Saturday, April 17, 2010

Ponzu Diet

     Picture Harrod's Food Halls plus Whole Foods sprawled along one below ground level to get the measure of the miles of delectable comestibles on offer beneath the depatos (department stores) of Ginza. Counters stacked high with gift-wrapped boxes, trays of tempting items in display cases, energetic young ladies in starched uniforms and head scarves welcome customers with a friendly bow. Pastries that would be at home in Paris beside obento boxes filled with slippery healthy choices sit fresh and ready for purchase. Even Harrods and Fortnum & Mason attempt to attract shoppers to buy tins of Western kocha (tea). Irashaimasse! smile the salespeople, inviting a browse or proffering a sample.

     "Have you tried ponzu?" inquired tomodachi-san (friend) looking at a small bottle with a lemon drawn on the label. After browsing an art gallery on the top floor, we found ourselves in the basement at Mitsukoshi crossing the Food Hall en route to the subway.  In1673 the fourth son of a miso dealer, Takatoshi Mitsui, tested the concept of a general store to replace traditional door-to-door selling. In the 21st century the Mitsui Gurupu (group) continues as a global mega publicly traded company while Mitsukoshi rules as the landmark go-to shop for stylish Tokyoites. Like Bloomingdale's brown bag, the  Mitsukoshi shopping bag speaks volumes.

     For the uninitiated  ponzu is the salad dressing of choice among the ladies of Tokyo. It is a blend of soy sauce and lemon juice with a few secret ingredients (rice vinegar and seaweed). "Oily salad dressing is fattening," continued my tomodachi-san. "Sprinkle this dressing on grated daikon everyday. It is filling and low in calories." Daikon, the radish with a gland condition (literally the size of a baseball bat) comes in grated form in most Tokyo eateries. As a side dish with tonkatsu (fried pork chop) daikon is topped with goma (sesame seed) reminiscent of Russian dressing. The elegant set prefers ponzu. "It also goes well sprinkled on fish," she advised.  Carrying a bottle in the crisp white Mitsukoshi tote, we entered the crush of commuters headed to the Ginza line.  

  

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