Veggie Chic in Japan!
As you read this, I am on my way to Tokyo (or perhaps I’m already there). I’m so excited for this new adventure (my first trip to Asia) - the culture, the sites, the atmosphere… and of course, the FOOD!
Japanese cuisine is traditionally rather vegetarian-friendly, with meats being a relatively new part of the local diet. On the other hand, the concept of ‘vegetarianism’ is not particularly wide-spread among the general public, and I may find it hard to explain my fish-free diet (from what I have read and heard).
I’m going into this well-prepared and with a sense of adventure. I have a sheet of paper that contains my diet requirements written out in Japanese characters (thanks to a Japanese friend) which I can show to waiters in a pinch (for the times we aren’t dining with local friends). Beyond that, I’m up for anything! One of the things I love about vegetarianism is that it excludes 99% of the disgusting foods out there, so as long as what you’re getting is veggie, it’s probably not scary. Although I have been warned about fermented tofu…
I will be checking in as much as possible during my trip. I’m excited to share my new culinary discoveries with you. Wish me luck!
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Adventures, Thoughts, Traveling While Vegetarian
2 opinions for Veggie Chic in Japan!
celine
Oct 14, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Lucky you!!! Enjoy your time over there.
If you can, make a photocopy of that sheet of paper with the translation, just in case. When I went to China I had one so the locals stop trying to flog me roasted birds on a skewer(I nearly cried on so many occasions when I was there in front of all these horrors…)or “bifsteck of children” as I saw writen on one restaurant window in Beijing but I lost that sheet!!!! I did manage to get what I wanted in the end…
Jul
Oct 16, 2006 at 4:13 am
Thanks for the tip, Celine. So far we have been eating in the company of Japanese friends, so I’ve had it easy. I’m nervous about when we’re on our own - sometimes it’s even hard to tell what the plastic food in the restaurant windows it supposed to be!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: