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saaaam_j's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
2.0
I almost DNF this book after reading the author describe sumo wrestlers as “fatties in diapers.” I had hoped for this book’s premise given that I wanted an overview of Japanese culture but unfortunately, this book reeks of white people’s stereotypes of Asian culture. The book covers a lot of topics and provides decent contextual information and food writing but the “jokes” that the author tries to make come off as disrespectful and rude.
strangebehavior's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed this book but subtracted a star for the chapter on sumo wrestling, which read very condescending.
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
Going to Japan and wanted to get a sense of what it would feel like. And that's the absent star, right there--I certainly got a sense of what it felt like for Mr. Booth, but he had inside access, was treated to a dinner at the finest restaurant in Tokyo, etc. My vacation will likely not follow the same trajectory! That said, it was always engaging, and I learned a great deal, and it's always a thrill to read something on Japanese cookery that isn't a cook book.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
emmaprew's review against another edition
4.0
A great book for fans of Japan and Japanese food, particularly those (like me) looking to find out more about the intriguing cuisine. Because each chapter has a different topic I found that I could pick the book up whenever I had time to spare and then leave it alone when I didn't. Hence why it took me months to read! No fault on the author – the writing style is excellent and humorous. Feeling nostalgic for Japan and I want to taste all these wondrous meals.
marinazala's review against another edition
4.0
** Books 217 - 2016 **
I received a digital copy of this from Netgalley and publisher Picador in exchange for an honest review.
3,8 of 5 stars!
I am really excited and also feel relieved when i finished read this books! This is such a comprehensive books about Japan Culinary! At first, i thought read specific Japan Culinary such as Sushi and Ramen but i'm wrong since it is far away from those foods. It really broaden my knowledge there are so many things about Japan Culinary that i didn't know before!
I am really interest to try Nagashi Somen in deep of village in Kyoto. It is so unique! I never that the chef will cooked the noodles and throw it into the middle of opening bamboo and we have to catch it with our chopstik. I haven't found it in my country. It will be great experience!
The interesting one is if you wanna know more about Japan Culinary, you should read this books! I've got so many new knowledge about Sake, Sushi, Fugu's fish, Soy Sauce, Dashi, Kobe's meat, wasabi and King of Crab etc. I even gasped when i know SMAP doing cooking variety show almost twelve years!! Why i doesn't know about that before? =__=a.
Overall, This books is so enjoyable to read and it can makes you know more the deep meaning about Japan's Culinary.. I'm glad to have a chance to read this books first! ;)
I received a digital copy of this from Netgalley and publisher Picador in exchange for an honest review.
3,8 of 5 stars!
I am really excited and also feel relieved when i finished read this books! This is such a comprehensive books about Japan Culinary! At first, i thought read specific Japan Culinary such as Sushi and Ramen but i'm wrong since it is far away from those foods. It really broaden my knowledge there are so many things about Japan Culinary that i didn't know before!
I am really interest to try Nagashi Somen in deep of village in Kyoto. It is so unique! I never that the chef will cooked the noodles and throw it into the middle of opening bamboo and we have to catch it with our chopstik. I haven't found it in my country. It will be great experience!
The interesting one is if you wanna know more about Japan Culinary, you should read this books! I've got so many new knowledge about Sake, Sushi, Fugu's fish, Soy Sauce, Dashi, Kobe's meat, wasabi and King of Crab etc. I even gasped when i know SMAP doing cooking variety show almost twelve years!! Why i doesn't know about that before? =__=a.
Overall, This books is so enjoyable to read and it can makes you know more the deep meaning about Japan's Culinary.. I'm glad to have a chance to read this books first! ;)
kitchensensei's review against another edition
3.0
Overall a fun read. Brought back good memories of good food.
robinsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great romp through Japan's underbelly of cuisine, and I mean that in a good way. The author takes an extended trip (with his two small picky eating children and his wife) through many regions of Japan, researching and eating the various cuisines of each area. Along the way he reports on history, growing methods (the wasabi section was fascinating), and the differences in taste even with the same product, e.g. ramen. It was fascinating and even though I don't like sushi or sashimi, I was tempted to give them another try.
For anyone who loves Anthony Bourdain's food explorations without the language and content--although I never really mind.
