Japan!

Well, it is official now. I am somehow returning to Japan for the third fall in a row, for about two weeks from October 21st to November 8th. And no, while naturally this has been something I've wanted to do since I left Japan, I have not been hiding my actual travel plans from readers/Facebook friends/family. In true Nina last minute travel planning fashion, I literally booked the flight two days ago and bothered the wonderful Megan Elfman who is there studying abroad two days before that. In celebration, anticipation, and impatience for Japanese food, we had shabu shabu tonight. It consisted appropriately cut beef from the local Mitsuwa, carrots, enoki (they're a type of delicious mushroom for those who are aren't familiar with them) onions, tofu, and of course, shabu shabu ponzu sauce (citrus soy sauce). It was delicious.


The very generous portions of beef I just cooked all at once as I lack an electric skillet for the table and my boyfriend was very hungry and did not want to wait to eat. I need one of those skillets. Maybe in the near future...