12/30/2008

饌王牛肉麺—Chuan Wang Beef Noodle Soup

「饌王」牛肉麺は第一回台北牛肉麺祭のチャンピオンで、減油味醇はこの店のスローガンです。今回半筋半肉のを注文した。良い食材のために、スープは美味しく、トッピングとても柔らかいです。素晴らしかった!A-Maoは日本人はこの味が是非好きであると思っていますが、その時伝統的な台湾牛肉麺を思い出始めました。

Chuan Wang (饌王) is the winner of the first Taipei Beef Noodle Festival. 減油味醇 (low oil, rich flavor) is their slogan, but it is strange to A-Mao that the subtitle 精品 (literally boutique or gourmet) is trumpeted. This one is beef noodle soup with half meat & half tendon. The taste of soup is delicious because of good materials, and the toppings is extremely tender. Then, don't forget to add some pickled cabbage, chopped spring onion or chili oil. A nice bowl, and it seems to be suit for Japanese, but I started missing traditional Taiwanese ones after all.【馔王精品牛肉面】

饌王のメニュー—Menu of Chuan Wang

12/29/2008

The Memorandum, a Great Duet—「備忘錄」:大きい二重奏

On 27th of December, A-Mao and his family went to Taipei National University of the Arts to see L'Aide Memoire, The Memorandum, of Jean-Claude Carriere. This play features two characters only and takes about 80 minutes. I guess it is very difficult to give interpretation. Ridiculous plot is started from a wordy and trustless lady, performed by Miss Lu, forces herself into a successful but weird guy, performed by Mr. Zhang, who writes down the profiles of all the women who run in his life. After various, countless reactions of love, the melody in the beginning, the woman entering the man’s space, appears in inversion form in the end, the man leaving woman’s space. This great duet is deeply touching! Though it is not a perfect performance, the two actors’ future is expectable.

2008/12/27與家人到位在關渡的北藝大,觀賞鄰居女兒的畢業製作:尚—克勞德.卡里耶爾的「備忘錄」。只有兩個角色、長達80分鐘,光想就覺得是一個很困難去演繹的劇本。荒謬的劇情,從一個說話虛虛實實的女子(呂文馨飾蘇珊),混亂地進入一個事業有成的怪鉲(張哲豪飾尚.賈克)的生活開始。「表」是那本記錄男子過去交往過134個女子的備忘錄(叫花名冊也可以XD);「裏」是兩人在一間公寓內情愛權力的消長過程。開頭的旋律(女子闖入男子的空間),經過似乎永無止境的交叉辯證,在最後竟以旋律倒影的面向來呈現(男子離開女子的空間)。這首卓越的二重奏,讓我深深感動著。不是最完美的演出,但兩個人未來的成長空間是讓人期待的。【备忘录】

A Corner of TNUA—北藝大一角

12/25/2008

A Small Benchmark Test in Network of H.264 DVRs—ベンチマークテスト

Ultracker full image with playback & backup function.

艾創遠端含回放以及備份功能。

Dynacolor full image having sleek interlace.

彩富遠端全畫面有富含科技感的鋸齒。

AV Tech full image on as simple as possible interface.

陞泰全畫面在極端簡約的遠端介面。

Ultracker quad mode revealing the image of engineers.

艾創四分割暴露工程師們的身影。

Dynacolor quad mode lacks technical fantasy.

可惜的是,彩富四分割的鋸齒科技感比較不明顯。

AV Tech quad mode on as simple as possible interface, too.

陞泰四分割再次被呈現在極簡的介面上。

Full Image from Manila, Philippines, via DDNS, PPPoE & Ultracker.

透過DDNS和PPPoE,來自馬尼拉的影像。

12/24/2008

H.264 & QuickTime

Until now, Microsoft still dose not support H.264 because of VC-1. The most main way of playing H.264 video in a web browser is via Apple's QuickTime player. This picture was captured when A-Mao accessed Ultracker 16-channel DVR.

