We Are Honored as Royalty
Soon after we arrived in Japan, we were told that we had a date for this evening to go to dinner at Udai's parents who were looking forward to meeting us. Udai is Ayu's brother-in-law. Of course we were honored that they wanted to host us, but we had no idea how honored we would be!
The beautiful, warm family.
The Japanese always remove their shoes inside homes.
We have never eaten as well as we are eating in Japan, and this spread far exceeded all.
"...and a hug around the neck." Our seats at the table.
Our wonderful hosts,Yudai's mom, Rurika, and dad, Masaue.
And the grande dame of the home, Isako, Masaue's mother, 94.
They went out of their way to accommodate the vegetarian. Miriam had devoured more than half her meal before remembering to take a picture. Room temp noodles that one dips in a warm broth are a real favorite (already gone). Much of the other food Ayu and Yui brought from Yamaguchi Insyoku, the family run restaurant that specializes in healthy gourmet Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on fermented foods. Remaining on her plate here is kuruma fu which is like seitan only far tastier, kimpap which is Korean sushi that had no fish, purple cabbage salad, kale salad and Miriam's favorite, okara (soy pulp left from making tofu) made into a delicious light salad. We have no idea what they did to it, but whatever it was, it was magic!
This is a high quality sake brought out for the occasion. Really smooth, it was difficult not to drink too much which we did. Miriam said she had gained two things since being in Japan: how to use chop sticks, and she remembered how to drink! BTW, sake is nearly always drunk at room temperature in Japan. "Hot sake" is an American gimmick.
"Cake and pudding" for dessert does it no justice. The cake was a bit like pound cake, a bit like angel food but really like neither and far better with a hint of tangy citrus. The 'pudding' in the glass jar - well let's just say creme' brulee, long Alim's favorite desert, is no longer. Creme brulee does not even hold candle. Both came from a nearby bakery which will need a direct visit before we leave.
And desert was not over! Chocolate covered potato chips might seem weird, but we are here to testify that they keep with the axiom that anything goes better with chocolate!
Miu, Yui and Yudai's eldest is 14. She really had no understanding of the significance of her t-shirt - she just liked it. It led to a whole discussion of the Beatles, the British invasion and sake'd renditions of 'Hey Jude,' 'I Saw Her Standing There' and others.
Kodai's shirt made the appropriate statement for the evening! He's a goofball like Micah, and they're great buds.
Yudai and Yui - warm couple!
Tokushima is known for it's indigo. After we remarked about the placemats, Rurika brought out this framed print of a piece by a famed Tokushima artist. What ensued was a showering of gifts from our hosts and from Yui and Yudai. We were overwhelmed and They are the subject of another post.
Americana on their front door. A fitting exit for our magnificent evening!
