Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

After a long flight with a night to rest, things picked up quickly afterward. We have had the privilege of using the space at Ochanomizu University, where our classes would be held throughout this program. During our first day of class, we were welcomed by CIEE directors, who we are very lucky to have helping guide us through a new and unfamiliar environment. Orientation was followed by a guest speaker, Masako Ishii-Kuntz, who shared her love and support for Northeastern. We also met students at Ochanomizu University who would soon guide us through Tokyo.

When class was over, many other students and I jolted with one goal in our minds: shopping! We quickly booked the train to Harajuku, which I was familiar with as a shopping district. Here in Japan, I noticed how much cooler and more stylishly dressed everyone was. The streetwear with dark, alternative, edgy black-and-white aesthetics and complementary boots stood out to me the most. Taking inspiration, the other students and I took the time to walk through the busy streets of Harajuku, passing many stores like A Bathing Ape and Onitsuka Tiger, with people rushing inside to get the latest products. Window shopping is what I would describe us doing: going into the stores, being awed by the many different fashion pieces, food vendors, and styles people had, and then stepping away from the store without purchasing anything. This wasn’t a bummer, though. It helped give me an idea that there was more to explore than I expected, and we planned to come back another time.

As we walked through Harajuku, which was filled with tourists and shoppers, we ended up in an alleyway where we realized we had stumbled upon a neighborhood. Here, voices dimmed down, and only a few people walked by, creating a peaceful environment. Vending machines scattered across the streets lit up the area as the sun kissed our cheeks with its last breath.

For dinner, we stopped by Red Rock Harajuku. From wagyu boxes and wagyu bowls to beef tongue, we all chowed down on the umami and melty wagyu. I ordered the wagyu box: thinly sliced wagyu topped with a yolk over rice, a side salad, and miso soup stuffed with seaweed and tofu, along with a few other complementary dishes. Before chowing down, I poked the yolk with my chopsticks, letting the orangey umami goodness ooze out and mix with the glistening wagyu strips. I picked up the rice, wagyu, mixed green onions, and yolk together, binding all the ingredients into one bite. As I bit into the wagyu, I could feel it melting on my tongue. It was slightly salty, incredibly soft, almost like butter, and the best red meat I had ever tasted. For my Beli rating, this was a 10/10 review.

On the other hand, one of my friends, Laurel, is pescetarian. Luckily, they didn’t just have one salad or two, but THREE SALADS! They topped it off with a side of pickles and a beer. They didn’t think they would get full since they were salads, but surprisingly, the meal left them satisfied. While everyone else was eating wagyu, Laurel was biting into the crunchy and refreshing lettuce. The dressing is what made the three salads super savory and addictive. Laurel enjoyed the vinaigrette with the fresh greens and sharp onions, rating it an 8.5/10. They said that although they seemed to be the odd one out, it was nice to have everyone happy and enjoying the meal of their choice.

We walked up the stairs from dinner to see the dark blue night sky. The higher we went, the more we were met with the shining lights from the tall skyscrapers and stores that filled the streets of Harajuku. While most folks went back home, some of us stayed for the iconic Shibuya Crossing. Everyone huddled together with the same idea in mind. Cameras out, people in position looking like they were about to run in a race, and smiles on their faces. The lights from the skyscrapers and billboards were glowing around us; the moment pedestrians were allowed to cross, we ran toward the middle. The tall skyscrapers, glowing purple billboards, and bright city lights shined down on us as we captured the moment of being in Shibuya for the first time ever.

It has always been a dream of mine to visit Japan. Now, I have the unique privilege of studying here and exploring a new country that is rich in traditions, culture, and experiences. Although this once felt like a distant dream, I’m now able to learn new things from many different professors and guest speakers while traveling with new friends. It reminds me that there are endless possibilities in this world and encourages me to continue exploring outside of my comfort zone.