What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?
Yet another thing that nobody ought give a crap about. This is more a reminder to myself.
A good few years back…you know that time….the golden era and halcyon days when there was no world war, before Trump, before covid, before AI and before the global recession.
Back when people were more frivolous with their money 💰 the Polish Bear and I were on a trip to Japan. In retrospect it seems insane, but the done thing when people visit Kyoto is to:
A. Cosplay as a geisha and samurai warrior and walk through the ye olde streets of Gion. This was something I would LOVE to do but the PB has a very low cringe threshold and said a firm no, much to my disappointment.
B. Have a kaiseki meal (a multi-course, fancy pants, haute cuisine meal featuring the best of Japanese food). Being vegie I have additional ‘special needs’ and so an even more exclusive kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto needed to be found.
And yeah it was me pushing on it, I am ashamed to admit. One of those silly things one sees on YouTube by vloggers who are practically vibrating and having an orgasm while trying a particular Japanese food. Sometimes the OTT expressions of these vloggers doesn’t reflect the taste reality, but sometimes it really is that amazing. The PB would have been happy with whatever half-baked shit on a stick he could find in 7/11 or Family Mart (convenience stores in Japan selling ready meals).
The reality was far from the YouTube melodramatic vlogs. It was served in haste by people it was plain to see were bored, tired and ‘over it’, the pantomime of serving foreign tourists (and who could blame them). The food itself was pretty bland and flavourless. Things were soggy that should be crisp, and it was really off, we both got tummy upsets after. The whole thing set us back $200 USD each.
It was a lesson to not go along with the hype and to do all necessary research on places before you give them money. It’s easy to let your emotions get a hold of you especially on holidays.
I should also say that for that one overpriced meal, we found dozens a fraction of the price that were genuinely mind-blowing! Japan has an amazing food culture and passion for food, but only if you go where locals go and not to places designed for tourists.
What meal has nearly broken your budget?
FYI: I never photographed my kaiseki meal and this image is off the internet I don’t know it’s owner sorry.
Content Catnip 
I’ve always wanted to visit Japan and a great travel trip. Don’t eat where the tourist but the locals! Now, this isn’t mind-blowing or anything, but I took my nephews to a Mongolian BBQ last week, thinking I would spend like $70 with a good tip but was way more expensive. I spent like $150 before tip to what amounted in three meals of basically noodles, veggies, and meat. Was delicious but hardly worth that price tag. We still had a good time!
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Sorry for the delay in response here. I think you would love Japan and the food there I hope you will go one day. The Mongolian BBQ sounds a bit scammy with those kinds of ‘hidden costs’. With inflation I have noticed the same, some place charge fees and its not until after you pay that you notice. I don’t like these kinds of sneaky businesses but I suppose everyone is trying to make money in tough economic times. Hope you have a nice weekend 😊 😘 take care
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It feels like basically all meals break the bank now, at least when you choose to eat out. I answered this prompt too, feel free to read it.
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I have read it now….really liked your reply to the prompt. I know what you mean about breaking the bank, I feel the same way, the kaiseki meal feels far away from what I would do now….the world has changed for sure.
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Thank you. Yeah I wonder if we’ll ever see normal prices for everything like before the pandemic and the inflation? Probably not but one can hope.
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The most expensive meals Dr. Zeus and I have had were a local Japanese place when I got a new job (~$70 total in 2014) and a restaurant that serves organic farm-sourced meals for our 8th anniversary ($120 in 2021). Both meals were decent, but I would have been just as content with something made at home for a few bucks.
That said, even though the meal wasn’t great, I bet you had a great time in Japan! I would love to visit, if my income can ever catch up to inflation haha!
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Sorry for the delay in coming back to you my friend. I recently read your 30 things you are grateful for and I could sense your joy and hopeful sense of loving life it was really special ✨️ 💗 that Japanese restaurant you went to sounds fantastic. You know what often these cheaper options end upo being just aa good I find. We have a local Indian restaurant that does cheap but amazing curries 🍛 and we go there all the time.
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Yes, we have a favorite Indian restaurant, too. Reasonable enough prices, but incredible flavors! You don’t necessarily need to spend big money.
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