Anna Purna is a top-notch, Nepalese-run Indian restaurant with a well-deserved reputation. Most JETs who live in the Fukuyama area are more than familiar with its delightful ambience, flavorful curries, and consistent quality. Instead, I am writing this article mainly for the benefit of others who visit the area, and might fancy a fantastic Indian meal to round off their day or kick-start their night.

“Lunch?” repeats the JET alumnus, leaning forward and cocking his head. “Well, school lunch wasn’t too bad,” he relays, “It was balanced, at least.” A slow, sheepish grin spreads across his face and crinkles his eyes. “I mean, like… it was a lot healthier than my usual instant curry sauce on spaghetti dinner,” he shrugs.

I’ve had my share of Spanish/Mexican food in Japan. From Hiroshima’s Cusco Café and Tinto’s Restaurant to the do-it-yourself ingredients sold at Jupiter to the Visitor’s Day at the Iwakuni Airbase (which I went to solely to taste the delights of the on-base Taco Bell).

Japanese homes can be very small and Japanese kitchens even smaller but your rice cooker can more than make up for the lack of space. Join Greg Beck on his adventure to the local store and after when he shows you just how easy it is to cook things other than rice with a rice cooker. Enjoy!

Braving the winter in Japan is made easier by a few things: your kotatsu, nabe parties, and finally figuring out how your air conditioner can be turned into a heater! However, what I miss the most is a savory something from home. Quiches are very easy and very open to change if you like different fillings such as mushrooms/goat cheese or something else. I opted for easily accessible ingredients for everyone at your local supermarket, spinach and bacon.

Takeru “The Tsunami” Kobayashi is a three-time Guinness World Record holder for competitive eating. He burst on the American scene in 2001 at Coney Island’s annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest by downing 50 dogs in 12 minutes, doubling the previous record. Kobayashi went on to win the contest six consecutive times while shattering other gastronomic records around the world.

The pickling containers are out at the hardware store, the farmer’s markets are abounding with amazing vegetables…How about joining the rest of the Japanese housewives and start pickling?

Japanese summers are a hot and sticky business, so hot that you often don’t feel like eating anything. Somen noodles are the perfect fix for the summer funk. It’s THE simple, refreshing meal beloved by all Japanese. Somen can be eaten cold or hot, but the cold version is the perfect food to fight the summer heat. It’s also extremely easy to make. No culinary degree required!

Ratatouille is the epitome of French gastronomy, yet it’s the perfect recipe for Japan if you want to use the fresh summer veggies that flood the supermarket during the summer. Japan produces amazing eggplant, and ratatouille is the perfect dish to make with them.

Dan Moeller tells us why he thinks America has a few things to learn from Japan when it comes to school lunches and health education.