budoka_ch
7th September 2005, 00:27
Shitsurei shimasu.
First time here, long time reader. I hope all of you gourmands (Nippon and otherwise) can help me. Very humble apologies about the length, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Way back in the summer of '99 my dad (a 1969 MA in Asian Studies) treated me to a trip to Japan--only 2 weeks, so we did the usual touristy Kansai-to-Kanto bit, with some noodling around in the mountains. While there, we were strolling down a certain street and happened to chance upon one of the innumerable street vendors offering their gastronomic wares. In this case the gentleman was peddling what were essentially mochi on a skewer, slathered in some sort of sauce.
My salivary glands are in overdrive as I remember consuming this treat. As I recall, it was a local delicacy. One problem: It was only six years ago, but I cannot for the life of me recall where I had this (I'm reasonably sure it wasn't Tokyo, Kyoto or Nara. Takayama? Matsumoto? Nikko? Kamakura?...Jeez, brain cells, wake up! )
Does anyone here have the faintest idea of what I might be describing? If you can tell me, I can't promise a prize on a par with one of Mr. Dave Lowry's culinary contests, but you *will* have my eternal thanks and gratitude.
Ps. I'm sorry, but I don't remember anything else of our itinerary. You must understand that I was a young, fresh-faced lad all of 24, eager to explore (and a bit overwhelmed by all the tastes and smells of this exotic land...not to mention the 8 hour jetlag.)
Pps. Google sempai informs me the answer might be kushidango, but I don't recall that the dish in question was sweet. More like a grilled teriyaki sauce coating.
First time here, long time reader. I hope all of you gourmands (Nippon and otherwise) can help me. Very humble apologies about the length, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Way back in the summer of '99 my dad (a 1969 MA in Asian Studies) treated me to a trip to Japan--only 2 weeks, so we did the usual touristy Kansai-to-Kanto bit, with some noodling around in the mountains. While there, we were strolling down a certain street and happened to chance upon one of the innumerable street vendors offering their gastronomic wares. In this case the gentleman was peddling what were essentially mochi on a skewer, slathered in some sort of sauce.
My salivary glands are in overdrive as I remember consuming this treat. As I recall, it was a local delicacy. One problem: It was only six years ago, but I cannot for the life of me recall where I had this (I'm reasonably sure it wasn't Tokyo, Kyoto or Nara. Takayama? Matsumoto? Nikko? Kamakura?...Jeez, brain cells, wake up! )
Does anyone here have the faintest idea of what I might be describing? If you can tell me, I can't promise a prize on a par with one of Mr. Dave Lowry's culinary contests, but you *will* have my eternal thanks and gratitude.
Ps. I'm sorry, but I don't remember anything else of our itinerary. You must understand that I was a young, fresh-faced lad all of 24, eager to explore (and a bit overwhelmed by all the tastes and smells of this exotic land...not to mention the 8 hour jetlag.)
Pps. Google sempai informs me the answer might be kushidango, but I don't recall that the dish in question was sweet. More like a grilled teriyaki sauce coating.