Jonelle Patrick's Only In Japan
Every day, stuff you'd never see anywhere else.
Why is it that Japanese hot dogs always look so…enthusiastic? Of course, if I were an ordinary “ballpark dog” and suddenly found myself smothered in Porcini Mushroom Truffle Cream Sauce, … Continue Reading Is That Truffle Cream Sauce, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?
It’s a cold autumn night and I’ve been outside for hours and suddenly I could eat an entire cow. Oh wow, look at this! YES PLEASE. Cheery little burner is … Continue Reading Previously Undiscovered Cow Parts
You know how in America some serious steak restaurants have honkin’ big showcases of marbled beef displayed near the front door? Well, this is the equivalent come-hither to dine at … Continue Reading The Fish Bone Restaurant
Okay, I know it’s not green tea. I’m not even going to waste a guess saying it might be green tea. Wait, why? Because in Japan most cookies and cakes … Continue Reading What’s Green and Crunchy and Not The Flavor You Think It Is?
In a “foreign food” breakthrough worthy of comparison to the In ‘n Out Double Double, behold the most recent craze in Japanese pancakes: super thick flapjacks! A miracle of batter … Continue Reading Extreme Pancakes
Sadly, it didn’t have pineapple, fruit cocktail OR marshmallows in it. This square of wiggly was chock full of algae, algae, and more algae! Made from nori (the wrap on … Continue Reading Seaweed Jello
Nevermind that putting cheese on top of Japanese curry sounds about as appealing as stirring a spoonful of peanut butter into my coffee, the idea of serving that flavor mashup … Continue Reading Curry Cheese Pizza Chips?! Nooooo!
If you guessed squid guts, squid guts and squid guts, you win the trifecta! But very tasty ones, apparently, since they sell a mountain of these at the Hokkaido … Continue Reading Yes, It’s Exactly What It Looks Like
This summer in Tokyo the trending drink of choice is Frozen Draft Beer! The beer itself is chilled extra cold, then a head of beer slush is swirled on top … Continue Reading Beer Slurpee
…BLACK BEAN TEA? Yes, this offering appeared in the vending machine near my school just as the word “summer” became synonymous with just-shoot-me-now-I-feel-like-going-back-home-and-taking-a-shower-before-I-even-make-it-to-the-train-station. Because vending machine owners are on the … Continue Reading When the Thermometer Hits 30º, It’s Time For a Tall Icy Glass Of…
If you run out of Snacks With Eyes, break out the munchies that double as creepy things to sneak up on someone with the next time you’re watching Alien. Dried squid … Continue Reading Snacks With Tentacles
It looks like Coke Zero. It tastes like Coke Zero. But it has FEWER CALORIES than Coke Zero. And how is this miracle of math performed? Apparently, Mets Cola is specially … Continue Reading Less-Than-Zero Cola
Forget the pretzels and potato chips next time you slouch onto your sofa to watch the big game – why not pound down a snack that stares right back at … Continue Reading Snacks With Eyes
And you thought pizza couldn’t be improved as the perfect junk food! In honor of spring, Pizza-LA comes through with the Buttered Potato & Sausage Pizza In addition to that … Continue Reading Hot Dog Pizza
Yes, please, I think I’ll have another! Before stopping at this shop in Sugamo, I’d only encountered sweet potatoes in their ordinary form – roasted over a charcoal fire and … Continue Reading Potato Candy
Forget the Clearasil and dumpster the Oil of Olay. My friend Hiro tells me that all I have to do to have beautiful skin is eat lots of motsunabe. Apparently, … Continue Reading Time For a Nice Bowl of Intestine Soup
And what could be more French than a pizza topped with five types of cheese, broccoli, red peppers, demiglace sauce and beef stew? You won’t need a glass of red … Continue Reading Pizza of…France?
I was browsing the meat section at my local super the other night, trying to get some inspiration for dinner, when I noticed it must be shirako season. Have to say, … Continue Reading This Will Never Be On My Grocery List
I didn’t think Shakey’s could top the red bean, marshmallow and squash dessert pizza, but their winter specials just might surpass that creation for sheer originality. When the most ordinary … Continue Reading Pizza of December
Inside Namco Namja Town in Ikebukuro is a crooked little street lined with stands featuring the best potsticker dumplings from all over Japan. It looks like an old shitamachi lane, … Continue Reading Streets Paved with Gyoza
This “Maple Monbranc” Honey Toast is just what it looks like: a solid half loaf of white bread topped with ice cream, maple syrup, prolific extrusions of sweetened chestnut paste, … Continue Reading The Godzilla of Toast
In the battle for the hearts and minds of Japanese midnight noshers, Pizza Hut fights back with the Gorgeous Four, the Melting Camembert and the Super Korean Purokoki! This flyer … Continue Reading No Seaweed, Extra Chili Peppers
Sometimes “foreign food” is REALLY foreign in Japan. Like “Mayo Con Beef Tacos.” Or, even more mysterious, “Egg Feeling Tacos.” Basically: Anything in a folded tortilla? It’s a taco! A … Continue Reading Pizza Taco
Um, that would be “brand” as in “home on the range,” not as in “Louis Vuitton,” in case you were wondering which kanji character was used for the “Jesus Brand … Continue Reading Black Rage Of Satan Pizza & Other Delicacies
Jonelle Patrick's Only In Japan