I've been enjoying 2 shows that appear on the Japanese news and information channel, NHK World (377 on my Comcast) . . .
Lunch ON! and
Trails to TsukijiLunch ON! focuses on workplaces and their lunch traditions. There's generally quite a bit of information about the work itself and also plenty of specific details about the lunches and how those lunch traditions came to be -- often they are intertwined with the work itself. The show provides a fascinating and informative cross-sectional view of everyday Japanese culture from an interesting and unique perspective. I've seen episodes that showcased garbage collectors and artisanal charcoal makers, just to name a couple.
Trails to Tsukiji dedicates its entire 30-minute episodes to single ingredients that can be found at Tokyo's famed Tsukiji market. Subjects range from specific kinds fish and seafood to all sorts of produce. The show focuses on how the item is typically found and sold at the market and then follows its trail to see how and where it is caught or grown, how it is often prepared, how specialty establishments serve it and more. I've seen episodes on everything from Monkfish to Wasabi and they're all compelling.
If you have access to this channel and you're into Japanese food and culture, I highly recommend these 2 programs. Some episodes are available to stream online, so you don't necessarily even need the channel to view them. In any event, it's some great, highly informative, detailed content that you won't find anywhere else.
=R=
Why don't you take these profiteroles and put them up your shi'-ta-holes? --Jemaine & Bret
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain