When the blossoms bloom
One Saturday we shove our homework into a corner and make a dash for San Francisco before another spring storm takes over the bay. Parking is as easy as hiking with a twisted ankle, but all that matters is we find a spot, then stroll a mile to the food bazaar on Webster street, Japan Town, arriving just a little bit before noon. Up from the steep sidewalk we see rows of white tents and white chairs, smoke rolling above the grills covered with beef and pork riblets, a line getting long on one side of the conglomeration. It is still early in the first morning of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
The carnivore instinct leads me right to the grill. It’s never too early to eat meat. The first booth whips out rice bowls with either ribs or unagi, braised eel cut into palm long chunks. We don’t feel like filling up with a rice bowl just yet, so we walk further down the row eying signs, then back track to the Nihonmachi Little Friends’ booth for three skewers of grilled beef at a mere five bucks.
Crispy-charred-edge marinated beef, though erring a little on the chewy side, delight my feet after that hike from our parking spot. The downright old school meatiness would have well enhanced the kiddie dollar snack omusubi, wedges of plain white rice mixed with nori bits, which Mudpie buys way after we finished the skewers. Waste not want not, the musubi will find its place in my lunch this week, after I wrap it up in nori sheets and maybe with a slice of fried spam. My idea sprouts from seeing at least three booths selling spam musubi and dozens of family walking around with golden brown sauce at the corner of their mouths. I, however, fall victim to the facile yakisoba, soft stir fry noodle with crunchy cabbage dressed only with soy sauce and seaweed sprinkles. The noodle tastes flatter than it looks, and certainly flatter than the wad of six dollar bills we pay for it, but it is a good pacifier for the empty stomach.
One block east of the food tents, the San Francisco Taiko Dojo artists are pounding their drums on stage. Their vigorous sincerity pumps rhythmic waves of festive air into the onwatchers’ lungs. To the hundreds of Japanese gathering there, I wonder if the drums have the same effect as the firecrackers we set off on Lunar New Year’s Eve, a simple string of sound that brings both excitement and quietude. The drums do halt my hungry thoughts for a moment, until I see some kids weaving about the crowd holding teriyaki burgers and shaved ice.
We’re back to Webster. The teriburger line wraps around one end of the food square, and Mudpie refuses to take one for the team. The fried fish ball line is no better, but I want to find out what the frenzy is all about, whether Mudpie does or not.
Just as we get in line, a lady asks us if we know the fish balls are any good. We don’t. So during the twenty-five minute wait the lady and Mudpie go over what is up with the LHC in Geneva, current status of the string theory job market, Berkeley Bowl, the beautiful harmony between Eastern religions and sciences, Francis Collins, and which patisserie is the best in San Fran. Meanwhile I can’t take my eyes off her unagi rice bowl, the eel skin shines gloriously in its rich brown sauce. Slowly but solidly we get to the tent where all the pouring, flipping, and toothpicking take place. The cast iron molds are just as busy as the deft hands hovering over them.
Although the man jokingly says it’s a secret recipe from Japan while he collects orders, this fish ball booth is the only booth with a crystal clear ingredient list on the banner. Although it is called takoyaki (“fried octopus”), it’s a simple ball of batter, fish stock, egg, and seasonings. (Still, it resembles an octopus head, intentionally or not.) Although it looks perfectly solid, it has an air pocket inside, resulting from the flipping of the hemisphere while the batter is still runny. Although it is fried, it is soft. Although the long line suggests that it is amazingly worth the wait, it is not. The seaweed sprinkles, red ginger and green onion do little more than cosmetics, the okonomiyaki sauce is rather too tart. Its goodness lies solely in the warmth to battle those crisp wind blows. In hindsight we probably should have stood in the teriburger line.
As the tongue craves for some sweets, we walk around to the grilled beef and yakisoba side, this time to stand in line for a red bean pancake, imagawa yaki.
The fluffy dough is just like any pancake our mothers make for breakfast on special days. The making process, like those fish balls, is fun to watch. They pour the batter into rows of circular iron molds, wait a few minutes for the batter to semi-solidify, then comes this semi-circular trough, looking like a cracked-open bone filled with marrow, from which they spoon some red bean paste onto half of the cooking pancakes. The other half are flipped over to make the pancake tops. The batter turns solid, the division between two halves is sealed, three bucks are handed over for exchange of two blowing hot cakes. Mudpie loves the bean stuff. So much that he insists on looking for more inside the Kintetsu mall. I feel more inclined to sitting down, and those benches near the Kinokuniya bookstore and Izumiya have never sounded better. So into the mall we go.
But boy am I a fool. On days like this benches are a luxury, and it’s just rude to fight over a seat with the petite ladies in colorful kimonos and huge wooden zōri, or families with babies. The mall is packed. The human flow is like a school of salmon. My tiny stature serves me well in whizzing through elbows and shoulders, but I would have missed the best catch of the day had Mudpie not spotted the nameless but busy tables in front of Cafe Hana.
