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Super Sushi Ramen Express
336 pages
A chaotic, mouth-watering family adventure through the extremes of Japanese cuisine.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like embarking on a whirlwind, flavor-packed vacation where culinary reverence collides with family comedy. The pacing is brisk and energetic, bouncing from Michelin-starred kitchens to chaotic encounters with giant crabs and fussy toddlers. The mood is overwhelmingly lively and appetizing, steeped in a deep, awe-struck appreciation for Japanese food culture, yet grounded by a wry, self-deprecating tone. The prose serves up vivid, sensory details of exotic dishes alongside humorous anecdotes of travel mishaps and calamitous cooking demonstrations. It is a perfect fit for adventurous foodies and armchair travelers who want to experience the exquisite, the bizarre, and the downright delicious aspects of a foreign culture, all while navigating the relatable chaos of traveling with young children.
- Mood
- chaotic
- appetizing
- lively
- awe-struck
- Tone
- humorous
- curious
- adventurous
- wry
- enthusiastic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- culinary exploration · family travel · cultural immersion · gastronomic adventure
- The writing
- Engaging and witty, blending vivid sensory descriptions of food with comedic travelogue observations.
- The arc
- Moves from eager curiosity to chaotic, awe-struck immersion in a foreign culinary landscape.
- Who it's for
- Foodies and armchair travelers who enjoy a side of family comedy with their culinary deep dives.
Content notes
- animal slaughter
About the book
"Japan is arguably the preeminent food nation on earth, a Mecca for the world's greatest chefs, with more Michelin stars than any other country. The Japanese go to extraordinary lengths and expense to eat food that is marked both by its exquisite preparation and exotic content. Their creativity, dedication, and courage in the face of dishes such as cod sperm and octopus ice cream is only now beginning to be fully appreciated in the sushi and ramen-saturated West, as are the remarkable health benefits of the traditional Japanese diet. Food and travel writer Michael Booth takes the culinary pulse of contemporary Japan, learning fascinating tips and recipes that few westerners have been privy to before. Accompanied by two fussy eaters under the age of six, he and his wife travel the length of the country, from bear-infested, beer-loving Hokkaido to snake-infested, seaweed-loving Okinawa. Along the way, they dine with-and score a surprising victory over-sumo wrestlers; pamper the world's most expensive cows with massage and beer; share a seaside lunch with free-diving, female abalone hunters; and meet the greatest chefs working in Japan today. Less happily, they witness a mass fugu slaughter, are traumatized by an encounter with giant crabs, and attempt a calamitous cooking demonstration for the lunching ladies of Kyoto"--
Description from Open Library.
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