Fast Food

Sometimes you just have to get take-out...

Especially when the take-out is from one of Japan's fabulous Department store food halls....  Here is a teensy sampling of what's on offer (well back in October at least..). OK, so we waved a piece of wagyu over a flame for a couple of minutes but apart from that all the work was done for us. 

As you can see the lovely Olivia from Australian site Have You Eaten was thoroughly enamoured with her steak....

Of course it wouldn't  have been complete without a parfait from a box....

And with tea....  a few traditionally based bean confectionary - gone all modern n fancy with subtle hints of cinnamon, lemon, vanilla, brown sugar and walnut....

Tokyo Takeout - a few foodie tidbits

cute as a button chocolates for Valentines' Day

The best dougnuts ever - filled with soy milk custard, pumpkin puree, curry beef, strawberry puree, praline... 

gorgeous sushi obentoo

Bleeding heart??

cube choux cream with fillings of custard, berries, mango/coconut, green tea and azuki beans..

fish and fishcakes flavoured with corn, beans, squid, crab, greens

Minasan Merry Kuristamasu

To friends old and new I wish you all the best for 2011. If you celebrate Christmas may it be a gorgeous one spent with family or friends and lots of excellent nosh. The Japanese don't officially recognise the day but as you can see from below - it doesn't stop them from making a yen or two out of the season! 

However, any hint of Xmas will have been erased completely by tomorrow to make way for the New Year's festivities which is what it is all about in this part of the world.  Today, while the locals are working there will be small groups of expats gathering all over Japan to eat, drink and be tipsy. I'm just running off to the Tenjin-san markets at the Kitano Tenmangu shrine then a lovely long lunch with friends.  I love that my favourite food halls are open all day - now THAT's Christmas! Here's a little taste for you.