Backpackers Hostel Blog l J-Hoppers Lounge

May 14, 2008

Crepe/Gyoza Party at Osaka

Finally we did it ! The Crepe/Gyoza Party of J-Hoppers Osaka has been enjoyed by a small band of twenty merry fellows from the afternoon to late at night. Guests, staff, family and relatives cleaned up all together the 200 gyozas, crepes, ice creams, chocolates, appetizers, ... with some fresh beers and fruits juices.

Hand made by the staff's gyoza, and special "Kimchi-gyoza"

Crepe Versus Gyoza. Which one will be finished first ?

Guests from all over the world swapping their experience.
"Do you know in my country Crepes are blue and Gyoza filled with chocolate ???"
"Stop kidding me ...!"

Noriko looks strange, was the beer too strong or the Kimchi-gyoza too spicy ??? ;-p

The crepe maestrio at work. The most difficult is to keep on eating gyoza with one hand, drinking beer with the second one, while cooking crepe without burning them (with a third hand ??).

The Super-Gyoza-Team on duty.

Kurosan in his famous role of Masked Gyoza-Devourator

Ken leaves the command of J-Hoppers to his young son and try to seduce the french chief with cuty tearful eyes to receive some extra crepes.

Cheers !
We can't wait for next party !!
If you have suggestions of food to cook next time send us an email !!

April 28, 2008

SUUUSHIIII !!!

A new shop has opened almost right in front of J-Hoppers : a Sushi Restaurant !!! I'm sooooo HAPPY ! Yes, I LOVE sushi :-D
There was already a place to eat some raw fish near J-Hoppers Osaka but it was small, not so near, and had only one fixed menu of sushi. Now we have a real one, cheap, with lot of fish species, brand new and spacious counter, just two steps down the street.
We are really happy for ourself, but for our customers too of course. It's the best occasion to try sushi. We are going to prepare you a short list of translated fish names with the view you too allow you enjoying the experience. You will order your sushi just like a real Japanese ! ;-)

April 13, 2008

April makes turn over

In Japan, new school terms and most entrances of companies start in April. So there are always cherry blossoms with the entrance ceremonies. I think most Japanese take April as the month to turn over a new leaf as well as New Year’s Day.

Typical scean of a scool entrance ceremony

Wild plants and vegetables like brackens (=warabi) or horsetails (=tsukushi) also begin to sprout. When you go to Japanese style restaurants or izakayas in this season, you may luck out in these kind of wild vegetables (=sansai). Please try them.

Other sansai (wild vegetables) you may see in the restaurant in this season

Tarano-me (tara sprout)

Fukinoto (butterbur sprout)

Nanohana (Field mustard)

Udo (Udo salad plant)

February 27, 2008

Beer Collection

Even though we had Haruichiban (the first spring storm) on the 23rd, it's been VERY VERY cold these days still. I don't remember how many times did I see snow in this winter. In 2007, did I see once ?

It thanks to this cold weather, I have had Nabe (Japanese one pot dishes) many times. They are not so expensive such as sukiyaki and shabu shabu. Eating nabe make my body warm, and I need to drink beer to make my body cool..... ?

I got 3 bottles of beer which are American, Indian and Italian ones. I thought to drink them with their original foods, I mean, with burger, curry and pizza. But the plan fell through. I drunk them at a time. I felt the American one is strong and bitter, the Indian one is rough and sweet and the Italian one is light and bland. It was a rare experience to drink those different tastes. My favorite Japanese beer is SUNTORY MALT'S. Please try it if you have a chance.

January 24, 2008

Hello Kimchi !

Kimchi is the most popular Korean pickle.
It is also popular in Japan.
I love kimchi very much, too.

However, not many Japanese know how to make kimchi.
I want to learn how to make …
So I tried making kimchi with my wife and the hostel staff members.

Under the supervision of Miyoung, we challenged to make kimchi at the hostel the other day.

One day before, we had bought 5 heads of Chinese cabbage, some bunches of garlic, plenty of red chilli powder, some ginger, a bottle of fish sauce, some fermented small mysid shrimps (Ami-no-Shiokara) and some other kind of vegetables.

Firstly we cut the Chinese cabbage and preserve it in salt in two big plastic bags overnight.

