Greedy Quotes

“How did losing his sales job and playing pachinko end up in human sacrifice and being indebted to a megalomaniac?”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“To be a single mother in Japan is to be a pariah. They are shunned”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“It’s hard to give up things that make us feel good mentally”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“No. Absolutely not. Children should learn to eat what they are given and enjoy it. They expect the world”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“They say money can’t buy happiness”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“I do not go straight up and down like their petite women do. I had a waist circumference much larger than the East Asian average.”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“That he has squandered their savings and become tied up with the Yakuza. That he has put her life in danger as well as his.”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“During his years in Japan, Ed has eaten many famous, cheap street food delicacies. Takoyaki, the golden batter opening to reveal tiny little suckered octopus tentacles. Natto----- slimy fermented soybeans which instantly made him gag, to the great amusement of Sayuri, who had tricked him into believing it was a delicious Japanese favorite. (It's not.) He even once tried shirako, dared by his colleagues on a night out after too many draft beers, the bowl of fish prostate reminiscent of fat white maggots. But none of these things had a full face and skeleton. So he looks away and shovels the bird into his mouth and begins to chew.
The skull crunches so lightly between his teeth that he'd almost have missed it; the skin is delightfully crispy, like deep-fried chicken skin; and the soy sauce gives a sweet yet salty tang to the meat.
"Tastes like liver," he says, going in for a second bite.”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“Even your egg salad sandwiches at the convenience store are a treat,” Ed says, thinking of the way that Japanese mayonnaise is made with only egg yolks— it’s so rich and creamy and thick compared to the watered-down, white, British variety.
“Ahh, tamago sando, delicious,” Nakamura agrees.”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“Fresh, peeled carrots stand out in orange spirals against the crisp, sliced cucumbers. Juicy slithers of mango are tucked in between the flaky crab meat, the entire bowl liberally drizzled with a creamy umami dressing, made just the Sayuri taught him when they first began dating. He whisked Japanese mayonnaise made from golden yolks with salty soy sauce and rice wine vinegar for a tart, sharp kick. Then he added a dash of spicy sauce for a little heat, and sprinkled the dressing with panko breadcrumbs for a crunchy bite.”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“What Ed's family rely on are the heavy, hearty meals that are cheap to make but full of sustenance. Rich, golden yakisoba, often more noodles than meat. Yolky omurice filled to bursting with fried rice, the copious carbohydrates leaving his belly stretched. Or even donburi, thrown together using whatever leftovers they have at the end of the week, Ed's favorite being pork cutlet, the chewy fat sliding down to rest in his gut before bed.”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy

“The duck breast sits on a plate, a reflective sheen glistening on its plump, burgundy underbelly. The white fat sits tightly against it, a textured, honeycomb patten contrasting with the sleek meat.
Ed remembers from Friday-night takeaways growing up that his mother always had duck with plum sauce from the local Chinese restaurant. He roots through the fruit bowl, but to his dismay, no plums. They're out of season. He turns his attention to the overflowing pantry, and finds an unopened jar of ume jam. He opens it, sniffs, and gives the jar a small shake. The orange contents wobble gently, shining and slimy under the bright kitchen lighting. A unique medley of European and Japanese cuisine. Perfect.”
― Callie Kazumi, Greedy