Japanese culture is known worldwide for its diversity and incredibility. There is something in its lifestyle and etiquettes that boasts of impressing everyone on this planet. Most of the Japanese traditions and festivals convey a meaningful message to the folk of every culture. From being a clean and green country to being one of the most advanced countries in technology, there is so much for us to learn from Japan and it’s rich culture. Below is a list of 10 remarkable things that you can learn today from Japanese culture.

Celebrating spring with hanami

There are many festivals for celebrating happiness in Japanese culture, but hanami or flower-gazing is probably the most cherishable of all. It is celebrated during spring-time when the sakuras (Japanese cherry trees) are in high bloom. People go picnicking under these flowering trees where they chit-chat, talk and appreciate the subtle beauty of sakura blossoms. Cherry blossom conveys a very deep message in Japanese culture, symbolizing the ephemeral beauty of life.

Chanoyu – Tea ceremony in Japanese culture

In Japanese culture, Chanoyu, or Tea ceremony is the art of preparing and drinking tea mindfully. The whole idea of this ceremony is to focus on the present moment and appreciate it. The ceremony can be hosted anywhere provided that the host should have sufficient knowledge of it.  It is believed that the technique of organizing tea ceremony can never be mastered perfectly, which is why practitioners always keep on practicing the art. Matcha green tea (powder) is generally preferred by the people in Japan in these ceremonies.

Itadakimasu – Express gratitude at the dining

If you have stayed in Japan at some time in your life, you must have heard this word at least once. Itadakimasu simply means ‘grace’ in Japanese culture, and Japanese people use this polite phrase at dining, to express gratitude towards everyone who helped prepare the meal. And not only this, but they also express thanks for the meal saying, “gochiso sama deshita”, which literally translates, ‘it was quite a feast’.  

Gift giving

This tradition is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture where people give presents to each other on different occasions. Sick people receive flowers; children are gifted with electronics while wedding couple receives money as gifts. In return for these gifts, people send a mandatory ‘thank-you’ gift to their givers, as a part of showing respect towards them. These thank-you gifts are called O-kaeshi in Japanese and are mostly redeemed during occasions related to birth, wedding or illness. The average price of thank-you gifts is approximately half of the original price.

Japanese culture etiquette: Take off your shoes

While staying in Japan, never forget to take off your shoes wherever you see tatami mats. These mats are weaved from straw and are mostly found in interiors of houses and several workplaces. As they easily suffer wear and tear due to scraping of shoes, you need to remove your shoes before entering inside. In Japanese culture, this etiquette is basically followed to maintain cleanliness on the floor, as Japanese people mostly eat sitting on mats.

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”

Japan is very strict when it comes to cleanliness. It is a kind of habit inculcated in Japanese culture a long time ago. Perhaps this is why people in Japan are so much obsessed about keeping their surroundings clean. In fact, children are given the task of tiding their school premises from a very young age. And it is interesting to see them cleaning the classroom floors happily without considering it as a menial task. As said earlier, people in Japan use tatami mats in their houses, hence, they make sure that everything is perfectly neat.  

Bowing – The act of showing respect

The etiquette of bowing is in the DNA of Japanese culture. People in Japan always go an extra mile while showing respect to people, irrespective of their status. Besides greeting and wishing, people also bow throughout a conversation as an act of showing active respect. Japanese bow can vary from a slight nod to the longest and deepest bow by bending one’s waist. A long and deep bow is considered most respectful in Japanese culture.

Sho go nai – Do not worry for things you can’t control

It is a commonly used phrase in Japanese culture which literally means ‘Don’t worry about things you can’t control’. And this is what people in Japan follow from the heart. They don’t take stress about things they can’t control and focus on the stuff they can control instead. Most of you have this natural habit of worrying too much about things you absolutely have no control of. So it’s time to say ‘Sho go nai’ to your stress marks.

‘Be courteous’, says Japanese culture

People in Japan are very considerate towards others, especially in metros. They step out of their seats of the train compartment to answer a call and try their best not to disturb the public by speaking in loud tones, especially when the call is personal. There are several signs in public places requesting people not to answer their calls or to switch off their phones. And not only this, if you are ever confused with directions in Japan, people will always be ready to help you. Sometimes they even walk with you to your destination as a part of courtesy.

