“Lycopersicum III” © Uli Westphal 2013

At your local supermarket or grocery store, you can expect to find typical produce like tomatoes and peppers that all look about the same. So why are “ugly” fruits and vegetables excluded? German artist Uli Westphal became interested in this question after visiting local street markets in Berlin, finding an abundance of irregular produce for the first time. This encounter ultimately prompted his ongoing series of flat-lay photographs entitled the Cultivar Series, which highlights crop diversity that is frequently neglected.

Each image from the project showcases a single species or crop type and its cultivated variations, arranged by color and shape into large ovals. Pears, potatoes, peppers, and more are seen in a multitude of shapes and hues. “I try to rediscover and document the biodiversity that is excluded from the commercial markets,” Westphal says. “At a certain point, I started to realize that it is not only the natural occurrence of morphological irregularities in the growth of single plant varieties that is being suppressed and filtered out by our food system. In fact, only a tiny fraction of high-yielding, ‘good-looking' varieties are being grown and distributed today, even though there are literally thousands of varieties of any domesticated fruit or vegetable.”

You can purchase prints of Westphal's photos via his website, and keep up to date with the artist's latest work by following him on Instagram.

German artist Uli Westphal highlights biodiversity in his series of flat-lay photos.

“Zea mays II” © Uli Westphal 2022

The ongoing project, titled Cultivar Series, features arrangements of irregular produce.

“Solanum tuberosum II” © Uli Westphal 2020

“Purus I” © Uli Westphal 2018

The fruits and vegetables featured in the photos are not what is seen in supermarkets.

“Capsicum I” © Uli Westphal 2016

“Cucurbita I” © Uli Westphal 2014

“Cucumis sativus I” © Uli Westphal 2014

“Brassica oleracea I” © Uli Westphal 2018

“Phaseolus vulgaris I” © Uli Westphal 2013

Uli Westphal: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Uli Westphal.

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READ: Gradient Arrangements of Food Highlights Biodiversity Not Often Seen in Supermarkets

Flæskesteg from Denmark. (Photo: johanmede, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

For many people, one of the best parts of Christmas is the delicious, traditional home-cooked meals that signify the season. Sitting down with your loved ones and feasting together is a classic way to celebrate the holidays around the world. While some cultures center their big meal on Christmas Day, for others it's Christmas Eve. But no matter what the date, the sentiment is the same. In celebration of the holiday season, we've gathered recipes from 25 different countries that are commonly eaten.

These dishes are steeped in tradition and the love and warmth of the holidays, no matter what the ingredients. People from around the world took to BuzzFeed to share what's on the menu at their holiday table, making for a mouthwatering holiday voyage around the globe. Meat is a big trend in many countries, including Denmark where flæskesteg (a pork roast with crackled skin) is served as the main component of the Christmas Eve meal. According to mettekirkk, it's served with “potatoes, warm red cabbage, gravy, small caramelized potatoes, and chips.”

By contrast, it's interesting to see how countries with warmer climates, like New Zealand, differ from the hearty Nordic tables of Finland and Sweden. And of course, no Christmas dinner is complete without something sweet, which can range from chocolate, cookies, cake, and beyond.

Let's take a look at some of the plates that make the holidays special in homes around the world.

Check out some of the most interesting Christmas dinner traditions around the world, from a Swedish smörgåsbord to a New Zealand barbecue.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, families gather around the table to enjoy a Fondue Chinoise, where thin slices of meat are dipped with skewers into boiling broth. This particular meal is popular both for Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners.

Netherlands

Gourmetten is the typical holiday meal in the Netherlands, with most families having a “gourmet set” for the occasion. In this tradition, small meats and vegetables are cooked on a tabletop hotplate by the whole family.

Mexico

Photo: Mevystark via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Mexican Christmas meals can vary greatly from region to region. In central Mexico, romeritos are a common feature on the table. Made with sprigs of seepweed, shrimp seasoning, and mole—a traditional sauce made with a variety of chili peppers, nuts, and spices—they are often served with dried shrimp patties or between slices of bread.

Guatemala

Tamales are a large part of the traditional Guatemalan Christmas. They can be red (colorado) or black (negro), and are eaten from Christmas Eve through New Year's Eve.