The next day, we took the Chinese cabbage from the plastic bags and squeeze it patiently.
A lot of water came out from the Chinese cabbage

On the other hand, we made kimchi paste (Yam-nyom). This is the most important part of making kimchi.
The red chilli, grated garlic, grated ginger, fish sauce, shiokara, spring onion, radish strips, carrot strips, sugar, salt and some other spices were mixed with boiled starch glue made from sticky rice. They should be stirred in combine.

Then the Yam-nyom and the Chinese cabbage were mixed and stirred again in combine.

Done!

You can eat kimchi immediately.
You can eat kimchi tomorrow, too.
You can kimchi even one month later.
Kimchi has various tastes of each time.

It is hot!

That’s kimchi.
The hotter, the better.
I am eating the kimchi every day and I sometimes have stomachache when I eat it too much.
But I don’t care.

Cause I like kimchi.
I feel the kimchi more tasty cause it is kimch we ourselves made.
Bye~~

January 16, 2008

Kit Kat!!

Hello! I copy my boss and I'd like to introduce you another tasty Japanese sweet. I guess almost all of you know Kit Kat but do you know Kit Kat 'YUKIMIZAKURA'? Cherry blossoms are designed on the package. This Kit Kat is made to cheer up the students who study a lot to pass the entrance exams of high school, university etc. It's maybe because they can image happy spring with cherry blossoms by eating it and they can make much effort to enjoy spring. I've got nothing to do with entrance exams anymore, but I do like this flavour of Kit Kat!! It's pink & White marble and tastes like cherry. It smells good and and..anyway it's so nice. There used to be (or still?) Kit Kat Green Tea and it was also tasty and original in Japan. However, Kit Kat Yukimizakura is far more tasty!! Please try it and come to Kyoto to enjoy your spring with many beautiful cherry blossoms!

January 11, 2008

J-snacks

Konbanwa~~

Today, let me introduce some Japanese snacks I recommend. I like snacks.
These are all long-selling products and most Japanese are familiar with the flavors

Kappa Ebisen (Calbee Cooperation)

One of the oldest Japanese snacks since 1950’s.
Shrimps are kneaded into flour based dough.
The catchphrase of “Yamerarenai Tomaranai” = “Cannot be stopped, Can’t stop” is not a overloaded phrase.

Karl (Meiji Seika Cooperation)

Karl was released in 1960’s.
The puffy pieces are non-fried and look like a beetle larva.
There are many kinds of Flavours. The Cheese flavour and the usuaji flavour are popular.

Happy Turn (Kameda Seika Cooperation)

Released in 1970’s.
Happy turn is a rice cracker with sweet salty special powder sprinkled.
Many Japanese get addicted to the snack for the powder. Some people say this is a sort of “legal drug”.

Please try some of these snacks when you drink beer at the hostel. You can easily get them at the convenience store or the supermarket. The lovely J-snacks must let you go to another can of beer !

January 3, 2008

Osechi　-traditional New Year dishes -

Happy new year　2008!!

How did you spend your new year's?

I guess some people found Japanese new year's is quiet. Shops are closed, no traffic jam, not many people are on street.
It's just because new year's is more for families than friends. It's just like Christmas in the west, I think.
Family get together once a year, don't do too much and have relaxing time.
At this time of year, most Japanese people enjoy traditional New Years Osechi dishes. Osechi includes a lot of food that can be kept for a long time and they are all prepared before　NewYear's Day.

--
The dishes that make up osechi each have a special meaning celebrating the New Year.
Some examples are:

Datemaki (伊達巻 or 伊達巻き), sweet rolled omelette mixed with fish paste or mashed shrimp. They symbolize a wish for many auspicious days. On auspicious days (晴れの日, hare-no-hi), Japanese people traditionally wore fine clothing as a part of enjoying themselves. One of the meanings associated with the second kanji includes "fashionability," derived from the illustrious dress of the samurai from Date Han.

Kamaboko (蒲鉾), broiled fish paste. Traditionally, slices of red and white kamaboko are alternated in rows or arranged in a pattern. The color and shape are reminiscent of the rising sun, and have a celebratory, festive meaning.

Kazunoko (数の子), herring roe. Kazu means "number" and ko means "child". It symbolizes a wish to be gifted with numerous children in the New Year.

