Super Sushi Ramen Express

One Family's Journey Through the Belly of Japan

By: Michael Booth

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Japan is arguably the preeminent food nation on earth, a Mecca for the world's greatest chefs, with more Michelin stars than any other country. The Japanese go to extraordinary lengths and expense to eat food that is marked both by its exquisite preparation and exotic content. Their creativity, dedication, and courage in the face of dishes such as cod sperm and octopus ice cream is only now beginning to be fully appreciated in the sushi and ramen-saturated West.

Food and travel writer Michael Booth takes the culinary pulse of contemporary Japan, learning fascinating tips and recipes that few westerners have been privy to before. Accompanied by two fussy eaters under the age of six, he and his wife travel the length of the country, from bear-infested, beer-loving Hokkaido to snake-infested, seaweed-loving Okinawa. Along the way, they dine with - and score a surprising victory over - sumo wrestlers; share a seaside lunch with free-diving, female abalone hunters; and meet the greatest chefs working in Japan today. Less happily, they witness a mass fugu slaughter, are traumatized by an encounter with giant crabs, and attempt a calamitous cooking demonstration for the lunching ladies of Kyoto.

©2016 Michael Booth (P)2016 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

P G Wodehouse goes on culinary tour of Japan

Deliciously funny informative read. Will have you buying a plane ticket to Japan. Going as soon as Covid over. 😁

Interesting material that's well-narrated

I've been a fan of Michael Booth's writing for a while, as well as Ralph Lister's narration, so had high expectations here, which weren't disappointed. On occasion, things stray towards, if not into, the weeds on the foodie front, but nothing to cause one's ears to glaze over. His self-deprecating humor reminds me of American writer Eric Weiner (The Geography of Bliss), with a dash of Tim Moore. Lister's narration made audio an easy "win" here.

Food Diary with a catchy title

I’m in Kyoto as I write this, getting ready to head to Tokyo. I started listening to the book in the days leading up to my trip to Japan. I will not read or listen to this book again. I went on a food tour in Osaka with a local culinary expert, and it was a hundred times better than trying to learn about Japanese food through written (or spoken, as the case may be) word. I’d only recommend this book to those looking to gain intellectual knowledge ABOUT the food of Japan, not for any other purpose.
I found each chapter to end extremely abruptly. It must be the author’s style. There is no culmination of the chapter’s purpose. Just the end of a story and on to the next chapter. It’s written more like a travel diary than a book.
In any case, maybe for the uppity food critics this is a great book, but for the average Josephine, like myself, hard pass unless you just want to learn ABOUT food. Go experience it for yourself! Form your own opinions about real Japanese food from actual Japanese.

Nothing new here

A perfunctory guide to Japanese cuisine. Great for newbies looking for a very general overview of Japan and its food culture.