Betty Reynolds
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By: Tuttle Publishing
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Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Gastronomy -> Essays
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> Asian -> Japanese
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> Asian -> General
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7
Average rating: 5.0 of 5
What a terrible title for a wonderful book! 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Betty Reynolds, an American artist who lived in Japan for six years, is NOT squeamish about sushi-or any of the other Japanese foods she lovingly illustrates and describes in this slender but well-packed sketchbook of culinary adventures in Japan. With her bright watercolors and good-humored descriptions, Betty Reynolds brings back happy memories of many dining experiences in Japan: how to recognize a restaurant by the signs outside the door, the etiquette of eating sushi (and which of the decorative leaves are edible!), slurping noodles the Japanese way. She goes on to do the same for tempura, yakitori, sukiyaki, and dozens of other Japanese foods. Many uniquely Japanese experiences are portrayed: stopping by a Japanese pub (izakaya) where strangers are assured of a warm welcome; the joys of yatai, the open-air food stalls that show up on streets in evenings and at festivals; the pure bliss of unwinding at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn); picnicking at a cherry blossom-viewing party in the park; attending a sumo wrestling match; even how to grapple with a Japanese toilet.
A keen observer, Ms. Reynolds is enough of an "insider" to go beyond the obvious in delineating a myriad of Japanese foods, and enough of an "outsider" to remain objective in recognizing the kind of only-in-Japan zaniness that occasionally crops up (sweet potato ice cream, anyone?). Each food is identified with hand-lettered descriptions in English, Japanese roman-ji (the Roman alphabet) so you can pronounce it, and kana (the Japanese syllabary) so someone Japanese can read what it is.
Just leafing through this yummy, entertaining book makes me hungry. As I write this review, I'm itching to catch the next plane to Japan (or at least go out to the nearest Japanese pub)! This book is a great introduction to the wealth of Japanese cuisine, a fine gift or memento for travelers to Japan, and useful even to identify items-and wow the chef with your knowledge-at your local sushi bar.
Editorial Review:
An understanding, helpful - and somewhat hilarious - guide to the do's and don'ts of 'dining Japanese' - Accompanied by stunning full-colour illustrations and hand-lettered text throughout - a real visual feast - Learn how to hold chopsticks and the etiquette of slurping soup - from world-famous sushi to fatally attractive fugu, all is explained in this all-important guide - Will help confused readers decipher menus, avoid unwise dining decisions, stay within their budget, find the bathroom, and much, much more - From the author of the highly successful Tokoyo Friends and Clueless in Tokyo ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: You're hungry, but you can't read the restaurant signs or the menu because you don't speak Japanese...and if that is not enough you're not quite sure how to use the toilet, and that's once you find one...Don't be intimidated though - dive in! With this entertaining guide to the pleasures and pitfulls of dining Japanese, all will be revealed.