至今微軟仍然不支援H.264,也許是覺得VC-1還有贏面吧?所以要在IE播放H.264,透過蘋果的QuickTime是一個主流的方法。這圖是當A-Mao連線到艾創16路DVR時抓的。

This one was captured from AV Tech 4-channel DVR. There is a QuickTime icon as well.

陞泰拿香跟著拜,所以也有QuickTime的logo出現。

Ultracker’s 16 images from Taiwan via the Internet.

艾創的遠端16分割,影像來自台灣。

AV Tech’s 4 images from Hong Kong by the Internet.

陞泰遠端4分割,來自香港。

12/22/2008

老鄧擔擔麵—Lao-Deng Dan-Dan Noodles

A-Maoは10年以上前には老鄧担担麺へ行きました。この店の現在風味が同じことであることは幸せ。理由は、私の大好きな旨味のいくつかが消えたと言う。新しいメニューがあるけれども、一人で行く時、タンタンメンだけを注文。麺のテクスチャーはなめらか。しかし、ソースは濃いセサミやピーナッツ味と不規則な口当たりを提供。また、お酢と花椒(ホアジャオ)のにおいはプラス。鼎泰豐本店はすぐそばにある。

A-Mao has been Lao-Deng Dan-Dan Noodles' customer for more than 10 years. Thanks god for their food is as good as usual because some of my favorite flavor was changed or phased out forever. I still remember that we, Cheng Kung Senior High School Wind Ensemble, asked for as hot as possible spicy for stupid funning. Though Lao-Deng has new recipes, only Dan-Dan Noodles was ordered when going to there alone. The texture of noodles is sleek, but the sesame sauce & peanut powder provides deep taste & irregular but joyful mouthfeel with light stimulus of sichuan pepper. Then, happy sweating!

十多年前,A-Mao就與成功高中管樂社來過老鄧擔擔麵了。那時不知為了啥咪愚蠢遊戲,點了大辣,結果辣到嘴唇腫起來(又,願一起去的肥龍學長在天安息)。有些令人懷念的好味道不是變調了、就是關門大吉。卍感謝上蒼卍,這家老店的風味還是不變。雖然現在有了新的菜單,一個人去時,還是只點招牌的擔擔麵(小辣)。麵條滑溜、有些嚼勁;芝麻醬和花生粉提供沙沙的濃純;最醉人的,就是淡淡的醋以及花椒香氣。也推薦紅油炒手,不嗜辣的人請注意。【老邓担担面】

Address:台北市中正區連雲街83號

新しいデコレーション—New Decoration—新的裝潢

12/11/2008

Image of Kobe—神戸映像

When it comes to Kobe, what do you come up with? I asked some of my friends and colleagues, and all of their answer is steak. As for mine, it is about travel and, of course, Kobe beef. Been to there twice, I mainly visited a customer so that there was no time to enjoy this city located between the bay & mountains but was bought a lunch at The Sky Buffet in 2008. Food is not bad, and the view is so magnificent at 24 flours.

當提到神戶,你會想起什麼?問了周遭一些人,回答都是神戶牛排!去過這個港口城市兩次了,都是為了拜訪客戶,所以沒能夠四處晃晃。不過,08年客人在ザ・スカイブッフェ(The Sky Buffet)請吃午餐:食物不壞,自24樓看出去的景色真是無敵壯觀。

The artificial island in Port of Kobe is Port Island, and there is another island behind on which the Kobe Airport built. Suddenly, I also recalled that TOA, a famous CCTV company, is headquartered on the Port Island. Anyway, my image of Kobe is quite good—though no Kobe beef.

這ポートアイランド(譯:港島)是一個人工島;神戶機場就坐落在更遠的一個人工島上。當下還突然想起,之前Study過的CCTV大鉲TOA本社就在眼前這座島上。總而言之,A-Mao對神戶的映像是挺不錯的;雖然少了神戶牛排。


Kobe in Autumn—神戸秋景色

12/05/2008

Okinawa Koregusu—沖縄辣椒泡盛

It is weird that Okinawa soba is totally different from normal Japanese soba made from buckwheat. A-Mao ordered his first one at an Okinawan restaurant in Akihabara. It tasted simple and supposed to be healthy. Boring, he poured some koregusu which is chili soaked in awamori, the local sake in Ryukyu Islands. Then, the flavor became a little bit interesting. Shall Okinawa soba be tested again? How about buying one bottle of koregusu? He wondered.

