Goya 2 Goya

I interviewed a non-meating eating friend in Tokyo last week. The interview was on the run - as we walked to the busiest train station in Japan (Shinjuku) after a night of drinking beers and rum-based drinks, I asked him about vegetarianism and protein.

About three minutes into the interview we enter Shinjuku station and the background noise level goes up. I think you can still hear him well enough to learn about kale, seaweed, and protein.

He mentions two words that may not be familiar to those less fortunate to have not been born in Japan: izakaya and yakitoriya. An izakaya is a food and drink establishment that serves a wide variety of food; everything from chicken and fish to tofu. A yakitoriya is a place that serves primarily fried chicken plus other foods including tofu and a variety of veggies. Both serve a Lot of alcohol: beer, sake, and shochu (rotgut sake, if you will).

Enjoy.