Stephen Lyman @LymanTweets Twitter profile

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Stephen Lyman

1 year

My taxi driver now using a newspaper to demonstrate how to make sushi rolls while waiting in traffic. He was a sushi chef until he was replaced by robots at a kaiten sushi restaurant and realized he could make a better living behind the wheel.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

10 months

Bad things come in 3s? Here’s January 3rd’s contribution. Oldest post-war dining street in japan up in flames in Kokura, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.

田中伸幸@tanakas.eth

@name6less9

10 months

1月3日北九州市大規模火災 🆕 1月2日羽田空港航空機事故 1月1日令和6年能登半島地震上記の感じで正月三が日のトラブルとしてメディアが報道したいがために大袈裟に伝えてるのかと思ったら、福岡県の小倉の商店街「魚町銀天街」の火災の件、映像を見ると火の勢いがかなり酷いな💦 📹ANNnewsCH

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

I’ll never stop being amused at noodle stuffed bread being considered a sandwich in Japan.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

10 months

Invited Japanese friends to come over to exchange Christmas gifts today. They asked very politely for me to make cheeseburgers to celebrate. Never made burgers for Christmas before, but who am I to deny my friends their idea of a Christmas dinner? 🎄🍔🎄🍔🎄🍔

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Seems that Kagoshima rice varieties started a band @mondomascots .

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

@swiftrocky He’s about 80. Not sure he’s up for the journey. Took about 10 minutes longer than usual to get home and he nearly ran over a cyclist turning onto my street. Friendly guy tho.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

I am ready to crown a new best NY style pizza in Japan. That honor goes to the newly opened Pizza Stand NY in American Village - Chatan, Okinawa. Apparently there is also a location in Osaka, but I will reserve judgment there. These pies are massive and delicious!

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 month

I wrote a thing for this excellent print magazine about the only craftsman in Japan still making cedar pot stills without the use of metal fittings. Here he is pounding a bamboo brace into place.

The Whisky & Spirits Journal of Japan

@wsjournaljapan

1 month

The new issue of the Whisky & Spirits Journal of Japan is out, featuring MARS, Sakurao, several gin distilleries, Yokohama, and much more. Available from our website (along with the previous issue). We ship worldwide! Please help spread the word.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

My local hamburg shop has prepared for the onslaught of international tourists who expect a 🍔 rather than a hamburg (I swear iPhone used to have an emoji for that - it appears to have been replaced with Swedish meatballs 🧆).

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Alright, Japanese learners? What’s your best app or website for self instruction in kanji? I have been using Drops but their kanji teaching order is phonetic rather than teaching the radicals first - or in primary school proficiency order. Need an alternative.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Seems timely and topical to talk about @BrewDog 's cultural appropriation in making Inugami (dog god) #shochu .

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

No matter how many times I travel in Japan, I will never get tired of the entrance the #Shinkansen makes pulling into the station. #japantravel

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

6 months

Did a deep clean of my office closet and found an envelope from a shochu maker from 2018. I had voluntarily translated for a foreign tour group. I should have looked in the envelope he gave me.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

Setsubun is coming, but hopefully not in the way this bakery’s sign board is implying.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

If you love ginger ale you owe it to yourself to find Wilkinson Dry Ginger Ale when you visit Japan. So much ginger, less sweet, and super refreshing.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Sorry, Japan Tweeps. You're stuck with me for at least 5 more years. Work visa renewed this morning without a hitch.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

11 months

Today’s Lunch. Nepali chicken curry naan set. ¥790 ($5.40 USD). Been walking by almost every day the last few weeks hoping the daily special would be chicken. Today it happened.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

This weekend marked my 2nd anniversary living in Japan. 1st year was tough, 2nd was tougher, but never been happier to be living here than I am right now.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

Been a while since I posted a lunch pic. This was a bit of overkill, but so good. Spicy chicken stir fry lunch set ¥980. $6.48 USD.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

Love this. A middle school distance runner getting national attention.