在秋葉原某家沖繩料理店,A-Mao嘗到此生第一碗沖縄そば(沖繩麵)。很健康、很簡單……簡單到味道有點乏善可陳。隨手倒些放在桌上的コーレーグース(辣椒泡盛),辣椒的香味與泡盛的酒味帶出有趣的風味。食畢想著:以後還要再嘗試沖繩麵嗎?還是直接買一瓶辣椒泡盛?


Okinawa Soba Set—沖縄そばセット

12/02/2008

日本上陸許可—Japan Landing Permission

ときどきパスポートでビザまたはスタンプの上で日付と都市を調べる事は、旅行の歴史を検閲。2008年に日本上陸許可の色はオレンジ色から灰色に変更しました。A-Maoが最初の灰色のを得た時、何も起こらなかったので、法的基礎は同じ事であるようです。彼は7日間JRパスによって寝台列車旅行を構想している。その時シールの色は何でしょうか?

Sometimes looking into the dates and cities on visas or stamps in a passport is like reviewing the history of travel. The color of Japan landing permission was changed from orange to grey in 2008, but the legal basis shall be the same because nothing happened when A-Mao obtained his first grey one from the immigration officer. A night train travel by a 7-day JR Pass is being planned. Will it be with the grey seal? 【橙色和灰色的上陆许可】

中華民国台湾パスポートと台湾居民来往大陸通行証
R.O.C Taiwan Passport & Taiwan Compatriot Entry Permit
(We are different countries, OK?!)

12/01/2008

本格的なH.264—Way to Verify H.264

CCTV産業のDVRまたはIPカメラについて、H.264圧縮は将来の主流になりました。しかし、大部分の人々がMPEG-4とH.264の間の違いを見分ける事は難しい。また、「偽」H.264 DVRもいる!さて、これは簡単な方法です:クイックタイムがビデオを再生している時、「Ctrl + L」をプッシュ。アップル社の無料のプレーヤーはフォーマットが何であるかについて確証する。

In CCTV industry, whatever DVR or IP camera, H.264 compression format has become a future mainstream. But, only depending on watching video, it is hard for most of people to tell the difference between MPEG-4 & H.264; besides, on the market, there are “fake” H.264 DVRs! Well, here comes an easy way. When QuickTime is playing a video, you can push “Ctrl + L”. This free player from Apple would show what the format is.

在CCTV業界,無論是DVR還是IP camera,H.264漸漸成為主流的壓縮格式。但是,光是看影像,絕大多數人是分辨不出MPEG-4與H.264之間的差異;此外,業界還有不少「偽」H.264 DVR!不過,有一個簡單的驗證方法:用QuickTime回放影像時,按「Ctrl + L」,這個由Apple提供的免費軟體,就能檢閱影片的格式。

Ultracker in ISC West—艾創在拉斯維加斯

11/27/2008

月桂冠—Gekkeikan

日本航空大好き!第一に、機内食はこれまでに最高です。第二に、手荷物規則は厳しく実行されません。第三に、客室乗務員は心から親切です。 最後に、大部分のアルコール飲料は小さなカンまたはビンによって出されます。今度A-Maoは1本の可愛いガラスの月桂冠を受けました。このさけが辛口けれども、単独で飲む事はたくさんの楽しみです。

I like Japan Airlines so much. Firstly, their airline meal is the best I ever tasted. Secondly, baggage rules are not strictly executed. Thirdly, flight attendants are as kind as friendly. Finally, most of alcoholic beverages are served by a small can or bottle. This time I got a cute glass bottle of Gekkeikan sake. Though it is young and dry, savoring it alone is lots of fun.


