Japan: Ordering Rice From A Vending Machine

It was over 2pm. Hungry stomachs were craving for food while tired bodies were eager to rest. The best solution was to rush to a 24-hour-operating fast food restaurant. The nearby "Nakau" came to Ah Yu's mind.

As soon as we entered the restaurant, close to the door were two vending machines.

Having seen vending machines everywhere in Japan, I assumed they were for selling drinks. This time, I was wrong. They were for ordering menus and dishes!

Each button with a picture and a price represented a dish or a set. After we had chosen our dishes, Ah Yu pressed the buttons. Next, he inserted the corresponding money into the machine slot and collected the change and the tickets. Then he passed the tickets to a staff member who sent the order to the kitchen.

What an idea to save cost in employing staff to take orders and payments!

Since our meals were not directly dropped from the machines, we had to wait a little while for our meals to be prepared at the kitchen. The bar counter was empty at that hour. Working individuals had already returned to their companies.

Only our strange combination of Japanese-Malaysian-toddler-housewives-and-on-leave-employees family members were enjoying our food which was served quite fast.

This Japanese chain restaurant was specializing in both rice topped with meat and noodles.

I had my first meal with beef "gyudon". Pink pickled ginger added a nice colour to the rice.

I did not specially favour beef. But I just liked to try something that I did not cook or eat often in Malaysia.

It was very tasty. The next day, when we had lunch at a food court, I still ordered the same dish accompanied by a salad and a soup.

Seng had already had "gyudon" a few times for breakfast earlier. He was going to have to hard time at home in Batu Pahat where Mum would never buy any beef...