Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

Shirley Wang

The heat engulfed me like a eukaryote engulfing a photosynthetic prokaryote (can you tell that I’ve been studying for my biology exam wink wink). On this Saturday morning, we did the usual trek to our kokoka classroom, where we were briefed on our itinerary for the next few days as we close off our Kyoto chapter of the dialogue. 

In Professor Young’s final biology class, we discussed nutrition and flavor in the context of popular Japanese foods like soybeans, as well as the concept of umami! In Professor Ito’s writing class, we paired up to prepare for the Kyoto Writers presentation, scheduled for later that afternoon. Professor Ito prompted us to practice reading a short excerpt from our recent food writings, emphasizing the importance of reading slowly, breathing, and looking out into the crowd for a friend’s support. I paired with Jayden and Kelly, who wrote and read excerpts about a Tokyo tonkatsu experience and Kyoto Ogawa coffee shop respectively. 

After our class wrapped up, the group dispersed for lunchtime. Jayden, Kelly and I headed into the underground food mall of the Kyoto Sando building, each devouring a rice bowl topped with a golden egg and delicate slices of beef. We didn’t have much rest time before embarking on our next destination: the Kyoto Writers Residency event at Ryokoku University. Here, each of us confidently stood in front of a classroom of seasoned writers from the Kyoto Writers group, sharing our stories of food. Some stories were highly descriptive, detailing delicious bowls of ramen or tonkatsu, while others took a more personal route, narrating how food intersects with culture, family and more. I was pleasantly surprised by everyone’s skill and growth, as was a proud Professor Ito beaming at the front row. 

Following our individual mini-readings, Professor Ito was interviewed by Suzanne Kamata about her book: I Would Meet You Anywhere. As a published writer of her very own memoir, Professor Ito discussed everything from her publishing journey, her involvement in writing communities, her decade-long back-and-forth with this memoir, and more. It was clear that each of her students (us) were marveling at this incredibly talented teacher we have. Personally, I was inspired by the few excerpts she read from her memoir, depicting her journey in an honest, vivid, and beautifully raw manner. It was safe to say that I leaped at the chance to buy her three hardcopy books sitting near the entrance, but sadly the books were swept by adoring members of Kyoto Writers Residency. I highly recommend you get yourself a copy here (because I am definitely getting one myself). 

The day wrapped up there, with students separating to grab dinner (Frederick at the famous Kichi Kichi Omurice place, for example, and Professor Ito and some of the Kyoto writers grabbing tonkatsu) and others scampering off to their hotel rooms or cafes to study for our biology quiz the next day.