Steak and Guinness Pie...oh my!

Since my last post was about the Guinness Storehouse, I figured I'd continue the theme and post about the most delicious dish I sampled in Ireland...Steak and Guinness pie.

On our second day in Ireland, while walking the streets of Dublin, we came across a lovely pub, The Ferryman Townhouse. An old Georgian building that overlooks the River Liffey, this charming pub looked inviting. Music could be heard from the sidewalk and when we opened the door, wonderful scents from the carvery greeted us.

Having difficulty choosing what to eat, the chef suggested the daily special. He said the Steak and Guinness pie was something you must try before you die. That was all the convincing I needed.  He had me sold with that slogan and gave me  a few chips on the side (that's french fries to most of you). I ordered a pint of McGargles local brew to wash down this delicious lunch.






This meal was by far the best I had in both trips to Ireland. It was mouth-watering delicious. The meat was so tender and flavourful. The pie crust added a nice texture to the stew. I highly recommend a trip to this pub while in Dublin. The atmosphere is delightful, the food and drink are unbeatable, and if you are too pickled at the end of the night, they have rooms upstairs.



Returning home, I thought I could try and recreate this dream dish. I searched on-line for a recipe. In hindsight, I wish I had asked the chef for his!








I found something similar on allrecipes.com (my go-to website for recipes) for a Beef, Mushroom and Guinness Pie. After reading all of the reviews, I tweaked it slightly and came up with this.

It definitely didn't look the same or taste as heavenly as the Ferryman's. For a first attempt, I'd say it wasn't half bad.








I enjoy cooking (and eating!) so it was fun to try this recipe. I figured that if it didn't turn out, at least I had the remaining Guinness to drink. I had to buy a 4 pack of tall boys as they didn't sell single cans at the local Beer Store. Steak and Guinness pie is a dish you must try in Ireland. I dare say it's even better than the fish and chips!


~MT

Guinness

There's no middle ground when it comes to a pint of Guinness...you either love it or hate it. This dry, Irish stout has a distinct flavour that has been around since it's origin in 1759. The production of the "black stuff" takes place at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin. On a recent trip to Ireland, my sister and I visited The Guinness Storehouse, a building designed in the shape of a giant pint of Guinness. The 7-floor pint tells the history of what goes into making the world famous beer.

Beginning the self-tour on the ground floor, we saw the 9,000 year lease Arthur Guinness signed back in 1759. Making our way up the pint, we discovered how Guinness is brewed and stored and where it is sold around the world.

It was interesting to watch videos of the  men making barrels and how important this job was. For nearly 200 years, these highly skilled craftsmen created barrels by hand. Referred to as "coopers" these men would spend years as an apprentice before honing their skill. Unfortunately, they became a dying breed with the introduction of stainless steel barrels.






On the 3rd floor, we visited the tasting room. If you've never enjoyed Guinness, you will learn to appreciate the flavours and blend that go in every glass. Made from yeast, barley, water, roasted malt extract and hops, Guinness is often referred to as a "meal in a glass". We entered the Velvet Chamber, where the lights were dimmed, we were given a tiny pint sized glass of beer, and instructed to sniff first before tasting the beer, letting it rest in our mouth before swallowing it. This was my sister's first taste of Guinness!

Onto the next level, you see the variety of advertising Guinness has used over the world through the years.

You could get your photo taken with
a number of the different ads. 

Who could forget the famous, "A Woman Needs a Man like a Fish Needs a Bicycle" ad? Irish band 'U2' also used the line in their song, "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms around the World".

You even leave with a certificate.

The next level was perhaps my favourite. It was here we enjoyed the Connoisseur experience, and learned to pour a proper pint. First, you grab a room-temperature glass. You begin to pour at a 45° angle until the beer reaches the Harp level. Then you let the beer settle. Once it turns black, you pull the handle and fill the glass to the top. It should take 119.5 seconds to pour a Guinness. You need patience when ordering this beer! 🍺

When you are finished pouring the perfect pint, you take the elevator up to the Gravity Bar where you can enjoy your drink while taking in the amazing panoramic views of Dublin. You will see landmarks such as St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and Croke Park. When you exit, you go through the gift shop where you can purchase your own Guinness pint glasses, BBQ sauce, t-shirts and other goods.

