Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Food & Color of Japan

Salmon background & the complementary colors of white & mustard yellow.
On my recent trip to Japan to visit my dear friend Yorie, I experience many cultural difference, including their food. Japanese food is very diverse, colorful and full of wonderful flavors. Along with the cuisine their presentation was very important, almost everywhere we went. I have never felt the need to photograph my dish before I ate, but these were works of art.
My ramen noodles were so full of flavor, we went to a small ramen noodle restaurant in Tokyo. Sitting at a small counter, Japanese sitcom playing on the television, we ate our meal quietly because it was so good!
The rich wood tone contrast the warm bright yellows & greens.
At the Toufuya Ukai, in Shiba, we enjoyed a wonderful meal with our friend Carl. A five course meal, the ginkgo berry was so pretty I didn't want to eat it. Truth be told, I didn't know you could eat it!

Soft Persian opal blue surrounds the delicate textured white & rich brown.

Our meal at the Taikyourou hotel, in Izumo, located on the western Japan Sea Coast, we enyoyed a six course meal. This beautiful dish of cold noodles and what looks like an eggs was delicious. It was not an egg but full of lite flavors and soft noodles.

Texture & shape are harmonized with the salmon & green tones, white plays elegantly in contrast.

Once again our Taikyourou hotel meal presentation was stunning. We oood and awed! before we ate, savoring all the delightful textures and flavors of our meal.