April Newsletter

 

Hello. I'm Kokoto, who is tired of Easter.

Wow, that's so ugly! It's like the owner's face when she's just waken up💦

  It's spring, isn't it? In the UK, the magnolias have started to fall and the cherry blossoms have started to bloom.

We took a holiday in the first week of April and I was thinking about how we can continue this café.

While thinking about it, I planted the plants that had been given or discounted from various places over the past year into planters in the café's front garden.

 I didn't get to the daffodils in time, but I did manage to get the cherry blossoms in time. After this, the azarea will bloom. What I want now are flowers that bloom from summer to autumn. Preferably perennials.

Bamboos in July and hydrangeas in August are coming up. We will continue to look for discounted potted plants at garden centres and supermarkets and rescue them.

Please support an-an Garden... or rather an-an!

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Events in April

2-10th April Café closed for Easter holidays.

11th New structure and opening for business! (see details below)

13th Okonomiyaki Night (for sure) 5.30-8pm (last orders).

16th an-an's calligraphy club (go here for guidelines).

20th Okonomiyaki Night (phone reservations now being taken)*.

25th Language Exchange Okonomiyaki Night (applications will be sent out at a later date)

27th Okonomiyaki Night (phone reservations now being accepted)*

*If reservations for Okonomiyaki Night are not received by the day before, the event may be cancelled. Please make sure to book by phone before coming. *

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April sweets

We have a wide range of cherry blossom sweets waiting for you.

Cherry blossom mille crepe ￡3.50 a slice

Cherry blossom sweet bean paste and green tea cream are sandwiched between cherry blossom-coloured crepes. Of course, you can also eat the pickled cherry blossom on top. Made with gluten-free flour. This cake contains Egg and dairy produccts.

Cherry blossom matcha shortcake ￡3.50 a slice

Matcha and azuki bean cream shortcake with cherry blossom encrusted nishikidama on top. No gelatine used. Contains flour, eggs and dairy products.

Sakura mochi ￡2.50 per piece

Kansai-style sakura mochi, Domyoji Style. Salted leaves can be eaten or peeled off as you like.

Three-coloured Dango￡2.00 each.

The mugwort has not yet been harvested due to the weather, so please wait a little longer; we should have it from Namayasai around mid-April...

Kusatsu Daifuku, 1 piece ￡1.80.

This will also be made as soon as the mugwort arrives. Please wait a little longer.

Black bean daifuku ￡2.00 each

Until the Kusa Daifuku starts, we will be making this Daifuku. Fluffy cooked black beans are mixed into the rice cake. This contains soya beans.

Kashiwa mochi (koshi-an, grass-grain-an, misoan) ￡2.50 each

This year, Tango no Sekku (Kodomo no Hi) seems to coincide with the Colonation Ceremony. So sales will start a little earlier. Kashiwa Mochi is wrapped in oak leaves, which are believed to bring prosperity to offspring. It might be a good idea to eat it to pray for the future prosperity of the British royal family. Kashiwa mochi with miso bean paste contains soya beans.

Koshi-an Daifuku and Dorayaki (Koshi-an, Tsubu-an and Matcha-an) are always available, but in limited quantities. If you want to buy more than five, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance.

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We are now open for business under a new structure!

That said, not much will change.

*We will no longer have a morning set, but we will be able to serve onigiri (rice balls) and sandwiches in the morning. The much-requested morning set may reappear in the Weekly Special Lunch!

*Drinks and sandwiches will remain at the same price as well as futomaki rolls.

Sushi and Onigiri will also be available in the display for immediate takeaway.

*Only one Weekly Special Lunch will be available. Please note that only one Weekly Special Lunch will be available.

That's all.

We are always trying to make the café a pleasant place for everyone to spend time. We are always helped by the warm words and smiles of our customers. Thank you very much.

March Newster... Belated！

Peach Festival is over and spring is in full swing... but even the crocuses are shivering in the cold spring rain (or snow in some regions?!).

When I realised, it's already in the middle of March!!! 
We made the Nerikiri for the Peach Festival and it was so well received that... we worked too hard💦.

In spring, there are many kinds of Japanese sweets, and I end up making too many, but I hope you enjoy them.

It's a little late, but here's a little showin off.

The origami in the photo is currently lined up by the window. They are bunnies for this year's zodiac sign, and they are a gift from the members of SOFT (Sussex Origami Folding Team)💓 At the end of last year, they were featured in the national newspaper, The Mail on Sunday, for their monthly activity at an-an. I had asked this Team person to do an origami workshop this month, but due to my circumstances I missed the opportunity.