No tipping

You would be surprised to know that tipping is not generally expected in traditional Japanese culture. It is very unlikely for a Japanese hotel service staff to accept those extra coins. They simply believe that they should be paid whatever they deserve, as they are doing their job.  Try this out someday and you will see them chasing you to the outside of the restaurant to return those extra coins you tipped.

Chennai, formerly known as Madras acts not only as of the Gateway to South India but also acts as a gateway to delectable street food. Located along the beautiful Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal, Chennai’s Street Food has much to offer than it meets the eye. Contrary to popular belief, this city by the sea offers a great assortment of Street Food and certainly not just Idli or Dosa. Above all this vibrant city is also known for introducing to the connoisseur’s community with ‘Chicken 65’, a famous chicken starter.

Chennai is amongst one of the top destinations for street food. Above all, it has also featured in National Geographic’s list of “ Top 10 Food cities”. You can try various delectable cuisines throughout the city and let your taste buds do the talking! Besides, some of the street foods not only taste good but also represent the vibrant culture of Chennai.

Also, a game based on the famous Tv show,’ The Amazing Race’ has been gaining popularity in Chennai. As a result, this game required contestants to go around the city whilst following clues which lead them to famous street food joints! Seems like a wonderland, doesn’t it? Furthermore, every time you get the clue right, you get altogether unique and delectable street food to try!

1.Idli – The staple One

Head over to- Murugan Idli, Idli Express or Idli factory

Cost for two (Approx) –100 INR

Idli, the most famous street food of Chennai which everyone swears by is readily available in every nook and corner of the city. Also, it acts as the staple street food of Tamil Nadu. Hence, Idli not only rules the streets of Chennai but has also found a soft spot in every house. First of all, this simple yet delectable street food is widely popular among the masses as it is quite simple to prepare furthermore it has a very short preparation time. Even more, it is best to serve idli with coconut chutney and sambhar. Hence, you shouldn’t miss this delectable street food in Chennai when you visit this city.

Murugan Idli Shop is certainly one of the finest idli joints in the city as their idlis are light as air and fluffy.

Also Read 20 most loved street food of Meerut

2.Bhajji – The alternative to hot pakora

Head over to- Jannal Kadai (Mylapore), East Mada Road, Mak N Bhajji Shop or Nair Mess

Cost for two (Approx) –  INR 20-40

Bhajji is a widely popular street food of Chennai amongst the college students and the office-goers. Even though it is popular throughout India and goes by the name of pakora, Chennai’s bhajji, in contrast, has a different story altogether. What differentiates bhajjis even more, is its shape and the melange of chutneys served with it, as a result, imparting the difference.

This deep-fried street food of Chennai is prepared by mixing besan with stuffings of potato, chillis, onions or other vegetables. Certainly, the most famous being the raw banana bhajji.  While in Chennai you must try the banana bhajji, it is certainly worth the money! The orange spicy chutney served with the bhajji besides enhancing its taste, also offers those taste buds of yours a savoury almost hard to refuse.

The best part of this street food in Chennai is its availability and its dirt cheap price! Therefore, you can see hordes of people queued outside Jannal Kadai, located in Mylapore to get a taste of this delicacy.

Also Read Kolkata – The Paradise For Delectable Street Food

3.Sundal

Head over to- The bewitching Marina Beach, Royal Sandwich, Mathsya

Cost for two (Approx) –  20-40 INR

Sundal, a delicacy considered to be one of the most preferred street food of Chennai is readily available in all parts of the city. Many small street food joints can be seen selling this delicacy in small-medium sized stalls either at Marina Beach or other parts of the city.

Sundal is prepared with boiled chickpeas mixed with shredded coconuts and onions. An assortment of spices is sprinkled on top of it as a result giving it a vivid flavour. Even though this is the regular taste of Sundal, furthermore, its taste varies from street to street, due to every street food seller trying to incorporate his/ her own flavour to it.

People of all ages can be seen munching on Sundal mostly whilst taking a stroll on the picturesque Marina Beach.

