Rollin' On 20's

McHotDog!

Another "Japan-only" menu item - the McHotDog. Although I knew it probably wouldn't live up to the claim that it was "200% tasty!", I had to try it. And of course, I was disappointed. It was more like a crispy German sausage, rather than a regular Oscar Meyer type hot dog that I was expecting. But my main gripe was the photoshopping! - they advertise a "Mega Sausage" which looks way bigger than the bun, but in reality, it's nowhere near that size. On closer inspection of the poster, look at the hot dog in the back! That sausage is way smaller! They are more like 200% LIARS!!..

Happy Mom's Day

Last night a funny thing happened to one of my friends while we were out having a few drinks. It was getting pretty late and we had just left Racks and were walking down the street. We were feeling loose and talking a little trash, when this girl came walking past all of us. Now as I said, it was late, and this girl was looking like she'd had a bit of a rough night partying, so my friend yells out "GO HOME!" But immediately, she snaps back in her broken English, "YOU go home, to your MOM!!" and we all busted out laughing so hard, "Ohhhhh!!!" Bro, you just got burned bad by a local Chinese girl! Way to stand up for yourself girl!

But the point of the story is, it reminded me that ya, we SHOULD all go home to our moms. It's Mother's Day today and we should show her how much we care. Just wanted to wish my and everybody else's mom, Happy Mother's Day. Love you Mom.

Beer Testing - Round 11 (Royal Rumble Japan!!)

To celebrate Golden Week in Japan, we did the mother of all beer testings to date - a 13 beer, winner take all event!! There were contenders from all the big camps - Kirin, Asahi, Suntory, Yebisu, Sapporo - some bringing the original classic style that they are known for, others coming from a new style of brewing, and a couple even having some European influence. It's anybody's to win. Who will come away victorious tonight?..

Defending Champ

Name: Kirin Lager Beer

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD0.96/can USD0.71/100mL

This rich, full flavoured beer came out on top at the last Battle Royal, with a score of 6.875/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Kirin Original Brew Draft Beer

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.17/can USD0.62/100mL

According to the description, it is brewed "from the first wort' (whatever that's supposed to mean?), which gives it its full-bodied flavour. Being one of the old skool "real" beers (not a 3rd grade beer), you have to give this brew some respect, and rightfully so - it's a more weighty beer with lots of flavour. As it says on the can, it is "distinctively smooth, refreshing and satisfying" - I would have to agree. Final score 7.55/10. So right off the bat, this veteran favourite quickly takes out the defending champ with a Figure Four Leg Lock, a-la "Nature Boy" Ric Flair ("Wooo!!").

Challenger 2

Name: Kirin Tanrei

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD1.60/can USD0.46/100mL

Another beer in the Kirin family, "Tanrei" translates something like "delicate and elegant". It is "Sheer refreshment!" according to the can. Light and fizzy, its taste is pretty typical of all the other 3rd grade beers, but perhaps less watery, making it a good summer beer. Final score 6.85/10. Perhaps a little out of its weight class, this beer got the Ultimate Warrior's Overhead Press Slam and was down for the count.

Challenger 3

Name: Asahi Clear

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.40/can USD0.40/100mL

As the illustration on the can shows, this beer actually did have a pretty good head of foam! It was pretty creamy, and had a mild taste which was easy to drink. Final score 7.5/10. A close fight, but eventually knocked out by the Stone Cold Stunner.

Challenger 4

Name: Suntory Rich Malt

Origin: Osaka, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.40/can USD0.40/100mL

Kirin seems to be all about "Good Times", whereas for "Relaxing Times", you have to "make it Suntory time". This beer is no exception - "Enjoy rich taste in relaxing time." By this point in the testing, I was starting to feel pretty relaxed. A slightly fuller flavoured 3rd grade beer. Not bad, but nothing that particularly stood out either. Final score 7.35/10. A Flying Elbow Drop reminiscent of Randy "The Macho Man" Savage and it was over. "Oooh yeah!"

Challenger 5

Name: Suntory Malt's "Green Aroma"

Origin: Osaka, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.17/can USD0.62/100mL

This "limited edition" beer uses "aroma hops from Germany" which definitely gave it more flavour and a mildly floral aroma. If you like a slightly sweet, easy to drink beer, this one is for you. Final score 7.2/10. Although taken out by the Hulk Hogan Leg Drop, it's still a winner in my books.

