Cin Cin Not for Shabu Shabu Toast

Posted by Jacqueline Church May 8, 2008

Finding Japanese food in Chinatown

Adventures, disappointments (aiyaa!), and sometimes - bliss.

In our Chinatown most of the restaurants, even the Japanese ones, are owned and run by Chinese. There are relatively few Japanese in Boston, so if you're looking for real Japanese food, it can be a challenge.

Discover our gem of a Chinatown.

And speaking of real Japanese food, how many types of Japanese food can you name besides sushi? Have you dipped your chopsticks into Shabu Shabu yet? Boston is blessed with two Shabu Shabu restaurants: Shabu Zen and Kaze. Both are terrific. Both are run by Chinese.

So what, you may ask? Well for one thing, I miss the traditional Japanese greeting "Irashaimase!" Joyfully greeting diners entering Japanese restaurants is traditional. It's a warm welcome that is delightful. Other things I miss: oshiburi - hot towels to clean your hands before the meal. Good, hot tea. There are a million little things that can get lost in translation.

But let's focus on what works: the food! There is nothing more pleasurable than sharing a wonderful meal with good friends. Make the food superlative, add liberal amounts of sake/and or beer and you can begin to see what I'm getting at. Years ago I toasted my Mother not with the usual "Kampai!" but with my new Über-cool "Cin Cin!" picked up from South American friends.

Mom blanched. Who knew cin cin is Japanese slang for penis? Imagine how much fun my brother had when I took him to a favorite watering hole and he toasted me, with "Penis!" In front of my regular bartender, to whom I'd just introduced him as my brother.

Okay, so you've got the proper toast down. Now pick up the chopsticks or your little strainer basket and away we go...