4.Idiyappam

Head over to- Kozhi Idli, ID, Srinivasan Road or Kaaraikudi

Cost for two (Approx) –  100 INR

Idiyappam or as I remember it as Spiderman’s web (pun intended) is a famous street food of Chennai which resembles noodles. It is prepared with rice flour and is served with curry or coconut milk. It is mostly served as a breakfast dish and hence can be seen in all parts of the city.

To savour the best of Idiyappam, just head over to Srinivasan Road in T. Nagar. Also known as the Indian counterpart for noodles, this web-like white dish is really delectable and hence acts as a great breakfast appetizer.

It is one of my personal favourites because it gives you a sense of fulfilment and furthermore does not burden your pocket. Idiyappam is quite easy to consume and as a result will definitely satisfy your hunger. It is best suited for a breakfast meal and hence can be consumed with other dishes as well. It is a must try when you visit Chennai.

5.Kothu Parotta – The other cousin of Paratha

Head over to- Thambi Vilas, Maplai  or Madurai Kumar Mess

Cost for two (Approx) – 130 INR

There is a difference between what we know as Paratha and Kothu Parotta. Paratha is a flatbread made of flour while Kothu Parotha resembles what we know as Lacha Paratha in the North part of India. Kothu Parotta is in contrast prepared by shredded parotta, mixed with either vegetables, egg or even meat. A great assortment of spices is what makes this savoury so delectable to taste. Therefore, it is one such delicacy which has found its way even in most restaurants in the city.

Kothu Parotta can be enjoyed either in a restaurant or even from a roadside stall, probably there would only be a difference of quality. The street variant of Kothu Parotta is something which certainly caters to the taste buds of the local people.

Also Read 21 Best places in Mumbai to eat delicious & tasty street foods

6.Dosa- The one true love

Head over to- T.Nagar, Sangeetha’s, Krishna’s Dosa Kadai or Remix Dosa

Cost for two (Approx) – 100 INR

This street food in Chennai doesn’t even need an introduction. After all, who doesn’t know Dosa! This denotation of South India acts as staple street food and therefore is consumed by everyone all alike. This savoury is one of the most consumed street food in Chennai. Every household has its own recipe for this delicious breakfast food.

Dosa is the most readily available street food in Chennai for the reason that almost half of the population lives by dosa for their breakfast (no pun intended). It is prepared from rice and is a crisp and thin layer of piquant. Dosa is usually stuffed with mashed potatoes, onions, vegetables and an assortment of spices. Finally, it is served mostly with sambhar and coconut chutney. Furthermore, some joints offer a gargantuan number of chutneys to choose from.

The variety of Dosa that you can consume in Chennai is mind-boggling! You can certainly find a dosa with almost every stuffing that you can possibly imagine right from potatoes to even pizza dosa. Furthermore, the best dosa joints are located in T. Nagar; light on the pocket while yummy to taste. Podi Dosa served with ghee in T. Nagar is certainly a must try!

The humongous variety of Dosa’s can be quite daunting to choose from but take your time to pick the right one because it would definitely be worth your time!  

7.Uttapam

Head over to- George Town, Saravana Bhavan, Ratna Café, Mint Street or Anachi Dosai Kadai

Cost for two (Approx) – 70 INR

Uttapam is also known as ooththappam is a famous street food of Chennai which resembles a dosa. This street food of Chennai is made by mixing ingredients to form a batter and is then cooked. Though it does differ from a dosa with respect to its texture. Whilst a dosa is like a crepe, thin and crisp, while an Uttapam is like a pancake, thick in texture. The toppings of the Uttapam are cooked right into the batter.

Uttapam is greatly loved by the people of Chennai and hence can be found in all parts of the city. Uttapam is prepared with toppings of onion, chillies, tomatoes, capsicum, cabbage and other vegetables. The wide variety of vegetables that go in the topping gives it a sui generis flavour! It is served best with chutney and undoubtedly sambhar.

Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre, located in Mint Street at George Town has been selling scrumptious Uttapam for the past 42 years! Their only two dishes- ghee idli and ghee uttapam are consumed by connoisseurs from across the city. This prodigious establishment came into existence in 1977 and was started on a pushcart by Mr.Srinivas. The name ‘Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre’ was coined mostly due to the fact that Mr Srinivas became widely known as Seena Bhai amongst the North Indian population who would visit his stall religiously. They serve their palatable Uttapams with coriander-pudina chutney and onion-mint chutney which tastes luscious with the Uttapams. One could witness 18-36 Uttapams simultaneously being cooked on a 2.5’ to 1.5’ tawa.