Sweden

A Swedish holiday feast means julbord, a smörgåsbord consisting of hot and cold dishes like ham, spare ribs, a variety of fish, potatoes, meatballs, and boiled cabbage. In the south, it's typical to also have eel on the menu.

Slovakia

A Slovakian Christmas starts with a big meal on December 24 and continues through Christmas Day. One typical dish is sauerkraut soup with mushrooms eaten on Christmas Eve, with pork being added in on December 25 as meat is placed on the menu.

Botswana

According to mommagen, the Christmas meal in Botswana is similar to that served at any important occasion—such as a wedding—and consists of rice, salad, and fried chicken.

Japan

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Millions of people in Japan celebrate Christmas with KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). The fried chicken chain restaurant has almost become synonymous with the holiday. Since the fast-food restaurant first opened in Japan in the 1970s, it has marketed itself around Christmas, creating a unique tradition of eating a bucket of fried chicken with loved ones.

Venezuela

In Venezuela, hallacas are the go-to dish during the Christmas season. Similar to a tamale, it's a corn-stuffed dough filled with meat or seafood, depending on the region. Also on the table is pan de jamón, a bread roll filled with ham, fried bacon, raisins, and green olives.

New Zealand

It's only fitting that New Zealanders fire up the barbecue during the holidays, grilling a wide array of goodies like beef and veggies, and then ending their holiday meal with the meringue-based cake, called Pavlova.

Norway

Norway's Christmas traditions stretch back to the Vikings, and their holiday meal still shows traces of these origins. “For example, we have a strange thing where we place cod in lye so it becomes jelly-like and then we rinse it, like, 20 times before serving it with melted butter and bacon,” shares gabsfever. “We also eat dried cooked lamb head, and dried lamb rib that's been boiled with sticks for eight or more hours.”

Finland

Lanttulaatikko, or rutabaga casserole, is a staple of the Finnish Christmas table. It's made by boiling and mashing rutabaga and mixing in bread crumbs, treacle, egg, and a variety of seasonal spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Once baked in the oven, it becomes a favorite side dish to accompany ham or fish.

United Kingdom

The traditional Christmas roast in the UK—either turkey, goose, or chicken—is accompanied by myriad sides. From Brussel sprouts to bacon-wrapped sausage and roast carrots, everything is topped with savory gravy.

Poland

As part of the traditional Christmas Eve meal in Poland, a clear borscht (beetroot stew) is prepared with mushroom-filled dumplings called uszka. It's one of just 12 plates that comprise the December 24 menu, none of which contain meat.

Greece

On Christmas Eve, it's customary for Greek families to prepare a rustic sweetbread called Christopsomo (meaning “Christ's bread”). The dough is filled with raisins, apricots, nuts, cardamom, and cloves, and the top is often decorated with a cross and honey glaze. It becomes a delicious centerpiece on Christmas Day.

Philippines

In the Philippines, feasting comes at the stroke of midnight according to willievergettoseeyou, “in the Philippines, Noche Buena, the mother of Christmas meals, usually starts at 12 am Christmas Day. Yes, we stay up all Christmas Eve so we can feast come midnight.” The star of the table is the Fiesta ham served with rice and Pinoy-style spaghetti.

Iceland

Photo: fanfon/Depositphotos

On Christmas Day, Icelanders enjoy a dish called Hangikjot, which includes thin-sliced meat made from lamb, mutton, or horse that is smoked over dried sheep's dung and accompanied by a cream sauce.

Armenia

Photo: Wirestock/Depositphotos

The Eastern Orthodox community in Armenia celebrates Christmas on January 7 with ghapama—a special roasted pumpkin dish that is stuffed with rice, raisins, and nuts.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Ricans celebrate the Christmas holiday with their regional specialty, lechón, which is a roast suckling pig. Popular in many Spanish-speaking countries, this food requires a significant amount of preparation and is usually enjoyed by a large group of people.

Greenland

Christmas dinner in Greenland features meat delicacies that are highly unique to the area. One traditional dish that can usually be seen at the table is strips of whale blubber encased in whale skin called mattak.