日本航空—Japan Airlines

11/26/2008

Pepper Lunch—胡椒廚房

In deep autumn, 2007, I went to Nagoya with Rex. After putting luggage at Toyoko Inn in the afternoon, we decided to walk around. According to this travel map, seeing that the Nagoya Castle is so close to the JR Nagoya Station, I proposed that we should go to the former on foot. Big Mistake! Coldly, it took one hour more on clean streets, and the castle was closed when we arrived. In the front of the gigantic gate, we made an appointment to come here again by subway if there is a chance.

2007深秋,與Rex來到名古屋。在東横Inn卸下行李後,還有些時間可以四處走走。到JR名古屋駅,看了看觀光案內圖,A-Mao提議「走」到名古屋城;結果證明,這是個天大的錯誤!在乾冷的空氣、清潔的街頭、走了一個多小時抵達時,名古屋城已經閉門不再接客。望著固若金湯的城門,兩人約定,未來有機會再來這個城市,務必要搭地鐵,一窺名古屋城的全貌。

Tired we had dinner at Pepper Lunch emitting attractive aroma of beef & butter. I picked pepper steak. The raw steak with fine veins of fat & vegetables was placed on a hot metal plate. I poured some mix sauce, had my Hida beef (I guessed) very rare, and, with rice, joyfully tasted tender & juicy steak, which is so unforgettable! Recently, however, I found out Pepper Lunch is a chain restaurant using Australian beef indeed, and there are branches in Taiwan & the other countries already.

當天的晚餐,是在ペッパーランチ(胡椒廚房)解決;因為疲累的我們,無法拒絕店內一直發散的牛肉與奶油香氣。我點的是ペッパーステーキ(胡椒牛排),炙熱的鐵板上還有四季豆、紅蘿蔔與大量的綠豆芽。淋些綜合螿汁在油花如霜降的牛排上,瞬間蒸氣香味四溢。約三分熟,我便把肉放在豆芽上,滿心歡喜地就著白飯,品嚐這也許是產自飛騨的和牛。那外熟內生、滋潤甜美的牛肉,真是讓人當時咀嚼再三、事後又回味難忘。不過,囧的是,近來才發現:原來Pepper Lunch不是用國產,而是用澳洲產的牛肉;在台灣、還有世界各國也早已有了分店嚕!【對岸的店名翻譯:Pepper Lunch—>排扒浪骑XD】


Nagoya Castle—名古屋城

11/25/2008

DVRの山手線—Yamanote Line of DVR

山手線の便利のために、A-Maoは東京をよく知っているようになっています。この大きい迷宮で旅行している間、山手線なしでほとんど動く事が出来ません。UltrackerのDVRが多国言語のチャンネルタイトルをサポートした後、私が弊社の16チャンネルH.264 DVRによってこのJR線を表現するためにアイデアを出しました。十二の重要な駅は旋回し、山手線の名前はセンターで英語と漢字と平仮名と片仮名によって見えます。このアイデアはどうですか?【硬盘录像机的山手线】

Owing to convenience of the Yamanote Line, running as a wide loop, A-Mao is getting familiar with Tokyo. While traveling in this big labyrinth, I almost cannot move without it. After Ultracker's standalone DVR supported multilingual channel title, an extremely hard function for other manufacturers using turnkey chipset, I came up with an idea to express this JR line by our 16-channel H.264 DVR. 12 important stations circle in order, and the name of Yamanote-sen showed by English, Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana in the center. Well, most of my Japanese customers who are afraid of English were very impressed.


因為便利的山手線,逐漸開始熟悉東京這個城市。A-Mao在這個大迷宮內旅行時,沒有了這條黃綠色的環狀線,移動上頗為困難。當艾創16路H.264 DVR支援多國語言攝影機抬頭,便想到要用山手線來展示這個功能。線上十二個重要的車站依方位被排列在外框,中央鑲嵌山手線的英文(Yamanotesen)、漢字(山手線)、平假名(やまのてせん)和片假名(ヤマノテセン)。嗯,恐懼英文的日本客戶還滿驚豔喔!



