Monday, December 03, 2007

culture shock

This post isn't about culture shock in a bad sense, it is about the no mess ketchup with mustard packets that they give you when you buy corn dogs from the convenience stores.

One thing you should know, ketchup is pretty obsolete here. If you go to McDonald's or any other fast food place in Japan (at least the ones I've gone to anyway), you gotta enjoy your fries without ketchup. Though some Japanese burger places do sell their fries with seasoned salts.

When you go to the Japanese convenience stores, you can buy corn dogs. They call them "big American dog" or "American dog". The Japanese have obviously not seen the Costco hot dogs---though they do have Costcos here. (I should've checked out the hot dogs when I went there...)

So this packet comes with your corn dog and it is super easy to use and your hands don't get messy nor do you have to try to tear open the packet of ketchup or mustard with your teeth.

Just grab the sides and squeeze.

I love the fact that the packet has the grainy mustard in it! If you don't like mustard or don't like ketchup, too bad, it comes together.

And these corn dogs are only 105 yen (less than a US dollar!).

Though the texture of the weiner is quite soft, I sometimes buy a corn dog for lunch when I feel the need for some comfort food.

p.s. I just had the American dog at Starbucks...it came with messy, bite the packet with your teeth ketchup, a smidge of mustard on the bun, and quite a bit of sauerkraut and fried onions. The weiner's outside is nice and crisp, when you bite into it you can hear it pop...delicious.

15 comments:

2kamuela47 said...

That's pretty cool! Check out my blog for the UH vs UW game pictures. Take care!

K and S said...

Thanks Laura, will do!

Take care.
Kat

Kathy YL Chan said...

hehe, i bet the sight of a costco hot dog would send some people into a serious shock!! ...now i feel kinda bad about being able to finish an entire hot dog, then follow it up with a cup of the choco & vanilla soft serve everytime i visit costco, lol! :)

oooh boy...

*props to that super cool squeeze packet - all the cool stuff comes from Japan, hehe!

K and S said...

I wish I could eat as much as you, Kathy and look as good as you too :)

Take care.
Kat

Chibog in Chief said...

this post reminded me of the days i was alone to have my lunch..i often buy those hotdogs at the nearest konbini..:-) and yes it could really be messy those ketchups and mustards :-)anyways i have very sharp teeth so cutting them up was never a problem for me LOL

K and S said...

you are lucky to have such sharp teeth, Dhanggit! :)

Take care.
Kat

Pandabonium said...

No spam? How about spam musubi? :-p

I used to eat veggie hot dogs in Hawaii. Needless to say, haven't found any in Japan. Fun blog.

K and S said...

Thanks Pandabonium! I've seen fish sausages here, but then, that isn't veggie.

Take care.
Kat

Unknown said...

I surprised to hear that McDonald's doesn't provide ketchup for the fried potatos! I didn't know that. Now, what happens if someone only wants mustard or only the ketchup on their American Dog?

K and S said...

I guess you would have to squeeze the ketchup and mustard out then take the one you want and put it onto your American Dog, Rick.

Take care.
Kat

WendyB said...

Great post. I'm entertained by cultural condiment differences. I'm alarmed by your spamming note! I've heard of this before. If you moderate the comments, can't the spammers still submit 10,000 comments that you then have to go through and delete? I'm worried!

Jenny said...

Hi Kat!

My friend actually bought me back one of those ketchup mustard packets...and I never used it! In fact, it's still in my fridge but I think it's genius!

K and S said...

Jenny,
Isn't it the greatest? :)

WendyB,
I prefer to be able to delete the spam before it is published than have it sitting in the comments area for all to see. I'm glad you like the squeeze packet :)

Take care you two.
Kat

Anonymous said...

If you ask for ketchup at the counter in the fast food places, they'll usually be more than happy to give you some.

K and S said...

Really? Anonymous?
I've asked for ketchup and been told they don't have any. Which fast food places give you ketchup?

Take care.
Kat