Horenso Gomaae!

A question for anyone who has relocated from one part of the country (or world) to another: Are there favorite foods you could easily get where you used to live that are hard or impossible to find where you live now? (Displaced Midwesterners… when was the last time you saw a deep-fried tenderloin?)        

There are a few things I have had difficulty finding since moving from San Francisco to Portland… in the current hot weather, top of the list is: horenso ohitashi or horenso gomaae - a Japanese steamed/boiled spinach served cold in a light sauce with bonito flakes or sesame, respectively. I’ve found one “sushi train” place that sometimes has goma-ae, but not always. It’s cool, a little salty, a little sweet, and is lovely on a hot day like today.

What do you miss?

       

2 Responses to “Horenso Gomaae!”

  1. MercuryPDX says:

    Real bagels: It seems like they’re just a roll with a hole out here. Noah’s has the right idea, but they’re not the same. I’ve heard “It’s the water.”, but who knows?

    NY Pizza: Escape from NY does a good job, so does Pizza Schmizza, yet neither is convenient or delivers. Again I hear that “It’s the water” that forces everyone to make this abominable “Cheese and sauce on half a loaf of bread” so common out here.

    Deli sandwiches: Thick with a half pound of meat and a quarter pound of cheese. One of these, and you too will know why Subway Subs look like toothpicks in comparison. Thankfully, Zupan’s has Boar’s Head, so I can make them myself.

    Gabilla’s Knishes: A New York hot dog cart staple. Since it’s a cart, they can’t exactly make french fries. Knishes are a deep fried mashed potato pie.

    Fluff: If it’s not Fluff, it’s just Marshmallow paste. Yes, I mean you “Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme”! Fluff is creamy and spreadable; Jet Puffed comes out in chunks.

Leave a Reply