Hey folks,
The latest article from the Japanese Culture site is up. Check it out!

Japanese School Lunches

What are the things that make lunch time in Japanese schools stand out? Click on the above link to find out!

I am always amazed at the efficiency and attention to detail of the Japanese. I am Japanese but alas, I am yon-sei (fourth generation Japanese American) so I lack much of the desired qualities of the Japanese.

The Japanese, like so many Asian cultures, believe that food is very important. I loved reading your article about how each child has a nutritionist! If only the school food system in America were as child-centered instead of convenience- and cost-centered.

I would so adore having a bento lunch instead of microwave-heated rubbery chicken "nuggets" or a steamed bean burrito which is typical fare here. I guess I should be thankful for food as long as it nourishes my body. But your article made me salivate! LOL.

Hehe, not every school lunch may be delicious... Problem is, you don't get to choose. When I told the students that we have canteens instead of school lunches in Singapore, and that we can choose to buy fried chicken, hamburgers and soda every day, they were so green with envy...

And it's kinda sad to see many students being picky, not finishing up all the food. There're always leftovers every day, and I think it's such a waste, considering that there are people elsewhere in the world who don't have enough to eat. Those kids really don't know how lucky they are.

Yes, it is the same here. A lot of food waste. Now the local schools have "share" boxes in which the students can put in packaged, uneaten foods or whole fruits. Other hungrier students can go through the bins. Or students can exchange foods.

It is so much better than seeing the trash cans filled each day with edible food.

Wow, that's cool. Wish we can do that here...

This is the school lunch I had last Wed. The teachers like to give (read: dump) a lot of food to me every time, to clear out extras and unwanted portions. This particular day, I had an additional piece of fish. BTW, the persimmon was not on the menu, given out to teachers who were in the staff room only...

See the piece of maple leaf-shaped portion? In Japan, maple leaves are to autumn what cherry blossoms are to spring. Yup, the Japanese are pretty big on flowers and leaves... It's so them to include such symbolism in their food. And it's not just in schools either.