Hokkaido Gourmet Food Fair

As Honest Man and I were getting home, we passed a neighbor with a young lady 6 years of age, named Chy-chan. They were on their way to Mitsuwa, to eat special ramen served during Hokkaido Gourmet Food Fair. Food! Ramen! Can we go with you?! We quickly ran to the house with jingling keys in hand, opened the door, put down our belongings and must keep cool items in the fridge, and ran back out to meet them again at the lobby. What a fortuitous timing. Five of us squeezed into Chy-chan's dad's car, and oh boy, all of us were excited! It was a quick drive down the hill, and as we approached our destination we naturally formed a group of three. Dad to park the car, Chy-chan's mom and I to get in line and order the ramen, and Chy-chan and Honest Man to go hunt for seats. All worked out very well, and the result is what you see above.

Afterwards, we strolled the store, and viewed local foods of Hokkaido, the big northern island of Japan. Below are couple of yummy seafood from the region. Sazae (Turban Shell) looked so yummy. I've only had it a few times in my life, the best was when I was a kid and my mother an I were on a little tour boat somewhere, and we got to a little island off the main land, and there were few fisherman cooking and having lunch at the shore. I was curious enough to ask what they were eating, and they were cooking some freshly found sazae on a makeshift grill, and they treated me to one. It was the best, and probably spoiled me for the rest of my life. The atmosphere, and the company one is with, the generous heart, that makes food taste so much better and upgrades life. The other photo shows Kegani (Hairy Crab) which is also a specialty of the region. I don't have any memory of eating one, but they looked very good. I'd like to try it one day, in Hokkaido.

Sazae (Turban Shell)

Kegani (Hairy Crab)

My great grandmother is from Hokkaido, and I haven't been there yet. I think something is telling me my visit to Hokkaido is coming up soon. From chit-chats with grandma this summer and listening to old family history, to meeting calligraphy artist Souhu, to this food fair, Hokkaido is blinking in front of me like advertisements. (Also Norway, for that matter, but that's another story.)

Until next time, eat well and choose happiness!