Category Archives: 魚

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Hamburgers, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka marine products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Yaizu Burgers at Bakery Kiosk in Yaizu JR Station! Part 1

February 15, 2014 dragonlife 5 Comments

Yaizu slider!

Service: Smiling and kind
Facilities & Equipment: Overall very clean. Non smoking
Prices: Reasonable:
Strong points: Local ingredients!

What’s that billboard on the first floor of Yaizu City JR Station South exit?

BAKERY KIOSK?

Advertising local food?

Yaizu City being a major fishing harbor it is only normal that local shops come up with some interesting ideas using local seafood!

This is also very tempting but that will for the next time (very soon!)!

You can eat inside in a no smoking environment! Really appreciated!

Among 3 different burgers I decided to choose for the day: Maguro Katsu Burger/Deep-fried Tuna Burger/Japanesestyle slider!

Maguro Menchi Burger/ Minced tuna burgers!

My order!

Maguro Menchi Burger ingredienst clearly indicated!

Both traditional and unusual!

I had a good look at the simple ingredients before biting into the whole thing!

Very tasty and healthy, lighter than I expected but fulfilling!

The Japanese-style slider inside a very solid cellophane paper wrapper. Very safe for transport!
The shop will heat them first if you want to eat them on site!

All ingredients very precisely indicated whatever the product!

Yummy deep-fried tuna inside!

As good as meat!

See you there next time for the other items!

BAKERY KIOSK
Yaizu City JR Station, South Exit, 2F, right hand side
Opening hours: 07:30~20:30

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sashimi, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Seafood, sushi, Sushi bars, Sushi restaurants., Tourism

Sushi: Dinner at Sushi Ko (February 2nd, 2014)!

February 3, 2014 dragonlife 6 Comments

Extravagant Salmon roe sushi gunkan!

Service: Pro and very friendly
Facilities: Very clean. Excellent toilets
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Great variety of seafood from Shizuoka Prefecture and the rest of Japan. Great list of sake and shochu

After the report on the two stars of the night here is the full report of our first dinner ofthe year at Sushi Ko Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

O-toshi/snack coming with the first drink was tuna sashimi (akami/lean part)!

As for the first drinks we started with Chablis, a wink at my home country, Bourgogne!
I did switch later to Sake while the Dragon took care of the wine!

First, the sashimi plate with the recommended fish of the day: Akami/Tuna lean part, kinmedai/Spledid Alfonsino and Hirame/Sole-Grouper!

Sushi Ko is not all sushi and sashimi but also some succulent cooked dishes!
Geso karaage/Deep-fried squid tentacles!

Ankimo/Japanese foie gras/Frogfish-Monkfish liver steamed in sake!

Sushi Ko’s specialty: Sushi Millefeuille!

Japan meets France: Scallops Gratin!

Hotate/Scallops sushi nigiri!

Ikura/Salmon roe sushi gunkan!

Shiroebi/White shrimps sushi gunkan!

Ika shiokara/Pickled cuttle fish for the Dragon!

A special roll not on the menu with shiso/perilla leaf, ume/pickled Japanese plum flesh, natto/fermented beans and ika/squid-cuttle fish!

Deep-fried shiroebi/white shrimp eaten whole!

And plenty of nameko mushroom miso soup to wash it all down!

SUSHI KO
420-0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 2-3-1 (Aoba Park Street)
Tel.: 054-251-9701
Business Hours： 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 （Sundays）
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE</strong> (in Japanese)
Smoking allowed. Private room can be arranged for non-smoking (4 people)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, Design, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Life, Life in Japan, Recipes, Restaurants, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Seafood, Tourism

Sushi Millefeuille at Sushi Ko: “Hagetora, s’il vous plait!”

February 3, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

To the surprise of our neighbors (it is not on the menu!) we challenged Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん at Sushi Ko in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, to come up with a different/new millefeuille sushi!
Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん obviously likes the challenge and as long as the place is not too busy he is more than willing to comply to such requests!

Moreover he knows that photos will be taken and kept for posterity!
This time the ingredients placed between layers of sushi rice were pieces of raw ika/cuttle fish and boiled shrimps!

The toppings were pretty complicated as they included tamagoyaki/Japanese omelette, anago/conger eel, tako/octopus, leek rolls, menegi/leek sprouts and tobikko/flying fish roe!
Not to mention the dressing artistically placed around the millefeuille!

Now the naming of this millefeuille was a bit of a revenge to make him work so hard! I was already in my cups wen I made a mistake ordering sake, that is I asked for “hage tora/bald tiger”! The “s’il vous plait” is a jab at my nationality! LOL

Mind you, I had my own revenge, destroying the whole succulent edifice!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Seafood, sushi, Sushi bars, Sushi restaurants., Tourism

Sashimi Plate at Sushi Ko, Shizuoka City (February 2nd, 2014)!

