obsessions and addictions

Obsession food: Tempura Onigiri

Where: Cafe Zaiya
entrance through Kinokuniya Bookstore on 6th ave (btwn 40th and 41st sts.)
nyc

All I want is Tempura Onigiri. That's all I ever seem to want as of late. Its "Batter-Fried Shrimp" description doesn't even come close to describing its delectable nature. The flaky, almost crunchy, melt-on-your-tongue-the-moment-it-hits seaweed paper combined with the sweet, softly moist rice make for an excellent combination. And just when you think, "It's pretty good," then creeps in a hint of salt, a bit of crunch, and a wave of lightly spicy-goodness. The taste rises in your mouth as the ingredients mingle together and create a full expanse of deliciousness.

Then you realize that you've eaten the entire thing, and all you want is another.

The preparation to eat this small portion of Japanese wonder adds to its comprehensive nature. Peeling the Scotch Magic Tape from the back and separating its wings of seaweed allows you to pull the cherry-colored tab at the top, ripping through the top plastic wrap of the handroll. This allows each side of the plastic wrap to be pulled out and off, displaying a perfectly triangular-shaped hunk of rice carefully wrapped in dark green seaweed paper with the hidden treasure of shrimp tempura only hinted at by the lightly-fried shrimp tail peeking out from the top.

You've created a little piece of perfection, which you raise to your lips and slide between your teeth as you take your first bite.... thus starting the addiction. Soon you find yourself thinking of it with the same warmth that you would a dear friend. You think, "I could have another... Just one more." Cafe Zaiya, I'm in love.