Chocolate

Mainland Japan’s food culture continues to migrate to Okinawa, and every year new Japanese chain restaurants pop up on the island. Even items that were unique to the mainland like “Ehoumaki,” a sushi roll eaten on the day of Setsubun, are now common on Okinawa.

Given that it’s made from sticky rice, just like the Japanese rice cake, and how similar the names are, it’s understandable to assume mochi and Okinawan muchi are the same.

Nothing ushers in the holiday season like baking Christmas cookies. For some families, this is a tradition handed down throughout the generations.

The kitchen is chilly and dark as I start a pot of coffee. I find my warm socks and slippers and notice that it’s snowing out the window, the first real snow of the year!

Ahh eggnog… thick, creamy, dreamy, nutmeg-spiced eggnog; the epitome of Christmas, winter-time, and pure happiness – in my humble opinion.

Despite the oft-repeated myth, Coca-Cola did not in fact invent the modern image of a fat, jolly, red-and-white-clad Santa Claus.