Ten bite sized cubes of cold mochi, five different flavors. From right to left: 1. yomogi (mugwort) – tastes as grassy as its alternate name kusa mochi – “grass mochi”, 2. mango – tastes more like jackfruit or longan, 3. kinako – actually this is warabimochi (jelly-like sweet made of bracken starch instead of sticky rice), covered in soybean flour (kinako) which tastes like peanut butter, 4. lychee – the second tastiest, and 5. strawberry – the tastiest. Chewy, refreshing, gently sweet like a rose petal, I would eat these all day. The best part: it is assembled upon request. The confectionery magistrates, who may be part of Cafe Hana’s team, cut and roll these slabs of sweets in powder and into the plastic boxes, each containing only one flavor. But if you kindly ask, they’ll throw together a mixed box for you at the same price. Top it off with a three dollar scoop of lychee ice cream, as we do, and you’ll feel ten or fifteen years younger. You know, those days of hustling about the school cafeteria, eating cheap treats, feeling fresh and complete. If there’s anything I don’t regret buying at this fair, it’s the lychee ice cream and the mochi at those tables in front of Cafe Hana.
If there’s anything Mudpie doesn’t regret buying at this fair, I think it’s the daifuku, also from those tables in front of Cafe Hana. That red bean addiction is strong.
Pink or green, smooth or sesame coated, the daifukus are good companions for chrysanthemum tea. The plain, chewy sticky rice outer layer damps the sweetness of inner red bean paste. The cold confection enhances the warm drink.
On our way out of the mall, we sidestep in line for one last treat at the flowery booth Kissako Tea. They have the little mochi balls in pink, green, and white with red bean paste filling, and they also have the mitarashi dango, which I’ve always been curious about since I read Sugar Bar Diva’s toothsome post. Four simple sticky rice balls on a skewer sounds like a boring snack, but the chewiness dressed in a rich syrup of soy sauce, sugar, and starch is everything but plain. Its taste and texture amazingly resemble malt sugar. It marks a triumphant incorporation of savory condiments into the sweet realm.
At four something in the afternoon, the food bazaar is still going strong. All booths, not just the fish ball and the teriburger, now have a long line. The kids are still with wide open eyes, Hello Kitty headbands, spam musubi and cups of shaved ice. The dogs are still obediently looking at their humans eating beef skewers. The girls in black and white kimonos are still taking pictures between giggles.
And so we march our full tummies a mile back to the parking spot. The sky is blue. The streets are quiet. The wind has ceased its dry cold swirls. The car stands there, with a ticket.
Some really nice and useful information on this web site, too I believe the pattern has good features.
1Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
2Great info and right to the point. I don’t know if this is actually the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thx 🙂
3Real wonderful info can be found on blog.
4Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
5Excellent blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Kudos!
6Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
7I have to express thanks to the writer for rescuing me from this particular problem. As a result of searching throughout the the web and obtaining basics which were not productive, I figured my life was done. Being alive without the presence of approaches to the difficulties you have resolved by means of your guide is a crucial case, as well as the kind that might have negatively affected my career if I hadn’t discovered your web blog. Your talents and kindness in playing with all areas was crucial. I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t encountered such a subject like this. I can at this moment look ahead to my future. Thanks so much for your reliable and effective guide. I will not hesitate to endorse your blog post to anybody who will need guidelines on this issue.
8Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
9It is truly a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
10I reckon something truly interesting about your site so I saved to fav.
11An attention-grabbing discussion is worth comment. I feel that you need to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo topic but usually people are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
12Whats up very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds alsoKI am happy to seek out so many useful information right here within the put up, we’d like develop extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
13Hi there, I discovered your blog by means of Google even as looking for a related topic, your website came up, it appears to be like good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
14You made some nice points there. I did a search on the subject and found most individuals will consent with your website.
15Keep working ,splendid job!
16Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
17What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & assist different customers like its aided me. Great job.
18I like this web site very much, Its a very nice berth to read and receive information. “Anyone can stop a man’s life, but no one his death a thousand doors open on to it. – Phoenissae” by Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
19Thank you for sharing with us, I think this website genuinely stands out :D.
20I precisely needed to thank you so much once more. I’m not certain the things that I would have sorted out in the absence of the actual ideas revealed by you concerning such problem. It absolutely was an absolute troublesome condition in my circumstances, however , taking a look at a new expert style you managed the issue took me to cry for happiness. I will be happy for the guidance and as well , wish you are aware of a powerful job you have been doing instructing the others through your websites. I am certain you haven’t met any of us.
21I like this web site so much, saved to favorites.
22I went over this website and I think you have a lot of superb information, saved to my bookmarks (:.
23I view something genuinely special in this website .
24Once I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any means you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
25F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I’m very satisfied to look your post. Thanks a lot and i am looking ahead to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
26My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to checking out your web page yet again.
27I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
28I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
29I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your website?
30Thank you for the good writeup. It in reality was a leisure account it. Glance complicated to more brought agreeable from you! However, how can we keep up a correspondence?
31I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my mission.
32I will right away grasp your rss as I can not to find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me recognize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
33I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site :).
34Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.
35Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I love the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent blog!
36I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
37I think you have remarked some very interesting details , thanks for the post.
38Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
39I am continually searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you!
40As I web site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling great , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
41I conceive this site has very good written content articles.
42You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
43Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
44I think this is one of the most important info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The site style is ideal, the articles is really nice :D. Good job, cheers
45I couldn’t resist commenting
46Thank you for sharing with us, I believe this website genuinely stands out :D.
47You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
48I’ve been surfing on-line more than three hours as of late, but I never discovered any interesting article like yours. It is pretty price enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the internet will likely be much more useful than ever before. “We are not retreating – we are advancing in another Direction.” by Douglas MacArthur.
49I’d incessantly want to be update on new blog posts on this internet site, saved to bookmarks! .
50