japanese

How many Pocky addicts do we have?

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
by alphaxion

I love chocolate covered pretzels.. LOVE them.

However, over the past few years I’ve noticed that they can’t be found in shops for love nor money! The brand that was everywhere in early 2000 called Flipz has simply vanished. I’ve tried looking for them, I even went on the hunt during my 2004 Florida holiday, that turned up only 2 locations (a pick n mix stall in Beltz and a massive bag for a stupid amount of money at Downtown Disney). Two lonely places.. I find this hard to believe, unless my Wal-Mart navigation is piss poor.

I actually had to resort to making my own in order to satisfy a strong affection (addiction?) for the treat - if you want THE most sublime chocolate pretzel, then I recommend melting a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Try it, you’ll love me for the suggestion

Then came Christmas 2007 and my friend who moved out to Japan came back with a little treat.

They’re called Pocky and come in all sorts of types, the best of which is the so called "Mens Pocky"!

Armed with a new name, I went out on the hunt for these here in Leeds. A few months back I finally discovered a friends shop called Culture Vulture had started to sell them - then I found a second supply, but they turned out to be "Fake" Pocky. Ick.

Apparently they have become massively popular here in Leeds, so I was wondering, how many of you guys and gals are nursing a Pocky addiction and which one is your favourite?

Or, do you have any tips for making the best chocolate covered pretzel in the world?

I’d love to hear from you!

Strange Japanese kitty - do you know who I am?

Monday, September 15th, 2008
by alphaxion

My GF got a pressie from a friend of ours in Japan last christmas.

It was a black kitty pencil case, but he had no idea what the name of this kitty was. Any of you able to put a name to a (furry felt) face from the pics below? If you can, please let me know!

how about some of these on your plate…

Sunday, September 14th, 2008
by alphaxion

While chattering away with my good friend Tony out in Japan, he mentioned a fish that is some what of a delicacy in Saga.

It apparently has no English name, but is know to the Japanese as “warasubo” and looks like this:

Mmmm, tasty!

Apparently, these fish are known locally as “space aliens”, since they do look as though they have been crafted by H R Geiger himself!
Kinda makes me think of one of these bursting their way through Cpt Birdseye’s chest, now that’d be an advert worth screening!

I can just imagine it.. Birdseye crispy chest bursters!!