There’s always a popular diet going on in different places at different times. Asia is no different and sometimes trends are the most obvious in Japan, where the hype around an item or diet goes off the charts. For example, last year, the most popular diet in Japan was the Morning Banana Diet which actually caused a shortage of bananas in Japan for a while!
Now the latest diet in Japan is the Tororo Konbu Diet. Tororo Konbu is basically shredded kelp or seaweed that is soaked in vinegar. Tororo Konbu can be added into soup, egg rolls and different savory dishes. This diet was first introduced in a book in July, but became really popular last month according to Japan’s Yomiuri Online. The hype around this diet grew as a result of a Japanese female star’s successful Tororo Konbu diet story aired on Oct. 13th on a Japanese TV program. Since the airing of this TV program, there has been a shortage of supply of Tororo Konbu in Japan especially in the Tokyo area. It’s one of the hardest items to find in a grocery store right now!
I’m not sure if I’m running out to buy a pack yet, since many experts still believe that it is the long term usage of vinegar and seaweed that keeps you looking slim. But I guess when you are desperate, anything is possible. If you want to try it, you can buy it in the U.S. at Mitsuwa Market or online grocery stores like Asian Food Grocer.