Konbu (昆布), a kind of seaweed. It is associated with the word yorokobu, meaning "joy".

Kuro-mame (黒豆), black soybeans. Mame also means "health," symbolizing a wish for health in the New Year.

Tai (鯛), red sea-bream. Tai is associated with the Japanese word medetai, symbolizing an auspicious event.

Tazukuri (田作り), dried sardines cooked in soy sauce. The literal meaning of the kanji in tazukuri is "rice paddy maker", as the fish were used historically to fertilize rice fields. The symbolism is of an abundant harvest.

-wikipedia

It doesn't matter whether it's tasty or not (lol), when I eat it, I do feel like the new year has come!

If you are interested in, you can buy it at the department store ;-)

December 25, 2007

Coffee in Japan

Hello!

I'm Nori, who is a trainee of J-Hoppers Kyoto GH now,
and I'll be a staff of J-Hoppers Osaka.
I'm really looking forward to meeting wonderful travelers there!

When you come to Japan, what do you expect?
Japanese food, nice people, historical places..
Yes, we have lots of amazing things.

On the other hand, what do you miss when you travel in Japan?
I met a traveler in Osaka before, and she asked me,
" Where is Star backs? I'm coffee holic!"

Yes,we have many Coffee shops which come from foreign countries,
and they're very popular and we also like them.
I know it's easy for them to go there, and feel like home.
However,we also have Japanese old style coffee shops.

Famous coffee shops in Kyoto;
1.Inoda Coffee shop
http://www.inoda-coffee.co.jp/index.html
2.Maeda Coffee shop
http://www.maedacoffee.com/
3.Ueshima Coffee shop
http://www.ueshima-coffee-ten.jp/

You can also enjoy breakfast there..
Why don't you try it for good experience while you're in Japan?

December 13, 2007

Cultural shock in Osaka

Hello everybody ! Your favourite french is back on this blog ... direct live from Osaka. ;-p
I will help Yamaguchi San to prepare you a wonderfull new place to J-Hop' your trip !
There is still a lot to do here before opening but I've been really surprised when I arrived at J-Hoppers Osaka for the first time. I'm already convinced you will enjoy this new hostel. Actually I would like to be my own customer I guess ;-)
I've started to explore the neighbourhood and the shopping street where is located the hostel (very convenient). By the way I've you had a look at the neighbourhood map ? http://osaka.j-hoppers.com/e_neighbour.html ...
Yesterday I went to eat an okonomiyaki. "Eh ! Where are my sobaaaaa !!??!?!". Well, it's true, Hiroshima okonomiyaki and Osaka okonomiyaki are really differents. You have to eat both of them and compare yourself. The Osaka one is smaller, without noodles, covered by mustard, served with rice and miso soup, ... Finally is there something common between these two okonomiyaki ??? Cabbage and egg only ? (?_?) I had a good lunch but ... sorry obachan, I definitely prefer the Hiroshima okonomiyaki !!
Terachan, send me one by mail time to time onegaiiiii ! ;-)

December 9, 2007

Oysters .....

We cannot talk Hiroshima winter without oysters.

Oyster is one of the most famous Hiroshima’s specialities.

Let me introduce some of good Oyster cooking.

1 Deep-fried oysters (Kaki furai)

2 Vinegared oysters (Sugaki)

3 ingredient for pot dish (Nabe-no-gu)

They are really good and you can easily have them in Izakaya restaurants.

One thing you have to be careful is, 0ysters sometimes cause food-poisoning.

Oysters have "Norovirus" It is safer for you to have cooked oysters instead of raw oysters

The virus cause terrible diarrheal, vomiting and flu-like symptoms. The incuvative period is one or two days and the symptoms would last 3-7 days.

I saw some foreign tourists who suffered from them llll

Raw oysters are very good but you had better avoid it if you don't like to change your travel plan.

So, please give up sugaki. Even you enjoy Nabe (pot dish), make sure oysters in Nabe are cooked enough (Too much boiling messes oysters taste, though ...).

