Vegetarian Tofu Teriyaki
Whilst I’m not a vegetarian, and while the following probably doesn’t bother me so much as it would do (and most definitely does) to some, I have to admit a slight questioning over the quality of take-away/fast foods these days.
I had O-Porto today at Kotara. A ‘Bondi Burger’ combo as they call it. It tasted okay, but the bun was particularly dry, and the chicken on the burger, while tasty enough, was shaped remarkably like the map of South America, meaning that the majority of my bites ended up with only bun and mayo entering my mouth, while half the chicken fillet hung over each side.
I’m picky you say - and okay - maybe I am. But is it to much to ask to be able to enjoy a burger as its presented on the big window above the counter? Luscious, juicy leaves of lettuce, a symmetrical dollop of mayo, fresh bun and a perfectly circular fillet of chicken.
Early last week, a co-worker received a Big Mac from the local McDonalds. But this Big Mac, instead of being garnished with the ’special sauce’ was served with a generous helping of mayonnaise. How do they bugger that one up? It’s not like the Big Mac is made once in a blue moon either, like, say, a McOz (which I’ve had before WITH gurken and WITHOUT beetroot - its signature ingredient).
Today, as I dined on my dry, misshapen O-Porto burger, Kate tucked into her Vegetarian Tofu Teriyaki dish (which I must stress, despite not being a vegetarian as previously stated and also utterly despising Tofu, looked very appealing) from the local Tokyo Teriyaki.
About two minutes into the lunch, she stopped, dropped the chopsticks and looked surprisingly pale and wide-eyed, before managing to form the words, “Oh my God. I’m gonna be sick!”.
Seems the local moth population had forgotten that Japanese food looks a little too favourably on insect garnishes. Thusly, one had been dutifully prepared along with the meal, nicely charred and well cooked, hiding amongst the celery sticks and brown sauce.
So much for a Vegetarian dish.
katie said,
October 8, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Haha Oh I still feel sick just thinking about it. I felt so so sick at work. I so wish I just not worried about getting another and gotten something else instead. Like Sumo Salad!! That was definitely what I should have picked. Only I, the fussiest eater of all would get the moth in my dish…
becca3003 said,
October 8, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
ewww! That’s nasty!! I hope you sent it back, asked for a new dish and didn’t have to pay!! I’m not surprised Kate felt sick after finding it!! Blurgh!
Kate - I can’t imagine you to be the fussiest eater of all - that would have to be me!!
Phanny said,
October 9, 2007 @ 2:36 am
eeewwww that’s ‘orrible
Bah you fussy lot, I’ll eat anything as long as it doesn’t have a face
ScottyB said,
October 10, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
PMSL.. well you know in future Katie.. Sumo Salad next time eh! Just hope it doesn’t come packed with a Cicada or something like that
Bec, I ended up taking it back for Kate, yeah! I think you take the cake on the fussy eater bit though Bec, Kate is moderately picky, but at least we usually find something she will eat at restaurants!
Well that’s just it Phanny! A moth DOES have a face!
chris said,
October 10, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
What’s the problem? They’re a local delicacy, especially when char-grilled
Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogong_moth#Cultural_uses
ScottyB said,
October 14, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
PMSL Chris
Only gotta travel down to Sydney at the moment. Could pick up a couple hundred thousand of them and start a new restaurant.
Up for it?