Jun 9
2008

Meal of champions and small furry visitors

in Uncategorized

A couple of days ago we decided to try a little restaurant, called Tamakairiki, right around the corner from where we live that specializes in chankonabe.

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you might recall that I have mentioned chankonabe before. Chankonabe is a Japanese stew that is eaten by sumo wrestlers as part of their normal diet. It is cooked at the table in a large nabe (pot), and contains various fish, meat, and vegetables. The chankonabe we ordered was made exclusively with chicken, just as a wrestler would eat it during a tournament (this is a superstition thing, the idea being that a sumo should always be on two legs like a chicken, not all fours like a cow or off one’s legs like a fish–i.e., in a position of one who has just lost a match). The broth was lovely and flavorful, and the mix of vegetables and chicken was delicious. This would be an easy dish to eat every day. It’s one of those dishes that can change day to day, season to season, based on what is in season and available at the local market.
When we had finished the bulk of the soup, and mostly had only broth remaining, they added thick chewy udon noodles to the pot. I was already full, but the noodles were so enticing, that I had to have a couple of bites. Mmmm….
We sat in the tatami area of the restaurant and enjoyed the fun atmosphere–a great dinner!
For an article on this interesting dish and a couple of recipes, go here.

We just had a very special visitor arrive, all the way from Wisconsin! Luke is a wandering mouse that started his travels way back in February! After many background checks his family decided that we would be a suitable host family for Luke’s first foray into international waters. Luke arrived with his travel trunk packed full of all his most important items: scarf, blanket, family photo, passport, favorite book, and goodies for his host family.

After seeing what his favorite book was,
I quickly decided that some homemade oreos might be the ticket to making Luke feel at home and get over some of his jet lag.
Luke will be blogging all about his adventures here, so check in if you want to keep up on all the excitement!

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

The Richards June 9, 2008 at 5:56 am

If You Give A Mouse a Cookie was my absolute favorite book when I was little! I remember they read it at school, but I forgot the title. My mom must’ve spent hours with me at the library trying to help me find the right book. :0)

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Phoe June 9, 2008 at 8:10 am

Mmm… homemade oreos. :)

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Jen June 9, 2008 at 8:14 am

That picture of squirrel and hubby at the table is priceless…a sweet Father’s Day gift. Have fun with Luke!

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Jenn's Spot June 9, 2008 at 12:01 pm

How cute is that traveling mouse!! That is such a smart idea! And how fun! I hope the Mouse has a grand time in distant lands!

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Jackie June 9, 2008 at 3:44 pm

I made these homemade oreos a few weeks ago and they didn’t taste overly sweet but they gave me major sugar rushes. It was a pretty bad reaction. So unfortunately Neal got to eat the rest of them and I wont be making them again but they were delicious!

However, now I need a bowl of udon. They are my favorite!

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Bobbi June 9, 2008 at 4:48 pm

Homemade Oreos…Luke is one lucky mouse!!! I’m sure he’ll have a great visit!

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Bekah June 9, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Jesse and I have to go to that restaurant. It looks delish!

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Heatherly June 9, 2008 at 6:14 pm

oh, i am so glad it wasnt the piggy book, syrup is so hard to mail!
i love the whole idea!

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bunbun June 9, 2008 at 11:32 pm

I love any meal that ends with nabe! This looks wonderful! I look forward to sitting down and reading your past entries about life in Japan soon!

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tornadoes28 June 10, 2008 at 10:45 am

Why is Chankonabe popular with sumo wrestlers? Is is because it is a high protien or high calorie meal?

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Cassoulet Cafe June 10, 2008 at 10:48 am

I love this book! It’s a daily read in our house :)
And those Oreos look great.

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Melanie Gray Augustin June 11, 2008 at 6:58 am

I love chankonabe! And as you know.. hehehe.. I’ve actually eaten it with the Sumo twice. I never realised that that was the reasoning for eating chicken. Very interesting!

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OLGUIS June 12, 2008 at 9:19 am

you know what my son he really likes this book is so cute and nice.
olga.

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Melissa Hodgen June 12, 2008 at 2:18 pm

I love that series of books. I also love themes and who can go wrong with oreos?

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