22.6.04

Mitsuwa Marketplacemitsuwa adventure: proof that jersey city is manila's parallel universe


Fact #2

Japanese Stoneware
Yesterday was a great adventure through the wilds of Jersey City, Bergen, and finally, Edgewater - my and Dylan's final destination. I had been reading the Japanese cookbook on my shelf and was both inspired and salivating, and I had to get to Mitsuwa, the Japanese market (Meiji strawberry chocolate was on Dylan's mind). Think that getting from Point A to Point B is as simple as Mapquesting "595 River Rd., Edgewater, NJ"? EEEEHHHHHH, wrong. Try again. Aside from New Jersey being its own parallel universe to who knows what, trying to mapquest any location in this state is like deliberatley trying to get lost. First of all, mapquest gives you streets that don't exist, then they tell you to pass through the worst route known to woman. "Fastest route" my ass. It'll get you there, yes, but with much difficulty and with the most amount of stress, traffic, and a lot of asking for directions because, well, the street you were looking for doesn't exist. Or, it does, but in another part of town where you are not. So, I had Dino's cousin-in-law give me some semblance of direction because he works on the very same road and has seen the "Japanese Strip Mall with Japanese writing on it". Now this guy is great within Jersey City limits, but outside of it, he has no semblance of North, South, East or West. He gave me simple directions. Then later called me up to change the description. It worked but it was like being in Manila all over again: 50 minutes travel time for less than 12 miles!!! Call me a West Coaster, but it was surreal. The road was pot-holed, uneven, under construction and I was fighting for space along side trucks and a massive amount of cars. The entire Las Vegas seemed to be on the road with me yesterday afternoon. Then, like a ray of heavenly light, Mitsuwa (Xtine - we have Mitsuwa and it looks exactly like yours - YAY!) appeared on the eastern horizon (chorus of angels). At last. I felt hot and dusty, just like I was getting off a bus somewhere in Makati from Quezon City.
Spam&Egg Sushi
And this was the result: Spam, spam, spam, spam, and egg sushi. And a bit of chicken yakitori. Dedicated to Marie and Todd - it's not Musubi, but it tastes great - trust me - it's Spam, man!. Almost looks like maki dunnit?! I dearly miss the weekly trips to Yoko sushi, possibly the best sushi in Las Vegas. Being sushi monsters and the last time we had the all you can eat sushi at the bar, the sushi chef told us to "slow down and take a break" because he couldn't make them fast enough for our fast chewing mouths and bottomless stomachs! Oh, Yokohama Sushi, I do love thee.

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