Field Notes by Rene

Growing up, my family leaned more towards Chinese and fast food. Despite having a Japanese restaurant nearby, it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that I had my first proper Japanese meal.

We weren’t oblivious to Japanese culture—I religiously watched Sailor Moon, my dad spoke basic Japanese, and we frequented Jusco almost every weekend. Strangely, Japanese cuisine didn’t resonate with us until a memorable incident in 1999.

My sister bought sushi from Jusco, and being the youngest with a penchant for Hello Kitty, I insisted on the Hello Kitty sushi. Much to my dismay, the first bite turned traumatic—choked by a cat-faced sushi!

I avoided sushi until 2007.

In 2002, a Jusco promoter offered me a tester piece of unagi. Naive and intrigued, I accepted, fearing an electric shock akin to Pikachu.

Thankfully, my body remained unzapped.

Fast forward to a high school class party in 2007, where my friends and I attempted sushi-making. With no clue about sushi rice, none of us knew when or how much vinegar to add to the rice. And for some reason, there is this myth among us: sushi rice sticks together because of mayonnaise.

We skipped the vinegar altogether and let’s say it wasn’t my proudest culinary moment, but the Tupperware returned empty…. so we must be doing something right, right?

By now, you should be able to tell that my friends and I were not the sharpest tool in the box back then in high school. If you’re not convinced, the next incident will take all your money.

There was a Japanese restaurant just across the street from our school and one Friday, we decided to pop by for lunch after class. One friend was feeling extra hungry so she went all out with a big set and some side dishes. Another friend was a small eater and opted for gyoza and rice.

It was all oishii and umai until the bill came. The 10% service tax came to quite a big sum and why the hell did we split evenly among each other???? Thinking back, it was pretty damn unfair to the small eater friend. #justiceforsmalleaters

Fortunately, our math skills and awareness have grown significantly and now have a better way of calculating our bills. #socialismftw

In 2011, I embarked on my first solo trip to Tokyo, ill-prepared for the cold and motion sickness. My host family introduced me to scallop sashimi, which triggered an embarrassing ‘wueckkk’ sound as I swallowed it down.

Despite the initial gag-inducing moments, my family trip to Tokyo in 2017 remains a cherished memory. Since the late 2000s, Japanese food has become a staple in our family celebrations. Our foodie trip in Tokyo included a standout experience: melt-in-your-mouth B5 wagyu at a teppanyaki restaurant in Ginza.

Though Covid delayed our plans, I eagerly await the day when I can revisit that restaurant with my family. Do you recall your first sushi experience or encounter with Japanese culture? Drop a comment and share your story!