Monday, April 27, 2009

Japanese Fusion with a Cajun Twist

I have to admit that I fell in love with the decor, and often the surroundings play into a mood, an emotion. This Japanese fusion restaurant seemed to have anything and everything on the menu...but little in the way of Japanese cuisine. However that didn't dissuade me as I started to drink in the environment. My experience, when I view art of other cultures, I am often drawn to the female form. The story it reveals, or doesn't. Why the Japanese artists often portray the geisha as the pinnacle of their value of beauty. The geisha was the secret keeper, an entertainment, yet, to serve, to be selfless to the point of abolishing personal desires, dreams and ambitions.
Every aspect of how these women were trained from all areas of art, culture, to be skilled in conversation, and more importantly...these women knew when to be silent and to have a still tongue. I sank into my chair...and ordered blueberry soju...finally deciding to partake (or if you will drink in) of this Korean cultural beverage...and of all things that I was surprised to see on the menu...Cajun chicken...and since I am partial to strongly flavored dishes...I was certain I would be pleased.
Yes, Foreign gal, once again made an amusing discovery...she did not know what she was ordering. I had the expectation of a small pitcher, however you see what was delivered to my table...accompanied with a small shot glass. Immediately, I could smell the blueberry and trouble. To justify my consumption...I thought of a quote by Henry Miller, "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." I poured my first shot and toasted to the thought of divine awareness.
As if on cue, the waiter hurriedly came with a bowl of soup. I almost burst into laughter. I sincerely doubted this was going to put the slightest dent into any absorption of alcohol. A half-grin/half-smirk crawled across my face. I poured myself another glass and began to wonder if I had been served kool-aid instead of soju...
However...my main course arrived...if you think this looks like Cajun chicken, you have never been to New Orleans. What was before me was what amounted to breaded chicken on a bed of salad, garnished with slices of hard boiled eggs and cherry tomatoes...covered with what appeared to be corn flakes (yes, corn flakes).

Again...I sat back...and this time I could not restrain the laughter...

I am in Korea...first thought. In a Japanese restaurant...second thought. Having a 'Cajun' meal...third thought. At least there wasn't anything on my plate that I couldn't identify properly.

ah...time to pour another glass of soju.

4 comments:

Lotus Reads said...

lol, love it! Are Koreans generally adventurous eaters or was the place filled mostly with expats? :)

Marilyn said...

Oh, I go way off the beaten path! I would rather be surrounded by the culture, the people...and I think what I have found is Koreans tend to put their own signature on everything...they may try to emulate another culture...in dress...in their cuisine, but somehow it just doesn't work.

'Be true to yourself', comes to mind.

Anonymous said...

More importantly, did you make it through the pitcher?

Marilyn said...

Oh, I made an attempt...