food
/fo͞od/
any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb in order to maintain life and growth.
Izakaya:
Food centers around any culture. It’s what brings people together from different backgrounds and experiences. In this context food has always been a big part of who I am and has always had a big influence on my upbringing. Sitting around the table with my loved ones smelling the different foods, feeling the heat radiating off the freshly cooked meats, the food itself is important to the representation of my culture and identity but it’s also important for what it does for family. Food acts as a binding that brings families together. The ambience of sibling banter, mixed with the politically charged conversations from the aunts and uncles, all tie back to the reason we all came together, which is to enjoy our food together.
ZAru soba:
Growing up with foods that were “different” from the stereotypical American hot dog and hamburger, obviously left some insecurities that still to this day linger anytime I bring one of my non-Japanese friends’ home for dinner. My family had the classic, grilled chicken or grilled steak and potatoes for dinner like every other family, but we always had it with a side of rice, or a special type of grilled steak or chicken that was prominently found in Japan. To me, practically living with this fusion style of food my whole life, never found this peculiar or different at all. But to an outsider, I can see how using chopsticks to eat your salad might be something out of the ordinary.
hashis:
I don’t really even remember when I learned how to properly use chopsticks, I think it was just a cumulation of practice that helped me finally be able to use them pretty well. What always baffled my mind was to other people, being able to use chopsticks was seen as something so skillful. When in my house it was more of a ‘please don’t eat your rice with a fork’ type of ordeal. To this day I really don’t touch salt, unless I’m using it for foods that putting soy sauce on would just be seen as absurd. It’s funny how I would have to differentiate what’s appropriate to put salt on and what’s appropriate to put soy sauce on.