If you ever find yourself in Dublin, a trip to the Guinness Storehouse is a must. Even if you don't like the beer, you will come to appreciate it and all the work that goes into making this brew. Besides, it tastes much better in Ireland. SLIANTE!

Stay tuned for some more tales from my trip to the Emerald Isle 🍀.

~MT

Are We There Yet?

I find the anticipation of a trip exhilarating. Booking time off of work and then looking online for a destination. Contacting my travel agent (yes I still use a travel agent from time to time). Confirming a destination and place to stay. Working the last shift before a trip and leaving the standard "I'll be out of the office until...." as my email reply. Walking out of work with an extra pep in my step knowing a new adventure awaits.

I pull out my trusty Big Red suitcase and start to get organized. I get the required currency and contact my credit card company that I'll be out of the country. I check the weather and pack the necessary items. I double check my list and make sure that I have everything I'll need.

The day finally arrives. I kiss my family and my dog Kirby goodbye. I head to the airport where I check in Big Red and say a prayer that it'll arrive at my destination. I go through security and make my way to the gate or lounge. I purchase a drink and a couple trashy magazines, catching up on celebrity gossip. I feel the tension leave my shoulders and I start to relax both physically and mentally.

I look around the airport and watch others as they prepare to fly. Where are they going? Are they running from something or towards something? Are they sad to leave or excited to reach their destination? Will they be meeting someone they love upon arrival? All these people with their own purpose and story.

I believe that it is through travel that we find our true selves. We leave the cares of work and home-life behind. We can relax and enjoy our surroundings, slow down, stop rushing and worrying. We are able to relish the sights surrounding us, welcoming unique experiences, a variety of people, a different culture, and above all, a new adventure.

Ireland's calling. Just a couple weeks away. First trip of 2017...I can't wait 🍀 !

~MT

My favourite things in Japan

Happy New Year readers! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are holding fast to your resolutions as we begin February.

This post will focus on some of my favourite things I brought home to Canada from Japan. I figure if Oprah could boast about her favourite things, then why can't I?

I can't compete with the Big O's Organic Grow Kit, Scented Fire Starters or a Poinsettia Flower Pot Cake, but hopefully you will be interested in some of the items I've chosen.



1) HANKO (Seal)
A hanko is a personal stamp used in lieu of a signature. This stamp is used for personal documents, work contracts, art, bank statements, among other things. Since my name is lengthy (10 letters in my first name alone), I liked the concept of stamping my name instead of writing it. Japanese have their surname on the stamp but considering my name isn't Japanese and doesn't have any Kanji characters, they used  Katakana letters for MARI  マリ. I very rarely signed for things in Japan with the exception of my cell phone contract. I'm sure there is a risk of Hanko fraud as a stamp would be easier to duplicate than a signature.

マ MA is the top character and RIリ is the bottom.

2) MIMI KAKI (Ear pick)

I'm a fanatic for cleaning my ears and love Q-Tips. We even had a dog named Q-Tip growing up; a fluffy, white American Eskimo. In Japan, cotton swabs are replaced with a MIMI KAKI (mimi means ear, kaki means to pick or scratch). Made out of bamboo, metals or plastic, they help clean wax from ears. I loved mine so much, I brought it back to Canada and still use it. I also continue to use Q-Tips and never buy the cheaper cotton swab brands. They aren't as good and some things you shouldn't scrimp on (I feel the same way about ketchup, mustard, vanilla extract, toilet paper, Bran Flakes, pop/soda and vodka).

If you look closely, you will notice E.T.
on the end. Japanese never miss an 
opportunity to add a character 
to something. 

