Year 10 Japanese Language Excursion
It’s one thing to learn a language, but being able to immerse yourself in that country’s culture is always a learning experience. Especially when you get to go on an excursion to make and eat your own okonomiyaki!
From August 11th-19th, the three Year 10 Japanese classes trekked our way down to Dohtonbori Okonomiyaki in Docklands. Our first task was to navigate to the actual restaurant, and that was where our first difficulties began. However, we overcame the challenge with teamwork and the aid of Google Maps and managed to settle comfortably in the traditional Japanese seating in time for lunch.
Okonomiyaki literally translates to ‘cooked as you like it’, which is exactly how the food is made. Okonomiyaki is a savoury Japanese pancake, typically made with eggs, shredded cabbage, and your choice of protein, topped with a variety of condiments. The rest of the ingredients you use are completely up to you, making it an easy, filling and ideal meal.
The tables at Dohtonbori are inset with hotplates so you can mix, cook and flip your own okonomiyaki. All of us enjoyed (or struggled) with shaping the pancakes, and some people even managed to exercise their creativity by making cute shaped okonomiyaki – we saw hearts, smiley faces and even one rogue Among Us-shaped pancake.
In all, the Year 10 Japanese classes loved this long-awaited excursion to Dohtonbori and left with both our stomachs sated and our minds full of new knowledge of Japanese cooking and culture.
Harshitha M, 10A