"B Class Gourmet"

I went to lunch with a colleague this week. On a previous trip, I learned about a great little Tonkatsu place (see the picture below). I suggested we go there for lunch since it was close to the office. As we were eating, I was telling him about going to Ohsho this week. Then, we had a long discussion about gyoza and where to go get ramen.

He suddenly said to me, you are really a "B Class Gourmet". I didn't really understand what he meant, and since I have plenty of Lost in Translation moments over here, I asked him to explain.

He said that in Japan there are different "classes" for things. I realized that he meant "rankings" or "tiers". The Japanese talk about universities or companies or cars using the same idea. A "B Class Gourmet" is someone who is an expert on "B Class" (tier) foods. "A Class" foods would be really good sushi or Kobe Beef. "B Class" would be Ramen or Tonkatsu.

I decided I liked the title and plan to continue to be a "B Class Gourmet".