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When East Meets West With Foreign Friendly Japanese Food!

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

A Current campaign for foreigners to visit Japan, with a slogan of, \”eat Japanese
friendly food in hopes, \”to promote foreign tourist traffic to Japan.\”

I would like to do my part in the campaign by suggesting changes to the country to make it more attractive to foreigners.
More foreigners would come to Japan if, for example, the food were a little more international-friendly. After the Americans invented the California roll-a sushi roll made more palatable to their taste by adding avocado. Every country changes international food to some extent to fit their people\’s tastes.

The U.S.has done the same with Tex-Mex (Texas influenced Mexican food), and in Japan, you\’re likely to find raw fish among your Italian food. This is called \”fusion\” food, where seemingly incompatible foods are fused together, creating an explosion that people from outside of the country of the food\’s origin find pleasing but which the people from the country of origin find appalling.

So here are some ideas to introduce fusion Japanese-Western food to make it more foreigners friendly. But first we must talk about eating methods. Although most Westerners can use chopsticks nowadays, there are still a good number of the \”totally hopeless\”(such as my meat-and- potatoes family) who can\’t make the change from flatware to stick ware.

Who came up with the idea of using two parallel twigs to pick up food, anyway? And why hasn’t the concept changed over the years to something more modern-for example, wire coat hangers, wire coat hangers that could bend to shape according to the food you\’re trying to eat? Have you ever tried t pick up a boiled egg with chopsticks?

How about soft tofu? With a coat hanger, you could bend it into a scoop to pick up a boiled egg, or you could make a miniature forklift to lift out pieces of soft tofu.
Eating a salad with chopsticks can be very tedious for the totally hopeless. At least a variation of chopsticks would be useful.\”Udon\”noodles are way too long for most Westerners, who don\’t really enjoy having food trailing out of their mouths. Besides grabbing slippery noodles is an art and requires repeated attempts by the totally hopeless. Short round noodles, where both ends of the noodle connect to make a circle, would be much more foreigner-friendly. Then we could use the chopstick to ring the noodles one by one.
Some Japanese food is better disguised.

If fish heads and\”natto\”(fermented soybeans) were concealed inside a ravioli pocket, we’d have a chance to taste the food before seeing what it really is. While \”okonomiyaki\” is one the foreigners\’ favorite Japanese foods, it’s a type of pancake where customers select the ingredients from the menu, such ingredients consist of ebi(prawns),ika (squid),flour,water,egg,pork,shredded cabbage tenkasu(also called agedama which are small pieces of fried tempura batter.)
These ingredients are than all mixed together and poured on a grill and fried. Some people are put off by the dried bonito shavings served on top, which make it look like someone left the okonomiyaki under an electric saw at a construction site.
To me, however, what is far more threatening is that lob of mayonnaise on top. The servings of mayonnaise in this country are big enough to be served a la cart.

For first time visitors to Japan, go easy on the mayo and wood shavings. Some food is just too small to be taken seriously by foreigners that are used to large thick steaks and mammoth baked potatoes. Japanese foods are served in microscopic portions and can be, well disappointing. Even\”Yakitori\”(barbecued chicken served on wooden scures,) can appear downright punny.If they could get those chickens to increase their bust size a little, it would yield chunkier yakitori.

Big food is to impress a foreigner, so the Japanese could really take this idea and fly. I’m thinking \”turkey-tori\”: Turkeys on bamboo poles.
But anyway when the influxes of expected foreigners do finally come they\’ll really enjoy all the healthy food available to them.

Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City, Japan,

Hank F. Miller Jr.

MARANO
Robert M., III
On January 24, 2007, of Haddon Twp., formerly of Audubon Park and N. Wildwood. Age 21. Beloved son of Maureen Preston (Michael) and Robert Marano, Jr.
Devoted boyfriend of Dena LoCastro. Loving brother of Nicole Stasulli, Brandi Stasulli, Cortney Marano and Ryan Marano. Dear grandson of Robert and Joyce Marano, Michael and Maureen Stasulli and Miller and Lynn Preston. Great grandson of Dorothy Wallace. Uncle of Nicholas and Mariyah Williams. Also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Robert enjoyed sports, fishing, riding his motorcycle, playing his guitar and spending time at the beach. He was a quarterback for the Haddon Twp. High School football team. He also represented the school\’s baseball and track & field teams. Robert played basketball for Haddon Twp. Junior High, soccer for Audubon, baseball for Mt. Ephraim Little League and Midget football for both the Oaklyn Cougars and Haddon Twp.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing from 9:00am to 12noon Tuesday morning at GARDNERFUNERAL HOME, RUNNE-MEDE. Service 12 noon at the funeral home. Interment at Locustwood Cemetery in Cherry Hill. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Robert M. Marano III Memorial Trust Fund to Benefit Local Youth Sports, c/o Commerce Bank, 1130 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107. Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to [email protected].

GEIBEL
Eleanor B.

