28 May 2010

Do You Ochazuke?


Do you know what ochazuke is? It's a common Japanese "leftovers" dish made from rice and random Japanese stuff (nori, umeboshi, etc) with tea (o-cha) poured over it. It's a cheap, quick and easy meal, made even quicker and easier by the advent of instant ochazuke packets. In this case, instant ochazuke packets with Piplup faces in them.



That's right, it's Pokémon ochazuke! Each package contains 4 packets of instant ochazuke (2 Pikachu, 2 Piplup) and a random sticker with 80 kinds to collect (I got a decidedly lame Pokéball).



So, what exactly differentiates the Pikachu and Piplup versions? It's these little...things with their faces on them! I'm actually not sure what they are made of. They don't really taste like anything.

But they are sooooo cute.

Let's try it! I've made my own ochazuke before, but I've never used the instant packets. I wasn't quite sure what to expect.



Almost ready, just need to add tea. I used Lupicia's Fukamushi Sencha "Matsuri", a pretty standard Japanese green tea.





Looks totally delicious, right?



Actually, yeah, it is. It's surprisingly hearty and filling, and who can resist eating things with adorable baby penguins on them?

As a big fan of both eating effigies of cute characters AND fast, cheap meals where the only other needed ingredients are rice and possibly heat, I give Pokémon ochazuke 9 poffins out of a possible 10 poffins. It loses 1 point for giving me a crappy sticker.

New contest! Want to win your very own brand new package of Pokémon ochazuke? All you have to do is sign up for the Lavender Town PokéNews mailing list*! Just be sure to include your address and you will be automatically entered in the drawing. The winner will be randomly chosen from all users who have provided their address on June 18th. I'll even throw in some tea as well!

*Please only sign up if you actually want to receive the email newsletter!

4 comments:

  1. People who write blogs always have a white countertop. I don't get it, it's unfair. *frownyface*

    Also, I'm entering. x_x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Actually, I put a piece of white artboard down for the pictures. :p And yay!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm guessing the faces are made of fu (麩) Usually the ochazuke packets include instant tea, so you just have to add water! Yours must've been especially tea-y (^_^)
    Ochazuke is awesome for breakfast with last night's rice!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh yeah, it does contain some powdered green tea. Well, you know me, I do love tea. ;) What's fu?

    It's a great quick lunch at work, too. I just bring my leftover rice and keep the packets in my desk. ^^

    ReplyDelete

Gotta catch 'em all!

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