ウグイス色の山手線—Greenish Yamanote Line

11/21/2008

Megachef's Fish Sauce—百萬主廚的魚露

During Ultracker's 2008 company travel in Thailand, A-Mao started sampling fish sauce on most tables we sat at. In the beginning, its slightly stinking smell somewhat scared me. After a few ice-breaking tests, I noticed that its aroma & taste is so lovely! At a supermarket in Pattaya, this Megachef Premium Fish Sauce is the most expensive one but costs just 17 Baht for a 200cc glass bottle. And I took three! In my home, I like to scald some water spinach, chop a little chili and mix them with the fish sauce only. Um......I seemed to be in the Thai sunlight again.

話說08年,艾創到泰國員工旅遊,懼怕魚腥味A-Mao,開始嘗試幾乎餐餐都有的魚露。一開始,還真是覺得有點臭臭的;但是到後來,深深愛上它而不可自拔。在芭達雅的一家超市內,最最昂貴的Megachef Premium Fish Sauce(百萬主廚優質魚露),200cc玻璃瓶裝也才17泰鋃而已;沒想太多,帶走三瓶。現在在家,我喜歡燙些空心菜、切條小辣椒、再加些這百萬主廚級的魚露攪拌……嗯!感覺好像又來到泰國的陽光下。【 百万主厨优质鱼露】

Buddha Mountain, Khao Chee Chan—七珍佛山

11/06/2008

Montagne d'Or—黃金山脈

Many years before, someone used a digital camera, which had not been popular yet, took a similar picture for me. I liked it but didn't appreciate it enough then......Mariage Freres' Montagne d'Or (or mountain of gold) has been one of my favorite beverages for almost ten years. It contains Chinese black tea, marigold, safflower and rose blossoms as well as pieces of papaya & apple to express a colorful image & symphonic flavor. A-Mao likes to soak some by cool water in a PET bottle in the refrigerator for one day, and it tastes so marvelous, especially in summer.

很久的從前,有個人,用那年頭還是不普遍的數位相機,拍了類似的照片給我;喜歡歸喜歡,但當時不是分外珍惜……已經近十年了,Mariage Freres的黃金山脈還是A-Mao最鍾愛的飲料之一:繽紛燦爛的顏色、與交響曲般的風味,是來自中國紅茶、金盞菊、紅花、玫瑰、蘋果和木瓜。我常用冷開水浸泡些在寶特瓶中、放在冰箱內冷藏一整天,滋味真是不凡;特別是在酷熱的夏天。【黄金山脉】

延伸閱讀:Mariage Freres白象紅茶


Montagne d'Or—モンターニュ・ドール「黄金の山」

11/04/2008

Curry Maker: Karikaru—咖哩製造商:カリカル

In March, 2006, I & honcho A finished looking around Security Show and took the Yurikamome to Shinbashi. Before taking the Yamanote Line back to Shinjuku, we found this delicious curry bar—the best is that their fried oyster is crunch outside & soft inside. Accompanied with me, boss M in March, 2006, & engineer R in November, 2007, went to there, and both of them really enjoyed. In September, 2008, therefore, it was my forth time visiting this curry maker, Karikaru.

06年3月與A老大,參觀完在東京國際展示場的Security Show,搭乘海鷗線到新橋,要轉山手線的回新宿之前,在新橋站東口地下街內覓食,發現這家美味的咖哩店(搭配外酥內嫩的肥碩炸牡蠣,更是一絕)。在07年3月帶M老闆、與2007年11月帶R同學去,都說非常好吃。於是在08年9月,A-Mao第四度來到「カレーメーカー・カリカル」」(咖哩製造商:咖哩咖嚕)。

There was no fried oyster on the menu at that time so that A-Mao went for the most popular dish, the Indian curry. As usual, the rice was spread flatly on the plate, and curry was contained in an oil lamp-shape vessel. Various, aromatic taste complemented the rice spicily & excellently, but it is a pity there was too much potato & too little chicken. Now I am thinking: Why didn't I order a tonkatsu as a topping then?