November 30, 2007

Sayonara Hiroshima

My last post from J-Hoppers Hiroshima !
Yes, I'm going back home to Kyoto. Quite strange to say that for a foreigner actually but ... If you're looking for the french guy of J-Hoppers you will now have to book at J-Hoppers Osaka. I will join Yamaguchi San and Manabe San to prepare you a new wonderfull place to stay and discover the marvels of Kinki area (^_^)
What about my year in Chugoku area ? I've seen of course a lot of places and tried various foods or matsuri, among them here comes my ranking (highly subjective and controversial :-) ).
1) Miyajima Island. Number one of course ! I went there almost once per month !!! What did attract me there ? The famous Tori in the sea, one of the three most beautiful places of Japan. Don't think only about going to see it at low tide, it's also fun to reach it by foot at low tide. And do you what you'll find at its foot ? eh eh secret ... The Itsukushima shrine in front of the Tori. This one must be seen at high tide when it appears floating on the sea. Lot of matsuri here, check for that. Especially the waterscreen spectacle and the huge firework in august. Then the Daishouin, a really wonderfull temple atop the old village. Another secret ? Look for the little stairways that lead under the main hall of the temple ... and try to reach the end before being scared ! If you're a 'buddah in love' you won't have any difficulties. In the old village there is also a traditional artcraft museum which is quite interesting for such a little place. And the Miyajima aquarium has a wide range of funny fishes, and pinguin you can even play with or turtles you can feed. Except the village you can climb up the mountain either by foot, there is several course well indicated, count around 2h to get up and 1h and half to get down, either by ropeway, very impressive ! At the top you may see monkeys even if I've always missed them ... And finally on the opposite side of the island there are wonderfull beaches but you will need to rent a bike and merit them with few kilometers on a steeply road.
2 ) The Peace Museum and the Peace Park monuments. Of course too, unmissable. Emotionally very strong but you HAVE TO go there to spread the Peace culture all over the world.
3) Mitakidera temple. My favourite temple in the Hiroshima area.
4) Okonomiyaki. The delicious "japanese pizza" ! Egg, bacon, lot of vegetables, noodles (soba power ! forget udon ! :-) ), various topping, ... I will never be able to defend the Osaka okonomiyaki, the Hiroshima one is just so good !
5) Peace Festival. So sad but so important. Please go to hear the testimonies of A-Bomb survivors and transmmit what you've heard. The lanterns on the river at night, the Peace Declaration in the morning, ...
6) The Fuchu City Camping Ground in the Mikumari Gorge Forest. It's just so near from the main station, you have no reason to miss it if you're looking for some hiking in nature around Hiroshima. For example climb the Takao mountain and enjoy the wonderfull view on Hiroshima and the islands.
7) The Food Festival. So many good things to eat in this wonderfull festival in the Chuo Park. It introduces the local food and of course you can try a lot for free ! Go there with empty stomach is a better option ... ;-)
8) Shukkeien garden. The most beautifull garden of Hiroshima.Very unexpensive.
9) Hiroshima Insectarium. Quite uneasy access (look for a bus from the bus center) but the insectarium is quite wide and the butterfly room so romantic ... More over it's inside a huge park with several activities organized in summer.
10) Asa zoological park. Well organized, lots of animals and smart installation that let you get really near from almost all of the animal.
11) The chococro of St Marc Cafe. Well what ? Not Japanese culture, not specific to Hiroshima, ... ? Yes ! But anyway that's here in Hiroshima that I've discovered the top of the top of the croissant banana ! :-) I assume entirely what I'm writing :-)))
12) Sandankyo. A very entertaining hiking course in the mountain at west of Hiroshima. Not so easy to access but rewardable. The main spot of the area is said to be the three waterfalls. Personnally I had much more pleasure in walking the course than looking at these waterfalls.
13) Prefectural Art Museum. Allways a lot of interesting exhibitions...
14) Ujina Island. The easiest place to go to the beach in Hiroshima in summer. Perfect for a picnic too in case you don't feel like swimming in the Seto island sea.
15) Look at cherry blossom (Hanami) in the Peace Park at night. It's full of people eating on the ground under the pure white flowers ...
16) Garasu no Sato, the glass village. A glass factory that opens its door to everyone. You can even blow your own glass cup !!!
17) Fude no Sato, the village of the calligraphy brush. Here this is a brush that you can create yourself under the command of a real master. After you can see what you will be able to do of it ... after some years of training !
18) Gokoku shrine. The main shrine of Hiroshima, near the castle. Several matsuri here of course. I particularly enjoyed the one in January when they burn the past year omamori ...
19) Hiroshima castle. Surely not the most beautifull in Japan, but you still can enjoy viewing Hiroshima from the top of the castle, wear a real samurai armor, or learn some secrets about the construction of such a building.
20) Hondori. If you want to make some shopping you will find it here for sure.
21) Peace Museum Library. At the opposite end of the building. It's free of course and a good place to have a rest, read the english newspaper or even go on internet.
22) Veloce cafe. Chococro has a concurrent : chocoroyaru ! The cheapest coffee in Hiroshima and a wonderfull big chocolate bread full of butter !!!
23) Molly Malones irish pub. Well it's true I'm definitely not a 'party boy' but I went to this pub twice and I had good time there so ...
24) Shimanamikaidou. A road crossing the inland sea by jumping from islands to islands with 7 huge bridges. Do it by bike is a big challenge (80km) but you're so happy when you did it.
25) Hiroshima Children Science Museum. Dedicated to children of course, but you may still have some part of childhood inside you. And there is a small planetarium on the last floor.
26) Yuhua garden. Another garden in Hiroshima. A chinese style garden that suffers from poor maintenance. Go there to appreciate the differences of style.

