The Next Big Thing in Pizza

I was floored when I first learned about okonomiyaki. Both because of how delicious it looked, and because I couldn't believe this has not caught on in the U.S. (at least not that I'm aware of).

In the land of McGriddle sandwiches (eggs, cheese, and meat packed between two "maple-syrup" flavored pancakes - look for the golden arches), this would seem to be the perfect evolution of pizza. Basically, this Japanese "fast food" consists of a large pancake (or fry bread?) piled high with whatever the heck you want.

When okonomiyaki joints start popping up on every corner, remember, you read about it here first.

Now go eat something weird.

Eat Something Weird

I like food. I especially like discovering new food. Given this, one of my greatest annoyances is going to dinner with someone who always orders something "safe". Chinese? Sweet and sour chicken. Mexican? Beef burrito with rice and beans only. Pizza? Pepperoni and cheese. Burgers? Beef patty with mayo. Vegetables? Ha!

While it's easy for me to dismiss these people as boring or un-adventurous, these "safe" choices may be more that simple preference. According to Wikipedia,

A supertaster is an individual who lives in a more intense taste world...As a whole, supertasters are less likely to enjoy and thus consume certain foods, although individual supertasters can certainly enjoy and consume these foods. Documented examples for either preference or consumption include:

• Alcoholic beverages^[8]
• Brussels sprouts^[9][10][11]
• cabbage^[12]
• Coffee^[13]
• grapefruit juice^[14]
• green tea^[15]
• kale^[16]
• spinach^[17]
• soy products^[18]

Supertasters are genetically disposed to dislike bitter flavors.

However, I am not a supertaster. I have no excuse. Why is it then that I find myself ordering "safe" food when far more interesting options exist? That's where Eat Something Weird comes in. The goal of this blog is to motivate myself to venture outside of my routines and discover something exciting. With any luck, as I document my experiences eating "weird" food, someone will be inspired to eat something new.