NHK WORLD News

@NHKWORLD_News

2 years

Young running phenomenon Drury Sheri takes everything, and everyone, in her stride.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

9 months

1st time trying standing udon in Hakata Station. Simmered beef & fried burdock root udon. Warming, filling. ¥690 ($4.68). Crazy value.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 months

Anthony Bourdain’s hot mortadella sandwich for the 1st time. OMG. Where have you been all my life? 🤤 Don’t @ me about the bread. Needed to use up some leftover garlic bread. Didn’t suck. Fortunately mortadella is hard to find & ¥¥¥¥ in Fukuoka so I won’t make this every day.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

One goal on moving to Japan nearly 2 years ago was to lose 9kg (~20lbs). Well, as of yesterday I have lost 7.1 and am under 77kg (170lbs) for the first time in over a decade. Still haven’t met my goal, but at least it’s still trending in the right direction.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 months

@the_lettuce_cat Interesting thread. Thanks for sharing. But how much of this comes down to lack of imagination? The Kyushu Yusen jetfoil (capacity 247) covers 50 miles of open water between Fukuoka’s Hakata Port and Iki Island in just over an hour for $53 round trip.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

To the oyaji who just walked into the subway with an open Asahi Super Dry at 8:55am on a Monday morning: We salute you.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

I suppose everyone who had lived in Japan long enough has the lost item story. Mine begins like so many others. As I got up from dinner to pay the check, I realized my wallet was missing. 💴💸 1/

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

A sample of today’s @BromptonBicycle ride. Gorgeous Japanese countryside. 9 Bromptons. No frame color repeated. 55km and lots of good food and scenery.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

I am humbled & honored to have been nominated by @beardfoundation alongside such esteemed writers as @JancisRobinson @ozclarke @littlestjames & of course my coauthor & friend @Chris_Bunting . I am so grateful to @TuttleBooks for being given the opportunity. 🙇‍♂️

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Today is my 3 year Japanniversary. How to celebrate? I do know dinner will be sushi (please don’t judge me for being so obvious), but what else to do?

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

10 days

Really terrible awful guilty pleasure. The Family Chicken tartar burger. ¥318 ($2.13 USD)

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

Why doesn’t every train system in the world have these? Stations, platforms, and exits are fixed objects.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 month

Often asked what I miss most about living in the US. I usually say friends and family, but it’s obvious the real answer is American Chinese food.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

You wouldn’t think “washing rice” was a good workout, but doing this for 20 minutes each morning really works arms and core @yamatozakura

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Why didn’t any of you tell me about black bean natto?! Yuzu soy sauce tare and a sansho heavy shichimi powder make this one a winner.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Given yesterday’s chuhai rather than beer I was given a reprieve for my first beer of the year. This delay allowed me to come up with an impromptu New Years resolution: only get to drink beer after a run. 1 beer per 5km. Today’s 1st run and 1st beer. 5K in 25:03.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

Received an invitation to test a new tourist activity in Kyushu and the invite described me as "high profile non-Japanese" ... so I've got that going for me.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

9 months

Nepali chicken curry naan lunch special. One of my favorites. ¥790 ($5.36). Price hasn’t changed in 5 years of visiting this shop.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

10 months

Japan may want to just hit reset on 2024 right now.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

Just received notice from @TuttleBooks that “The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks” will have a 2nd printing just a few months after release! @Chris_Bunting & I are so grateful. Thank you so much to everyone for your support! 🙇‍♂️ #japandrinks (borrowing Tuttle’s lovely pic)

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

I'm sorry Japan, but 28C (82.4F) is not an acceptable office air conditioning setting on a day when the outside temperature is 25C (77F).

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

September 2018 I moved to Japan. Among my many goals was to drop from 84 to 75kg (185 to 165 lbs). Today that goal was achieved. Now I expect I will continue to drop. I suspect 73 kg (161 lb) will be my sweet spot.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

I’ve had to keep this under my hat, but I was asked by @lonelyplanet (⁉️) to write up my adopted home of Fukuoka, Japan for a culinary visit. My 1st commissioned piece of journalism! Thank you so much for the opportunity, @melissayeagr !

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

I present you with my 16 pepper Texas style chili. 16 different kinds of chilis/peppers were used along with nearly 3lbs (1.3kg) of wagyu. Topped with sour cream, cheddar, onions, and cilantro. #chili #チリコンカン #nobeans

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

I feel like we don’t talk enough about Japanese citrus. I grew up in Florida eating oranges straight off of trees, but I have to say I prefer the wide variety of types I’m able to enjoy here.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

Today’s lunch is “Taiwan ramen” from the same restaurant as yesterday. This time no side dishes. ¥880. $5.81 USD. Will order their tantanmen next time to see how they differ. Sesame sauce I am guessing.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Had a 4 hour zoom birthday party with 4 generations of my family and lots of long time friends. Honestly could not ask for a better 50th birthday party. And all before lunch!

