Beef Bowl

As Alan and I keep journeying outside of base, we realize more and more the need to learn a few basic Japanese words, and fast! Please and thank you will be among the first. I have learned that a small bow of the head will also suffice for thank you and caught myself doing it today. :) Luckily on base, a Japanese language class is offered free of charge on Thursday nights. Alan and I plan to attend the next class to find out if we can keep up.

Since arriving at the base, we had heard numerous times about the beef bowl. We decided today would be as good as any to find this notorious bowl of beef and give it a try. After journeying off base, we turned left instead of crossing the street and walked along taking in the sights of the town surrounding us. Along our route, we walked along a bridge which crosses a highway and then down another side street. After climbing stairs up, across a street, then down, we arrived at the restaurant, Yoshinoya, approximately one half mile from the base.

When we first arrived, we thought it had not yet opened because the dining area was empty. We took a small table, followed by a waitress who brought us small cups of water and took our order of beef bowls, and waited. About three minutes later, the dining area was packed! Our beef bowls soon arrived and smelled wonderful. Rice topped with sauteed shaved beef and onions with a small bit of beef broth in the bottom. Alan and I, armed with the eating utensils of the Japanese, began to dig in.

Our lunch was simple enough to eat, the rice clumps together making transportation from bowl to mouth quite easy.  As we ate, we observed the others around us eating, talking quietly, and slurping their soupy bowls of noodles. Here, it is not rude or considered poor etiquette for one to lift their bowl to their mouth to eat. However, when using chopsticks, you should always lay them across your bowl or plate when not in use; standing them up or leaning them against the side is taken as a sign of mourning or grieving.We finished our tasty meal, just the right portion size, paid 750 yen or $9.24, and began our trek back to base.