One of our colleagues
Who spends a good deal of time here, but who is originally from Japan, often brings back little treats when he returns from visitng his home office or his family.
Often, they are little spongy cakes shaped like domo-kun, or hard candies that taste like green tea, which are both amusing and nice.
This last trip, he brought back some red ginseng gummy candies, which are supposed to be very nice and extremely healthy. Apparently they are very popular in Japan Korea and China.
Not so much among Americans, of course, because they smell like moldy dirt, and taste pretty much like you’d expect moldy dirt tastes.
The bag is still mostly untouched after two weeks.
Check out “Ginger People” Ginger Chews. Zingy little after-dinner candies. NUM, num, num, num…
I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, even figuring that 90% of the cuisine will not be palatable to me.
The ramen museum is on my must-visit list, though. I bet that place is fantastic. :-)
My favorite Japanese snack is taiyaki.
When I was corresponding with a Japanese woman in 2004-2005–not quite a girlfriend, not quite “plain friends”–she sent me a taiyaki iron as a gift. I found it while cleaning the basement last month….
I like a lot of Asian foods, I dislike most Asian “candies” I’ve had the opportunity to try.
I also like a lot or European foods and candies especially salt licorice. I had it first about twenty five years ago. I buy it every time I run across it. Mmmmm. Salt licorice. And so many varieties.
Can’t abide ginseng… no matter HOW much it costs. *grimaces*