We'll be holding another workshop at a later date, so stay tuned! At the same time, new origami creations will be displayed here and there in the café each time. Please take a moment to admire them while you have a cup of tea. They are all very cute.

Please click the image to read the article.

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First of all, we would like to inform you that.

We will be taking a spring break from 2 to 10 April. An-an is a café made up of housewives, so when the family is at home, the main thing we have to do is cook rice for the family. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

On Sunday 2 April, a Japanese sweets workshop is planned. 
We will give priority to applications from people who have registered with the Anan Japan Art Club, so if you are interested in joining the Art Club, please register with us.

Further details will be announced here and on Facebook at Events.

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Sweets in March

Ume no Ka ￡2.00

A cute Japanese sweet made with white bean paste slightly salted with plum vinegar and wrapped in a pink rice cake. (till Ohigan, Spring equinox).

Uguisumochi ￡2.00

Koshi An (sweet red bean paste) wrapped in Gyuhi (soft Mochi) and covered with a generous amount of fragrant green soybean flour.

Sakura mochi ￡2.50

Also known as 'Domyoji', this is a Kansai-style sakura mochi. The flavour of the cherry leaves and the saltiness is irresistible!

Ohagi (Koshi an, Tsubu an or Kinako) ￡2.00 each

On sale from the 18th of the first day of the first month until the 24th of the last day of the first month of the year (the 21st of the first month of the year for the first month of the year). (The first day of the far bank is the 21st.)

Daifuku (￡1.50 each) and Dorayaki (￡2.00 each: tubu, koshi and matcha) are always available, but please order two days in advance if you buy more than five. Kusa-grain Daifuku will only be available as soon as Namayasai's mugwort is available, as it does not grow well. Please note that.

Spring cakes are available!
Cherry blossom mille crepe, strawberry shortcake, cherry blossom mont blanc... Enjoy!

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Events in March

2 and 9 March (Thursday) Okonomiyaki Night was a great success. Thank you very much.

3 March Peach Festival, Ohina Matsuri (Doll Festival)

16 Thu (Thu) Okonomiyaki Night will be cancelled.

Sun 19 An-an Japanese Art Club, calligraphy activity day See Events on Facebook for details. (https://www.facebook.com/events/873019483751073/873036103749411?active_tab=about)

21 (Tue) Middle day of Ohigan, Vernal Equinox Day

23rd and 30th, Okonomiyaki nights are planned. Please make your reservations early as they will be cancelled if no reservations are made.

Sat 25th, from 3pm, there will be a Japan x English Studies Exchange Party. See Events on FB for details. (https://fb.me/e/14tOpAJ5d)

Sun 2 Apr An An Japanese Art Club, Wagashi workshop See Events on FB for details.

(https://fb.me/e/2nspNb7Fq)

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The first day of spring has come in Japan, but here we have been hit by cold rain storms every day.

Take care of yourself and let's do our best this month!

February Newsletter

 Today is Risshun, the first day of spring in Japanese Calendar.

What I learnt  is that if you eat something made on Risshun on that day, it means good luck.

We will make Koshian Daifuku, Kusaguruma Daifuku, Ume no Kaori and Dorayaki. Daifuku is called 'Risshun Daifuku', and the mochi and azuki beans are said to ward off evil and bad luck. Above all, eating delicious food naturally brings a smile to your face. A smile is perhaps the strongest of all, as it brings more good fortune than anything else.

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February Japanese sweets

Ume no Ka￡2.00

Mochi in the shape of plum blossoms, the flower of early spring, filled with white bean paste with plum pickles juice. The refined sweetness goes well with green tea.

Thin-skinned Inaka Manju ￡2.00

Aromatic buns wrapped in grated yam skin. It also contains sweetened chestnuts, making you feel like you're getting a little bit better off. This is stemed. 

Strawberry Daifuku ￡2.50

Strawberry Daifuku is made out of season only for Valentine's Day and will be on sale from Friday 10. Reservations can only be made by calling the shop.

Uguisu mochi ￡1.80

These rice cakes are made in the shape of the Japanese bush warbler, a bird that heralds the arrival of spring. The fluffy soft mochi is served with fragrant green soybean soybean flour (cotains soybean).

