Question for the Nipponophiles.

[Tim]

I have this illusion that I'll eat better (healthier) when I'm in Japan. I don't know if the Japanese really do eat better, or if that's just something people randomly believe. What say you? I feel like the healthier eating, combined with the increased amount of walking, will help me shed a few pounds.

To be honest, I know nothing about daily eating in Japan (I've only been there on work trips). Some have told me that I should expect to eat out most nights. Can any of you give me a primer on grocery shopping in Japan, eating out, snacks, etc. Help me develop a strategy here.

[Donuthole]

One of my former bosses was a MP in Japan, and always claimed that Japanese food is healthier because it contains significantly less sugar than American food. I have no idea how much truth there is to that, but that was his theory as to why Americans are so obese, relative to the Japanese.

[Pheidippides]

I have this illusion that I'll eat better (healthier) when I'm in Japan. I don't know if the Japanese really do eat better, or if that's just something people randomly believe. What say you? I feel like the healthier eating, combined with the increased amount of walking, will help me shed a few pounds.

To be honest, I know nothing about daily eating in Japan (I've only been there on work trips). Some have told me that I should expect to eat out most nights. Can any of you give me a primer on grocery shopping in Japan, eating out, snacks, etc. Help me develop a strategy here.

It's sort of like the US: don't eat fast food. The portions are smaller, which is helpful, but rice is calorie loaded, and they eat a lot of that.

McDonalds on every corner. I suggest you avoid the corners.

Honestly, it's all about portion control over there as much as anything, except portion control is easier because they eat smaller portions than we do anyway. Avoid the all-you-can-eat yakiniku/shabu-shabu places (okay, limit them - avoiding them will deprive you of tasty food) and don't drink the ramen broth. Or eat tonkatsu every day. Have lots of miso soup and fish.

[TripletDaddy]

Also, chain smoke like there is no tomorrow. that helps keep the weight off in Asia.

[Tim]

don't drink the ramen broth.

Why move to Japan if I'm not going to drink the ramen broth? That stuff is awesome!

[Pheidippides]

Why move to Japan if I'm not going to drink the ramen broth? That stuff is awesome!

'Cuz it's loaded with fat and calories. Natives have routinely told me they only drink the broth in times of winter and famine.

[TripletDaddy]

'Cuz it's loaded with fat and calories. Natives have routinely told me they only drink the broth in times of winter and famine.

The post shabu shabu broth is tasty stuff. Throw in some noodles at the very end and you have a very lovely soup. Is it really that fatty? I never bothered to think about it. Since it tastes so good, I venture you are probably 100% right.

[Pheidippides]

The post shabu shabu broth is tasty stuff. Throw in some noodles at the very end and you have a very lovely soup. Is it really that fatty? I never bothered to think about it. Since it tastes so good, I venture you are probably 100% right.

Depends on the meat you use, I guess, since it's only water to begin with. At my favorite spot, you typically eat veggies, mushrooms and meat at the same time with the same water.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I just read about how yesterday was Kenmare Matsuri day in Japan. Next year I would advise not eating things handed out on this special celebration.

[TripletDaddy]

Depends on the meat you use, I guess, since it's only water to begin with. At my favorite spot, you typically eat veggies, mushrooms and meat at the same time with the same water.

This is the only way I know, as well.

What do you do with the broth when it is done? You don't have the soup?

[Pheidippides]

This is the only way I know, as well.

What do you do with the broth when it is done? You don't have the soup?

Nope. I have usually gorged myself on meat and shiitake mushrooms.

[myboynoah]

It's sort of like the US: don't eat fast food. The portions are smaller, which is helpful, but rice is calorie loaded, and they eat a lot of that.

McDonalds on every corner. I suggest you avoid the corners.

Honestly, it's all about portion control over there as much as anything, except portion control is easier because they eat smaller portions than we do anyway. Avoid the all-you-can-eat yakiniku/shabu-shabu places (okay, limit them - avoiding them will deprive you of tasty food) and don't drink the ramen broth. Or eat tonkatsu every day. Have lots of miso soup and fish.

This is great advice, Tim. Portions will be a lot smaller, but you may just end up ordering more. I recall an American ordering dessert at a western restaurant and the waiter telling him it was for two-people. He said bring it on and it ended up being a normal U.S. portion.

Many Japanese return to Japan after time in the U.S. and lose weight quickly. My theory is that they simply start eating like Japanese again (lots of vegetables--many you have never seen before, less meat, more fish, miso, et al), and hence, lose weight. Americans rarely do this, and find the things they like (ramen, tonkatsu, gyoza, tempura, donburi, yakiniku/shabu shabu, etc.) and chow down. Not to mention the western restaurant options, fast food and all.

But still, Tokyo has great variety. When I get there we should hit Gyoza no Osho.

[Jeff Lebowski]

This is great advice, Tim. Portions will be a lot smaller, but you may just end up ordering more. I recall an American ordering dessert at a western restaurant and the waiter telling him it was for two-people. He said bring it on and it ended up being a normal U.S. portion.

Many Japanese return to Japan after time in the U.S. and lose weight quickly. My theory is that they simply start eating like Japanese again (lots of vegetables--many you have never seen before, less meat, more fish, miso, et al), and hence, lose weight. Americans rarely do this, and find the things they like (ramen, tonkatsu, gyoza, tempura, donburi, yakiniku/shabu shabu, etc.) and chow down. Not to mention the western restaurant options, fast food and all.

But still, Tokyo has great variety. When I get there we should hit Gyoza no Osho.

OSHO!!!!

Man, that makes me hungry just thinking about it. My kids loved that place when I took them to Japan.

[myboynoah]

OSHO!!!!

Man, that makes me hungry just thinking about it. My kids loved that place when I took them to Japan.

We would hit the place at least once every two weeks. Yakimeishi and 2 orders of gyoza was my favorite. Often I would just buy the nama gyoza and cook them at home, but I could never get the crispy succulence correct. Still, absolutely amazingly wonderful.

But Tim, definitely not diet food.

[happyone]

OSHO!!!!

Was that the OSHO's in Osaka or the ones in Kyoto? When I was there, the Osaka ones only sold gyoza, rice and beer.

The ones in Kyoto had a full menu, but the gyoza wasn't as good