Costa Rica

Photo: bhofack2/Depositphotos

Tamales are an important part of Costa Rican cuisine, but especially at Christmas. This dish used to be made only for the holiday and remains a key component of the meal. It is usually made with corn, pork, carrots, sweet pepper, and achiote; and wrapped in a plantain leaf before it is cooked.

Australia 

Photo: AndreySt/Depositphotos

Like other countries in the southern hemisphere, Australia experiences Christmas during the summer. So, instead of eating indoors, many Australians prefer to take advantage of the warm weather and cook outside. They prepare a variety of meats, but grilled prawns is usually a favorite.

Montenegro

In Montenegro, many people will fast through Christmas Eve and enjoy a meatless, and dairy-free Christmas dinner. One of the traditional dishes that can be seen at the table is kutia, which is made of wheatberries, poppy seeds, and honey. This ceremonial dish symbolizes unity.

Denmark

A traditional Danish Christmas dinner isn't complete without a special dessert called Risalamande (or ris à l'amande in French). It is a cold rice pudding typically served with hot or cold cherry sauce. Risalamande has been a popular staple in Denmark since the late 19th century.

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 25 Culturally Unique Christmas Dinners From Around the World

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Angular and geodesic are unlikely words to describe pastries, but not if you’re Dinara Kasko. The Ukrainian pastry designer creates cakes that incorporate perfect undulating waves, uniform baubles, and mesmerizing gradients. The results are awe-inspiring and push the boundaries of what we think of as a dessert; they redefine the idea of food art.

Kasko incorporates algorithmic tools and complex diagramming techniques to inform her work while also finding inspiration in the art of origami. The past nine months, however, have made it difficult to experiment with new desserts. She was based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, prior to the Russian invasion in February. After working as a volunteer and fundraiser for a few months, she has now settled in Liverpool, England, and started working again.

Kasko is empowering people to make their own desserts in her style. She sells a variety of silicone pastry baking molds so that you can replicate her Mini Dunes, stained-glass-inspired stars, angular hearts, and much more. Couple that with her large selection of pre-recorded online classes and you'll soon be making your own incredible food art.

Angular and geodesic are unlikely words to describe pastries, but not if you’re Dinara Kasko.

The Ukrainian pastry designer creates cakes that incorporate perfect undulating waves, uniform baubles, and mesmerizing gradients.

The results are awe-inspiring and push the boundaries of what we think of as a dessert.

Kasko incorporates algorithmic tools and finds inspiration in the art of origami.

Dinara Kasko: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Dinara Kasko. 

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The year 2020 was an unconventional one for everyone. Instead of starting college in the middle of a pandemic, recent high school graduate Emmy Rener decided to embark in a completely different direction by making cheese boards for friends and family. What started as a passion project quickly blossomed into a successful charcuterie business called Sophisticated Spreads.

Based in Los Angeles, Rener started receiving attention for her carefully curated boards when influencers shared some of her work through their social media. Sure enough, her talent for charcuterie became well-known in the area, and she soon launched an official website and Instagram. Now, she creates custom boards and grazing tables for events big and small.

When scrolling through the Sophisticated Spreads' Instagram, it is easy to see why people love Rener's arrangements, which contain a perfect mix of different food items. “My tips for creating a successful charcuterie board is definitely working with a strong color palette, so make sure that all your colors work together and they aren't clashing,” she tells My Modern Met. “Make sure you have a variety of cheeses, like soft cheeses (so Brie), and medium cheeses (like Gouda), and try to highlight seasonal produce. I also like to add edible flowers to my boards, because I think that adds a very fun touch.”

Sure enough, Rener's own boards feature a variety of yummy meats and cheeses, in addition to dried fruits, crackers, pieces of bread, and nuts. But once you have all of the desired ingredients for charcuterie, you need to pay attention to where you place these items. “Make sure that like items never touch each other on a board. So, cheese shouldn't touch cheese, and meat shouldn't touch other meat,” Rener recommends. “Highlighting a variety of different ingredients is really the key to charcuterie.”

You can learn how to order cheese boards by Rener via Sophisticated Spreads' website, and see more beautiful charcuterie by following her on Instagram.

Emmy Rener is the creative force behind LA-based cheese board business Sophisticated Spreads.

Rener began making cheese boards for friends and family after graduating from high school.

