自炊日常：在日本找到做饭的乐趣

这两个月来到日本大阪工作，我的味蕾经历了一次巨大的冲击。刚来的时候，面对遍地的寿司店、拉面店、炸猪排饭店，我兴奋极了，每天都要吃一家。从最正宗的刺身拼盘，到日式牛肉咖喱盖浇饭，从云吞井盖面到鲷鱼烧，我仿佛走进了一个美食的王国。

In the two months since I came to work in Osaka, Japan, my taste buds have undergone tremendous shocks. When I first arrived, I was thrilled to see sushi restaurants, ramen shops, and tonkatsu restaurants everywhere, and I tried a different one every day. From authentic sashimi platters to Japanese beef curry rice, from wonton noodle soup to takoyaki, it was like I had stepped into a kingdom of cuisine.

可是慢慢地，每天外食三餐，我的胃开始不适应了。虽然味道好，但总是少了一份“家”的感觉。公司的同事建议我多在家做做饭，别老是吃外面的。

However, after eating out for all three meals every day, my stomach started to feel unwell. Although the food tasted great, it was always missing the feeling of “home”. My colleagues at work suggested I cook more meals at home instead of always eating out.

刚好我们在日本食品出口展会上认识了好多食品合作伙伴，北海道和奈良的大米，面条有荞麦面、乌冬面和白面拉面，有做味增的，有做酱油醋的，还有做咖喱拌饭料的，这些合作伙伴送了我们很多样品让我们品尝，食材应有尽有。

Luckily, at JAPAN'S FOOD" EXPORT FAIR, we got to know many food partners, like rice suppliers from Hokkaido and Nara, soba, udon, and ramen noodle makers, producers of dashi stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and curry rice seasonings. They gave us many samples to taste - the ingredients were endless.

于是我找了公寓附近的一个玉出超市，每周买一些西红柿、青菜、洋葱头、鸡蛋等简单的蔬菜，开始自己下厨。

So I went to a nearby supermarket called Tamade, buying simple vegetables like tomatoes, leafy greens, onions, and eggs every week, and started cooking in my apartment kitchen.

从洗米、切菜、煮饭的过程，我体会到做饭的乐趣。这些原料就像这个国家的土壤一样，供养了我生根的营养。我想我会越来越喜欢自己动手做饭的日子，因为这不是一个负担，而是一种体验。它让我真正感受到生活的衣食住行，也让我找到一个新的兴趣爱好。

From washing the rice, cutting vegetables, to cooking the meals, I experienced the joy of cooking. These ingredients were like the soil of this country, nourishing my roots. I realized I would enjoy cooking more and more, because it was not a burden, but an experience. It allowed me to truly appreciate the basics of living, clothing, food, and shelter, and also helped me find a new interest and hobby.

我会继续尝试更多日式家常菜，也许可以邀请身边的朋友一起体验我的手艺。自己做的饭或许不够正宗，但我会把我的感恩之心融入每一粒米饭。衷心感谢为我解决温饱，让我在异国他乡找到家的感觉。从今以后，我的日本生活将充满烟火气息与人情味。

I will keep trying more Japanese home-cooked dishes, and maybe invite friends over to taste my creations. The food I make may not be authentic enough, but I will infuse each grain of rice with my grateful heart. I sincerely thank my partners for solving my need for food and warmth, allowing me to find the feeling of home in a foreign land. From now on, my life in Japan will be full of a sense of daily life and human touch.