ok.

this is shochu. it's very popular here in kumamoto, kyushu. more than sake, even. maybe you should have a sip. i know i needed one before eating the local specialty. i want you to sit down before i tell what i ate. especially you, laura.

first was this local specialty. karashi-renkon, fried lotus root stuffed with a super-charged mustard. yeahhhhh!!!! and something on the side there that i can't remember the name of. a spinachy thing wrapped around another cool vegetable. and topped with miso (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ilovemiso!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

appetizer. potato, pickle and smoked tongue. nice. who's tongue?

dipping sauce. soy sauce and ginger!!!!!!! a couple scallion pieces as well.

ok. that's raw meat. i'm gonna eat it raw. it's not beef. it's basashi. that's raw horse! the white pieces in the middle are from under the mane ("under the hair", with anatomical pointing from the cute waitresses).

yeah. not bad, i suppose. when in kumamoto...

and don't waste anything. have some deep fried intestines, as well! orange flavored salt with sesame for dipping.

ice cream. from cow's milk, i assume. maybe that's a bad assumption.

listen. the green tea all over japan rules.