Now, her successful service provides custom cheese boards and grazing tables to events big and small.

Rener says the key to making a successful cheese board is choosing a variety of ingredients, highlighting seasonal produce, and making sure “like items” aren't touching on the board.

Sophisticated Spreads: Website | Instagram | TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Emmy Rener | Sophisticated Spreads.

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READ: Charcuterie Board Artist Shares Tips on the Most Successful Spreads Anyone Can Do

Photo: One Piece Wiki

Fans of the popular anime and manga pirate series One Piece likely remember—and perhaps even dreamed about—Devil Fruit. In the world of the series, they are a collection of mysterious and distinctive fruits that give anyone who eats them permanent superhuman powers. But they come with a caveat; whoever ingests them is left permanently unable to swim. The severe limitation hasn’t stopped mere humans from wishing they could enjoy a Devil Fruit. Now, a Japanese high school student named Etoo has made their own, sans superpowers.

In a viral tweet, Etoo showed off their handy work of a real-life reproduction of Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Mi (Gum Gum Fruit). This particular fruit turns someone into a Rubber Human by giving their body the property of rubber.

Etoo produced a real-life replica of Gum Gum Fruit by carving the design into a melon and perfectly recreating its intricate patterning onto the rind. To do this, they revealed that they started scratching into the melon when it was still small which caused the mesh-like motif to stand out once the fruit grew bigger.

With such an enthusiastic response, Etoo said that they were going to work on another Devil Fruit: Mera Mera no Mi, which gives people the power to create, control, and transform into fire. Be sure to follow Etoo on Twitter to see when they complete it.

A Japanese high school student named Etoo carved a real-life Gum Gum Fruit, a type of Devil Fruit from the popular anime and manga series One Piece.

ちょっと前に作ったゴムゴムの実風メロン🍈
好評だったらメラメラの実も作ります。
#ワンピース #ゴムゴムの実 #悪魔の実 #ONEPIECE pic.twitter.com/kaUwv1NAgI

— ｴﾄｵ (@x0JJ4cCbII7TRUX) October 20, 2022

Etoo: Twitter
h/t: [grape]

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Benicia, California-based One House Bakery has a way with dough. The mother-daughter duo who own the bakery, Hannalee Pervan and Catherine Pervan, have recently revealed a monumental bread sculpture inspired by an iconic movie scene. Their creation is called Pan Solo, and it's a 6-foot-tall recreation of Han Solo frozen in carbonite as seen in the 1980 film Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. The similarities are uncanny, and the bakery manages to capture Solo's angst using only dough.

The Pervans worked together to create Pan Solo. They used Hannalee as a body reference and drew her shape onto a tall board—their bread canvas. The two then sculpted the hands, head, and other parts using “dead dough,” which is dough that doesn’t contain any yeast. Hannalee and Catherine used film references so that the facial expression and even the creases were all accurate. The sculpture was baked in sections and then attached to the board.

Pan Solo was created as an entry in Benicia's 15th Annual Scarecrow Contest, which invites local businesses to make their own versions of scarecrows and the public to vote on their favorite. The competition must be tough; last year, One House Bakery created an amazing dough-Ki alligator (inspired by the Disney+ show Loki) and didn’t win. Perhaps they will break the mold this year.

If you’re local to the Bay Area, head to One House Bakery to see Pan Solo in person.

Benicia, California-based One House Bakery has created a monumental bread sculpture called Pan Solo. 

It's a 6-foot-tall recreation of Han Solo frozen in carbonite as seen in the 1980 film Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.

The Pervans worked together to create Pan Solo.

They sculpted the creation using “dead dough,” which is dough that doesn’t contain any yeast.

The sculpture was baked in sections and then attached to the board.

Pan Solo is an entry in a local competition, but it has already won the hearts of the internet—including Star Wars actor Mark Hamil, aka Luke Skywalker.

Mmmm…… Pan Solo! 😋 https://t.co/Kt75i4Srv8

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) October 16, 2022

One House Bakery: Website | Instagram | Facebook 
h/t: [People]

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Photo: Paula Smith
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Decorative gourd season is upon us, and that means pumpkin carving is right around the corner. Now is the time to decide on your yearly design. There's always the tried-and-true motif of triangle eyes, a nose, and a crooked smile, but throughout the years, artists have shown us the amazing possibilities that can be achieved with a big imagination and the right tools.