For anyone who loves Anthony Bourdain's food explorations without the language and content--although I never really mind.
araleith's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how this book described all the food. It makes me want to travel to Japan and eat so many things.
mbutle87's review against another edition
4.0
Full Review can be read at My Tables of Content. Thanks to NetGalley and Picador Publishing for the advanced e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
4/5 Stars
Confession: I love food writing. Yes, I know it’s trendy and #basic, but I can’t help it. Whenever I find a memoir or travelogue filled with well-crafted sentences describing a simmering chicken broth or the crisp notes of white wine, I go weak in the knees. So when I was given the opportunity to review Michael Booth’s new book, Super Sushi Ramen Express: One Family’s Journey Through the Belly of Japan, I naturally volunteered. Food, family, and travel? Seriously, what more could I ask for?
Michael Booth is a well-known English food and travel writer who has already published several books on French and Nordic cooking. In this book, he takes his family on a journey through Japan, savoring the different flavors and foods in each corner of this island country while also getting into a few adventures with Sumo wrestlers and J-Pop celebrities. He also zooms in on the traditions and rituals of Japanese cooking, explaining in great detail the history of common ingredients such as dashi (most known for being included in miso soup, among many other dishes) and explaining true wasabi.
This book really opened my eyes to a completely different cooking tradition. Although I frequent sushi restaurants with my sashimi-loving husband, and I research many other cooking cultures, I know very little about the tradition of Japanese cooking. Discovering the rituals, intensive training, and precision the Japanese chefs undergo to perfect one type of dish, whether it be tempura or ramen, blew my mind. To possess that level of discipline and care for a SINGLE category of food is unheard of for me, as I tend to be scatterbrained and spread myself thin in about 1000 directions.
One critique I do have for this book is its lack of familial anecdotes. Although Booth does mention his wife and kids on some of his adventures, like visiting a fish market and the children almost getting run over by a food truck, or being in awe of the sumo wrestlers, Booth tends to brush them over in short paragraphs rather than fleshed-out story arcs. This is a nit-picky critique of mine, but I do believe it would have added more variety to his detail-oriented food chapters.
4/5 Stars
Confession: I love food writing. Yes, I know it’s trendy and #basic, but I can’t help it. Whenever I find a memoir or travelogue filled with well-crafted sentences describing a simmering chicken broth or the crisp notes of white wine, I go weak in the knees. So when I was given the opportunity to review Michael Booth’s new book, Super Sushi Ramen Express: One Family’s Journey Through the Belly of Japan, I naturally volunteered. Food, family, and travel? Seriously, what more could I ask for?
Michael Booth is a well-known English food and travel writer who has already published several books on French and Nordic cooking. In this book, he takes his family on a journey through Japan, savoring the different flavors and foods in each corner of this island country while also getting into a few adventures with Sumo wrestlers and J-Pop celebrities. He also zooms in on the traditions and rituals of Japanese cooking, explaining in great detail the history of common ingredients such as dashi (most known for being included in miso soup, among many other dishes) and explaining true wasabi.
This book really opened my eyes to a completely different cooking tradition. Although I frequent sushi restaurants with my sashimi-loving husband, and I research many other cooking cultures, I know very little about the tradition of Japanese cooking. Discovering the rituals, intensive training, and precision the Japanese chefs undergo to perfect one type of dish, whether it be tempura or ramen, blew my mind. To possess that level of discipline and care for a SINGLE category of food is unheard of for me, as I tend to be scatterbrained and spread myself thin in about 1000 directions.
One critique I do have for this book is its lack of familial anecdotes. Although Booth does mention his wife and kids on some of his adventures, like visiting a fish market and the children almost getting run over by a food truck, or being in awe of the sumo wrestlers, Booth tends to brush them over in short paragraphs rather than fleshed-out story arcs. This is a nit-picky critique of mine, but I do believe it would have added more variety to his detail-oriented food chapters.
karenchase's review against another edition
4.0
While reading this book I craved sushi almost constantly, and ate it (and ramen) on several occasions. With my sushi experiences especially I was acutely aware that the version I know here in Canada is undoubtedly vastly different from the food in Japan. And reading this book made me both yearn for and fear the genuine experience. The foodie whose journey this is had a wide variety of food experiences, from street food to ridiculously exquisite fine dining. The former I can relate to—I am very much a casual eater. The latter I was intimidated (and a little bored) by—I do not possess the sensibility or the palate to be moved by fancy food, even if it embodies the simplicity of Japanese ingredients and preparations. I would like to visit Japan one day, but I think I would be lucky to find my way to the beaten track, and unlikely to venture as far afield as this book leads.