On January 26, 2007. (nee Goldschmidt) Age 68. Of Gloucester City. Loving daughter of the late Bernard J. \”Reds\” and Eleanor Elizabeth (nee Cuneo) Goldschmidt. Beloved mother of Carl P. (George) of Tarpon Springs, Florida, John P. (Kara) of Gloucester City, Lisa of Gloucester City, Mariellen of Haddon Township and Matthew M. of Edison. Devoted grandmother of Dana, Tyler, Kassidy, Jordan, Julian and Dayne. Dear Sister of Thomas (Mary) of Cherry Hill, James (Rosaire) of Gloucester City, Patricia (Joseph) of Little Egg Harbor Twp and Theresa (Ken) of Deptford. Survived by many nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was a lifelong resident of Gloucester City and a graduate of Saint Mary’s Grammar School in Gloucester City. She was a 1956 graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School. Eleanor was a teacher aide for the Gloucester City Public Schools: Mary Ethel Costello School and Cold Springs School. She was a parishioner of Sacred Heart R.C. Church in South Camden and was a tireless volunteer for the church. Eleanor was a relentless volunteer in the community to make it better and loved to help others in need.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Tuesday Evening from 7 to 9 pm and Wednesday morning from 9 am to 10:15 am at the
McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am at Sacred Heart R.C. Church: 1739 Ferry Avenue, Camden, NJ 08104-1398. Interment New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

Family requests that memorial donations be made in Eleanor’s memory to Sacred Heart R.C. Church at the above address or Saint Mary’s Grammar School: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Eleanor B. Geibel. Funeral Arrangements and Inquires may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ

GOEBEL, MILDRED E.
On January 24, 2007 of Bellmawr. Age 93. Beloved wife of the late Robert Goebel.
Loving mother of Doris and her husband Robert Knowles, Dorothea and her husband Edward Filachek and the late Robert Goebel. Proud grandmother of 10, great grandmother of 19, and great-great grandmother of 3.
Mildred was a loving mother and grandmother who cherished the company of her family and friends. She enjoyed going to the Seniors Center of Barrington and spending time with her cat, Tammy. She was an active member of Barrington Methodist Church for over 50 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing Monday morning 9 to 11am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Service 11am at the funeral home. Interment Arlington Cemetery, Pennsauken, NJ. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to [email protected] .

Patti wanted a dog. I didn\’t ; so we compromised and decided to get a dog!………………………………………

She wanted a little dog, I wanted a big dog!……………………

She wanted a female, I wanted a male!…………………………..

She wanted a white dog, I wanted a black dog!………………..

She wanted to name it CoCo, I wanted to name it Sea Biscuit!

So much for compromise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Say hello to CoCo……………………Ken Mac

MURPHY, JAMES M.
On Jan. 23, 2007, of Woodbury, formerly of Brooklawn. Age 76.
Beloved husband of the late Marie Ethel (nee Knedison). Devoted father of Denise and her husband David Bello and Jamie Fania. Loving grandfather of Sean and Cory Winkles, Emily Fania and Robert Murphy Brocato. Dear brother of Katherine Skill, Mary Romania and her husband Sam, Tom Murphy, Sr. and his wife Ruth, Ronnie White, Pat White and Joan Murphy. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Murphy was a member of the Brooklawn American Legion Post #72 and the VFW Post #3620 in Gloucester City. Mr. Murphy was retired from the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard, and was a proud graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School. He served for the US Navy during the Korean Conflict.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing Friday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass Saturday 12 noon at St. Mary\’s R.C. Church, Gloucester City. Interment Woodbury Memorial Park, Woodbury. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to
Condolences@
GardnerFuneralHome.com

PURVIS, JOAN E.
On January 23, 2007. (nee Collins). Of Mickleton, formerly of Gloucester City, NJ.Age 84.
Beloved wife of the late Robert M. Purvis. Surrounded and loved by her devoted family. Loving mother of Ellen and Mike Barrett, Eunice Creamer and the late Gerald and Joan and Jack Kilpatrick. Dear grandmother of Matthew and Sam Creamer, Kathryn and Peach Barrett and Elizabeth Kilpatrick. Dear Sister of Bess Patterson and Paul and Janet Collins. Loving Sister-In-Law of Jane Collins, Lorraine Purvis, Lois Simpson and Marjorie Simpson. Devoted sister of the late Jack Collins, Bernard Collins and Helen Mick. Survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and her special friends Jim and Marge Carter.
Joan was born in Philadelphia, PA, and was a graduate of Woodbury High School. She was a longtime resident of Gloucester City. Joan was a longtime devoted parishioner of Saint Mary\’s Catholic Church in Gloucester, where she served as an Eucharistic Minister.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Friday Evening from 5:00 pm to 7:15 pm at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street (at Brown Street), Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 8 pm at Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street (at Atlantic Street) Gloucester City. There will be a Visitation on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME. Prayers of Committal to follow in New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. Family requests that memorial donations be made in Joan\’s memory to Saint John\’s Hospice: 1221 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Please write in the memo of the check Joan E. Purvis. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through ourfuneral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituariesof Joan E. Purvis.

New Jersey NEWS Round-Up Wednesday, January 24

DIBARTOLOMEO, MARIE

(nee Woshnak). On January 22, 2007, of Bellmawr, NJ. Age 83.
Beloved wife of the late Dominic J. DiBartolomeo. Dear mother of Diane (Michael) Daly of Medford, NJ and Paul DiBartolomeo of Bellmawr, NJ. Loving grandmother of Angel (Jason) Romeo, and Alex Nuzzi and the light of her life her great granddaughter Lela Romeo, all of Medford, NJ. Beloved sister of Lorraine Weaver and the late Veronica Powell. Dear sister-in law of Arthur and Dottie DiBartolomeo, Marian DiBartolomeo, Rita and Louis Gribaudo. Also surviving are her many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends of the family will meet for her viewings on Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Friday morning from 8:30 to 9:15 AM in the BOCCO FUNERAL HOME, 1300 North Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 AM in Mary, Mother Of The Church, Curtis and Spruce Ave., Bellmawr, NJ. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, N.J.