While I was stationed in Japan in MCAS Iwakuni (1993-1995) I learned a lot of things about Japan. First of all, I was 24 years old then. When I last stepped foot in Japan prior to that, I was 15 years old. A lot of things can happen between those years. Those are life changing years. Since I was much older, and an adult then, I got to go to places that I never would have went to. Places like hostess clubs, love hotels, and such. Although honestly I never did get to go to a love hotel, as they were a bit spendy, especially when the yen rate was so horrible. Although hostess clubs weren’t any cheaper either!
But no, Japan is tons of fun. One memory I have while stationed there was what everyone called “The Chicken Shack.” Now, I’m betting that most people in Iwakuni are still calling it that. And if not, I don’t see why not! The Chicken Shack is actually a very expensive restaurant called Sanzoku. Now I’m betting you’re wondering why it’s called “The Chicken Shack” and you’d be of good mind to wonder about that. Because it is the place we bring all the new folks who get stationed there, and they serve chicken (which is always a safe food option in Japan), it’s thusly called “The Chicken Shack.” Never mind that it’s not the real name of the place. You learn that people give nicknames to a lot of places.
But The Chicken Shack was a very cool place. Very “Japanese-y” if you will. (forgive my Engrish.) The service was great, the people were friendly, and although they didn’t speak very well English, people always managed to get their point across and get the food that they wanted. I’ve really got to find some old photos of that area and post them, to accompany this post.
Hey Iwakuni-ites, are you missing it? It was way too expensive there though. I think most of us really preferred going just outside the front gate, and going to California Chicken. I miss that place, because you could pay in dollars there and the chicken was exceptional.
[tags]memories, Japan, food, chicken, Sanzoku, MCAS Iwakuni[/tags]
Loading ...
Yeah, the chicken shack was great!! I liked the little tops they sold, you know, the ones that played music while spinning.
Remember the Gyoza House? mmmmmmm. gyoza.
I’d like to visit japan, and now I know the one place i could eat. :)
Mmmmmm gyoza. Why is it, that even when you post about memories…you make me hungry? :P
Hey, I didn’t make you hungry, Mark did. hehe.
JN dining hall gyoza at Yokota…mmmmmm.
let us not forget the BLT’s at Sako’s folks or the endless feasting at Kuru-Kuru Sushi!
what was the name of that all you can eat beef place we used to go to???? i have pictures of it, but i can’t remeber the name…
It was called denyen I believe. Don’t quote me on that because I’m not sure. LOL
Wait, is that the place we did my going away party at? the all you can eat for 15 bucks place?
BINGO! Denyen… (i think it was 2000 yen per person…)
And yes, that’s where we had your fairwell party in 1995 I believe.
:)
Ok, I remember Sato’s for the BLTs, which I still dream of. I usually don’t care for mayo, but I do love Kewpie mayo.
I remember California Chicken and their exceptionally tasty chicken. I remember the chicken shack and all its’ knick-knacks, but I don’t remember the food oddly enough.
I remember the “yellow sign” restaurant and that deep bowl of gomoku-soba that drove away the winter chill like holy water on a hellspawn demon. Plus they made gyoza that was nearly spot on to my grandmother’s mandoo.
I remember the bar(Rainbow?) that served up drinks like “boogies.” My God, I still remember that hangover. Ugh.
I remember Gyoza House, Denyen(God, the look of FEAR on their faces when they saw Americans come in). There was another all you can eat place not far off we went to, but alas I don’t remember the name. I took Michael there once and he pointed out to me that a particular slice of beef that I enjoyed was actually horse. Then again, maybe that was by Camp Zama/NAS Atsugi.
I remember the first time I had Okonomiyaki and I’ve yet to find any place like that. Thanks Yoshi. I still search for Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki in the US. I have a recipe for it, but I gotta get Michael to translate it for me.
I too have had the pleasure of eating at the JN dining hall at Yokota AB. The chow hall there was dang good, but the teriyaki chicken was divine. The Soba Hut was still good eats, even though it couldn’t pass a Preventive Medicine inspection to save its’ life.
But hey, we had great cookouts at the Corpsman penthouse – BBQs, hanging out at the watering hole, Breakfasts, potlucks that shut the clinic down early. Remember that big Thanksgiving dinner we all chipped in?
I also remember the mom & pop fruit stands on the way to and from the train station where I’d easily drop $50 on fruit that was immaculately delectable. There was DQ by the train station where Michael and I figured out that Michael is allergic to bananas. There was an Anderson Bakery on the corner which I always bought a fruit tart on the way to Hiroshima.
One time I was deliberately making myself lost in downtown Iwakuni. Upon my stumbles, I came across a mochi store and enlightened my senses with a strawberry daifuku. It was a delish. Alas, I could never find that store again.
Wow. Many a fond memory is tied to food.
My daughter went there 3 years in a row for Yama Sakura. the first time was at Itami. In fact I’m wearing the sweatshirt today. Yama Sakura 2000. She love all the restaurants she went to. I can’t remember where 2001 and 2002 was held.
OK, not fair. Now I am so hungry. None of the crap they serve in this town would be good enough.
Asa and I went to this place in Hiroshima that served these small grilled “appetizers”, like 13 of them, for the meal. They spoke no English, there were no English menus, but they had the wonderful plastic food int he window, so we got what we wanted. It was fantastic.
SHABU-SHABU, mmmmmmmmmmm.
I miss it all so much.
And to think, we did not want to go there. How wrong we were.
Miss you all too.