[edelweiss]

I could probably only last a week by your definition of Japanese food (ie, not what Japanese eat normally day to day in modern life but what would be considered traditional non-western fare). If I lived in Tokyo, even with the huge variety of foods and highest Zagat rated restaurants I still can never find cheese. Not French cheeses, those are easy to find, but a big bite of good Chedder cheese. Or a fat slice of Jack. After a week I need to find some.

I know it's OT but it does make me wonder, where do croquettes and tempura fall in this definition? It is said Portuguese brought them over in the 16th century. How long before an adopted food becomes a cultural food?