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theunreadshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Super Sushi Ramen Express: One Family's Journey Through the Belly of Japan is the perfect travel-foodie-memoir, with Bryson-esque self-deprecating humor and fine-tuned attention to what makes Japanese food unique and delicious.
Michael Booth moves his wife and two young boys to Japan to discover the world of Japanese cuisine and along the way uncovers the history and use of familiar foods like tofu, miso, seaweed, soba noodles, and tempura, as well as many other more obscure ingredients.
As a former traveler to Japan myself, I reveled in his stories of hilarious cultural misunderstandings, the bizarre sense of other-worldliness as he wanders the streets of Tokyo, and the warm generosity of the Japanese people. My only complaint (if it could be called one) is that the chapters seem too brief - I could have kept reading much longer than the chapters allowed me to!
Recommended for: foodies, travelers, & anyone wanting to broaden their culinary horizons
Note: I received this book free from Net Galley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and completely honest.
Michael Booth moves his wife and two young boys to Japan to discover the world of Japanese cuisine and along the way uncovers the history and use of familiar foods like tofu, miso, seaweed, soba noodles, and tempura, as well as many other more obscure ingredients.
As a former traveler to Japan myself, I reveled in his stories of hilarious cultural misunderstandings, the bizarre sense of other-worldliness as he wanders the streets of Tokyo, and the warm generosity of the Japanese people. My only complaint (if it could be called one) is that the chapters seem too brief - I could have kept reading much longer than the chapters allowed me to!
Recommended for: foodies, travelers, & anyone wanting to broaden their culinary horizons
Note: I received this book free from Net Galley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and completely honest.
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best things about this book is that it points out how Japanese food is truly top tier in terms of elevation - how much respect there is for the ingredients (massaging cows pre-slaughter to reduce their anxiety), seasonality (an emphasis on the soil nutrients and freshness), and the art of cooking (training as long as a doctor to cut fish correctly). It’s definitely a philosophy we don’t have in the west. For instance the Ama divers chapter noted that while they could use modern scuba gear to stay down longer and collect more sea cucumbers and whatnot they choose the traditional way instead by holding their breath in order to prevent over-harvesting.
I also love that the author took a little swing at western celebrity chefs and by default western society’s idealization of individuality / celebrity culture: “If you go to eat at one of the great European or American chefs - Alain Ducasse or Thomas Keller, for instance, the food is generally a direct expression of the chef’s personality or ego...” and that rang especially true for me. Japanese culinary expression at its finest as you’ll discover throughout this foodie travelogue is an expression of their culture and their land. He closes the book with a sentence that while applicable to all he’s discussed regarding Japanese cuisine I felt was also reflective of Japanese culture: “to be a truly great chef... you must above all else have humility...” and he goes on to say “...humility especially towards the ingredients [without which] a chef is nothing.”
If you have any interest in Japan and/or Japanese cuisine you’ll surely enjoy this!
I also love that the author took a little swing at western celebrity chefs and by default western society’s idealization of individuality / celebrity culture: “If you go to eat at one of the great European or American chefs - Alain Ducasse or Thomas Keller, for instance, the food is generally a direct expression of the chef’s personality or ego...” and that rang especially true for me. Japanese culinary expression at its finest as you’ll discover throughout this foodie travelogue is an expression of their culture and their land. He closes the book with a sentence that while applicable to all he’s discussed regarding Japanese cuisine I felt was also reflective of Japanese culture: “to be a truly great chef... you must above all else have humility...” and he goes on to say “...humility especially towards the ingredients [without which] a chef is nothing.”
If you have any interest in Japan and/or Japanese cuisine you’ll surely enjoy this!
afrugalfather's review against another edition
4.0
I can relate to Michael Booth's sarcastic humor. His wit makes it easy to get through seemingly any topic. "For the last half hour you have been buckling under the burden of a drowsy four year old who weighs roughly the same as an air conditioning unit and is sitting on your shoulders."
askiddo's review
4.0
This was a really fun exploration of the cuisine and culture of Japan, Michael Booth's writing style was very fun and I appreciated the short chapter so I could read a few each day.
sandyd's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful examination of Japanese food and it's differences throughout Japan, by a British journalist who travels with his wife and two young boys.
camila_caminioca's review against another edition
4.0
*This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review – all opinions are my own.*
An excellent read. Super Sushi Ramen Express is Booth's (and his family) food journey through Japan, from Tokyo to Fukuoka, from ramen to intricate meals. This felt like the perfect mix of travel writing and food writing - it was both informative and entertaining. I loved reading about the culinary history and ideas that make Japan such a unique food destination.
There isn't much to add except that it will make you want to head to Japan to also experience the food. If I could just get myself invited to Japan's best restaurant that no one knows about, I'd die happy.
Booth's writing was funny at times and I always wanted to read more. I definitely recommend this book and will definitely pick up other things he has written.
An excellent read. Super Sushi Ramen Express is Booth's (and his family) food journey through Japan, from Tokyo to Fukuoka, from ramen to intricate meals. This felt like the perfect mix of travel writing and food writing - it was both informative and entertaining. I loved reading about the culinary history and ideas that make Japan such a unique food destination.
There isn't much to add except that it will make you want to head to Japan to also experience the food. If I could just get myself invited to Japan's best restaurant that no one knows about, I'd die happy.
Booth's writing was funny at times and I always wanted to read more. I definitely recommend this book and will definitely pick up other things he has written.
raehink's review against another edition
4.0
A celebration of Japanese food and culture. Delightful.
kamreadsandrecs's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up as a kind of prep for the Japan trip I'm doing with my friends in October, and also because I wanted to see how it'd stack up against Rice, Noodle, Fish by Matt Goulding, which I'd read and loved even before this Japan trip was even a glimmer in my friends' imagination. Tfb to Goulding, his book is weightier and has a LOT more info than Booth's, but it's also a lot more serious. Booth's book, on the other hand, is light and fun and offers some really hilarious anecdotes about what it's like traveling with kids. Wish there were more of those particular stories tbh, but it seems like Booth spent a lot of time away from his kids while writing this book. Maybe his wife ought to do a partner memoir of sorts? That'd be interesting. Still, this is a nice light read, and works well with Goulding's book as I prep myself to EAT ALL THE THINGS when I get to Japan :D.
manogirl's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful food-based travel narrative. Really well-done, really chatty and breezy, really evocative. (And the food seemed like it was really delicious.)
In some ways, this felt like a throwback to the travelogues I was reading in high school, which is a good thing! I miss those travelogues!
In some ways, this felt like a throwback to the travelogues I was reading in high school, which is a good thing! I miss those travelogues!
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! ;)