Three types of Dorayaki (Koshi, Grain and Matcha) at ￡1.80 each and Daifuku (￡1.50) are always available, but if you buy more than five, please order at least two days before pick-up. Please note that we are experiencing a number of shortages of ingredients from Japan. We will do our best to deliver the best possible product, but we may have to cancel your order if we have no choice. Please understand.

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February events

Yesterday, 3 February, was Setsubun. We prepared a lot of ehomaki, but they were sold out. Thank you very much. We were going to make roasted beans in the oven and serve them with the ehoumaki, but we were too busy to make the process from boiled beans to roasted beans at all, so we couldn't give them to you. We are really sorry for those who were looking forward to it. Currently, we have 2 kg of cooked beans on hand. Now, what shall we do with them?

Today, 4 February, is the first day of spring.
We are waiting for you with lots of Japanese sweets.

Tuesday 14 February is Valentine's Day. As mentioned above, we have received many requests to make strawberry daifuku, although it is out of season since the 10th. If you would like to purchase one, please call the café to make a reservation. If you send a message outside the café phone, it may be missed, so we will only accept reservations by phone at the café. Please note that we will only accept reservations by phone at the café.

Sunday 19 is a Japan Art Club activity day. We would like to have a tofu workshop from 9am, followed by a lunch break at 1pm and a calligraphy class from 2pm to 5pm. Please check the Facebook event, Instagram and posters in the café for entry requirements.

Tuesday 21 is Pancake Day. Japanese pancakes are known for their fluffy pancakes. We will be replacing our morning French toast with pancakes on this day. Please come and try it.

Every Thursday is Okonomiyaki Night, from 5.30 to 8.00pm and by reservation only, as seating is limited. Please call the café in advance.

This month's Weekly Lunch Special.

First week (1-4 days) Set A - yakisoba, Set B - ehomaki.

Second week (7-11 Dec) Set A - French toast breakfast set, Set B - grilled salmon breakfast set.

Third week (14th-15th) Set A - Teriyaki pizza toast & salad, Set B - Omelette rice

Fourth week (21st - 25th) Set A - Curry rice, Set B - Okonomiyaki

Please note that from this month, Set A will remain at the same price of ￡9.80, but Set B will be ￡12.80.

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The electricity bill for my house has arrived, the water bill is also... 

The an-an café is always warm because the shop is small and connected to the kitchen. Come and have a cup of tea or coffee to warm up a bit. Free Wifi available for our lovely customers. 

(Art Club) The results and plan from now!!

The An-an Japanese Art Club started as a trial on 15 January.　Thank you for coming！We had a fantastic time.

We asked everyone who participated on that day to fill in a questionnaire.

It was very interesting and showed that everyone was interested in Japanese art as well as cooking and lifestyle. We would also like to focus a little on Japanese beauty as seen through language and Japanese customs.

At the very end, I have posted a link to the questionnaire form, so if you are interested, please give us your contact methods and email back to info@an-an.co.uk.  Alternatively, if you would like a full questionnaire form in Word Document, please contact us at the above address. You can also find the form at the cafe.

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First, here are the results of the questionnaire. We will omit the questions, so if you are interested, please check the questionnaire form.

(1) In order of most requested.
　　No. 1   Japanese sweets workshop
　　No. 2   Ikebana workshop
　　　　　Japanese food workshop
                  Origami (advanced)
        No.３  Making eraser stamps
       Sashiko (Japanese embroidery), kintsugi and furoshiki (wrapping cloth) 

(2) Sunday afternoons were the most popular, followed by Friday evenings, Wednesday evenings and Monday evenings.

(3) ￡5-£10 (materials not included) is the most common, followed by ￡10-£15 (materials not included).

(4) We start with Adults only workshops, as most people wanted Adults only workshops. We could also consider workshops for children during the summer holidays.

(5) We are interested in how Japanese language, diet, art and art are reflected in the way of life. Other

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Calligraphy and Suiboku-ga (ink painting) (picture writing) classes

On the third Sunday of every month from 2pm to 5pm, we will continue our calligraphy and suiboku-ga (ink painting) classes.

Spare brushes are available, but you will be asked to buy your own personal large brush (￡10) as it is consumable.

The class costs ￡10 per person (participation fee) and includes Japanese tea and small sweets.

Drinks and cakes and sweet treats will be available to purchase on the day.

Please note that only those over 18 years can take part in.

