Job Discussion Forums

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

Nagoyaguy, did you order "kanpin de" or "tanpin de"?

I, personally *LOVE* Japanese restaurants compared to the states. It's so easy to do "betsu-bestu" in Japan, but in the states it's almost taboo. You just have to try to figure it out on your own, which is akward and embarassing. Plus there is the tip. I'm so sick of tipping. Even if you get terrible service you are still obligated to tip 15%. Furthermore, in Japan you get the bill with the food; whereas in the U.S. you have to sit around and try to get the server's attention, and when he finally sees you, he just drops it off and then you have to get his attention again when you need change.

The strangest thing about Japan is that you can't get a doggy bag. My friend told me that it is *SO* shameful to even ask for such a thing. I've asked before, and once I was told it couldn't be done, and the other time, I got some saran wrap. But in Japan, the portions are just right. In the U.S. it's 3x the size of what I need. Therefore, Americans are obese.

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

I sometimes get the urge to ask for a doggy bag - the portions in Japan are not always "just right" (and I'm not obese ...kind of skinny actually).

But anyway, I get the feeling that if you ask then it's like you are so destitute that you really need the food.

Contrast this to the school lunch at my junior high where if everything isn't eaten the kid gets a telling off. OK so they are growing kids but I'm sure there are a few lactose intolerant kids in there especially as this is Asia and milk everyday can't be helping that.

What I like, and am prepared to stay in Japan for, is the service you get at petrol(Gas) stations!

Celeste · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 8:24 am Post subject:

I was at a school last week where a 7 year old girl was rushed to the hospital after eating ALL of the soup in her bowl (which contained shrimp- the girl is allergic to shellfish). Poor little thing went all blotchy and started gasping . I am allergic to shellfis too, and I have to be super careful at restaurants because people think I am just being picky and that perhaps I won't notice a little bit of ebi in my soup. (In fact it can be life threatening if I eat it enough times)

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

There is a great Mexican place in Osaka's America Mura. Great variety. I made the trip 6 times and order 3 things off the menu and never ate the same thing twice.

frosty · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Japan

BradS · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Raw salmon is delicious! I can't stand salmon cooked, but raw is so good! Only a slight amount of heat should be applied to salmon to give it a texture on the outside - the inside should remain raw. I'm going to have to find where that sandwich is sold!

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Hey BradS, we eat raw salmon quite a bit in the UK - espcially at fancy parties like wedding receptions.

Anyway, I digress, Lynn: betsu betsu is great.

Personally, I have not found anything in Korea that compares to the average Japanese, crowded, rustic, noisy, friendly izakaya. I'll be back there in two weeks and I will be spending lots of time in izakaya Razz

MosBurger will be way up there on the list too. I love the fact that you get real glasses and that hardly anything they give you when you eat in is discarded after you eat. That just makes sense to me.

A story I have about Japan and restaurants (if that word can be applied in my case) involves MacDonald's. Nagoya was the last place I ever set foot in one of these appalling places.

It was 9:50pm when my wife and I and a friend walked in. We asked for two fishburger thingies and a cheesburger. Sorry, no can do, they say. We only have one fishburger. Fine, I say, please make another fishburger. Sorry, no can do, they say, we only have one. [Repeat this exchange several times]

Eventually, I ask why. We close in ten minutes they say. Fine, say I, what time do you close. 10pm comes the reply. And what time is it now, I query. 9:50, they say. Good. Two fishburgers please. Sorry, we only have one fishburger.

I never got it. This was the third time this had happened to us in McD's in Japan and, what with the whole chain worldwide being disgusting anyway, was the last straw for me. I've never been back.

So, basically, I concluded that the service in many places is not 'terrific' as we might first think because it is simply following rules handed down from above. When you, the customer, play the game, service is great. But when you do the unthinkable, like order something ten mins before they shut or ask for a BIG glass of water or an extra sachet of ketchup or if you can sit on that recently vacated seat by the window even though it hasn't been cleared yet, you fall off their map and they have no idea how to meet your needs.

Still cracks me up thinking about all those experiences and the look on their faces when you make this unspeakable requests... Laughing

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Shmooj,

I'm not trying to defend McDonalds or Japan ... However in my expereince with restaurants, it's normal for the kitchen to close earlier than the actual place itself. So although you can sit there and eat, the kitchen won't cook any fresh food. Same as bars and pubs have last orders... But you can still sit and finish your drink. Perhaps that's what she meant to say.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Most likely what she wanted to say but couldn't was, "We have already turned off our burners, but we can satisfy your request of one fish burger because there was one cooked before we shut down our kitchen." It is REALLY hard to get Japanese store clerks to elaborate outside of set, trained dialogue.

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

Maybe that's the rub - they don't seem to desire explanations (or everyone just knows them already, which I find unlikely as they never ask).

Like I went to the doctor - "You are fine." Why? what about the pain in my stomach "It's nothing." TELL me what you are doing and why you think I am fine and why I have to take these pills and I will be happy and go away!

I think I will spend the rest of my time here teaching one English word:

"Why"

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Celeste · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:05 am Post subject:

Near my house there is a McDonald's - it is not fast food. My husband and I once went in for a cup of coffee before catching our bus (we had 20 minutes to kill). I paid for the 2 cups of coffee adn they gave me a little number and told me that it would be a couple of minutes. Over 15 minutes later we handed back the number at the front till and said that we were sorry, but that we couldn't wait any longer. They had very pained expressions on their faces, and it appeared that they were still trying to figure out how to work the percolator, but they didn't offer us our money back. We just left. We have gone back once or twice, but never with any kind of time constraints - they still seem a bit pained when they serve us.

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

As to the original post:

"... you know, 'kanpin' de, as the locals say ..."

Perhaps the reason the waitress froze up is because that does not make sense.

You probably meant to say, tanpin de...

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

The McDonald's in my previous town locked the door in my face 15 minutes before closing. It was 7:45.