TAKIKOMI GOHAN/GOMOKU GOHAN 炊き込みご飯 五目ご飯
The minute there is even a whiff of autumn in the air our thoughts turn to food. And one of the popular dishes is takikomi gohan or gomoku gohan. Whats the difference? Well, takikomi just means “cooked with” as opposed to just cooked rice. And gomoku means “Five ingredient” rice. Either might include: carrots, daikon, mushroom varieties, burdock root or green beans (added after cooking to preserve their color). A protein such as chicken or fried bean curd can also be added and also a splash of soy sauce, sake and or mirin. There are definitely regional variations and a few pickles on the side if you are in Kyoto.
MOMIJI 紅葉
Autumn brings momiji season or the season of autumn colors. The colors in Kyoto are so spectacular and span such a spectrum of color that it is no wonder that everyone needs to take photo after photo. Nanzenji Temple, pictured here, is a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves.
KINMOKUSEI キンモクセイ
If you happen to be in Kyoto during the autumn and you see a tree with tiny orange blossoms on it, go closer and breathe in through your nose. It’s hard to describe how lovely these blossoms smell. In fact, it is such a nice scent that it used to be one of the most popular scents for bathroom deodorizers when Keiko was young!