3) JIKA-TABI (split toe shoes)

I'm a sucker for shoes, but my first glimpse of jika-tabi had me feeling dubious. They didn't look very sturdy or sensible. After doing some digging, I discovered they not only have rubber soles, but are extremely comfortable. Instead of Wellies, the Japanese wear knee-high tabi which are useful in the muddy rice fields. Tabi are often worn by construction workers, farmers and other workmen.

Just do it!

I had to get in on this fashion trend so found a pair better suited to me. To this day, my Nike tabi are probably one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.

4) GAIJIN CARD (ARC-Alien Registration Card)

Foreigners staying in Japan for longer than 90 days are required to register. This entails filling out an application form, showing your passport and some I.D. and getting fingerprinted. It's mandatory for foreigners to carry their passport or Gaijin Card with them at all times. The card is necessary to open a bank account, get a cellphone or a driver's licence. The card provides pertinent information such as name, DOB, passport information, address, length of stay, status and occupation. The card was much easier to carry around than my passport. In recent years, the system has changed and foreigners are now given a Residence card.

5) HON (Books)
As a young girl, I'd walk to the Book-Mobile every Tuesday after dinner with my older sister and check out 8-10 books to get me through the week. I've been escaping in books since I can remember. Although purchasing books in Japan was ridiculously expensive and the local library's English section was a mere few shelves, my love for books never waned. There were some memorable authors I came across or was introduced to by fellow teachers and travelers. I can't list them all here, so have chosen the most memorable.  I've reread some of them, picked one or two for my Book Clubs, and have held on to these gems for years.

These books (with the exception of the  study books at the  bottom of the pile) are all  entertaining and worth the read.  Marian Keyes, a best  selling  Irish author  does chick lit like no  other. "Sushi for Beginners"  is an amusing work of fiction which also glimpses the dark  side of reality.  Wally  Lamb's "She's  Come  Undone" tells a  story  of Dolores Price,  a 13 year old sarcastic,  wounded girl and her journey into adulthood. Banana Yoshimoto became one of my favourite Japanese authors and I quickly devoured all of her books after reading "Kitchen", her novel about mothers and the power of the kitchen and the home. John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces" was published in 1980, 11 years after his suicide. I took a sick day from work to read this book. The eclectic character of Ignatius J. Reilly, a 30 year old living in his mother's basement in New Orleans is a character you won't soon forget. Christopher Moore's "Lamb" is an amusing story told by Christ's childhood pal, Biff. While some may be offended by the topic, it's a funny and touching story of the life of Jesus. John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is a spectacular story of friendship between the narrator John Wheelwright and Owen Meany. Owen is a remarkable boy and believes he is an instrument of God. Irving writes in caps when Owen is speaking, as he has a weird voice that sounds like he's shouting through his nose. The most memorable quote from Owen is READING IS A GIFT.

Finally my favourite book that I brought home, was one I was personally involved with. Along with five other English teachers, we created "Fried Sushi", a collection of short stories. It was an enormous amount of work but I enjoyed every step of the process. Published in 2002, this book contains stories of romance, tragedy, adventure and a few laughs.

Japan offered many things that made my favourite list. I had to stop at 5 or this post would have gone on too long. Although I doubt your reaction will be like Oprah's fans, I hope you found this interesting.



~MT

Tis the Season

I have always enjoyed the holidays and this time of year. My birthday is Christmas Eve and that probably plays a part in it. I enjoy the sentiment of giving and receiving cards and gifts. I love baking and enjoying tourtiere (French Canadian meat pie) with my family, especially while listening to Neil Diamond's The Christmas Album. Hearing him sing "O Holy Night" gives me chills.

The other day while I was out shovelling a boatload of snow in -7°C temps (before windchill), my neighbour made a comment about how the only white stuff he wants to see is some sand on a beach, somewhere hot. It's common for Canadians to escape to a hotter climate in the Winter. I didn't spend a Christmas away from home until the age of 24 when I moved to Japan. It wasn't tropical but there wasn't any snow to shovel.

While living overseas, I tried to make a trip home to Canada for the holidays, but for my 28th birthday, my friend Kate and I planned a trip to Thailand. We not only wanted to escape the cold, but also Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You blasting from every department store in Japan.