November 18, 2007

Let's try NATTO!

How are you?

What do you often have for breakfast in your country?
A couple of days ago,one of the staff at J-hoppers made Japanese breakfast for the guests (TARRO and PAUL)who had stayed here for about 1month as a present on their last of staying.

In Japan,we often have NATTO for breakfast .The picture on the right is the man who is having NATTO with keen relish.

Have you ever heard of NATTO?
NATTO is a very healthy food。Soy　beans ,which NATTO is made of ,contain many kinds of nutrients,such as protein.
The only trouble is that NATTO smells very strong.I think It smells like a dust　cloth......:(

However the Japanese have been eating NATTO since ancient times.
I grew up eating NATTO,so I like it.But If I were a person who has never eaten it before,I would say ‘I can't stand the smell of NATTO!!’
Anyway you should try NATTO If you come to Japan.If you feel it tastes good,You maybe Japanese !!

November 12, 2007

Kyoto Sweet

Do you know something about Yatsuhashi?? Yatsuhashi is a kind of Japanese confectionary and it's a very popular souvenir of Kyoto. It's made from rice flour (Jyoshinko), sugar and cinnamon. There are two types of Yatsuhashi, one is baked and another one is raw. Baked one is really crunky. Raw yatsuhashi (It's called Nama yatsuhashi) has a soft texture and there's almost all the time sweet bean paste in it. Recently, there are many many kinds of flavour of raw Yatsuhashi, for example, Japanese chestnut taste, Sw

eet potate taste for autumn.

There are many shops that sell Yatsuhashi on the way to Kiyomizudera temple, so please try some and buy them if you like it!! You'll like them after two or three Yatsuhashi!!

November 10, 2007

Let's go to IZAKAYA!

Hi! How are you?

A couple of days ago I went to Izakaya with a friend .Have you ever heard of Izakaya?

It is a Japanese styled restaurant or bar,and are plentiful around Japan. I personally really enjoy my work,however when I feel stressed ,I often go to one to release my daily anxiety.
While there ,we ate a few interesting dishes,as well as drank a lot of sake!The picture on the right is Jidori-no-Amiyaki(grilled chiken).
I think if you ever go to an Izakaya,you would enjoy the many types of sake they have to offer.

My favorite types of sake is called Umeshu,which is a fruity types of sake.
I had 4 or 5 with some ice,I think I got a little drunk!
In Japan ,when someone has had too much to drunk , we call them "yopparai".

while there ,we also tried the tempura Ice cream .The outer part was warm and crunch while the inside was cold .The desert was about 400yen ,and was very delicious!
If you find this on the menu at Izakaya ,I recommend you buy it!

October 11, 2007

The SUKIYAKI

I didn't follow Aki's blog. I think that it's just the autumn drived me to write this.
Yes !! One of my dreams about food came true a couple of days ago. Finally, I went the most famous Sukiyaki restaurant in Kyoto, Mishima-Tei. History of Mishima-Tei is over 130 years. Oh my goodness, you don't know Sukiyaki !? It's not a world famous Japanese song. Learn it on here.

