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More Gyozas - This time in Tokyo, and GREAT dumplings they are!

As soon as we walked in, and even before Shinji and Charlie were settled into their seats, I proclaimed that these would be great gyozas. Why? It was the face, concentration and the energy of the lady making the gyozas that told me that. In the above photograph, you see her somewhat distracted, and that was as distracted as she got, in the couple of hours we spent eating gyozas and some other goodies.

Sen Mon Ten - Chinese Dumplings (Gyoza) in Kyoto

Golden Light certainly, but dumplings are far from Gyoza gold. They are a new addition to Japanese cuisine and culture. Introduced I am told only in the 17th century. Funny, that Charlie and I were looking at each other and saying, "Sally and we make better dumplings"! Hah! We had a Gyoza evening last night. Inspired by Chef Lee Anne Wong's hunger for them in Kyoto. Perhaps our luck with them would have changed if she were at our side, enjoying them with us.

Ramen - so common it seems, and often mysteriously delicious

As we walked around Dotonbori, eating our way through many Japanese street food items, I could not resist my urge to enjoy some Ramen. Never one for Ramen, our friend Hiroko Shimbo had changed my attitude towards it, and tonight, we got to enjoy it in Dotonbori.

Dotonbori Marketplace in Osaka - Time Square it is not, but to some in Japan, it is that...

Lee Anne Wong loves to eat and drink. And she enjoys that pastime as much as the best I have known indulging that passion. As we were planning our trip, and ever since our landing in Japan, she had been mentioning Dotonbori and how it would charm us instantly. Above, you see Lee Anne all smiles, as she convinces us to spend a few hours tonight with her in Dotonbori, as she brings her trip to Japan to a close.

A lunch I could eat often and never tire of the enjoyment

Suezawa Yoshikatsu (outside) and Suezawa Toshiko (inside) big us goodbye after we are lavished to one of the most beautifully simple meals ever. A lunch of mixed Okonomiyaki (mixed with oysters, clams, shrimp, octopus, squid and bacon), Tompeiyaki (pork), Nikupeiyaki (beef) and Yakimeshi (fried rice). Of course brought to an end with beautifully big and red strawberries. The restaurant is called Okonomiyaki Hikari.

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