We made reservations at a fairly new resort called "Health Oasis" in Koh Samui, where they had morning yoga on the beach, cooking classes, detox and cleanses.

Kate, Pountong and myself

The main purpose of our trip to the Oasis was to study Thai massage. Our instructor was Pountong Suwanatrai, a lovely woman with very limited English. She provided some hand-outs so we would understand what the course entailed. We learned that a full Thai massage generally takes three hours but two hours is adequate.

During the week, Pountong took us through the 16 positions of a full body massage. She would practice on each of us while the other took photos, documenting the step by step process. The movements are both slow and methodical.



The massage begins with the feet as there are numerous pressure points; a stepping board to the rest of the body (pardon the pun).

My body was covered in ink. I had dots and numbers all over so I wouldn't forget when and where to apply pressure.












After massaging both my neck and head, my instructor gave me a karate chop on the head which felt surprisingly good.





To pass the course, we had to give Pountong a complete, full body massage. Shortly after I began massaging her, she fell asleep. I became worried how she could grade me if she wasn't awake. My frantic whispering to Kate woke her, and in her limited English she explained that falling asleep was a compliment. It proves the client is relaxed and enjoying the massage. Reassured, I continued the massage and Pountong dozed off again. She awoke smiling when I finished, and said I passed.

At the end of the week, both Kate and I were
rewarded with our certificates.

We still had ample time to enjoy ourselves after class each day. Our bungalow was steps to the beach and we spent a lot of time swimming and working on our tans. The serene setting allowed us to read books, talk with other guests and walk the beach. We visited the steam room most nights and felt both relaxed and rested. 

On my birthday, we went for a turkey dinner at a nearby restaurant. The turkey was a surprise as we were so accustomed to eating local Thai fare. Kate informed the staff from the Health Oasis that it was my birthday and they were kind enough to send over a birthday cake. We met a few expats and had fun celebrating the holidays with them.

Spending my birthday and Christmas in a foreign country was certainly different. There was no sign of Santa Claus, no snow and no presents under a tree. No midnight mass, eggnog or caroling. I have to admit that being in the sun, soaking up the heat, and swimming in the ocean were fair compensation to missing out on the holiday I would have spent back at home. 

Many people ask if I still utilize the massage skills I learned in Thailand. When I first got back to Japan, a few of my friends were lucky recipients. However, I don't utilize it as much as I should and feel my skills are rusty. My nephew Drew and my dog Kirby reap the benefits these days. Drew tends to kick me a bit more as his feet are sensitive. There's no chance of him falling asleep like my instructor!

Kirby is the perfect massage client

Now that I've got the fireplace going as the cold wind blows outside, shortbread cookies baking in the oven, Grandma Brooks' ceramic tree lit, and Love Actually playing on t.v., I feel thankful to be home in Canada and celebrating the holiday in a traditional setting. I don't care much for the commercialism surrounding Christmas, but the general spirit around the holidays is what I've come to love and appreciate. Escape to a warmer climate if you must, but for me there's nothing quite like a Canadian Christmas.



Wishing a safe and happy holiday to each one of my readers, wherever you may be celebrating. Until 2017...

~MT

Sweet and Sour...Beijing Style

While teaching in Japan, I found myself with some summer vacation and decided a trip to China would be intriguing. I wanted to see the Great Wall and other attractions, while experiencing a different culture. The Lonely Planet states, China isn't a country-it's a different world.  I imagined Beijing (Peking) steeped in history while being a westernized, modern capital with plenty of English speaking people. My sister Bobbie was on board so we obtained the required visa, bought our tickets and headed for a new adventure.

Visiting China in mid-August was maybe not the most ideal plan. We stepped out of the airport into a wall of heat. Within seconds, our shirts were drenched in sweat. We walked to the taxi stand but no one seemed willing to take on our fare. Finally a vision in knock-off Versace approached us. After negotiating a price, we hopped in and began the most hellish and frightful ride of our lives. Our driver although stylishly dressed, drove incensed, with one hand on the horn and the other balled into a fist, yelling at anyone or anything around him. With 300 million bicycles in this city, I had no idea how he was able to navigate the streets. Fortunately we made it to our guesthouse unscathed. After checking in, we met some other guests, enjoyed a delicious meal of sweet and sour pork, and settled in for a good night's sleep.