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

Does the gaijin seat also apply to airplanes? Row 8 to myself on a nearly full flight. ✈️

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 months

@jpwarchaeology Interesting thread, but relies on the very western concept that a building makes the place. Here in Japan, the building can (and is) replaced over and over again while still being that entity. There is a pagoda in Kyoto that is over 800 yrs old but has been rebuilt a dozen times.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

To the Japanese lady waiting for her luggage at JFK with your Louis Vitton purse and neoprene Toy Story water bottle sling, please don’t ever change.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

6 months

Happening now. Fukuoka craft gyoza festival. Gyoza from all over Japan so of course I started in Kagoshima. Maizuru Park. Ends May 6th.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

Required when visiting Kagoshima. Local black pork tonkatsu. Often fed with sweet potato shochu lees to fatten them up and sweeten the flavor.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 months

Today’s lunch is a weird ass curry shop @MyTwoYen introduced me to a few years back. This is the chicken katsu curry, which like so many restaurants in this hood uses thigh rather than breast meat (more on that later). ¥850 ($5.34) and I couldn’t even finish the rice. 1/

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

6 months

Fukuoka is such a convenient arrival city via air. Domestic terminal is 10 minutes to Hakata Station and less than 20 to Tenjin. International terminal doesn’t have train service, but no lines for anything and if you have time to kill there is a free bus to the main terminal.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

7 months

This curry-of-the-day naan lunch set remains one of my most reliable lunch options. Still only ¥790 ($5.20 USD).

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

A rare sight in Fukuoka. Snow in Ohori Park and it was sticking.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

There’s been a recent blossoming of sake-beer hybrids in Japan. This was a wild one. All the aroma you’d expect from a ginjo sake with the grapefruit you find in IPAs. Did not count it against my beer bank since I tried it as a public service to the Japanese drinks community.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

If you had told me when I woke up this morning that I would have the most amazing pizza I’ve ever had in Japan in a gypsy cafe in an onsen village, I would have thought you were nuts. Yet here we are.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

I’ve decided to cut out beer and bread for a month to see if I can finally reach the weight loss goal I set in 2018. So of course last night I sessioned beer and pretzels to prep for this period of deprivation.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Snowing big flakes in Fukuoka @hepomodeler !

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Feels like my book may have been discovered here in Japan. Starting to get LinkedIn requests from staff at a huge Japanese booze company. 😅

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Absolutely love this show. The stories, the characters, the recipes. When I finished the series I immediately started it over again.

Aaron McClenaghan

@AaronMcC_Zero

3 years

#MidnightDiner (深夜食堂, Shinya shokudō), on #Netflix (8.6 on #IMDB ), is an absolute gem. The "normal" lives of the customers are contrasted by an almost otherworldly (Reikai), whimsical setting. What an awesome show!

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Down in #Kagoshima you can still sometimes find cedar and bamboo pot stills in #shochu distilleries. Despite the ferment spending just a few hours in the still, the final spirit has a hint of cedar. This example is at Komasa Distillery in Hioki.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

I think #natto toast should be the new #avocadotoast . Gut health for hipsters!

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

Inflation has finally hit Fukuoka. Neighborhood ramen shop has raised prices from ¥390 to a ¥450 for their standard bowl. That’s an increase of 41 cents from $2.68 to $3.09.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

10 months

My 1st homemade premium wagyu burger. Used Saga beef. Topped w white cheddar, butter-vermouth sautéed mushrooms & scallions, pickled jalapeños, & secret burger sauce on homemade buns. Paired w my signature cole slaw, tater tots, & a peanut butter stout. Yes it’s a Monday. Why?

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

6 months

At ¥790 today’s curry lunch special clocked in at an even $5. That’s less than a Big Mac alone at McDonalds in the US.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Time for some old school gyoza at my favorite ramen shop on earth.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

I endorse this message. Why grease up your fingers unnecessarily when there is a perfectly civilized alternative?

One More Guyjin

@OneMoreGuyjin

5 years

I’ve been in Japan so long I eat fries (chips) with chopsticks. I’m not the only one, right? Please send help.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 months

As an American I cringed a bit when I saw this Welch’s grape chuhai. And it tastes exactly like you would expect. Boozy Welch’s grape soda. Believe this is a crime in 17 states.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

For context the toilet I used was ~50 feet from the police box. Had I gone to the police box closest to dinner it probably wouldn’t have been logged yet and I would have spent the next 12–24 hours canceling credit cards and stressed out. What are the chances? Charmed life. /end

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

Last stop today was the amazing Takechiho Gorge in Miyazaki, a spiritual area and the site of one of the first legends of the Japanese gods where Amaterasu hid in a cave and her brother threw pooh or something.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

10 months

Tell us you’ve never been to Japan without saying you’ve never been to Japan.

