KodoGuru3 Ep3: Drama Notes

[earth_colors]

Ep. 3: "Wasabi bowl with fresh wasabi of Kawazu-cho Kamo-District, Shizuoka Prefecture"

Episode Synopsis. Goro's next appointment is in Shizuoka Prefecture. Despite the long travel, he seems to be looking forward to it as he rides the train to the Izu Peninsula. Once he's there, he meets with his client, an inn owner and pipe-enthusiast. Later he has a cream and strawberry refreshment at a shop called "Nanadaru-Jyaya" while amusing himself with the loud chat of three oba-chan customers. He strolls around the town and feels refreshed by its quiet and idyllic scenery. He next tries out a wasabi specialty shop that sells direct sale wasabi and wasabi-based dishes. It's called "Wasabi-En Kodaya." Uncharacteristically, Goro orders only one simple type of dish but not necessarily in just one order...
(info and pic: tvtokyo)


Drama Notes:

	.....
Featured Eatery: Wasabi-En Kadoya [わさび園かどや] Address: 371-1 Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho Kamo District, Shizuoka Pref. Tel. no. 0558-35-7290 Nearest Station: 15 minutes by bus from Izu Express Kawazu station More pix and info: tabelog (map)		Featured Sweets Shop: Nanadaru-Jyaya [七滝茶屋] Address: 363-4 Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Tel. no: 0558-36-8070 Nearest Station: 15 minutes by bus from Izu Express Kawazu station and get off at Nanadaru (7 Waterfalls) More pix and info: tabelog (map)

Kawazu, Shizuoka. It is a "town located on the east coast of Izu Peninsula in Kamo District, Shizuoka, Japan," facing Izu Peninsula and bordered by the Amagi mountains in the west. It is known by its many onsens, as well as the 'Nanadaru', or the Seven Waterfalls.
(info and pic: wiki)

Kawazu Zakura. A flowering cherry blossom tree that blooms early, starting January to February. Kawazu holds its annual Kawazu Zakura Matsuri or Festival, receiving over a million guests every year.
(info and pic: wiki)

Quality Pipes. Several pipes are mentioned in this drama: the Charatan, are English-made pipes (above pic); the Savinelli, made in Milan, Italy; and the Kirsten pipes of the US.
(pic: pipedia)

The Dancing Girl of Izu. A short story about early love, published in 1926, and written by Kawabata Yasunari who later on won the Nobel Prize in literature. "The Dancing Girl of Izu" is about a story of a melancholy student who, on a walking trip down Izu Peninsula, meets a young dancer, and returns to Tokyo in much improved spirits".

(info: wiki)

Wa-Sa-Bi. The owner of the wasabi shop explains that the ancient writing of 'wasabi' found on the coffin has characters 'wa' from 'Girishi Wajindaro' (ancient Chinese text describing ancient Japan or 'Wa'). The 'hi' or 'bi' is the same as in 'Himiko,' the legendary ancient queen of Wa.
(pic: wiki)

Shiokara. Salty fermented dish made from fish or other sea creatures like sea urchin and squid. Usually eaten with alcohol.
(info and pic: wiki)

Episode Index: (link)

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Wow! I really wish I can try fresh wasabi like that!! Here in Hawaii, I have never seen or heard of fresh grown wasabi for sale here, and I've asked around. Perhaps it is too warm here?

Never got the nerve up to try cooking the pig parts from episode 2 yet, but I did try mixing powered wasabi and using bonito shavings from packages in stores to duplicate Goro's dishes in this episode. Didn't taste too good for me probably because I was using only pre-packed ingredients.

Also, have not gotten to try fresh made shiokara yet. Not a common dish here in Hawaii even with lots of seafood around.

dave

[earth_colors]

I like to try the wasabi bowl too with prepacked ingredients. lol it sounded fun but yeah, it won't taste as good as in the drama.
Is there any other fermented seafood dish in Hawaii?
It's quite common in Asian countries, using fish, crabs, shrimps, clams. We usually have it like sorta condiment, makes the food taste even better. But too salty so we better watch it, too, for health's sakes.

fresh wasabi

[(Anonymous)]

There is a company in Oregon growing wasabi that has had quite a bit of press here. The smallest amount they sell is 1/2 pound for $70, but there is another company selling under license from them that will sell 1/4 for $35 plus shipping in a cooled container. Uwajimaya grocery store sells it in Seattle either as paste or grate-it-yourself. After this episode, it is on my grocery list. http://frogeyeswasabi.com/Updates.html

Thank you Earthburi team for letting us non-Japanese speakers enjoy this fun drama.

Re: fresh wasabi

[earth_colors]

You're welcome!
If you buy one, let us know how it was. :D

Re: fresh wasabi

[(Anonymous)]

Rootabega here:
Fresh Wasabi, thanks for the Seattle Uwajimaya tip. I'm probably not allowed to bring it back over the border, though. Not that I won't try, anyways;).
This is soooo off topic, but have you been to the Rock Box in Seattle? Hands down, the best Japanese karaoke box I've ever been too - that includes Japan.
www.rockboxseattle.com

Rootabega again

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you once again earthcolors for the excellent subs and sumptuous episode notes. As I sit here eating my meagre home-cooked dinner, I'm feeling more than simple food envy - it's more like jealous food rage:).