when my japanese elementary schoolers list off the foods they detest, there are three which top the list without fail. eggplant and mushrooms are neck and neck at number two, but so far, the undisputed winner is piiman. the following is a brief list of reactions i have observed at the mere mention of the word piiman:
- vigorous shaking of the head
- two thumbs down
- face-palm
- face expression reminiscent of edvard munch’s “the scream”
- ten solid seconds of fake barfing noises
the poor man's kitchen 