Challenger 6

Name: Kirin "Nodogoshi" Draft

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.40/can USD0.40/100mL

"Nodogoshi" Draft means something like "The feeling of draft beer going down your throat" (I guess it makes more sense in Japanese). Anyways, doesn't matter - this beer wasn't that good. Typcial 3rd grade beer taste - bubbly and slightly watery. Final score 5/10. The Adorable Adrian Adonis' Sleeper Hold put this nightmare to an end.

Challenger 7

Name: Suntory "The Premium Malt's"

Origin: Osaka, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.60/can USD0.74/100mL

This beer is of "esteemed quality" according to the can, and also uses an aroma hop from Europe, providing a strong, slightly bitter taste. A good, solid beer, but a little pricey. Final score 7.35/10. Taken down with a DDT and it was lights out.

Challenger 8

Name: Yebisu

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.56/can USD0.73/100mL

This beer has a long history, dating back to 1887, using "Sapporo's traditional art" of brewing. It is one of the most expensive beers in the group, but it becomes obvious why. On pouring, it has a good head of foam. Its taste is smooth, rich, and creamy. A great beer. And not only does it taste good, it looks good as well. The logo is dope, and the simple layout and classic use of type make this a sweet looking graphic. Add to that the gold coloured can, and it's pretty hard to beat. Final score 8/10. With a Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, off the top rope Diving Splash, Yebisu knocks out the competition thus far, and looks impressive doing it.

Challenger 9

Name: Kirin Green Label

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 4.5%

Price: USD1.61/can USD0.46/100mL

This is a low calorie beer, with "70% off" sugar. It "brings you comfortable time" and "cheers your mind". Sounds pretty good! Too bad it tastes like beer that's been left on the counter overnight - flat and watery. This can didn't stand a chance and was crushed by Baron Von Raschke's Iron Claw. Final score 4.25/10.

Challenger 10

Name: Kirin "Zero"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 3%

Price: USD1.61/can USD0.46/100mL

This is another "karori ofu" (calorie off) beer, with zero sugar. Pretty fizzy and a bit lemony?? Final score 6/10. Tapped out with a Camel Clutch.

Challenger 11

Name: Asahi Style Free

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 4%

Price: USD1.61/can USD0.46/100mL

Yet another sugar free, low calorie beer. Again, flat and tasteless. Final score 4.75/10. Sorry, you're out of there with a reverse suplex over the top rope.

Challenger 12

Name: Sapporo Barley & Hop

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.41/can USD0.40/100mL

This 3rd grade beer is actually endorsed in a tv commercial by a famous Japanese actor, and he says something to the effect of "I can't believe this is only a 3rd grade beer!" It was actually ok, but nothing spectacular. Final score 6.65/10. KO'd by a Tombstone Piledriver.

So after a long, hard fought battle, the last beer standing is Yebisu, winning decisively with a score of 8/10.

I will be taking the competition back to Shanghai for the next round. But from what we've seen so far of the local Chinese talent, I'm betting Yebisu may be keeping the Intercontinental Belt for quite some time.

My Little Pony

I dunno, I just like this guy -

he makes me smile. He's the mascot for the local horse racing track Tokyo Keiba City.

More info here.

Moomin

Over the weekend, A.S. brought me to check out Tove Jansson's Moomin Exhibition at the Daimaru Museum. I wasn't actually familiar with the Swedish-Finnish artist's work, but in Japan, it's widely popular, as there was an animation series created specifically for the Japan market (of course there was), as well as a full length movie. However, I became a fan instantly.

The Moomins are a carefree and adventurous family of trolls that live in Moominvalley in the forests of Finland.

Jansson's illustration style is similarly carefree and naive, yet at the same time, very expressive and detailed. The exhibition was brought from the permanent collection of the Moomin Museum in Tampere, Finland, and featured works from the Moomin books, as well as original illustrations and hand-made models.

The Daimaru Museum is on the top floor of the Daimaru Department Store at Tokyo Station. In the 80's and 90's, there began a trend for department stores in Japan (Daimaru, Parco, Mitsukoshi, etc.) to have a museum or gallery so that art and shopping could be enjoyed together. It's a great idea and I wish more commercial venues would incorporate art and culture into their spaces.

