After a couple of loads, we decided to go to Ikeda. Satoshi wanted to check out their rakugo museum. On the way, we stopped into Yuan for lunch. This place is run by Toyosu, a local arare (rice cracker) maker. I had the o-makase (leave it up to the chef) set.
It came with a mini dessert. I chose the kurogoma dango (black sesame dumplings)--rice dumplings covered with a black sesame sauce.After lunch, we walked about 30 minutes to Ikeda.
The Rakugo museum opened sometime last year. Rakugo is a "sit-down" comedy that has quite a long history. It is part story telling and part comedy. I once saw an english version of Rakugo at the University of Hawaii.
One of Satoshi's co-workers does rakugo as an amateur. Rakugo is still quite popular in Osaka. This museum is free to the public and there is even a viewing area where you can borrow DVD to watch in the area. There were quite a number of people laughing out loud with their headsets on. Kind of fun to watch these people.
Sunday was another great day. Since we didn't want to stay indoors, we decided to go to Nakayama after lunch. Nakayama is about 5 stations from where we live. We stopped in to Marie-Ange for dessert. The cafe area seats only 10 people, but since it was Sunday, no one was there. Satoshi chose the Sakura (cherry blossom) roll--a vanilla sponge cake filled with cream and a sakura an (cherry flavored sweet bean paste) in the middle.
I chose the chiboust. A flaky crust filled with bananas and topped with chiboust cream. The sugary top was caramelized, like a creme brulee.Delicious! The best part of this cafe was that they had free re-fills of coffee, something that is unheard of in Japan!
After dessert, we went to the grocery store. I wanted parmigiano reggiano...and was surprised, as the price has since doubled since the last time I bought a slice. 80g is now 1000 yen (about US$10)!We used the cheese very sparingly on our pasta for dinner. Peas are in season now, so I added some to our pasta.
It looks like the houses on the other side of our building will be torn down. They vacated the houses and have started putting up the poles to attach dust curtains. Hopefully it won't be too dusty.Hope your week is a good one!
I'm glad you had a fun weekend out and about - and man does that sakura roll look good!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week! :)
Thanks Lori! I hope you have a nice week too.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
food ...and all things japanese, i love this blog, i'll be back soon :)
ReplyDeletecool m.kate, hope to see you around soon :)
ReplyDeletetake care.
kat
Hi Kat - I love the little bits of daily life and culture you sprinkle between the food. The food is wonderful, the vignettes just make everything more interesting!
ReplyDeleteSeems like you had a great weekend with lots of yummy food!
ReplyDeleteI've had black sesame paste stuffed in mochi balls in a ginger syrup soup but never the black sesame on the OUTSIDE...very neato! ^_^
ReplyDeleteThe price of everything seems to be going up! This food looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me take a peek in to your delicious life.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad they are tearing down the houses next door -- they look like the old fashioned kinds that give a neighborhood lots of character.
What a shame about those little houses. Look so neat with the frony yards, etc. But that's the price of progress.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirkk, Chocolate Nerd :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lina, we did!
Your version sounds delicious, Kathy!
You are welcome, Anon, it is sad about those houses.
I just wish the guys that are pulling off the tile of the house wouldn't fling them into the truck below, Nate, the fragments are coming into our stairwell!
Take care everyone!
Kat