Getting the Japanese words correct
In the Jan. 3 edition of Good Eating (“What’s the next big thing?”), you translated washoku as “harmony of food.” I hope you will indulge me in the following comments about this word.
While the wa of washoku sometimes does mean harmony, in this case it means Japanese food as opposed to yooshoku, or Western food. When Japanese use the word washoku, they mean Japanese food.
I am pointing this out because I see many examples of misinterpreting Japanese words and things on the part of Americans, so this time I decided to say something.
William Schoen, Chicago
What’s in a name?
Thank you for your piece on Broccoflower (“Fresh Finds,” Jan. 24). A fellow-foodie friend and I have been exchanging e-mails lately on broccolini (or Asparation or Tender Stem) and broccoli raab (or rapini) and other forms of cabbage.
I think it’s interesting that a name was settled for Broccoflower back in 1989, while we are still seeing broccolini and broccoli raab sold under various monikers. I can’t say that I’m in too much of a hurry to decide on official names: I still call arugula “rocket”! It’s just more fun!
Tom Saaristo, Chicago
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