fbpx
    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • dd4d brewing

        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...
        fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

Convenient Cooking: Part 1

Ingredients

  • Chashu roast pork
  • Kimchi Kyuri no asatsuke (lightly pickled cucumbers)
  • Goma abura (sesame oil)    

I doubt many people methodically prepare food the day before they go camping or trekking. Most of us come home from work, run around the house trying to get things together in a hurry, then leaving early the next morning (or even in the middle of the night).   

In fact, the day before you have something planned, you inevitably have to stay late at work. You’re lucky if you have time to get to the supermarket before it closes, so you can prepare food ahead of time. It’s times like these the convenience store really lives up to its name.   

It used to be convenience stores only sold things such as bread, cup noodles and pastries. Today, not only do they stock a wide range of items, but also they can be found in even the most rural town—making them even handier. Make sure you have a good look around, because many of these convenience stores stock local items that can only be purchased in that area, so you can sample some regional flavors as well.  It is fine to eat convenience store food as it is, but a little boring. You’re going camping after all, so a little bit of effort will reward you with something special. This issue I’ll introduce a recipe combining chashu roast pork, kimchi and/or tsukemono (pickles) for a snack that goes great with beer or wine.   

Most of the meat sold at convenience stores, such as ham or sausages, is processed; chashu is also processed pork, like ham, but since it is made by simmering the meat in sugar and soy sauce, it will keep much better than other processed meat.   

As most people know, kimchi is spicy Korean pickled vegetables, delicious on its own, but it is also a useful ingredient for a variety of dishes. Japanese think of tsukemono as a traditional snack or side dish, but since cucumber tsukemono really is a pickle, you can dice it and use it to top vegetables or salads, stir-fry or other dishes.  Finally, goma abura is a wonderful aromatic oil; just a touch added at the end of cooking really adds a bit of magic to the dish. I like to add a drop of goma abura when I’m making miso soup.  

(1) Slice the chashu in long strips. If there is a package of tare (sauce) attached, set it aside for the moment.   

(2) Mince the kimchi and cucumber. Add the tare to the chashu, then add the kimchi and cucumber, mix it all up, and you are ready to eat.       

[novo-map id=2 individual=”yes”]

Outdoor Japan logo tree

Related

Latest posts

Categories