Ichi Yen

No, it is not a word.

A while back, I did a job personality quiz and turns out ranking number 9 out of 20 was to be a “Lexicographer“.

To save some of your time googling that term, it’s basically writers who compile content for dictionaries.

I know.

Number 8 was actor and 10 news anchor.

Needless to say, I am well on my way on appearing on the big screen.

But all jokes aside, it’s been a few months since I left Japan and I am absolutely struggling in settling in Malaysia. LOL. Yes, I am Malaysian.

The absolute worst is walking and stepping into puddles of dirt or crap. Absolute 最悪 (sai-aku: the worst). Lesson learnt, always watch where you are walking, something I don’t really pay attention to in Japan because I am either busy chatting away or just watching the scenery move around me (yes la, Japan very beautiful la).

One thing I would not complain about is the absolute abundance of taro balls.

When I was living in Tokyo, it was one of the hardest food items to search for. Not taro, but the chewy taro balls.

My first visit home during Covid for Chinese New Year saw fatty constantly ordering take-away taro desserts for me. It was like taro heaven for me.

Even now, I have this bad habit of wanting taro desserts after most of my meals. I just can’t get enough of them.

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Back in Tokyo, there were a handful of Taiwanese dessert shops that sold taro balls apart from milk tea.

Happy to say, since I have been back in Malaysia, I am absolutely taro satisfied, hence the short made up abbreviation coz, I might actually make this Lexicographer job work (sure thing).

You could find taro balls in dessert with tau-fu-fa (savoury and sweet tofu dessert), shaved ice, along with boba or even in taro milk tea along with egg custard. All in one drink!

Taro balls are one of the best inventions for desserts

My journey of finding taro in Tokyo was somewhat fruitful but were usually in vain when it was outside of Tokyo. I was very much on a quest with my bestfriend in Japan and at one point, every Friday after work, we would always go to this taiwanese dessert shop at Yurakucho. I believe it was called Meat Fresh. Pardon my memory.

To make up for my taro cravings back in Japan, I would substitute them with milk tea. We could get milk tea for under ¥‎100 ($1) in the suburbs from Kirin.

Back to my main point of this post:

Despite Malaysia having a wider variety in taro balls desserts or drinks, there is still a striking difference between lifestyle and food choices between Japan and Malaysia.

Everyday I tell myself not to enforce the lifestyle habits I have had over the years in Japan onto my lifestyle back in Malaysia. Some things are just different and it’s not ideal in forcing things to work the way they did years ago in a different country and culture.

I can only imagine settling into a new country for any foreigner including myself to be a challenge.

And that is alright.

Because, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

I then, too, shall enjoy my taro-fied journey here in Malaysia. To wherever the taro journey continues to.

Yen