Also Read Top 13 Rajasthani cuisines one cannot afford to miss

8.Atho

Head over to- Burma Bazaar, G.A Road, Atho Man, Beach Road or Atho Corner, 

Cost for two (Approx) – 150 INR

Atho is another popular street food in Chennai. It is originally a Burmese savoury which is a type of Burmese noodles. It is prepared by mixing thick round noodles, onions, shredded cabbage, tamarind, chilli flakes, garlic, MSG and salt. Soup is poured over this cooked noodles. It is often served by Burmese refugees in Chennai.

To savour the best of this street food of Chennai, head over to Beach Road or Burma Bazaar where numerous stalls would greet you. This onliest street food of Chennai caters to the taste buds of health-conscious connoisseurs and others alike.

9.Kuzhi Paniyaram

Head over to- Murugan Idli Shop, The Old Madras Café, Venkatesan Street or Dakshina Puram

Cost for two (Approx) – 250 INR

Kuzhi Paniyaram, also known as Gunta Ponganalu is another famous street food in Chennai. It is prepared by using a batter of rice and black lentils, similar to the ones used for dosa or idli.

This street food of Chennai is quite unique due to the fact that it can be served both as a sweet or a savoury. The preparation of this dish requires a special type of pan which has a number of small fissures. The dish is also known as gulittu, paddu, guliappa, appe, veriyappa amongst others.

It is readily available in all parts of the city. But to savour the best of this street food of Chennai, head over to T. Nagar. Venkatesan Street, located in T. Nagar, is known to serve one of the finest Kuzhi Paniyaram in all over Chennai. You should definitely try both the variants of the Kuzhi Paniyaram and decide for yourself, which one did you like the most.

Also read Famous 20 Street Food of Bihar

10.Pani Puri

Head over to- Vishnu’s Pani Puris, Mini Street, Gangotree or Shree Mithai

 Cost for two (Approx) – 50 INR

Have you ever come across a list comprising of the best street foods without seeing Pani Puri in it? Well, I haven’t ever! I would find a list without the mention of Pani Puri in it to be quite incoherent on a personal level! Pani Puri or Gol Gappa is definitely one of the best street food available throughout India. Every city has a different flavor to offer when it comes to Pani Puri.

The flavor of Pani Puri differs from vendor to vendor in Chennai. To savor the best taste of Pani Puri that Chennai can offer, head over to Vishnu’s Pani Puri in Mint Street. For over 40 years, he has been selling Pani Puris from the same spot. People who have moved out of Sowcarpet keep coming back to get a taste of Vishnu’s Pani Puri.

Also read 10 reasons Why Visiting Jammu and Kashmir is Worth Taking the Risk

Even though there is a strong belief that Chennai is only the land of Idli or Dosa, the Street food of Chennai is quite multifarious and delectable. A trip to Chennai would be deemed nugatory for a connoisseur if he fails to visit the streets of Sowcarpet. Sowcarpet acts as the hub for the best street foods in Chennai. You can get a taste of almost all the street foods of Chennai in Sowcarpet at a really pocket-friendly price!

Do let us know about your experiences related to the street food of Chennai in the comments section below! Keep munching!

Au revoir!

Teacup reading, also known as Tasseography, is derived from a French word tasse meaning cup, which in turn is derived from the Arabic word tassa. And the suffix graph is taken from a Greek word, meaning writing or study of. Tea cup reading is an ancient art of predicting future by interpreting the pattern of loose tea leaves scattered in a cup. The arrangement of remnant tea leaves within an empty cup forms the basis of this fortune-telling method, which are observed carefully following a meditative tea session.

Tea has been considered as an herbal elixir since ages which is associated with healing. It is for this reason that teacup reading helps identify most of the healing issues and provides solutions to it respectively. Tasseography is also carried out by using coffee grounds or wine sediments in some traditions. Teacup reading is a creative way to unleash your psychic abilities and enhances the power of self-listening.