The one I had is really good one. It costs 10,000 yen, my stomach was about to explode though. Meat isn't Kobe beef, but it's a top quality Japanese marbled beef. This might be the first and last to taste for me. I hope you can feel how delicious it is. They are not only restaurant but also selling beef. You can buy and cook it at J-Hoppers if you want.

The season of appetites

Yesterday's dinner at home.

Sanma no Shio-yaki (= grilled saury with salt)
Niku jaga (= simmered meat, onions and potatos)
Hourensou ohitashi (= boiled spinach dipped in soy sauce)
Hiya-yakko (= cold tofu topped with ginger and spring onion
Plain rice

Autumn is the season of the appetites. Various kind of ingredients come onto market such as chestnuts, persimmons, pears and matsutake mushrooms. In all of those Autumn foodstuff, many Japanese people should point out sanma (Pacific saury) as the most popular one. Actually we can eat sanmas all season nowadays but Autumn sanmas are much tastier than those of the other seasons.

Normally we broil it with salt (shio-yaki). Not only the white flesh part, but the little-bitter guts are also very good. I myself would love to have it as sashimi (= sliced way of raw fish).
If you visit Japan in Autumn, please try sanma. You can find it easily in supermarkets or some Japanese style small restaurants (we call teishoku-ya) have menus of sanma.

October 6, 2007

MOMIJI-MANJU

Have you ever heard of Momiji-manju before? Japanese people hear the word HIROSHIMA,we think about Momiji-manju. Momiji means maple leaf and manju are popular and traditional Japanese sweets foods. The basic ingredients are flour,egg, sugar,and honey. Momiji(maple) is the prefectural flower of Hiroshima and Momiji-manju is formed in the shape of maple leaf. It has a variety of flavors,including red beanm,custard,maccha,and cheese. Especially I would like to recommend ' AGE-MOMIJI'.It is fried Momiji-manju. you can enjoy Momiji-manju that is prepared manju in some different ways. You can have it just for 70-80 yen a piece.It is quite cheap isn't it? Most of them are made on the MIYAJIMA island.so you can have fresh Momiji-manju on the island. When you go to the island ,please try it:)

September 17, 2007

ONOMICHI

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　the view from senko-ji

Have you been to Onomichi?
It is one of my favorite place in Hiroshima prefecture.
It takes about 1 hour and a half from Hiroshima station by Shinkansen or Local train.

Onomichi is located between the Inland Sea of Japan and the hilly spine of Western Honshu.
The town's main and almost sole interest is its agreeable temple walk with stunning views on the Inland Sea.
There are about 30 Buddhist temples in total. The most notable ones include Koumei-ji, Senkou-ji, Tennei-ji and Jodo-ji.

The walk takes about 2 hours starting from Jiko-ji near the JR station to the Jodo-ji, and goes up all the way to Senkou-ji Temple. There is a ropeway (￥280 one-way) from the middle of town to Senkou-ji.

When we hear Onomichi(the name of the town),　We think of ONOMICH RAMEN!
I often go there just to eat the ramen:)
It's very cheap (about \450 at any ramen shop) and served quickly.
If you come to our hostel,I will tell you a good restaurant to eat it in Onomichi!

I’m hungry so I feel like having it now:)

August 30, 2007

Sushi-Go-Round

Which Japanese food do you like the best?

Me? Of course, Sushi if I have to choose one. I must apologize if you are a vegetarian or a conservationist of animal, fish or the environment. But I cannot help eating sashimi (sliced raw fish), even if being blamed by someone. In my opinion, we Japanese are awfully fond of eating raw meat. A guest from U.S.A. and his occupation is a chef was very surprised when I told him that we eat chicken raw. He insisted that person eat it must get stomach trouble. There is a restaurant that you can eat raw chicken nearby J-Hoppers Kyoto. I will bring you to there if you want to try.

Anyway, please try sashimi or sushi while your visit in Japan, it must be different from you have tried in your country. Don't be afraid of speaking Japanese. You don't need to order what kind of fish you want to eat at belt-conveyor sushi restaurants, all you have to do is pick a plate you like and convey sushi into your mouth.

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