Restaurants

[Anonymous]

Yes, yes, yes. Appealing to the senses of our kids is a great way to help them to learn and to remember. I like this idea. And if it's not monetarily feasible, then having a cultural day at school, like an Asian feast day, with various dishes and students explaining their recipes, is also a great way to make "culture" more accessible.

[Anonymous]

I had a cultural food day one time for examining Ancient China, Ancient Israel and Ancinet India about four years ago at another school. At the school I am at now they specifically put out a memo saying "no parties in classrooms even under the guise of a cultural fair" I know other teachers have done it but I want to find a way to do it without being sneaky. (If I don't, I'll be sneaky). It is so important to incorporate real life artifacts and informational material to enhance our teachings of history. What I did was split the class into three groups and had them present a cultural fair of their civilization. They had to incorporate modern and ancient artifacts, clothing, examples of writing, arts, entertainment and of course food. I remember the day the Ancient China group presented they brought white rice, eggrolls and fortune cookies for everyone. Was this accurate ancient Chinese food? Of course not, but it help the students connnect to the curriculum.

[Anonymous]

I can't remember the name of the restuarant, but the best place I've been to is near the corner of PCH and Hawthorne Blv. in Torrance. It is this little place next to Smart and Final and behind Big 5. The fish was to die for, and if you sit at the counter and make conversation ... well, let's just say I had an entire cultural introduction on the use of the knives, fish, demonstrations.....[Edit by="babrown on Jan 13, 6:03:53 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Has anyone tried Nori? I have been reading a book and the main character loves it. It is a dried seasoned seaweed, and is a Korean food. It kind of reminds me of a vegetarian "beef jerky". Please let me know if you have tried it. To what could it most closely compare?

[Anonymous]

If you have ever had common sushi, then I bet you have had nori. It is the green-black wrapper. That is the most common way that Americans I know eat it. I have eaten it that way and also by itself. It is much lighter than beef jerky, although it is dried.

I don't care for it too much, but I am not a seafood fan and I think it tastes like the ocean. I said this to a friend once and she smiled and told me that was just what she liked about it. So it depends on your taste. I am trying to think of a better comparison than jerky and I can't think of any comparison. It is very light, dry, almost like rice paper that you can eat with a flavor that reminds me of the ocean. I doubt that helps much, sorry.

[Anonymous]

Late last year in the food section of the LA Times, there was an article on a new type of restaurant, the "izakaya" It is a restaurant where you drink and nibble until the wee hours of the morning, through a wide-ranging menu, which may include innovative takes on shimi and Japanese tapas. It is said they get their biggest influx of people in, around 10:00 p.m.
The good news is, they are all over the LA area. We in the South Bay area are lucky to have our share, and I have listed them here for you in the hopes that some of us might make a "field trip" locally.

Azuma Izakaya, 16123 S. Western Ave., Gardena (310) 320-5820
Daruma, 15915 South Western, Gardeba, (310) 323-0133
Iccho, 25310 Crenshaw, Torrance, (310) 325-7273
Japonica, 13041/2 South Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, (310) 316-9477
Kan Izakaya Yuzen, 2755 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, (310) 530-7888
Musha, 1725 Carson St., Torrance, (310) 787-7344
Teppan Kazamidori, 24231 Crenshaw Blvd. (Crossroads Center #C), Torrance, (310) 530-2749
Yuzu Torrance, 1231 Cabrillo Avenue, (Plaza Del Prado), Torrance, (310) 533-9898

I do not know the word for bon apetite in Japanese, but have a good time!

[Anonymous]

My Korean teacher loves the stuff. And in the interest of cultural exchange (and because I didn't want to disrespect the sansengnim) I tried it. Not so yummy. Veggie jerky is fairly accurate, but that name implies gnawing. My teacher just sucks on it until it softens up, then chews it and swallows. This might make the experience better.

Hope that helps,
m@x

[Anonymous]

I really enjoy eating foods from other cultures and trying to share these food experiences with my students. Does anyone know what staples are common or considered traditional in Chinese or Japanese meals?

For example, where does Saki come in? Is this reserved for men or special occasions?
I need some help or direction as to where I may look for this information.

jem[Edit by="jpratt on Feb 7, 7:47:38 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I think it's a good idea for students to eat in an Asian restaurant. Food is one of the largest parts of every culture and it often defines a lot about people. Eating is one of the most social experiences there is where you sit down, chat, and enjoy. Japanese might prove difficult because of the price and the distinct palette. Vietnamese food may be easy because you can buy a bowl of Pho for about six bucks. Chinese food is very prevalent and a good buffet would suffice.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I are huge fans of eating out. We've been to some rather scary restaurants but also some that are worthy of mentioning. In our minds, the best kept secret is "Rice Things." This small Japanese restaurant is fast, inexpensive, filling, and delicious. We are always so impressed when we leave both satiated and with money to spare. It is located in Redondo Beach on Artesia Blvd. I highly recommend this restaurant if not for the ambiance for the price and the food!

[Anonymous]

When my students finished their research project on Japan/China, we had a cultural day. I asked the students to find a dish from the country of their choice- either Japan or China - try to make it, and bring it to class to share. Well, it didn't go well as I intended but they enjoyed doing the research paper.

[Anonymous]

A recent article I ran accross in LA talked about sushi. They were saying that no sisngle cusine has ever dominated the LA dining scene like sushi has. They also feel that LA has also suddenly emerged as the sushi capital of America. Since most of the restaurants are "in our neck of the woods," I wanted to share the locations, so that if you are in the area you can give them a try:

Asanebo 11941 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (818) 760-3348

Kiriko 11301 Olympic Blvd., West LA (310) 478-7769

Mori Sushi 11500 Pico Blvd., West LA (310) 479-3993

Nishimura 8684 Melrse Ave., West Holltwood (310) 659-4770

Sushi Sasabune 12400 Wilshire Blvd., LA (310) 820-3596

Sushi Sushi 326 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills (310) 277-1165

Urasawa, Two Rodeo 218 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills (310) 247-8939

Wa Sushi & Bistro 1106 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood (310) 854-7285

ENJOY!!!

[Anonymous]

I LOVE the idea of taking the kids to Chinatown. But since I teach Ancient China, how do I get that one past the school committee for a fieldtrip?

[Anonymous]

One of the most exquisite and best Asian restaurants in La is crustacean’s restaurant in Beverly Hills. I’ve only been once, but I really enjoyed the food. They have a Vietnamese Cuisine that is truly exotic and very delicious. The dishes should be though because at about $30 a plate you won’t want the bill to be the only thing you remember. I went with two other people and our bill was $140. However, the food was soooo good. The atmosphere is really cool and they even have a koi pond underneath a glass floor as you enter the restaurant.

Crustacean
9646 Little Santa Monica Boulevard
310 205 8990

You feel like you’re walking on water at this see-and-be-seen Beverly Hills Vietnamese resto, and not only from the heavenly seafood and other out-of-this-world fare, but also the below-floor koi pond leading into a fantastic version of colonial Vietnam. There must be gods in the touted secret kitchen where house specials such as the great spicy Dungeness crab and garlic noodles to die for are discreetly prepared

[Anonymous]

Here's a link to a very informative article about the food/culture scene around Sawtelle Blvd. from the LA Times. http://tinyurl.com/s4ovt

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