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Upcoming workshops (weekday evenings or Sunday AM/PM)

Feb Japanese food workshop (tofu and beyond!)
Mar Origami workshop (advanced level)
Apr Japanese sweets workshop (Daifuku fruit and cherry blossom paste)
May Ikebana workshop
June Making Eraser stamps

July & August Weekday mornings Workshops for children aged 12 and over

From September onwards: kintsugi, furoshiki (wrapping cloth), sashiko and some kind of festive festival workshops are being planned.

We will send you more information about the calligraphy class and the February workshop to the contact details you gave us in the questionnaire. Please reply there if you would like to participate.

We look forward to learning about art with you.

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Click here for a link to the survey form.

An An Japanese Art Club

Advisor.

Nanae Koimai

Attended calligraphy classes from the second year of primary school to the second year of junior high school. Attended art college preparatory school in high school, graduated from Musashino Art Junior College, completed Fine Art BA (Hons) at the University of Brighton, and is currently studying for a postgraduate course at the same university with an interest in installation. Exhibited in Brighton and London. Temporarily returned fully to Japan to work as an interior coordinator for a renovation company. After getting married, left the art world to raise her children in Brighton, but took the opportunity to come back to work as an artist organiser from Japan, and to modestly take part in art activities such as calligraphy and art workshops, and charity workshops for primary schools and playgroups. Hoping that as many people as possible can be exposed to Japanese art.

Noriko Jazayeri.　

Attended calligraphy classes for six years in primary school. Started oil painting and cartooning in the art club at high school and awarded a few times in the oil painting category at the Kobe City Exhibition. After completing BA (Hons) Graphic Design, I worked as an in-house designer at a company for 9 years. Having a break to concentrate on raising my children, but started making Japanese sweets to satisfy my craving for them. While running a Japanese café, I have been selling wagashi and conducting workshops in London and Brighton to promote wagashi in the UK, and in October 2021 I gave a highly acclaimed lecture on wagashi at Kew Gardens 'Japan', and since then I have been invited to attend The Japan Society and Japanese Embassy related events.
My favourite piece of work is the cafe sign made from reclaimed deck boards.

This Year's Direction is "slightly south of south south-east"

 

 

Celebrate Setsubun this year by throwing beans and eating ehomaki rolls to bring good fortune.

Friday 3 February.

The direction of blessing is "slightly south of south south-east".

If you make a reservation, we will deliver them from 12:00 on 3 February until 5:00 in the evening.

Four different types of ehoumaki, each containing seven ingredients (seven gods of good fortune),
will be sold uncut. Face the direction of blessing and eat without talking so that the good fortune does not spill out of your mouth.

That's all there is to it.

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Kaisen ehoumaki £11

(Sushi prawns, squid, salmon, tobiko, smoked mackerel, crab cakes and cucumber)

Classic ehoumaki £10

(Sushi prawns, smoked mackerel, cucumber, dashimaki tamago, dried tofu, crab cakes and dried shiitake mushrooms)

Salad ehoumaki* £10

(Fried prawns, dashimaki tamago, lettuce, cucumber, kaiware daikon, carrot and spinach)

Veggie ehoumaki* £9

(Dashimaki Tamago, Koya-tofu, Cucumber, Spinach, Grilled red pepper, Dried shiitake mushroom, Dried radish)

*Vegetarian and vegan ehomaki can also be made using avocado and inari-age.

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We will prepare as many ingredients as possible, but we recommend ordering by 2 February, the day before the event, as we may sell out.

You can ensure your order by texting the café's phone number. A confirmation text will be sent back as soon as we receive it.

Happy New Year！！！

 I am so shocked that I missed the New Year Fireworks on the River Thames.

Normally, I manage to watch the annual fireworks on TV even though I'm half asleep, but due to the effects of being penetrated on the eve of New Year's Eve, I had lost my memory by 8am when I finished eating my New Year's Eve soba.

It's kind of mushy. I feel as if the year hasn't started yet. Even though we ate osechi and ozoni. I didn't give my children New Year's money 💦.

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It's the morning of the 3rd, the last day of the New Year, and I'm writing this blog in the IKEA restaurant after driving my son to Gatwick Airport because the railways are on strike. The strike has been a disaster this winter, letters have not been delivered, train timetables have been non-existent, and I've had to wait until Christmas to get a bit of light. Before Christmas, I had set the temperature in my room low in order to reduce the utility bills a little, but once Christmas came, I didn't care about that. It's the UK I'm afraid of the bill.

And what I wanted to say was, "My aspirations for this year". What is it? Is this the right kanji? Well, it's a goal.

