Office snacks

Once I was planning to have a snack drawer in the office. Sweet, savory, crunchy, creamy… I wanted them to be ready for my snack time. 

Since I don’t have enough drawers in my desk, I had to give up on the idea. To be honest, for a short period of time though, I have considered to stock some snacks in my locker. I stopped myself creating a big locker of snacks.

I have realized that most of the Japanese people don’t have extra space to stock snacks either. I applaud them for going for the cafeteria, vending machines or little shops close by, for snacks. I am also ashamed of myself for not even considering having a little walk for that matter.

It also took me some time to realize the fridge and snacks in the meeting room. I also spent some time to observe the pattern. Again monkey sees, monkey does. :)

The pattern is that fridge and snacks are belong to a company. Every week, they refill them. And if you take anything from them, you need to put money in their frog or pig looking piggybank. It is always fun to put coins in the piggybank.

The snacks have compartments, like a little shop. There are cup noodles, small candies, gum, crackers, biscuits… In the fridge fruit juice and vitamin drinks…In the freezer, ice cream…

Isn’t it the perfect office snacks selection?  

One more surprise, ever week, they refill with different items, so you never get bored. :)

In our office, refill day is on Thursday. Every Thursday around 4pm, someone comes in, takes the money from the piggy bank, and refills the goodies.

So every Thursday around 4.30pm, when I take a small bathroom break, walking pass the meeting room looking inside… If the new weekly snacks are there, after my bathroom break I go and see what we have. Around that time ever Thursday, my colleagues also do the same.

I and my colleagues, go to some other places for buying snacks but I always feel comfortable that we have a little shop of ours in the meeting room waiting for me.

Cheers,

Ece

Candy Show Time

The more I walk in Tokyo, the more interesting things I notice.

I saw a candy shop where you can see how candy is made.

This shop is in Tokyo Sky Tree and there is another one in Shibuya.

I was as happy and as interested as a 5-yearold that I watched candy making process 2 times.

The candy has special pictures and drawing inside and full of layers of fruits and other candy flavors.

It all start from a big massive hot candy, that 3 people pull the candy to make it thinner and thinner and thinner. When it becomes desired thickness cools so it is hardened, so can be cut into long pieced and then small pieces. 

And viewers are offered to taste the fresh cut. It was hard but not totally cooled delicious candy.

It is like an actual show. It is the art in candy. There are also screens that you can watch a tape about the procedure in case you miss the show. The show is frequent enough that I was able to watch 2 separate times when I was around.

The candy making is not unique to Tokyo. I am just happy to watch the show. 

There were many candies themed with Tokyo, in case you are looking for…

Cheers,

Ece

Moomin Café

Have you ever heard about The Moomins, a Swedish book and cartoon characters?

I haven’t heard about them, but when I see the café and immediately I wanted to go that world. Moomin Café is in Tokyo Sky Tree.

 What makes me enthusiastic is the opportunity to have meal with a big toy sitting with you. I feel like a big kid.

All the food is themed with The Moomins. There is the shop at the entrance part of the restaurant which you can buy some themed items.

This was my first experience with a theme café. I didn’t know the characters but I really enjoyed the specially created environment. It is like living in a dream world.

The staff is changing big toys on a rotation basis, during one meal I had opportunity to sit with many characters.

I don’t know whether people go to the shop because they are The Moomin fans or they just love a theme café like me. I saw many happy adults and kids…  I was also happy.

I had a desert plate with chocolate cheery mousse and a pound cake with cream. The cup that has mouse in it, is a souvenir cup. Once you order this dessert, you receive a cup in a box. Which is a wonderful idea. I didn’t feel like I buy a themed souvenir item, I have a dessert and a souvenir cup.

 This experience made me more curious about themed cafes and restaurants. It is a big world that you can dream endlessly.

Cheers,

Ece