THEMES
These traditional ideas are commonly challenged throughout the book.
What are traditional gender standards?
This gastronomic symbol is the place where Mikage finds comfort.
What is the Kitchen?
This dish, literally meaning “pulled noodles”, is often served with a soft-boiled egg and chashu (braised pork belly).
What is Ramen?
This flower exists as the national flower of England and also symbolizes love, beauty, and passion; also the first name of a Dukes of Hazzard protagonist known for wearing high-cut jean-shorts.
What is a Daisy?
This is a flat Japanese grill that, in America, involves table-side cooking.
What is hibachi?
This is commonly felt by Mikage throughout the book.
What is grief?
This slow-growing symbol represents both growth and welcoming.
What is the Potted Pineapple?
This Japanese word for cutlet often refers to a panko-breaded, flattened piece of pork or chicken.
HINT: its name is a prefix for a dish Mikage brings Yuichi in Kitchen.
What is Katsu? (Tonkatsu, Chicken Katsu also acceptable).
These flowers, often associated with Japan, grow along the banks of the Tidal Basin in Wasington, DC.
What are sakura (cherry blossoms)?
This slippery substance often gets thrown away after cooking, but in most Southern households is saved in jars or ramekins; also the name of a 1978 Musical-Movie starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta.
What is Grease?
Mikage searches for this connection throughout the book, after losing her own.
What is family?
This symbol, coming in the form of a pork cutlet in broth over rice, represents Mikage’s love and care for Yuichi.
What is Katsudon?
This Japanese variety of meat often associated with cities such as Kobe and Miyazaki and graded by its marbling, translates to Japanese Cow in English.
What is Wagyu?
This flower originated around 2,00 years ago, and is commonly eaten as a vegetable. This childhood least-favorite also aids in iron-absorption.
What is broccoli?
What is thyme?
Mikage feels this until she finds a place within Yuichi’s family.
What is loss/loneliness?
This place is where Mikage surprisingly found comfort in after a period of time.
What is the Sofa?
This corner store, characterized by its signature lowercase "N" is a popular spot for Japanese snacks and beverage.
What is 7-ELEVEN
This flower, named for the cloudy liquid in its stem, is a butterflie's favorite, despite many cities in Kansas and Missouri banning the planting of it.
What is milkweed?
How is the pork cooked for Katsudon?
What is fried?
This feeling which occurs to Mikage while cleaning out her old apartment, as well as in Yuichi’s kitchen. It brings her a sense of connection with her grandmother as well as a longing for past memories.
What is nostalgia?
This “wheaty” liquid, a common drink in Japan and Korea, represents the transformation and formality of Yuichi and Mikage’s relationship.
What is (barley) tea?
This yellowish sushi delicacy known as uni in Japan, comes from the gonads of this spiny underwater invertebrate.
What is Sea Urchin?
This national flower of Lesotho is an excellent remedy for epidermal scalding.
What is Aloe (bonus for Aloe Polyphylla)
One of the following Japanese knives is for all purpose use: Gyuto, Santoku, and Petty.
Hint: its name translates to "Three Virtues."
What is Santoku?