One of the most important characteristics separating an extraordinary pumpkin carving from an ordinary one is the way in which the flesh is carved. While it’s tempting to stick a cutting tool through to the center of the squash, try whittling away portions of the skin instead. In doing so, you can carve it like marble art. Many artists, most notably Villafane Studios, use this technique to create stunning details in ghoulish portraits or in fun nods to characters in pop culture.

If the idea of a marble-esque carving seems beyond your artistic skills, have no fear. Simply stencil the design of your choice onto a pumpkin and approach it like a conventional carving. Making a stencil is easier than you think; there are thousands of free designs online or even websites that will convert your photograph into a usable stencil.

Before you begin to decorate your porch with gourds, here are some of our favorite creative pumpkin carving ideas.

Looking for creative pumpkin carving ideas? Scroll down for some spooky inspiration.

Monstrous Pumpkin Sculptures

 

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Pop Culture Pumpkin Carvings

 

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Fine Art Pumpkin Carvings

 

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Funny and Expressive Pumpkin Faces

 

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Nature Motifs and Landscapes in Pumpkin Carvings

 

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This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 31+ Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Creatively Celebrate the Spookiest Time of Year

 

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Part dinner theater and part art installation, Le Petit Chef is a culinary experience like no other. Using visual mapping technology, the world’s smallest chef “cooks” your food right in front of you. While your actual dish is off being prepared in the kitchen (by real staff), you're treated to an immersive show that uses custom animations and culminates in a delicious meal.

Your table is a blank canvas that comes to life through animated art. The imagery varies based on the story being told, but the tabletop transforms into a landscape—such as forests, farmland, or the ocean—that features Le Petit Chef working hard to grow your food, prepare it, and put it on your plate. As the tiny chef starts to put things together, your course is served.

Le Petit Chef was created by Skullmapping, an artist collective run by Filip Sterckx and Antoon Verbeeck. They’ve configured the visual mapping technology to map the dining table and the objects on it (such as your plates and silverware) and project the animation based on those elements. Paired with music, props, and a complementary menu, it's a hi-tech food experience you won’t soon forget.

Le Petit Chef is in cities around the world. For a full list, visit the website.

Le Petit Chef is the world's smallest chef that “cooks” your food in front of you, at your table.

 

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The character was created by Skullmapping, and it uses visual mapping technology to map the dining table and the objects on it.

 

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While your actual dish is off being prepared in the kitchen (by real staff), you're treated to an immersive show that uses custom animations and culminates in a delicious meal.

 

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Your table is a blank canvas that comes to life through animated art.

 

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The imagery varies based on the story being told, but the tabletop transforms into a landscape and features Le Petit Chef working hard to grow your food, prepare it, and put it on your plate.

 

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Part dinner theater and part art installation, it's a culinary experience like no other.

 

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Le Petit Chef: Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Have you ever seen embroidery that could make your mouth water? Artist Heather Ríos creates incredible mixed-media embroidery pieces that look like sweet treats. Scrolling through her Instagram will make you feel like you’re walking through a bakery and it may even evoke sweet smells and tastes.

Ríos uses various embroidery techniques—including punch needle embroidery—along with Sculpey clay and acrylic paint to create a vast array of amazing faux treats. There’s something for every sweet tooth: confetti cake, vanilla donuts, cupcakes with every color frosting, chocolate cake bites, and so much more. Many of these creations are available to purchase on her Etsy and are made-to-order, ensuring each confection-like piece of art has the buyer in mind.

With over 28,000 followers on Instagram and high praise from fans and customers, the popularity of Ríos’ bakery-esque artistry is undeniable. In June 2022, two of her TikToks garnered a combined total of over 600,000 views and the comments are filled with amazement at how lifelike her cakes look. One user says, “I still thought it was real even after you were touching it.” Another admits, “It took me like three whole views to understand it wasn’t food.” Even after realizing it isn’t actual food, one viewer states, “I would still eat it,” showing just how tasty Ríos’ work looks.