History of teacup reading

The teacup reading tradition is said to have begun in China in the 17^th century after the discovery of tea. Later, it was introduced to the Europeans by the grace of some Dutch merchants through trade routes from China and lead to emerging of gypsy fortune tellers and practitioners during the 1800s in Europe. The modern-day tea cup reading is known to have originated in the Middle East, Asia, and Ancient Greece.

Tasseography – Getting started

The basics of tea cup reading do not require any special psychic skills these days. To make the practice easier, there are a number of symbols that come in handy, with the knowledge of which you can easily make your readings. But always remember that one needs to have high knowledge and psychic skills to carry out a deep tea cup reading, unlike a basic one.

Here are some of the things to start the practice of tea cup reading:-

1. A white or light colour rounded tea cup (always preferred with a handle) and saucer is required for the practice. A teapot should be used that pours the tea leaves properly into the cup. Ensure that the teacup should not have straight vertical sides and scalloped edges.
2. Loose tea leaves of high quality should be chosen for a tea cup reading like the Darjeeling tea, Jasmine tea, black tea leaves, Chinese tea and many more. The leaves should be full-shaped and dust-free for an effective reading.
3. Start with a teaspoon of loose-tea into the cup followed by pouring hot water from a kettle to allow the tea to steep. You will require all the leaves from the cup, so avoid straining. You can also add sugar and milk, but creamy substances are usually avoided.
4. After the tea is ready, the drinkers should meditate upon the teacup and think about their life casually, or focus on the query they want answered. They should continue it till a little amount of liquid remains in the tea cup.
5. Keeping the cup handle towards the heart of the drinker, the cup is rotated three times in a particular direction using the non-dominant hand. It is recommended for men to rotate the cup clockwise and for women, counter clockwise. Using the non-dominant hand connects both sides of the brain and stimulates creative logical skills.
6. Then place the saucer on top of the tea cup and turn it upside down as one unit. Wait for a few minutes till the cup is drained of all the liquid, leaving behind the tea leaves. This also allows the tea leaves to spread throughout the cup, after which the tea cup reading out.

Tasseography – How it works

The handle of the cup represents the seeker, so the pattern of the leaves directing towards the handle will have more influence on the person in terms of tea cup reading. Different areas of the teacup represent different time. While rim of the cup denotes the present moment, the sides denote the near future, and the base represents the future.

So the more one reads the leaves towards the base of the cup, the more one goes distant towards the future. As you start observing the placement of the leaves, you will be able to see different patterns and shapes in the teacup.

Tasseography – Shapes and symbols in tea cup reading

Even though there are innumerable shapes that can be observed during a tea cup reading, there are some basic shapes with which you can start your reading, as a beginner. Below is a list of some common shapes in tasseography with their meanings.

Anchor – Symbolises prosperity

Babies – Pregnancy news

Bird – While a flying bird symbolises the arrival of some good news, a resting bird represents the end of a successful journey.

Boat – Symbolises a new journey, protection and aid in times of need.

Butterfly – Indicates a sudden or gradual transformation in your life.

Crescent moon – Indicates introspection and receptivity

Cross – The Holy cross symbolises sacrifice and protection from the divine thread.

Dagger – Indicates a warning of some danger from someone

Door – A closed door signifies closing of old issues and moving on from your past, whereas an open door signifies something new that is about to happen in your life.

Dog – A canine shape during a tea cup reading indicates friendship and loyalty.

Egg – A positive sign indicating a good beginning of something.

Envelope – Indicates an upcoming news or message

Heart – Indicates love and affection arriving in your life, or strengthening an existing one.

Human – The posture of figure in the cup tells whether it’s a good sign or an evil one.

Leaf – The beginning of a new life.

Line – A straight line indicates an uninterrupted journey, whereas a broken one indicates obstacles during the path.

Mountain – Hurdles in journey

Numbers – The numeral figures may tell about a certain day, week, month or year. A particular number might indicate a massive change in the seeker’s life in the form of time.

Scales – A balanced one represents good results (due to justice) and an unbalanced one represents negative results (due to injustice).

Scissors – Quarrel and separation

Square – Square represents a closed room symbolising caging or illness.

Star – Indicates good luck and success in tea cup reading

Sun – Energy or power

Turtle – Symbolises a very slow journey but will be successful in the long run.