The first place we wanted to visit was the Great Wall. The manager at the guesthouse suggested going to the most visited section of the Wall, Badaling. There was a tour group complete with an English speaking guide and this sounded perfect for us. Since we had to take public transportation, we had the manager write down all instructions in both English and Chinese. Bobbie and I were both Girl Scouts in our younger years and learned the most valuable lesson: be prepared. We hit the busy streets with our bottled water, backpacks and cameras.

Arriving at the bus depot, we located a bus with #1 on it as per our instructions. We then noticed there were a couple of other buses with #1 and we tried comparing the writing on the bus with the writing on our paper. A bus driver noticed our perplexed expressions and approached us. We showed him our paper and he nudged us towards the steps of his bus. We hopped on and headed towards the back to the only available seats. We were greeted with a number of smiles and Ni Hao's  (pronounced knee how; hello in Chinese). After finding seats and looking around, we started to panic, realizing we were the only foreigners and must be on the wrong bus. As I stood to make my way to the front, the driver closed the door, stepped on the gas and peeled out of the depot, throwing me back into my seat. Apparently he and the taxi driver attended the same driving school.

Within a couple of minutes, a frazzled looking woman with a megaphone and clipboard stood at the front of the bus and began bellowing in a high pitched voice. The guide was Chinese, not an English speaker as I was hoping. Everyone on the bus quieted down and listened to what I could only presume was information about a tour. Soon everyone started digging in their bags for their wallet. I noticed a lot of name brands and made a mental note to do some shopping on this trip. When the guide made her way to the back of the bus, she wrote down what we owed on a piece of paper. I asked, "Badaling, ok?" and she nodded and pointed at the total. It was more than what we were told at the guesthouse but not by much, so we handed her the money. In turn, we got buttons to pin to our shirts so they would be able to identify us for the duration of the tour. I didn't think the button was necessary (it was pretty obvious we stood out in this group) but we put them on anyway.

After we drove for a while, we pulled into a parking lot filled with other buses and the guide made some sort of announcement. Looking out the window, I could see the Great Wall. This is the most famous feature of China and the symbol of the nation. Built in 206 BC, it spans over ten provinces, and is almost 22,000 km in length. Just as I was about to disembark the bus, the driver grabbed my arm and wrote down a time on a piece of paper, then gestured to the bus. I assumed he wanted us back at the time, so I smiled, gave a thumbs up and followed the rest of the group towards the Wall.

  

The Great Wall

 We didn't have much time  at this location, and as we  made our way to the      entrance,  we wondered  how we could climb it  before the bus departed.  Luckily  there were  signs in  English,  and it  was swiftly  determined this  wasn't the  Badaling section  of the  Wall. After taking  some  pictures and  exploring,  Bobbie and I  headed  back  to the bus  with  a few  minutes to  spare. The  driver  pointed to his Rolex (seriously, we had to do  some shopping) and gave us a thumbs up. We smiled and headed to our seats, pleased we  made it back to the correct bus on time. Our fellow passengers smiled back at  us, seemingly happy the two white girls didn't get lost and wouldn't be stranded.


Our next stop was Badaling, and we were given a couple of hours to climb the Wall. It was extremely hot and we were promptly drenched in sweat. The temperature was hovering around 39°C and we bought bottles of frozen water which melted in seconds. It was a steep climb but there were handrails to hold onto. Perhaps this is why Canada's pop singer/douchebag Justin Bieber had to get a lift on the shoulders of his bodyguards when visiting the Wall. There is a cable car and pulley available for those that need it. The Badaling section of the Wall has visitors in the millions each year, likely due to the incredible views.

The Great Wall: Badaling
If you look closely, you can see the tour
button on my shirt.