Beer Testing - Round 10 (Battle Royal Japan!)

In honour of Showa Day (the previous Emperor's birthday), we decided to stage a 7 beer head-to-head challenge!

Defending Champ

Name: Suntory "The Straight"

Origin: Osaka, Japan

Alcohol: 6%

Price: USD1.34/can USD0.38/100mL

As mentioned previously, "The Straight" is a light, easy drinking beer, scoring 6.75/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Sapporo "Cold Process"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.40/can USD0.40/100mL

According to the description, "Cold maturation delivers cool refreshment with satisfying flavor." However, this 3rd grade beer didn't have much flavour and was a bit stinky. Not refreshing or satisfying. Final score of 5.5/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Sapporo "Draft One"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.40/can USD0.40/100mL

This beer claims itself to be "Your first choice in taste and refreshment." Not so sure about that, because although this 3rd grade beer is drinkable, it was pretty bland and unmemorable. Final score 5.75/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Asahi "Off"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 3.5%

Price: USD1.97/can USD0.39/100mL

"Off" is supposed to mean like "Light" - low carbs and low "purine"? - I'm told it's something that causes tumours??..  Anyways, the benefits don't really matter, because I won't be drinking this 3rd grade beer again - a little too fizzy and tastes pretty boring. I'm tired of these light beers with no character that all taste the same. Final score 5.25/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Kirin "Strong Seven"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 7%

Price: USD1.40/can USD0.40/100mL

This 3rd grade beer claims its "Hard and clear taste brings you the great feeling." It definitely had a sharper taste (probably due to the higher alcohol content), and coupled with its fizziness, it didn't go down so easily. At least it had a bit of a punch. Great feeling? I'm not so sure. Maybe after 5 or 6 more cans.. Final score 6.4/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Asahi "Super Dry"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD0.96/135mL can USD0.71/100mL

Supposedly its "The beer for all seasons", with "excellent richness, truly refreshing drinkability, and satin smoothness." This is the first real beer (i.e., not a 3rd grade beer) of the evening. Less watery and as it claims, is pretty smooth. However, there really is not that much difference in taste between this and the 3rd grade beers.

As a side note, you may wonder why people would want to buy beer in such small (135mL) cans. I'm told it's for grandmas who still like their beer, but can't really drink too much. Now that is marketing by age segment! Final score 6.5/10.

Challenger 6

Name: Kirin Lager Beer

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD0.96/135mL can USD0.71/100mL

This beer's "Mature, mellow taste and deep foamy head make this a wonderful harmony of refreshing tastes and refined quality." It is noticeably more rich and full flavoured, even seeming a little heavy, after drinking all those light 3rd grade beers. But definitely the best tasting beer of the evening. Final score 6.875/10.

So in the end, Kirin Lager Beer beats out Suntory "The Straight" for top spot. But considering that it is almost double the price, the Suntory is still not a bad choice if you want a light, easy to drink beer, ideal for the coming summer months.

Diggin'

Today, I went to a flea market in Tokyo. As you would imagine, they had all sorts of interesting things, from old video game consoles, to back-in-the-day cassette Walkmans!, to vintage tees, to pretty much you name it. One stall had bins and bins full of random stuff, with a guy on a megaphone shouting, "Any 3 items for 100 yen!" (US$1.00). So it was a bit hectic over there. But apart from that, it was a nice day out in the sunshine, rummaging around.

It's located in the parking lot next to the Oi Horse Race Track in Shinagawa, and operates every Saturday until 3pm.

McWhat?

Japan marketing guys, come ON! Try a little harder with the names, will you?! McPORK?!? It's like when you were picking names, the guy in charge was in a HUGE rush to finish work on time that day..

"Ok guys, we need a name. What's in this sandwich anyway? Pork? Ok, how about McPork? Now let's not over-think this. Keep it simple. I think it's good. Are we good? Are we done here? K, gotta go."

Don't think you can just stick "Mc" in front of anything and old Ronald there will sell it (well, you kind of can, but still..).

However, I DO love the fact that you've still got the deep fried apple pies!! That is one of the all-time best things on the menu. Thank you for not caving into health conscious pressure!