Cooking Lesson with Miki, Shinjuku Gardens & Asakusa at Night
Our friends Ravina & Dan had been on other of these cooking classes with locals in their homes. We booked with Miki (www.travelingspoon.com), who met us at the subway station and brought us to her home, a 3 storey house, with car turntable and underground parking, as is typical in Japan.
Miki had planned a meal of Gyozo, Miso Soup, side dishes of Cucumber and Shojin Ryori (Temple Food). Accompanied by Irish IPA! We started off with the Shojin Ryori, with Dan and Nigel taking turns to crush sesame seeds, tofu was the mixed in along with chopped spinach, carrots, persimmon (which are in season) & seasoning.
Miki boiled a piece of seaweed, removed just before boiling for the base of the Miso Soup, but you could use prepacked sachets! To which is added diced tofu, spring onion and sliced mushrooms.
The cucumber dish was next, Miki showed us how to cut it on an angle on the top, chopsticks on either side, to prevent cutting through, turn over and repeat, then we all had a go! This was then sprinkled with salt to remove excess water. A dressing was made to add later of soy sauce, black vinegar & sesame oil.
Next was the preparation for Gyozo filling of minced pork, finely chopped cabbage & spring onions, liberally mixed with sake. We used pre-made Gyozo pastry rounds (made of flour and water), Miki showed us how to pleat one edge to form the Gyozo, some of our attempts were better than others! These were initially fried on the base for a few minutes, then water added to steam for final cooking.
We then sat down for our feast, which was delicious and Miki finished the meal with a traditional red bean paste dessert with persimmon slices.
Thoroughly enjoyable experience, learning traditional Japanese cooking methods and a chance to chat with Miki about life in Japan. Would definitely look to do this again as they available worldwide.
As we were close to Shinjuku Gardens we took a stroll through there. Firstly to the greenhouse, then headed to the Japanese Garden, on the way loads of families enjoying picnics in the park. Gorgeous layout of the garden, with highrise buildings in the background.
In the evening we took a stroll around the Asakusa area, very lively on a Sat night.
We boarded our ship the Noordam yesterday, after using the subway and light rail system to get to the cruise terminal. A celebratory glass of bubbly and then off to tour the ship, before our meal with Jack & Peggy. We are joining them on two tours in Taiwan (spookily they were actually in the cabin we have for the previous 28 days, moving to a new one for the next 28 days). Nightcap in the Billboard Lounge listening to the two excellent piano players, who play there 6 days a week, so we will be back again. Off now to Osaka.