Vegetarian in Japan - Ep.5.5: Quick Meal w/ Vegetarian Meat

[Gell1welt69]

I hope my question is not totaly off topic but it may be.^^

As a foreigner in Japan how do the ladies like gaijin guys.

Im planing on going to Japan in the net few months and Im curious about this fact

[sandlovertemari]

omfg! im vegan n im super xcited now about living in japan (one day)! SUPER AWESOME VID LOL

[AFRICA929]

yuck.....i need a steak.....

[RisuMiso]

I'm not a vegetarian, but I have a lot of friends who are in Canada. They used to take me to vegetarian/vegan restaurants and the food was sooo good. I love fake meat as much as real meat, just in a different way.

[LifeInShiga]

That's good to know. I think many "meat-eaters" would like vegetarian food if they just get past the mental block. I wish more were open-minded about it like you!

[RisuMiso]

I think people just picture the really gross pre-made vegetarian food from yesteryear. That or they think it will just be carrots and lettuce on a plate.

[LifeInShiga]

Or they picture weird looking vegetables they've never seen or heard of or can even pronounce and they miss out on some amazing new flavors. I feel like my pallet has been opened up so much since I stopped eating meat. I can appreciate new flavors and textures.

As health concerns increase, I think more people will start reaching for the veggie burgers instead of the hormone-laden beef burgers.

[RisuMiso]

This is where we will differ on this discussion. I am a believer of to each their own on the topic of vegetarianism. But I would say I would have a larger pallet than a vegetarian because I eat all the vegetables and more. Just living in Japan I probably eat a new vegetable I've never heard of every week. I know for a fact that me not being a vegetarian does not hinder my appreciation of great food.

[RisuMiso]

You can also be perfectly healthy eating meat. Once again look at Japan. People live for ever here (and remain active), and very few of them are vegetarians. If you don't eat burgers every day you will be fine. Having one once in a while won't hurt a person either, assuming they have a proper diet most of the time.

[DeeDoubleYou81]

You are absolutely right, but as you know the meat here is of much higher quality than in the U.S. The problem with American diets is the poor quality meat combined with a lot of simple starch foods like bread, potatoes, pasta, flour, etc and a major lack of fiber and vegetables. (this is in general)

In Japan, there is great meat and many great starches and, let's not forget, some of the best veggies in the world. All this with the habit of eating complete meals, makes for a healthy lifestyle.

[RisuMiso]

I don't know about meat in the US as I'm not American. The province I came from had awesome meat! I also agree the meals seem well rounded here. In general most western diets are pretty unhealthy, I know mine was when I lived there.

Also my wife cooks way healthier meals than I do. The western meals I cook are definitely heavier, but we don't eat them very often.

[DeeDoubleYou81]

I know you aren't American :)

There are definitely great sources of meat from organic, free-range farms, but the majority of it comes from feedlots. And let's not even mention poultry! Or swine!

[RisuMiso]

I know in America they would have Canadian bacon on some menu's. I'll tell you right now that it didn't look or taste like any bacon I've ever had in Canada!

What you say is true. Maybe in Canada there isn't as much of that as we only have 33 million people. My province probably only had 3 million people and was mostly farm land, so we had pretty good stuff.

[DeeDoubleYou81]

I always thought Canadian bacon was just fancy ham... lol.

WOW, only 33 million people! Why didn't I know that... hmmm...

And, unfortunately, most things in the U.S. are done for profit, as in a business. The goal is maximizing revenue and not necessarily producing the most healthy product.

[DeeDoubleYou81]

I think that you would agree that you are a much more open minded person than most. I don't doubt for a second that you have a larger pallet and a higher apprecication for food than many people, even a lot that I personally know.

I'm just speaking from personal experience and my dealings with the people that I know.

[RisuMiso]

I wasn't always open minded about food. One of my best friends is an amazing chef, so he got me into trying everything. I used to hate olives, and he told me to eat them every time I saw them until I liked them. Now I love them and appreciate their unique and very strong flavour. Nothing tastes like an olive, that's why I like them.

Hopefully I wasn't coming across as an ass-hat in my previous comments. My brain is going to mush form studying kanji all day every day.

[DeeDoubleYou81]

That is a great way to learn to like something. However, if it didn't work, you could've ended up hating even a mention of the word "olive." I like it though, great friend there!

You didn't come across as an ass-hat, I appreciate people opposing my view points, keeps me honest!

