Nabe

Martin & Mizuki invited us to a NABE party the other day. It is a Japanese pot dish in which you put some stock (water and a seaweed "conbu") and throw anything (vegetables, seafood, meat, mushrooms, etc.) you fancy. It is cooked on a table gas cooker. All the juice from different ingredients makes the dish extremely special. Once you get full with all the ingredients, it is time to throw the last banquet of noodles or rice to finish it. The noodles and rice absorbs the delicious taste of the soup, whose flavour is indescribable. The first bite brings you to heaven, the second bite to Nirvana, the third bite to... you don't know where you are anymore. The technique to enjoy Nabe is that you have to find a fine balance between being selfish and being considerate of others' well-being. Obviously, you have to take turns to get your share and you do it yourself. When your turn comes, you have to be considerate enough to leave some for others, but you have to be bold enough to get some goodies for yourself. Also, there is an element of treasure hunting, too. Quite often, nice things are sunk in bottom, and you have to know how to find them without appearing to be too greedy! It may sound a bit technical and difficult for beginners, but don't worry, you'll get the hang of it very soon.