Tokyo Tidbits

mie-
saw a television report a few months back on waribashi (disposable wood chopsticks) that many places give to customers, focusing on the ones coming from China. Apparently, many of these chopsticks are made from bamboo that had previously been used as scaffolding at Chinese construction sites. They did an on-screen test with two fish tanks (with fish inside). In one, a bundle of Japanese-made chopsticks was places. In the other, a bundle of suspect chopsticks were places. After a few minutes, the later tank began clouding up, and the fish died! They also toured a Chinese chopsticks factory, a frightening site. The report also talked about how many Japanese restaurants/customers resist the urge to employ plastic chopsticks (why, I didn't catch). At any rate, since seeing this I've been very wary of using any waribashi.

Oh my gosh. All the more reason to bring and use your own. Never know what is lurky around these days.

I don't like plastic chopsticks. They seem harder to use, because they don't have as much grip. I admit that could be psychological on my part, but I always prefer wooden ones and would rather use the disposable wooden kind than the fancy polished sort. But now that's been ruined for me, thanks a lot Kurt. This bring-your-own concept is interesting though. I can picture a short film where the main character always carries his own set, like a pool shark with his own cue, because eating sushi is an art and he never knows when some California Roll chompin' chump is going to challenge him to a duel.

I've been thinking about this since I got here in Oct. What a good idea...