[RisuMiso]

I don't really "oppose" you though. I agree with most of what you say, I'm just adding my opinion to it.

As Carl Sagan said "There are many ways to live as a human being."

[DeeDoubleYou81]

That's a great quote and very true.

Also, I really do appreciate your input as I'm sure do the other people who read it.

[RisuMiso]

I like a good debate, I have to get my fix in English on the internet until my Japanese improves! I also like people who can be vegetarian or vegan without having the need to try and convert everyone. Good job!

[DeeDoubleYou81]

I too love a good debate, especially with level-headed people. In real life, I typically take the Socrates role and really try to get into the "why's" of peoples actions and habits and beliefs. I love finding out new opinions and viewpoints.. always something to learn!

Well, more later... it's bed time.. early train tomorrow...

[RisuMiso]

Yeah, I'm out too. Interview and hours of kanji.

[DeeDoubleYou81]

Good luck on the interview!

[RisuMiso]

Thanks!

[TeachinginJapanGuide]

Serious question: Why do veggies eat things that are fake meat things?? Veggie meat balls, veggie bacon, etc.???

You should be proud to eat plants ;-) Don't fake the funk

[LifeInShiga]

That is a good question. Honestly, it's not that we crave meat or even the texture of it, BUT, many sources of protein come in "meat" form. I honestly think it's more of a marketing ploy than anything.

As for myself, I enjoy the flavors of various vegetarian "meat" products. Very different than the real deal, but more interesting than plain old soy flavor.

[GoombaLordX]

I also think it helps in the transition for those who eat meat(like me) and want to go "Veggie"

Plus it adds variety, it is "The spice of life" after all.

[LifeInShiga]

I agree, it does help ease the transition. Any person can get used to eating any type of food, it's all a matter of how willing you are to change. You must decide to do it for yourself then stick with your decision.

Good luck and congrats on making the change!

[rivetgunner]

Thanks for uploading the follow-up video. Okay okay, I'm gonna have to subscribe to this channel too, right? :D

Somen Lo Mein (Somen yakisoba style!)

tinyurl (dot) com (slash) qyou5y

[LifeInShiga]

Of course you need to subscribe! And thank you for doing so ;)

Great recipe! Thanks for the link!

[sabrinasaures]

"japanese people flavor"TM

now available at baskin robins ice cream chains everywhere

yum

[LifeInShiga]

haha! maybe i shouldn't laugh.. i'm going to check the store near me just in case!

[acatinny]

That looks good! One big difference bet American supermakets and Japanese ones (and Conbini) is the latters carry lots of ready to eat (or almost) meals like Bento, Onigiri, Sozai, some kinds of cooked food in heatable containers or cans. I am glad to know they even have vegitarian varieties now. Here in U.S., probably mixed salad in a bag and cup noodles, that' about it. Too sad! BTW soba and whole wheat (whole grain)noodles are much healthier choice.

[LifeInShiga]

I agree about the noodles (I love soba!), but at this time, all I had was somen. I just wanted to illustrate the use of those meatballs... I do have a video coming up using organic whole grain spaghetti noodles...yum!

[worldgenius]

nice, wow there are so many varieties of the protein balls. have you tried eating those with yogurt, i heard that was good with it.

[LifeInShiga]

hmmm... yogurt, sounds interesting.. i'll have to give it a try!

[GoombaLordX]

Interesting vid, I for one am seriously thinking about at the very least cutting red meat from my diet. So I'm going to visit my local Vegetarian store and see if I can't find some tasty alternatives to fill the void, "Nature abhors a vacuum" after all.

I have a challenge for you Dusty! Find an exciting/entertaining way to show the water boiling! =)

[LifeInShiga]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you can find and how good it can taste. For a fantastic veggie chicken sandwich, check out a brand called "Quorn" (available at Whole Foods and others), they make breaded chicken products that are better than the real deal in taste and texture!!!

Hmmmm.... I'll think about that challenge! There must be a way!

[GoombaLordX]

BTW what does Japanese flavor taste like anyway?

[LifeInShiga]

It is kind of savory, almost like a roasted meat flavor, not too strong though. They could easily be used with marinara sauce too.

[LifeInShiga]

Nice! :)

[Dragon22873]

You shouldnt compliment idiots saying 'First!' haha. It just motivates them to be more annoying.

[LifeInShiga]

hmmm... good point!