TABLE FOR TWO is a program started in Japan and to support children in developing countries through having a meal at a developed country like Japan or US. A part of our payment for a meal, Yen 20 at restaurants accredited by the non-profit organization TABLE FOR TWO will be donated and spent to provide a school meal in Africa. The amount Yen 20 or 25 cents is almost equal to the cost for a school meal in Africa according to TABLE FOR TWO. In other words beyond geographic location and time, a meal is shared between a person in the developed country and a child in a developing country through the action of TABLE FOR TWO. We can support children with hunger or malnutrition, while we enjoy our food. Great isn't it?
I visited Haisai Kitchen (はいさいキッチン) a restaurant participating in TABLE FOR TWO project. The restaurant is located in the mid of commercial area of Daikanyama, surrounded by the lastest fashion boutiques. "Haisai" is a greeting word in dialect of Okinawa region, meaning "hello, how are you?". Yes the restaurant's speciality is local food from Okinawa but with some of French taste, due to the chef's past professional experiences for 10 years as a French cook in Tokyo.
Okinawa is the most south region of Japan, known for the most beautiful (could be, in the world) sea and unique culture. The food in Okinawa is also different from ones in the mainland of Japan. I hope to have another chance to introduce them a bit more in my blog in future, not so far from now....
At Haisai Kitchen, I ordered plates with typical ingredients from Okinawa.
Shisa salad (not Caesar salad, just in case...)
"Shisa"(シーサー), the name from a pair of "guardian lions" from Okinawa's mythology.
The plate is filled with several local ingredients from the region;
goya (ゴーヤ, bitter gourd)
Umi-budo (海ぶどう sea grapes, a kind of sea plant look like grapes)
SPAM (スパム spiced ham, American food often had in Okinawa, brought to the region by American Force based in the area)
Like Caesar Salad, small pieces of bread is placed on the plate.
The baguette bread is house-made and one of them is "in black" made of squid ink!
(A piece on top left side in the photo)
Goya champuru~ (ゴーヤチャンプル)
Mixed fried vegetable, the best known Okinawa's speciality
Again goya and SPAM plays main roles on the plate
with scramble egg and fine pieces of katsuobushi (かつお節, 鰹節, dried bonit).
Don't forget trying the local strong distilled liquor, Awamori (泡盛). The restaurant provides a good list of Awamori selection of course as well as French wine.
Oh yes, let's share a meal at Haisai Kitchen and bring a school meal to a child in Africa!
Restaurant name: Haisai Kitchen (はいさいキッチン)
Address: 1st floor Sarugaku, 26-2 Sarugaku, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station: Daikanyama (代官山)
TABLE FOR TWO Official website : http://www.tablefor2.org/