After a couple hours, we returned to the bus and after a short drive, we arrived at an amusement park and aquarium. The driver indicated we had an hour and a half to enjoy this part of the tour. This trip just kept getting better. We enjoyed the rides with the kids from the bus and toured the aquarium. After drinking so much water, my sister and I headed towards the public restroom.

After paying the equivalent of 5 cents for a square of toilet paper, we stood in line and waited our turn. Heading inside, we were immediately overpowered by the pungent stench. When our eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, we saw women lined up, squatting over what can only be described as a trough. It was startling to urinate in a line-up, but looking down and watching excrement and urine floating by, was another matter entirely. I was used to squat toilets in Japan but I was also used to privacy. A door or separate stall would have been welcome. Bobbie and I made a pact to hold it until we returned to the guesthouse with it's western style toilet.

A picture of the washroom was too disgusting to post
(Google it if you dare). I felt this eloquent sign was best. 
Make sure to bring sanitizer-or a hazmat suit!

Getting back on the bus, we figured our tour was coming to an end. It was close to dinnertime and I was craving some sweet and sour pork. However, our day wasn't quite done. The next stop was at a jade and jewelry shop, where we were given 45 minutes to peruse and make some purchases. I had no interest in this part of the tour so sat under a tree and relaxed. After the shopping, we made one final stop at a house/museum of a famous deceased person. There was no English during this portion of the tour so my sister and I just walked around trying to look interested.

Finally, we headed back to the bus station. Bobbie and I shook hands with the driver and some of our group members, smiling while saying xie xie which is thank you in Chinese. We then boarded another bus that took us back to the guesthouse. Describing our tour with some fellow travelers in the lounge that night, they thought it sounded much better than the English-guided one. I have a feeling our driver was surprised but pleased to find some Australians and a couple Brits on his bus the next day.

Bobbie and I at the
Summer Palace

Tiananmen Square-the largest
city square in the world. If looking
for Mao souveniers, this
is the place for them.

 For the duration of the trip, my sister and I  became more at ease despite little English being spoken. We ordered at a restaurant with no English on the menu, took buses and rickshaws around the city, bartered while shopping, and toured some of the best parts of Beijing. We visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and of course, the lively outdoor markets.

The Temple of Heaven

We came across a Kenny Rogers Roasters while walking around the city one day. The sign boasted "Deliciously Healthy" so we went in to check it out. Having already seen McDonalds and Starbucks across from Tiananmen Square, this Western attraction didn't surprise us. Photos of Kenny donned the walls and his music videos played on a loop from t.v.'s around the restaurant. Apparently this is a popular franchise across Asia. Go Gambler! 

On our last night, we took in "The Flying Acrobatic Show" at the Chaoyang Theatre.



The Beijing Acrobatic Troupe is a group of highly skilled, trained acrobats and circus performers. There were contortionists, high-wire acts and stunts. There were also quite a few people balancing on one bicycle!

Chinese acrobatic tradition goes back centuries and is one of the few art forms that was condoned by Mao.

We were completely spellbound and sat mesmerized during the entire show. It was the perfect end to a wonderful vacation.

Visiting this magnificent city showed me a glimpse of a different culture and way of life. Even though I was ripped off by a couple of drivers, thought I would perish while riding around the city, entered the men's washroom instead of the women's (no sign on the door), I was able to take it all in stride. I vowed never to take for granted a western style toilet, the abundance of toilet paper we have at home, and the English language. I became a master at gestures and smiling and saying thank you. A simple smile and thank you goes a long way, no matter where you travel. Although the visit was short, it was cetainly memorable.

~MT

Hashi~Chopsticks

While visiting Stratford, Ontario last week, my friend Paula and I came across a pair of "hillbilly" chopsticks in one of the shops. We laughed when we saw them but it got me thinking about using chopsticks in Japan.

Foolproof "hillbilly" chopsticks

Of course Hello Kitty was popular

Many of the kids I taught had "cheater" or trainer chopsticks that were attached at the top, making it easier to grab food. They were much cuter than the hillbilly chopsticks, with cartoon or Disney characters on them. 