Just when you thought her illusions couldn’t get more realistic, a short scroll through Ríos’ social media will surprise you. While the majority of the artist’s designs are on canvas, some of the artificial confections are three-dimensional. Using craft foam as a base, Ríos transforms her flat pieces into lifelike slices of cake on actual plates.

Ríos’ love for embroidering in unconventional ways is displayed on her Instagram as far back as you can scroll. Everything from Dolly Parton and Mona Lisa to Harry Styles and The Office have gotten a textile reimagining from the artist. It seems that Ríos made a switch in April 2022 to focus on her iconic confectionery embroidery pieces, which makes our eyes happy—and our stomachs grumble.

Scroll below to see some of Ríos’ delicious-looking art and find even more treats on Instagram and Etsy.

Artist Heather Ríos creates works of art that look deceptively delicious.

From cake to donuts to cupcakes, Ríos has quite an array of faux-confectionary creations.

Ríos uses a combination of Sculpey clay, acrylic paint, and yarn to create her pieces.

Her baker-esque artistry has garnered a lot of attention online, with many fans remarking how amazed they are. Some even admit it took them multiple views to realize her creations weren’t real.

While many of these forbidden treats are on canvas, some of Ríos work is three-dimensional, making her illusionary work even more realistic.

There’s no doubt that these embroidery pieces are incredible to look at—and might make you want to visit a bakery.

Heather Rios / HararaTextiles: Instagram | Etsy

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Heather Ríos.

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READ: Embroidered “Cakes” Look Just as Moist and Sweet as the Real Thing

Japan is known for its culture of cuteness, and it goes beyond fashion and entertainment. Kawaii culture has also seeped into the country’s food. Thanks to Twitter user boku shima enaga (aka @daily_simaenaga), we get a taste (no pun intended) of adorable onigiri (rice balls) designed to look like a delectable gang of delinquent birds.

This charming assortment of savory snacks is inspired by two separate staples of Japan: the long-tailed tit (or shima enaga in Japanese) and yankii (the “delinquent youth” trope often featured in Japanese school anime and manga, who are characterized by their pompadour hairstyles). The long-tailed tit is a tiny, fluffy white bird that lives on Hokkaidō, the country's second-largest island. The little birds are just 12 to 16 centimeters in length, half of which is their tail. Their pure-white fronts make them look like cotton balls, flying through the snow.

By virtue of their cuteness, the birds have a lot of fans. Boku shima enaga posts daily long-tailed tit content, from photos of the bird to cute foods, products, and crafts inspired by it. Each of these onigiri, sometimes referred to as yankii sushi, look like a cute reimagining if the delightfully rotund little birds but with a wild “hairstyle” made of sausage, shrimp tempura, salmon, eggplant, or some other edible strip of food. The nori (seaweed) wrapped around the sides double as the bird's wings and the yankii’s jacket. Talk about cute with an attitude!

Scroll down to see more of these fun snacks, and follow boku shima enaga on Twitter for all kinds of adorable shima enaga content.

These adorable onigiri (rice balls) are the perfect blend of “tough guy” and “super cute.”

They're inspired by two icons of Japanese culture: the tiny shima enaga bird and yankii (juvenile delinquents often featured in Japanese school anime and manga).

The shima enaga (long-tailed tit) looks a lot like a rice ball, and isn't much bigger.

🍙 pic.twitter.com/lBzDrq5yUP

— ぼく、シマエナガ。 (@daily_simaenaga) July 18, 2022

Yankii characters are often distinguished by their pompadour hairstyles.

Yanki/Yankii (pronounced like “yankee” in english): A juvenile delinquent/rebellious youth. Famous examples include Yusuke Urameshi from Yu Yu Yakusho and Jotaro Kujo in JoJo's part 3. pic.twitter.com/ZHREmbp8D3

— Sen Anakara || VtuberEN || Ghastly Cat Boi (@AnakaraSen) July 22, 2022

To recreate the edible hairstyles, Twitter user boku shima enaga uses anything from eggplant to sausage to shrimp tempura.

boku shima enaga: Website | Facebook | Twitter
h/t: [grape]

All images via @daily_simaenaga.

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READ: Adorable Rice Balls Reimagine Japan’s Cutest Bird as Anime-Style Delinquents