---
title: You only eat plants
date: "2006-12-02T12:00:00Z"
categories:
  - interesting-experiences
wp_id: 169
description: While working at Honda R&D in Japan, I had to explain that being vegetarian meant no fish or chicken. The chef eventually realized I "only eat plants," serving me a simple meal of rice, broccoli, and pepper.
keywords: [japan, utsunomiya, vegetarianism, honda r&d, dietary restrictions, food culture, travel anecdote]
---

**UTSUNOMIYA, Japan, Dec 1998**. I was on a project with Honda R&D at [Utsunomiya](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utsunomiya%2C_Tochigi), Japan.

And I'm vegetarian.

The next day, Yoshioka-san -- our counterpart at Honda -- took us to the canteen and introduced me to the chef. Knowing that "vegetarian" in Japan includes eating fish and birds, I took the chef aside.

"I'm vegetarian," I emphasised.

"Hai. Vegetarian."

"I don't eat fish."

"Ah, so. No fish."

"I don't eat chicken. No birds."

"Ah, so. No chicken."

Pause. He looked puzzled. Just to be sure, I added, "I'm vegetarian."

He thought for a long while, and then said,

"So, you eat only plants?"

P.S. I was finally served rice with brocolli. I ate it with pepper.

---

## Comments

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- **Theanand** _4 Dec 2006 5:46 pm_:
  interesting, myself anand from cochin, india, doin my grads here. saw ur site while searching for anand. . . .keep rocking, all the best
- **Anand Subramanian** _4 Dec 2006 5:46 pm_:
  nice site. . .
- **Pradeep** _2 Dec 2006 12:00 pm_:
  Ha :)\
  \
  I had a similar experience in China and was offered lettuce leaves in vinegar.. I then remembered scolding my mom 2 months back on how the vathha kuzhambu was not up to the mark.
- **dhinakar** _2 Dec 2006 12:00 pm_:
  Niyalin Arumai Veyilil Teriyum...

<!-- wp-comments-end -->