I was able to use chopsticks before moving to Japan, but I wasn't certain about the etiquette of eating with them. Much like trying to figure out which fork to use at a formal dinner, I needed to educate myself on what was common practice since chopsticks are a necessity when eating in Japan.

Japanese chopsticks are made of wood and bamboo and are usually lacquered. Some have grooves at the bottom to prevent food from slipping. Convenience stores and some restaurants will provide disposable chopsticks known as otemoto or waribashi. You remove them from the paper wrapper and split them apart. Some people will scrape or rub them together to avoid splinters. However, there's no need to do this with a decent pair of chopsticks.

Waribashi~disposable chopsticks

Before you start your meal, it's common to say itadakimasu which is the equivalent to "let's eat" or "thanks for the feast".

When you are done eating, you place your chopsticks back in the wrapper they came in.

At the end of the meal, you say gochisosama deshita which translates to "it was a feast".



If you are dining at someone's house or a more expensive restaurant, you will be given a nicer set of chopsticks and they will have a rest or stand, called hashioki. When you aren't using your chopsticks, place them on the stand. If you place them across your bowl or plate, that indicates you are done with your dish.

I made these hashioki in a Japanese
pottery class. 
The eggplant is my favourite.

Place the chopsticks side by side and
horizontal so they aren't pointing at
the person sitting across from you.
*Don't cross them as that symbolizes
death.

It's taboo to stand your chopsticks up vertically in a bowl of rice. This is a ritual at a funeral and inappropriate when dining with others. If you are taking a break from eating, place them on your hashioki. It's a common misconception that rice is difficult to eat with chopsticks. Japanese rice is short grained and when cooked, the rice sticks and clumps together, making it easy to pick up. 

Don't stab your food with chopsticks. When grabbing food from a communal bowl, reverse your chopsticks so you aren't using the end that goes in your mouth. Never pass food to another person chopstick to chopstick. This resembles a custom at Japanese funerals where cremated bones are transferred to an urn. 

Other Don'ts:

*Don't lick or suck your chopsticks (no matter how delicious the sauce may be).
*Don't use them as drumsticks, or play with them in general.
*Don't move a dish or plate closer to you with your chopsticks.
*Don't point your chopsticks at someone. Known as sashi bashi  it's considered very bad manners and probably the worst thing you could do at the dinner table.
*Don't cut food with your chopsticks. If there's a piece of food that's too big, bring it to your mouth, bite it, and return the remainder to your plate.
*Don't pick something up, change your mind, and return it to the communal bowl.
*Don't dig around a dish looking for something good; choose from the top of the dish.

If you create a faux pas, most Japanese people will forgive you. Even so, knowing some of the etiquette will reflect well on you and your fellow diners will be extremely pleased. With practice, you can become so skilled at using chopsticks, that you will be able to pick up a grain of rice or a single bean.

When dining out in Japan, chances are you may feel judged, since others will watch you to ensure you don't blunder. I think the most difficult aspect of dining out was getting used to eating ramen and soba noodles. In Japan, no spoon is used when sipping soup. Instead, you bring the bowl to your mouth, slurping the liquid while shovelling the noodles into your mouth with chopsticks.  It's very uncomfortable at first, as it goes against everything we are taught as children at the dinner table, defying our basic table manners. When you first sit in a ramen shop, it's shocking to hear how noisy everyone is. Apparently it's a compliment to the cook so the noise is welcome.

 

At least I never had to
wear this! 

After mastering the art of using chopsticks in Japan, you then have to learn the etiquette for every other Asian country. Chopsticks across Asia are made with different materials and are varying lengths. Perhaps India is the safest bet since there are no utensils there and you can eat with your hands.



So the next time you go out for sushi or to any other Asian restaurant, ask for chopsticks. Leave the fork and knife on the table and experiment a little. In no time at all, you will be a pro! You'll never need to use a pair of hillybilly chopsticks again.

~MT