Happy Valentine's Day!

Yup, it's that time of year again -- time to celebrate one of the most commercial holidays of the year (probably neck and neck with Christmas and Halloween -- your choice). I'm laughing at my co-worker, right now, as he sits and ponders (and stresses) as to what he should take home to his girlfriend (flowers or chocolate?). It's also probably THE holiday, if you have a significant other, when you shouldn't come home empty-handed -- unless you're a guy in Japan (or Korea or Taiwan, I'm told). He was shocked when I told him that in Japan, the guys get something on V-day, but then have to reciprocate one month later (March 14) on "White Day".

Watch out for bad gyoza!

Well, if you haven't been perusing the Japanese headlines, lately, you probably don't know about the big "gyoza" scare that's been going on. Apparently, a bunch of frozen gyoza (both meat and vegetable versions) from China has been tainted with pesticides getting people sick. This, has also been hurting business for gyoza restaurants leading some to take gyoza-related items off of their menus. I wonder if this would affect gyoza in other countries as well.