packed lunch” there was something like this: two plain slices of bread (with nothing in between) , an apple or banana , a chunk of cheese , and maybe a bag of crisps —all tossed into a lunch bag .

In contrast, a Japanese bento usually looks like the photo below : several homemade side dishes neatly arranged in a box. When a Japanese school says “Please bring a bento,” this is exactly what they mean .

I still remember my shock the first time I received a British-style lunch pack. It was such a different idea of what a “proper meal” should be!

Of course, preparing a Japanese-style bento takes a lot of time , effort , and even money . This is one of the ways Japanese food culture can feel… a bit demanding .

Honestly, I sometimes think:
Why not just serve plain noodles ?
Why not skip the side dishes ?
Why not pile the somen straight onto a plate , even if it’s a little hard to eat ? It would still count as a meal .

But in reality, most Japanese people (especially women ) feel compelled to add that “extra care” . Simply serving plain somen isn’t seen as acceptable .

This mindset is part of what makes life in Japan feel a little rigid at times , and why Japanese service culture is often described as “too much” .

So, what do you think ? If you’re reading this from abroad , I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments !

Until we meet again! 

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ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITAー！（ありがとうございましたー）

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The post 🍜 Is Somen a “Lazy Meal”? — The Quirky Side of Japanese Food Culture first appeared on MIMI’s JAPAN.com.

KONNICHIWAー！（こんにちは）

Today, I’d like to introduce a delicious seafood bowl “Kaisen-don”, which happens to be one of my favorites and is also a renowned specialty in Japan!

1. What is Kaisen-don!?

A delightful and savory dish, the seafood bowl, or “kaisen-don“, is a Japanese culinary masterpiece that showcases the ocean’s bounty in a single, delectable bowl. This dish typically features an assortment of fresh and raw seafood served on a bed of vinegared rice.

The star of the show is a medley of sashimi-grade seafood, including succulent slices of raw fish like tuna, salmon, and yellowtail. These premium seafood selections are often accompanied by other ocean treasures such as sweet shrimp, sea urchin, and octopus, each contributing its unique flavor and texture.

To enhance the overall dining experience, the seafood bowl may be garnished with shredded nori (seaweed), pickled ginger, and wasabi. Some variations also incorporate a drizzle of soy sauce or a dollop of a special soy-based marinade to elevate the flavors further.

The kaisen-don not only tantalizes the taste buds with its rich umami and briny notes but also provides a satisfying and wholesome meal. Its vibrant colors, diverse textures, and exquisite flavors make it a favorite among seafood enthusiasts and a testament to the culinary finesse of Japanese cuisine. 

2. Recommended Restaurant: Tsujihan

While there are numerous places offering delicious seafood bowls, this time I’d like to introduce one of my favorite seafood bowl restaurants!

～ Nihonbashi Kaisen-don Tsujihan ～

Tsujihan has locations in Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi and Nihonbashi near Tokyo Station. They offer a slightly unusual style of seafood bowl.

Here it is – a presentation that’s a bit different. They serve it with all the ingredients already mixed together.

The dish is presented with the ingredients already mixed. On top of a combination of white fish and fatty tuna, they generously add sea urchin, salmon roe, and tuna.

The sashimi on the upper left in the photo is meant to be enjoyed half as sashimi and half to be left untouched. Now, can you guess why?

Well, the truth is, the restaurant has a recommended way to eat it!

First, start by drizzling the yolk soy sauce (soy sauce mixed with raw egg yolk) over the ingredients, breaking them apart. Enjoy them together with the white rice.

When you’ve consumed about one-third of the bowl, politely request, “Dashi o-negai shimasu” (Please add broth), and the chef will pour dashi (broth) into your bowl. It looks something like this:

Place the sashimi, which you saved earlier, into the hot bowl with the poured dashi and enjoy!

This way, you get to savor the seafood bowl with cold ingredients and then experience a hot seafood dashi tea ceremony. It’s incredibly delicious! What’s more, the prices start from just 1,250 yen! (about 11.5$,10.2€,8.7£)

There are four courses available – Special, Pine, Bamboo, and Plum, each offering different quantities of ingredients.

3.Store Information ”Nihonbashi-Tsujihan”

There are several locations, but here are the details for the four stores in Tokyo!

• Tsujihan Nihonbashi Main Store (5-minute walk from Tokyo Station!)
  • Address: 1F Kyuei Building, 3-1-15 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
  • TEL: 03-6262-0823
    
• Tsujihan Kagurazaka Store
  • Address: 3-2 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  • TEL: 03-6265-0571
    
• Tsujihan Ark Hills Store
  • Address: 3F Ark Mori Building, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  • TEL: 03-6277-6385
    
• Tsujihan Tokyo Midtown Store
  • Address: B-1 Tokyo Midtown West Building, 9-7-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  • TEL: 03-6271-5067

When you come to Japan, be sure to give it a try

Some of the locations also offer delivery through Uber!

Until we meet again! 

Please consider signing up for our newsletter as well! 

Thank you very much～

ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITAー！（ありがとうございましたー）

Stay Informed with Our Newsletter!

Don’t miss out on the latest updates and exciting news! Subscribe to our newsletter today and be the first to know about upcoming  information.

The post Delicious!! Seafood Bowl (Kaisen-don かいせんどん) first appeared on MIMI’s JAPAN.com.