To make wagashi and Japanese sweets better known.

That's what it's all about.

Sweets are a luxury item. It is a food that will not kill you if you don't eat it.

But I think there are many nutrients that reach the heart.

I think the heart needs coffee and tea to relieve the café, and sweets to give it the excitement of seasonal and event-specific changes that it can't help but look forward to.

The café is relatively quiet except lunchtime. You can have a relaxing cup of tea and browse through the manga and art books in the café, or you can catch the manager, who seems to be free, and have a chat with him. If you think, "I'm glad I came to the Japanese café An-an!" I would be very happy if you think, "I'm glad I came to the Japanese café An-an".

As spring approaches, there will be more and more beautiful and colourful wagashi on offer. Please come and try them.

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January Wagashi

Hanabira mochi (flower petal cake) ￡2.50

These rice cakes are a simplified version of the osechi eaten at New Year's, but made into a single wagashi. The inside is filled with miso bean paste and the softly cooked burdock root is so tasty that it still has a little crunch to it.

Contains soya beans.

Black soy bean daifuku ￡2.00

Daifuku mochi made from sweetened black beans, one of the 'mamemame-shi (may you be well)' items in the Osechi. These black beans are boiled black without wrinkles, which also means "stay young, beautiful and healthy".

Contains soya and wheat.

Zenzai ￡2.50

Served at the Kagami-Biraki (Kagami-biraki) ceremony to share the blessings of the rice cakes offered at New Year's. Hot, sweetened Zenzai and rice cake with cold vanilla ice-cream to your liking.

The ice cream contains dairy products. Can be changed to soya milk vanilla ice cream.

(Available from around 10 Jan Eat in Only).

Thin-skinned Inaka Manju ￡2.00

Steamed sweets are wrapped in grated aromatic yam skin. It also contains sweetened chestnuts, making you feel like you're getting a little bit better for your money. (On sale from late Jan).

Various small rice cakes ￡6.00

Enjoy the mochi with seaweed & wasabi soy sauce, mitarashi, soybean flour and sweet bean paste.

Contains soya. (Eat in Only)

Koshi An & Grain An Daifuku (￡1.50 each) and Dorayaki (Matcha, Koshi An or Grain An ￡1.80 each) are always available. However, as they are limited in numbers, it would be helpful if you make a reservation in advance if you are buying more than five.

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Events in January

OkonomiYaki Evenings
Every Thursdays 17：30~20：00

We are trying to restart Okonomiyaki Evenings from this month as the eggs seem to be back, Eat in/Take away, both slots need to be booked in advance. Please contact the café. (If no bookings are made by 5am on the day, Okonomiyaki Evening may be cancelled for that day. Please understand).

Japanese Art Club

Sunday 15 Jan (time to be announced).

Japanese art will be introduced and workshops will be held. The first session will be on calligraphy. We will introduce how to make New Year's calligraphy and how to draw simple ink paintings. (Age group 13 years and up).

On the day of the event, we will serve free Ozenzai, as it is Kagamibiraki day.

The first session is Drop-in without reservation. Feel free to come along.

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wishing you all good health and world peace...

Best wishes for the year 2023.

All the staff of An-an

Festive Season's Opening Hours

 

Tuesday 20th - Thursday 22nd Open as usual 9 am to 5 pm

Friday 23rd Open at 9am and close at 2:30 pm

Saturday 24th - Friday 30th Closed

Saturday 31st Open for Ohmisoka (大晦日) Countdown for 3pm (12am JSTM) and close at 5 pm

Sunday 1st - Tuesday 3rd January Closed

From Wednesday 4th January Open as usual 9am to 5pm

Sunday 8th January Open for Calligraphy workshop (Please check on Facebook Event)

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We still have some Children's Free Breakfast tokens, which was donated by customers a year ago.

I want to release them again in this school holiday, so it's Free for any children under 10.

Breakfast Served from 9:30 to 11:00 am
 (Please choose one meal and one drink)
-1 fried egg and beans on a toast
-1 French toast and fruits comports
and
-One carton of Juice (Apple, Orange or Ribina)
-Babyccino 

Tea Served from 3:30 to 4:30 pm
(Please choose one meal and one drink)
-1 Chicken Katsu and Curry with rice
-Tuna Mayo Rolled sushi (half)
and
-One carton of Juice (Apple, Orange or Ribina)
-Babyccino 

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We also have more fun for children.

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We wish you merry Christmas 

and Happy Hoppy 2023!