當時菜單上沒有炸牡蠣咖哩,所以點了人氣No.1的インドカレー(印度咖哩)。白飯跟往昔一樣,平平地鋪在盤子上;咖哩依舊被盛裝在如神燈般的容器中。雖然不是很稠密,咖哩的香料味道既多元又豐厚(汗…),配合著飯吃,特別香辣夠味。可惜的是,咖哩中的馬鈴薯太多、雞肉丁太少,吃得有些不痛快。現在回想起來,當時怎麼不加點一塊炸豬排咧?。

Address:日本国東京都港区新橋2-20-15(東口地下街)

延伸閱讀:那晚在新橋
延伸閱讀:那天在新橋


View seen from the Yurikamome train—百合海鷗號外的風景

10/28/2008

Hibiya Matsumotoro—日比谷松本楼

On the last day of this 7-day unaccompanied business trip, I went to the Hibiya Park. The sole motive is to banquet myself in the Matsumotorou which's founder, Mr. Shokichi Umeya, was a zealous supporter of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and donated greatly to our revolutionary cause; besides, Hifumi Arai recommends this restaurant. Hoping my hard work & Ultracker's H.264 DVR at SXGA (about four D1) resolution would cause a revolution in Japan CCTV industry as well.

08年於日本為期七日,孤軍奮戰差旅的最後一天,A-Mao來到為於日比谷公園的松本楼,算是自己開個慶功宴;原因?當然是有來頭的:孫中山(孫文)革命滿清多次,每每受到現今松本樓社長夫人的祖父梅屋庄吉接濟,再加上百折不撓的毅力與精神,終於建立民國成功(另外,新井一二三有介紹過)。啊!那當下我的小小心願是:耕耘日本市場也那麼久了,此行又是如此艱難困苦,最後在與咱家國父有關的餐廳吃頓飯,那艾創科技之優秀的H.264 DVR @ 1280 x 1024解析度,也許能在日本當地CCTV業界,掀起另一番革命吧!

Sharing an outdoor table with the others, A-Mao was watching a child eating beef curry rice speedily but joyfully, and then it was his turn. Being dipped with some tartar sauce, fried shrimp is as fresh as crispy, and the aromatic beef sauce went so well with the soft, creamy omuraisu. If it had been served hotter, this combo would have been perfect. By the way, the Matsumotorou has a branch at the Tokyo Big Sight. If you visit this one of the largest convention venues in Japan, don’t forget to try this “omelet rice with hashed beef sauce”.

為了在戶外優雅的環境下用餐,與其他人併桌。當鄰座的小朋友快速嗑完他的咖哩飯後,我的蛋包飯佐燉牛肉醬汁伴炸蝦被送來了。擠點檸檬汁,沾些塔塔醬,哇!外皮酥脆的炸蝦,是100分的新鮮彈牙、風味十足!接著,滋潤柔軟的黃色半熟蛋、和濃醇香滑的褐色牛肉醬汁,攪拌搭配起飯來,呵!真是卓越非凡的美味(若能再溫熱一些,會更符合台灣的胃)。此外 ,去過東京Big Sight三次了,如今才曉得松本楼有一家分店在那耶(残念…)。未來有機會去Big Sight,可別忘了就近嘗嘗這道「オムレツライス・ハヤシソース」喔!【牛肉咖喱蛋包饭】

延伸閱讀:Big Sight松本樓

10/23/2008

Unamaru—うな丸【閉店】

It was my second time visiting Unamaru, a 9-seat restaurant specializing in kabayaki eel in the Omoide-Yokochou. Not only is the location near by Shinjuku Station, but its price is also cost-efficient. Their cultivated eels are delivered daily and directly from Yoshida, Shizuoka, in which cultivators are fighting against their compatriots in Aichi, and, of course, Taiwanese & Chinese. However, the restaurant's suppliers' marketing strategy is to highlight that their eels are fed with waste from fisheries processing factories nearby so that theirs are more nutritious & flavorful.

