Salad on ice...mmm!

This is what Ritsuko's mum made for me a couple of days ago...I'm craving it again!

Hiyashi chūka only appears on the menus at ramen shops during the summer, and although the name translates to ''cold Chinese'', this noodle recipe is a Japanese invention. Chilled and drained ramen noodles are covered with a mound of freshly julienned vegetables and drenched in a cold, sweet soy & dashi sauce fragrant with sesame oil. The result is like a noodle salad; delicious, especially with a dab of neri karashi (Chinese-style mustard). 

Atsui ne!

Hello everyone. Well its freakin hot here but I'm slowly getting used to it! A nice tall Kirin lager doesn't go astray! Why is it that i don't drink beer in Oz but give me a Japanese one anyday and I can't resist. It's maybe the weather!
So in the food dept, I've been totally spoilt. I've stayed at my friend Ritsuko's place for the past 2 nights and have been treated to a Teppan hot plate extravaganza, cold noodle salads, truffle ice cream, the works! Ritsuko and her mum have been so kind to me, it truly is great to arrive to a familiar face!
Today I moved over to my guesthouse in Kamikatsura (West Kyoto). I went for a wander to the nearby Matsumoto Supermarket today and my eyes boggled, soooo many delicious things to eat (sorry Mick!) Fact - Liquor stores and Drug stores here sell rice, a bit bizarre huh! I also checked out Uni Qlo a discount clothing store in walking distance (danger danger!)
So anyway here's a photo of my first meal creation...Eggplant, carrot, tofu, bean shoots with a yummy sauce and good old rice! I literally was slaving over a hot stove but so worth it!

Oh and a couple of streets away from here, i found this...

Ok signing off for now..oyasumi!