Teriyaki and Starbucks

Teriyaki and Starbucks.

Having been in Seattle for almost 48 hours now, I have thus far observed these two things to be the popular staple food and drink items for Seattle area residents...not together of course, though I suppose one could have a tall nonfat vanilla latte with a teriyaki dish....

Starbucks is an obvious given, as everyone knows Seattle is where the Starbucks phenomenon began back in the 90's. The obsession with teriyaki around here, however, escapes me. I have been told there is a significant Asian population in the Seattle area, but think of how many different kinds of Asian food there is out there. You've got Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese (or pronounced "pho" I believe, which my mom tells me is also quite popular in Seattle), Indian, Korean, etc. So why teriyaki of all things?

I decided to do a little online investigation of sorts, my curiosity picqued as to why there is just as many teriyaki restaurants on every corner as there are Starbucks in Seattle. I found this article (http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-08-15/food/how-teriyaki-became-seattle-s-own-fast-food-phenomenon.php) that basically justified teriyaki as a 'mutt' Asian food: "teriyaki's pedigree can be best described as a mutt of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and European cuisines. And its origins are far more recent—and intensely local."

Wondering what all the hype was about (prior to reading aforementioned article), I decided to try a salmon teriyaki dish for lunch today. Seeing as I love salmon and I am a big fan of other Asian foods (particularly Thai food), I was optimistic I would enjoy a tasty lunch.....

But not so much. As I poured the 3 tiny condiment sized 'cups' of teriyaki sauce onto my white rice and salmon, I found myself disappointed by the overly trendy mainstream meal amongst Seattleites. First of all, it seemed like a very boring meal. White rice, salmon, sauce. No spices, veggies, or even a fortune cookie to make it interesting. Second, the sauce was too sweet for my palate. I found myself feeling nauseous and unable to finish the rice. The salmon was ok...sans sauce. I know I should give it another chance, but first impressions are vital...especially to a foodie like me. Besides, I don't like fast food much either (a double negative for me regarding the teriyaki factor).

I don't think my anti-teriyaki attitude will bode too well with loyal Seattle residents. Teriyaki to Seattle is akin to what BBQ is to Texas. You're abnormal if you don't partake or give in to a regional sense of culinary conformity. But hey, at least I tried, right? I have never been much of a fan of 'mutts' anyway.

I think I'll stick to my favorite 'purebred' Asian food: Thai. Ditto for Starbucks. Funny enough, I haven't even had a Starbucks coffee in Seattle yet. But give me another 48 hours.