{Inter} Cultural Japan

Ice cream is different the world over but for some really different flavors you have to come to Japan.

My perennial favorite among Japanese ice creams is “green tea ice cream,” which adds the bitter twang of the tea to the sweetness of ice, but this happens to be a very common flavor.

You can test your tastbuds with more original flavors in an Ice Cream Exhibition in Namco Nanja Town in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine Building, as reported by MSN-Mainichi Daily News.

For example, what about Fish Ice Cream, or would you prefer Octopus Ice?

Squid and Crab are also available, but for a really unforgettable flavor you should go for the Eel Ice.

If you prefer meat to fish, what about a nice chunk of Ox Tongue Ice Cream?

Or Fried Chicken Wings-on-ice? With some Cream Cheese Ice on the side, perhaps?

If you like it hot, you may go for Indian Curry or Chili Pepper Ice, but for a hot Japanese flavor take the Wasabi Ice.

Cypress wood is used for sake casks and bath tubs, but now also in ice, and really sooths your stress away. The same is true for ice with the flavor of hot spa water - it saves a trip to an onsen.

The Japanese put soy sauce in all kinds of foods, so why not in ice? Or would Miso Ice better suit your palate?

And if you are sick of your friends, have a large lick of Garlic Ice.

But my absolute favorite is Pit Viper Ice Cream, a deadly reptilian that is regarded as an aphrodisiac, and at least will keep the Summer Blues away…

Note: for exotic ice cream, visit Ice Cream City in Namja Town in the Sunshine building in Ikebukuro.

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