Mark Gadala-Maria

@markgadala

10 months

#12 - The world's first smart toilet by Kohen ($8,500)

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 months

A short thread about Komatsu Airport. These adorable regional airports in Japan are so fun. Time capsules.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

6 months

Last night had a proper Showa era izakaya experience. Chain-smoking yak with his middle aged girlfriend at the next table and a guy I just met lighting up at my table without so much as a fake apology. 🚭 But the food was salaryman approved and the shochu did flow.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

I've been contemplating how to share this story as many of us are dealing with #COVID19 right now. As I've recently made obvious, I'm a clinical epidemiologist in my "real life" - you can follow my research adventures @orthoepi . I tweet health stuff, but less frequently. 1/25

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Finding proper steak in Japanese supermarkets can be a challenge, but found this 200g Saga wagyu filet. This cut of meat cost more than the bottle of 2013 Barolo so not for the faint of heart trying to reverse sear for the 1st time with wagyu. 👨🏻‍🍳🐂🥩🍷

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

Nice Saturday afternoon in Fukuoka.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

“Acted” in my 1st commercial today. Played a foreigner hoping to introduce shochu to foreign markets so it was in my wheel house. But all of the hand shaking was stress inducing. 🤝😨

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

The other night I met the president of the last independent soy sauce maker in Fukuoka. All others are apparently made in a central factory and then finished/packaged as independent brands. Reminds me that we need to support these shokunin (職人).

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

Worth the wait.

Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 year

Need.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

1 month

Last night I tried an unfiltered atmospheric distilled buckwheat shochu and now I’m a little obsessed.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

10 months

Christmas Day lunch is the Japanese classic.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Today I steamed whole fish for the first time in Japan and also took my first crack at goya champuru. Pretty happy with how both turned out.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

Been wanting to try this falafel since @hizaga posted about it a couple years back. Finally made it. Not only the best falafel I’ve had in Japan, but probably the best falafel sandwich I’ve ever had. Lentil soup was great too. Kuumba du Falafel in Shibuya.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Had a Tampopo Italian restaurant moment when I ordered a glass of Italian wine after speaking with the chef. Within 5 minutes every single Japanese man in the dining room who had witnessed the exchange ordered a glass of the exact same wine.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

This arrived today. My first time holding it in my hands. @Chris_Bunting have you seen it?

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

A week ago these trees were completely empty. Today, near peak. And a beautiful day as well. Spring has sprung.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

Good thing I decided taco shells were exempt from my bread and beer diet. These Okinawan tacos are addictive. House made salsa was great too at Amigo Tacos in Naha.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

3 years

It’s that time of year again. Time to make some shochu.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

April of next year Tokyo bans smoking in most bars and restaurants ... a full 18 years after NYC took a similar measure. This, to me, is Japan's greatest social failure. Glad it's finally starting to change.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

14 days

My shokupan battles with Bobby Judo ended when he left Twitter, but I’d like to believe this tuna melt would have him finally admitting defeat. Grilled covered to steam the inside & melt the cheese. Trick was low heat & a non-cast iron skillet. Worked like a charm.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

9 months

I have to say there is nothing quite like a night out at Ginza cocktail bars with @DavidWondrich & @Matt_Alt - I present the million dollar cocktail.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

This year's living in Japan revelation. The nengajo is the Japanese "proof of life" ....

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

6 years

The ancient Japanese tradition of conveyor belt #sushi for Christmas lunch. #回転寿し

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

In preparation for the super typhoon I have decided to make an enormous batch of Texas style chili with a Japanese twist or two. I hope @Brian_Ashcraft will approve.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

Came across this adorable sake shop in Yame City, Fukuoka. Sadly, closed on Mondays. Will have to come back some other time.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

I don’t not remember who recommended this. Was it in reply to @conbiniboys ? I topped my yaki-pudding with whisky and this may be the best dessert I’ve had this year. Convenience store pudding and a mystery whisky sample. 🍨🥃

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

5 years

I like gyoza home parties, but the problem with gyoza home parties is that I eat a month’s worth of gyoza in one go. 🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

4 years

While I am making sweet potato #shochu I am secretly wearing barley shochu socks.

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Stephen Lyman

@LymanTweets

2 years

When visiting Japan, the train platform noodle stands should not be ignored. This one is on platform 2 at Hakata Station, and, of course, serves Hakata ramen.

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