On a visit to Japan, Andreia and Ionuţ, the vloggers from the YouTube channel “HaiHui în doi”, presented the story of the Romanian who sells small and other traditional dishes in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Sarmale served at a restaurant in Japan Video capture: HaiHui in two
The vloggers from “HaiHui in doi” recently crossed the threshold of the “La Mihai” restaurant in Japan, where they ordered several Romanian dishes. There were also little ones with mustard or little ones with polenta. The restaurant belongs to Mihai Căulea, who has been living in Japan for about 30 years.
“I came for a work contract and stayed. I worked as a head chef in a Romanian restaurant”, says Mihai Căulea for the two vloggers.
Shortly after arriving, Mihai managed to bring his entire family to Japan.
For about 10 years, he has also owned a restaurant with a Romanian specialty. About Romanian food, Mihai Căulea says that the Japanese fell in love with it: “Eat everything on the menu. I lick the plate“.
The restaurant is decorated in traditional Romanian style
Over time, it managed to expand, and the Romanian flag is in the place of honor. It is also printed on the sign at the entrance to the restaurant.
Moreover, the restaurant is decorated with ii or paintings depicting Ștefan cel Mare or Alexandru Ioan Cuza, including several landscapes of some places in the country. “88-90% of those who enter the restaurant are Japanese. There are not as many Romanians as before“, says the owner.
The restaurant is in traditional Romanian style Video capture: HaiHui in two
Mihai Căulea visited Romania in 2023, after a break of 22 years. Asked how he thinks of Romania at present, he answered: “For some, it seems developed, from my point of view it is low, after living here for 30 years“.
The vloggers from “HaiHui în doi” ordered several Romanian dishes. There was no lack of small, boeuf salad, stuffed pepper or sarmalutes.
“Olten sausages have arrived. They are made here, with meat bought from the slaughterhouse by Mr. Mihai and prepared here. They are not bought off the shelf, ready to put on the grill“, said Andreia.
And this felt like home: “I teleported to Romania. I had the feeling that we were somewhere in the mountains, in Brașov“, Andreia also said.
And the “Japanese” mitites cooked by Mihai Căulea were very delicious. “Some of the best little ones I've ever had“, claimed the vloggers.