第二次造訪了位在「思い出横丁」的「うな丸」(譯:鰻魚丸),除了離新宿車站很近之外,便宜好吃是最大的原因。事前先作了些功課:這家店用的是每天由静岡県吉田町直送的養殖鰻魚。但是,由於愛知県的產量逐年攀升、加上來自台灣與中國的低價衝擊,吉田町的養鰻池正在減少中;不過,當地的業者強調:用附近水產加工場不要的魚雜餵食後,鰻魚的營養與風味都特別高,企圖創新一個食材的品牌形象。

Tried their unadon served in a bowl before, I ordered unajuu served in a box as well as grilled eel liver, which took time a little bit longer. A-Mao had unajuu waiting for a while in order to take a photo with all his meal. Rice is still rich and boxed with tender kabayaki eel & its crispy tail; meanwhile, grilled liver dressed with some shichimi plays an important supporting role. Ah! Umai!

之前吃的是盛在碗中的鰻丼,這次點了放在盒裡的鰻重,並追加了一份烤鰻魚肝。鰻重先被送來,A-Mao要它等烤鰻魚肝一下,好在共祭五臟廟前,拍張照來留念。蒲焼的鰻魚依然香味四溢,口感細緻,尾巴的部份有些焦脆,搭配上被燒烤醬汁浸濡過的米飯一起吃;其間不時嘗一口灑些七味粉的烤鰻魚肝,哎!好吃極了。【鳗鱼丸】

Address:日本国東京都新宿区西新宿1-2-8


Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building—東京都庁舎

10/22/2008

Kondoya Udon —ゲソ天丼與山菜うどん

The best Japanese octopus is come from the Seto Inland Sea, serving as a waterway between the Pacific Ocean & the Sea of Japan. In Okayama in the night of September, 2008, I was planning to find takoyaki but could not make it. I therefore went to this Kondoya Udon for my late snack.

章魚若生長在泥質或砂質的海中,無法像在礁岩地區成長的般,鍛鍊出優秀的足部肌理;瀨戶內海的洋流湍急,此地捕獲的章魚,肉質想當然爾,兼具韌性與彈性。08年九月的深夜,A-Mao在瀨戶內海邊的岡山虛晃,本想找章魚燒解饞,不過久久未果。索性,進來火車站前的這家「Kondoya Udon」宵夜。

From the menu, each donburi looked so delicious, but only geso-tendon is marked as a local specialty. Why not go for it? Costing 660 yen only, this set included a smaller donburi and a bowl of sansai udon. (Note: geso means legs of octopus or squid, while sansai means edible wild plants.)

攤開菜單,每一種丼看起來都絕頂好吃。不過,唯獨「ゲソ天丼」被標上「名物」的紅色標記。哈!豈有不吃的道理?點了只要660日鋃的プチ丼セット(小碗的丼、搭配以下其中一種烏龍麵:わかめ、山菜、とろろ昆布、月見);A-Mao挑的是纖維素最多的山菜うどん。注:ゲソ,在日本料理中,意指烏賊或章魚的足部。

I love Japanese fried shrimp so much that one was ordered additionally. The donburi in which rice is flavored with sweet-salty sauce, topped with juicy, fried octopus and dressed with fresh spring onion is luscious, whereas the Sanuki-style udon, including fiddlehead fern & arrowhead bamboo shoot, tasted so delightful. This set was reminding me of a Chinese idiom: delicacies from land and sea.

伴隨著加點的炸蝦,「ゲソ天丼」以及「山菜うどん」亮相了!那當下,真的是不知從何下箸。外皮香脆的炸章魚腿,果真厚肉好嚼又多汁,搭配新鮮的蔥花、與鹹甜的醬汁,讓人狠狠扒了幾口飯;山菜烏龍也不遜色,昆布柴魚的湯頭清爽、讃岐風格的麵條彈牙、脆脆的蕨菜與箭筍各自表述不同的山林風味。左右開弓地吃著,A-Mao突然體悟到,啥叫「山珍海味」。 【日本冈山】

Address:日本国岡山県岡山市駅前町1-1-119


JR Pass & Shinkansen Tickets—日本鐵路周遊券與新幹線指定席車票