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I have to tell you something first,
Now your supper is also our business, okay? (that means, of course, I'll be here 'til eight, not really late.)
As the title of this post says, we Japanese eats "eel" on the day of "ox". You may have no idea what I meant. In the summertime, we traditionally eat grilled eel (yes, it's grilled with "eel sauce"!) because it is believed to beat ”summer fatigue". Is it myth or truth? I believe it has appropriate reason.Eel is known as good source of vitamin A and E. In the summertime, that's really hard to escape from UV exposure and get tan or burnt. But did you know? Vitamin E works to prevent skin damage from the sun. And vitamin A works to heal skin problem if it's too late. See? It's not just our grandma's secret.
And we eat eel on specifically on the day of "ox", is called " Do-Yoh no Ushi". The day in between Summer Solstice and Autumn Solstice is called "Risshu", "Do-Yoh" is 18-19 days of period before "Risshu". The day of ox (according to Chinese zodiac) during "Do-Yoh" is called "Do-Yoh no Ushi ("Ushi" is ox in Japanese)". We eat this nutritious fish to survive in the muggiest season the year in Japan from ancient.
Someone said, "Unagi(eel)" and "Ushi" both started with the letter U, that's the reason why we eat eel on the day of ox. If it's true, it's no necessary to eat eel - we have bunch of stuff starting with U. But out great-great-great-granpas thought that fatty food makes people more energetic. Maybe that's the reason why, at least I believe so.
And the day of ox in 2009 is July 19th.
But if you want to blow summer fatigue, it's always here at Washoku Cafe!
If you had been here yesterday -July, 7th- , you did notice something was strange. I wore Yukata (summer Kimono) instead of my regular work clothes(all black, head-to-toe) even it was not "extended customer appreciation day" or anything...do you know what day yesterday was? We, especially people who is from Tokyo region, celebrate that day so called Tanabata (in north-east region, it is in August)-the star festival in Japan. Since it's not a national holiday, we rarely have special party on that day. But I just want to introduce how wonderful the day is._______
Orihime("Weaving Princess" - Vega) and Hikoboshi(A.K.A. Kengyu, "Cow Herder" - Altair), each lived in opposite side of Ama-no-Gawa("River in the Sky" - Milky Way), were arranged to meet by Ten-Tei(Orihime's dad, "Sky-King"). And crushed on each other instantly. They got married, but they stop working thereafter because the marriage is too happy to keep them working even they worked very hard before that. It hit Ten-Tei's nerve and they were separated by force. And they are forbidden to see each other...Tanabata is the only day of the year that they are allowed to meet, if Orihime could finish weaving her textile. They can cross Ama-no-Gawa with some help of a magpie only one day a year even they are loving each other so much. If it rains on the day, they can't make it because Ama-no-Gawa will flood...
Unfortunately, there is high-ratio of rain/cloud on that day. It is believed to be the tears of two...
_______
I know the real life is not so sweet like this(who wants to throw his/her job away because there marriage is so very happy and stay together all-day-long?). But it's romantic, isn't it?
And...where is my Hikoboshi? :-(
Don't ask me "how was your weekend?" kinda thing any more. We open six days a week, morning to evening (thank god, it's not 'til late night). Fortunately, our place is getting busier and busier even it's only 5 months old. We welcome newbies, and appreciate patronage of regulars.
Being busy is a good excuse of my laziness. I haven't forgot about posting to the blog. But fortunately (or unfortunately) I have bunches of stuff to do besides blogging. I've never imagined that how much responsibility I have to owe when I walked in this door for interview. But that's okay, everyday is filled with a lot of fun and new experiences. I thank you guys so very much. Isn't it a time to pay back?
Yes, it is.
Time to pay back!
Now, we have Customer Appreciation Day!!
This is 3-day event from today, June 30th to July 2nd. We'll give away one Omikuji (Japanese lottery ticket. originally means sacred, but we also use this word for general lottery) for the customer who purchases $5.00 or more. You could win free lunch, drink and more!
There's no blank ticket. So why don't you get one of those?
When I tell this plan to one of our customer, he asked me "Would grand prize be a round-trip ticket to Tokyo?"....ugh, you want make me broke?
And...I know that's very personal. It's my birthday tomorrow. I thank my boss who gladly nods his head in my plan for this birthday bash.
I just can't believe that this blog hasn't been updated for over two month! What a shame! You don't want to hear my "let-me-excuse-something-blah-blah-blah" but you may also know why I haven't updated it for looooooooong time.
Come to our place, find out why.
We now offer $4.99 Lunch Box Deal. Who can miss this steal meal?
Due to heavy volume of customer, I'm kinda overwhelmed everyday. I realized that I'm Japanese because I've never complained about that my duties' getting growing day by day but salary. That's gene, that's nature, that's what I can't resist. You want to hire Japanese? Why not. You want to marry Japanese girl? Go for it. There's no reason to resist.
I think I'm too casual today because it's off-duty hours. Few hours later, I'll be our place and smiling as everyday I do. You know what? That's Japanese hospitality.
See? I do my best(that means I post this article at 1 a.m.) to make you surprised, happy and smile. I bet you I'm the one-of-the-infamous-Japanese-workaholic. You want to marry me? Take me to Vegas right now!
Do you know why I couldn't post daily article these days? I have tons of excuses. Okay, I'll tell you why...because we have something new in Washoku Cafe !!
Because of so many customer's inquiry, we now have Curry Rice on our regular menu!
If you are familiar with Japanese food, you might know what's the difference between OUR Curry Rice and something you can get at 28th Street & Lexington or East 6th Street. If you are not, I'll tell you that.
Our curry sauce is much thicker than South-Asian one, lots of chunky ingredients and not too spicy. If you've never try it, it's a good chance to explore Japanese comfort food.
We serve Vegetable Curry for $7.00
Vegetable Curry with Chicken or Pork Cutlet for $9.00
Both come with green salad.
Another one? I'll tell you later...;-)
I know not everybody can adjust their body for this crazy weather. What a heck was that yesterday? 60's in mid-feburuary? I left home without heavy coat and scarf, and even socks to have brunch in Chinatown. Every year, I accidentally hit Chinese New Year's Parade and I always feel regret because of that huge crowd. But I had a great time for both eating & watching. There's no big budget required to enjoy weekends.
Do you want me to tell today's deal ?
Okay, let's move on !
Chicken Nanban
Chikuzen-Ni
If you want to make your body strong and cold-fighting ? Eat root veggies. (No, I'm not your mom. I know.)
Half Noodle Soup
Green Salad
You can get all of above only $8.50
If blog-absence will report to our HR, my salary would be cut off 50%...
I don't know exact number of people is reading this blog post every day, but inform our special event and menu is my daily duty. I can't end my day without posting an article, or I regret and can't sleep well.
Am I workaholic ? Definitely yes. Because that's my gene (thank God, I'm Japanese).
Let me talk about Friday's Lunch Combo
Eel Over Rice
it's called Una-Don in Japanese. Usually comes with Sansho Herb on the side and sprinkle over eel, you'll be amazed its fragrant.
Chicken Kara-Age
Daigaku-Imo
Candied yam Japanese style. What's difference? a hint of soy sauce and black sesame in our sauce!
This recipe is adopted from my mom. Authentic Japanese snack or side dish.
Spaghetti Neapolitan
I don't think this dish is really from Naples, Italy. And I have no idea why that is so called. Just stir-fied with veggies and ketchup-y sauce. Kids' famous tummy-yummy.
Half Noodle
Green Salad
Can you believe that? It's $8.50!!!
Now your supper is also our business, okay? (that means, of course, I'll be here 'til eight, not really late.)