Poll: Japanese First Date

[mmackeymouse]

Hey guys!

So a guy, yes a real guy, asked me on a date. The plan is for this Thursday evening, since Friday is Valentines Day, and didn't want it to be awkward. I think it will already be awkward, but...touche.

I really like this guy, at least as a friend. I don't know if it goes beyond that, but I guess that's what dates are for.

Anyway...he messaged me this morning and asked how Japanese sounded. Honestly, I was kind of anticipating this, as there are a limited amount of "date" restaurants around, and Japanese would definitely be the most unusual.

Anyway, I am not a brave eater. I don't like Chinese; I do like Mongolian. I like Mexican. I like basic Indian, but not really authentic Indian. I don't eat seafood, raw or cooked. Suffice it to say I have never had Japanese. I am a little anxious about it. I mean...what if it doesn't agree with me and it makes me sick? What if introducing a new type of food to my body sends me into shock? I really don't think I could do the sushi, but I could probably handle hibachi chicken. I'm not sure about chopsticks.

I don't want to be a buzzkill. I don't know if it is better to be adventurous and try new things, or be honest and play it safer? Which answer would you give, and why?

 

[EeyoreEma]

Be daring. You might find that you really like it! The hibachi chicken and steak are always good, and I love the vegetables and rice they do there. If you're worried about getting sick, the only thing I'd caution against is the onion soup - I LOVE it, but it can move through you and cause some GI upset. Have fun!

 

[superme80]

I personally hate sushi, so I would not be thrilled. BUT I would be looking up the menu online before I responded. A lot of sushi places have some sort of chicken dish for people like me. and to be honest I was never a big fan of Chinese food until I started dating DH. Enjoy your date!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Hibachi chicken and steak are very mild dishes. Much more "normal" than most Chinese or Mongolian for that matter. Plus, it's a fun environment. Have a great time!!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Order the beef or chicken teriyaki...very safe option. Tempura is also a safe option...it's just battered and fried shrimp or veggies. Just be open and honest that this is new for you and laugh off asking for some American utensils if they only offer chopsticks. Hope you have a great time? Don't get too worked up over this.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Oh, and they will give you a fork

 

[minkydog]

LOL, one of our early dates was to a Japanese steak house. I was so nervous because I really just didn't know what to expect. "Japanese" was really exotic in our town back then. Heck, I was just getting settled in with Lasagna, the other "foreign food."

I hate sushi but I love a good hibachi grill~ I usually get the steak, which comes with a side salad, clear broth soup, grilled vegetables and fried rice. They always have chicken too. Nothing weird. And I have NEVER been offered chopsticks, although I have seen others ask for them.

Look online for a menu. I bet there's something you can eat there. Go and enjoy yourself.

 

[anniemae]

Is it the kind of place where they cook in front of you and you sit around the grill? Those places are fun, kind of like a little dinner show and the food is pretty tame. Shrimp, chicken, veggies etc.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Oh, and they will give you a fork

Thank God for small miracles.

 

[RitaE]

Tempura Chicken, No Sauce = Chicken Nuggets

There will likely be forks on the table. If not, just ask. No big deal.

 

[wvjules]

I'm sure there will be something on the menu you can eat. Don't make a big deal about it.

 

[hops&dreams]

I think it's a really good ice-breaker date. maybe he stinks with chopsticks too, and you can laugh about it together.

And if it's the hibachi kind of Japanese place where they cook in front of you, it's very, very customizable. You can have everything done pretty plain, or have fried rice, or whatever.

And if you don't like sushi, that's ok. You can always try tempura too!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Japanese food is delish! Habachi is wonderful, but so are the other dishes. Keep in mind i dont eat seafood, and i love japanese!! (veggie sushi is as far as I go!). Did he say it was a hibachi/teppanyaki restaurant? or just regular table service? cause not every japanese restaurant has hibachi/teppanyaki.

You should stick with the basic chicken teryaki or beef teryaki. it comes with plain rice and is quite delish. If you like chinese, you will like those dishes. Also, veggie tempura is great too. You can also try Katsu chicken or pork...its basically breaded and fried meat. Like a schnitzel. So good.

And dont worry about chop sticks, I dont know how to use those things either. I always ask for a fork.

 

[Poohforyou]

I love sushi so it wouldn't be an issue. Check the menu online. Just because it's a Japanese restaurant doesn't mean it'll have hibachi. It should have teriyaki though and that's a safe option.

In your position I'd tell the guy I've never had Japanese food but would love to try something new. I really doubt the food will make you sick. Of course getting all worked up about it might.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I hate sushi but I love a good hibachi grill~ I usually get the steak, which comes with a side salad, clear broth soup, grilled vegetables and fried rice. They always have chicken too. Nothing weird. And I have NEVER been offered chopsticks, although I have seen others ask for them.

Look online for a menu. I bet there's something you can eat there. Go and enjoy yourself.

 

[disney1990]

I love Japanese, but if you think you would, it would be better to say so up front.

 

[Colleen27]

As long as you don't order sushi, Japanese is really one of the tamest ethnic dining options. As others have pointed out hibachi is just grilled food with a show and tempura is chicken nuggets. My kids adore Japanese food and it is one of the dining-out choices we fall back on when we have their less adventurous friends traveling or day-tripping with us because it is so simply prepared that even a picky 12 year old can find something to enjoy.

 

[Wendy31]

What kind of Japanese restaurant is it?

Are you talking about a hibachi-style restaurant where the chefs cook in front of you?

If so, you shouldn't have any problem - order the steak or chicken.

DD doesn't like the ginger dressing on the salad, so she gets regular Ranch dressing.

You normally can order steak, chicken, shrimp, or a combo. You also get fried rice - if you don't prefer the fried rice, you can have plain white rice. And there are mixed veggies as well - usually zucchini, onions, & sometimes mushrooms.

Our local hibachi restaurant includes mushrooms at dinner, &, since I don't like mushrooms, I just ask for the veggies w/o mushrooms.

DD doesn't like the veggies at all, so she just eats the chicken & rice.

The chef asks you before he puts anything on your plate.

And, even if it's not a hibachi restaurant, there will be other things on the menu besides sushi. We have a very good sushi restaurant downtown, &, on the menu (besides sushi), there are things like tempura fried chicken, chicken teriyaki, etc. Additionally, there are some veggie sushi rolls.

And, no, you don't have to use chopsticks!

Be adventurous! Have fun!!

 

[SpaceCadet]

Japanese Pavilion sounds great. You and your date should have a great time and a great dinner.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I love Japanese, but honestly, if new foods have the potential to actually send your body "into shock", why not politely decline and suggest something you like? It's really not a big deal.