Thursday Snapshot: Night Fruit Seller in Kathmandu

Night fruit seller in Kathmandu.
Photo by R. Bailey

We spotted this fruit vendor on a walk back to Sunrise Farm from Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple). What was most impressive about these vendors was their ability to turn a simple bicycle or cart into a full-fledged fresh fruit stand complete with scales, lights, and a lovely display. We couldn’t eat much, but they never failed to dazzle our eyes and tempt our tastebuds.

Thursday Snapshot: Nuns on the Stairs

Nuns at a monastery just outside Kathmandu.

It already seems like a hundred years ago, but just last month we were in Nepal. While there I took a day hike with Social Tours to get out of the city and get some exercise. Their Lunch with Nuns Tour found me and my guide walking the trails in Shivapuri National Park. Our steps carried us through dry hillsides desperately awaiting the rainy season, past monkeys who eyeballed my backpack even as they scampered away, and finally up to a monastery. It was here that I snapped this photo, settled down to a lovely lunch (not with the nuns, but prepared by and near them), before hiking back down through a series of small villages. It was easily one of my best days on the trip.

Tokyo and Yokohama Regional Farmers Markets: Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th

Munoz Gurung of French Organic Cheese
Tarragon Organic Market
Kathmandu, Nepal

A few cherry blossoms still linger and the forecast for the weekend looks good, so head on out to catch some sunshine and these great markets. Sansai (mountain vegetables) will be making an appearance as will some of the season's first miso. Don't be shy about picking up greens when you see them as they will disappear quickly with rising temperatures. Don't hesitate, either, when it comes to citrus. Amanatsu will be around for a bit yet but not forever. It makes an excellent shu and marmalade. It's heavy, but worth the effort.

Market of the Sun
Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th
The newest of Tokyo's farmers markets at two years old, Market of the Sun professes to be one of the largest, and this month looks to be all about the grape. A short walk from Tsukiji Market and its wonderful surrounds, it's worth a stop for a selection of foodly and crafty items that rivals that at the UNU Market.
10am to 4pm
No map but step out of Kachidoki Station exits A4a and A4b

Kamakura Farmers Market
Every day
A small local affair featuring Kamakura heirloom fruits and vegetables raised in yet another former capital city, the Kamakura Market is a small but wonderful venue. Head in early to get the best selection and pick up a loaf of Paradise Alley's charcoal infused bread while you're there.
7am until sold out
Map

Ebisu Market
Every Sunday

Ebisu Market management are going all-out this month and hosting a market every Sunday. They've been recruiting more staff and hunting up vendors, so head on out to be part of the action. A recent visit showed this always lovely market remains charming as ever with an excellent selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, scrumptious looking snacks, and crafty items. I'd also recommend a trip to Afuri Ramen when you're done for some of the best yuzu tsukemen in town.
11am to 5pm
Map

Futamatagawa Farmers Market - Yokohama
Every Friday
A charming little weekly market tucked conveniently just outside the turnstile at Futamatagawa Station in Yokohama where a nice selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables await. Joining them are baked goods, rice, miso, and all the other fixings one might need for the week or just a good snack. Plenty of Kanagawa goodies, too, so be sure to ask!
10am to 6pm
Look for the tables when you step out the gate!

UN University Market

Every Saturday and Sunday

A massive weekend affair that is great fun and features a variety of fruits and vegetables and prepared products from all over Japan. Plus, there's a most excellent selection of food trucks offering everything from salad to zingy curry to roast chicken to falafel!

10am to 4pm

Map

Roppongi Market

Every Saturday
Back up and running after a refurbishment of the market space, the Roppongi Farmers Market is as booming and bountiful as ever. Don't miss this chance to meet a grower from Tokyo's very own Kokobunji and sample seasonal bounty.
10am to 4pm (Usually. Do check their website for schedule fluctuations.)
Map

Yurakucho Farmer's Market
Every Saturday and Sunday
Smaller than the UNU Market, Yurakacho features a particular region of Japan each week along with an excellent selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Growers from nearby Chiba, Kamakura, and Saitama are also on hand to help fill the larder.
11am to 5pm
Directions: Turn left out of Yurakacho station and cross the courtyard toward Tokyo Kouku Keitan. Look for the fun under the overhang!

Know of a market? Give me a shout and we'll add it to the list!

Thursday Snapshot: Dried Bundles of Daikon in Kathmandu

There were many things about Nepal that were utterly amazing and beautiful and that require other adjectives I haven't created yet. However, one of my favorite things to explore were the market areas. While there were Western-style farmers markets, it was much more common to see streets or areas where people gathered to sell their wares - seeds, beans, hats, scarves, pottery, and so much more - just as they have for centuries.

The photo above is just one I took along such a street in such an area and shows a very typical selection of dried goods. The rolled bundles in the back, though, really caught my imagination. Mulatsana (dried, ropey daikon) is just that: daikon cut into strips, sun-dried, and then coiled up for storage. It had a sort of sweet-sour taste that I could easily imagine in takari (the curry Nepali's serve with their rice and dhal) or a soup.

A close-up of mulatsana and my foot...

It is also worth mentioning that I was on the Splice of Kathmandu tour offered by Social Tours, a gig I would totally recommend if visiting Nepal.