Making Food Blog

It is true that most American palettes have become very limited when it comes to the proteins that are enjoyed. Whether it is because there is still a residual belief that some cuts are healthier, like chicken breast, or that some cuts are just more recognizable like pork chops, the reality is that most meat counters and menu items are very limited to a handful of  ever-present meat choices.

That is why I am enjoying my time in Japan by exploring the variety of unfamiliar meat cuts and types while I am here visiting. Now, I don’t speak much Japanese, and experimenting in restaurants can be expensive, so instead I am choosing to get my my experimental selections from the convenient stores.

There are three main convenient store chains in Japan that I am most familiar with: 7/11, Family Mart, and Lawsons. Each of these has their own signature dishes and food traits. While they all generally carry the same things, there are always some  unique options at each.

I saw the pork ears with miso mustard and thought they sounded tasty. The flavor wasn’t bad. A mild, expected, pork flavor with spicy mustard. However, the chew was still a significant factor. The pigs ears were sliced into small strips and cooked in a way that kept them soft and chewy. I ate them straight out of the package, but I feel like these are meant to go on something else as an added protein topping.

Not a failure of flavor, but also not an enjoyable treasure of deliciousness. The pigs ear is both exotic and boring in this form. Next time I will definitely be adding it to something else as a topper rather than eating it as a solo snack.