February 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last night saw our first visit of the year to our favorite sushi restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely Sushi Ko Bar Restaurant located in busy Aoba Park Street, Aoi Ku!
We always start such dinners with a selection of sashimi out of the day’s recommendations!
So what did the plate consist of?

Tuna akami/lean part!
This tuna was not from Shizuoka Prefecture but still obtained at Yaizu City Fish market!

Kinmeidai/Splendid Alfonsino!
This is one of the most famous fish found in Shizuoka Prefecture people are ready to travel just to taste!
The skin being soft and tasty, the whole fish makes a superb presentation!

Hirame/sole or grouper, another fish caught in Shizuoka Prefecture!
It was cut in very thin slices you can wrap around thin scallions before dipping it in a sauce based on vinegar and momiji oroshi, grated daikon with chili pepper!

the dip!

More to come!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Crustaceans, 美食, 金沢市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Kanazawa City, Non-smoking restaurants, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, seafood, sushi, Tourism

Gastronomic Destinations: Kanazawa City 5: Lunch at Hirai Honten Sushi

January 18, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Kind and attentive. Easy-going and smiling!
Equipment & Facilities: very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Sushi and tuna. Great lunch sets. Entirely non-smoking!

for our last meal in kanazawa City, we decided to have d\fish again and more precisely sushi!

Hirai Honten is conveniently located on the second floor about the great Ohmicho Market whose fish only has to travel upstairs to be served on your plate!

Visitors who do not like raw fish should be discouraged (overawed? LOL) as they also serve some great cooked seafood sets!

We chose two fairly similar sets!

My donburi set, quite extravagant!
Can you spot the salmon roe with real gold flakes, the sea urchin, the oyster, the conger eel, the yellowtail and crab?

Can you spot the tuna, negitoro and sweet shrimps?

Another view of the crab!

The Dragon’s donburi set!
Can you spot the oyster, negitoro, salmon roe with gold flakes, and cuttle fish?

Can you spot the octopus, salmon, yellow tail and sweet shrimp?

Can you spot the marinated mackerel, tamagoyaki, tuna among the rest?

This was our first visit to Kanazawa City, but expect at least two more!
There were just too many good things for a single trip!

HIRAI HONTEN

920-0905 Kanazawa City, Kami ohmicho, 29 (2nd floor of Ohmicho Market)
Tel./fax: 076-222-5887
“http://www.kaisen-hirai.com/”>HOMEPAGE
Opening hours: 11:00~15:30, 17:00~21:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sashimi, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Sashimi Lunch Set at Totoya in Shizuoka City!

January 16, 2014 dragonlife 7 Comments

Service: Friendly and attentive. Easy-going.
Equipment & Facilities: A bit old but overall very clean. Clean washroom
Prices: Reasonable~Slightly expensive
Strong points: Traditional Japanese gastronomy. Great local fish and seafood. Excellent sake and shochu list. French spoken!

I wanted to eat some fresh fish for lunch for once today and I’m lucky to have a very good Japanese restaurant near work that serves excellent Japanese lunch sets for all budgets!
They are famous all over the city for their fish, particularly tuna!

This is the lunch I ordered.
Although it was bigger than most of my neighbors’ lunches it is very reasonable at 20 US $ or 15 Euros!
Now, what did it include?

Steamed rice and plenty of cold simmered hijiki seaweed!

Vegetables and seaweed salad, miso soup and Japanese pickles!

The sashimi plate!

Crab in rice vinegar, akagai/blood shellfish, aji/horse mackerel!

Tuna akami/lean part, seaweed jelly, buri/yellowtail, freshly grated wasabi, seaweed!

Octopus, seared tuna (tail), aori ika/bugfin reef squid, marinated mackerel!

Great value for your money!

TOTOYA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 8-9, Kubota Building
Tel.: 054-274-0077
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00^22:30
Parties welcome
Small private room up to 8 guests, party room for up to 24 guests
Credit cards OK (dinner only but warn them before ordering!)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish Gastronomes Gastronomic Photography Gastronomy Izakaya Japanese Gastronomy Japanese Restaurants Photography Recommended Lunch Restaurants sashimi seafood Shizuoka City Tourism

レシピ, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 野菜, 金沢市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Izakaya, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Kanazawa City, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sake, Tourism

Gastronomic Destinations: Kanazawa City 4: Miyuki Honten Izakaya!

January 15, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, informative and always ready for a great chat!
Equipment and facilities: Very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Local gastronomy. Oden. Great sake and drinks list. Great use of local products. Long history and faithful local clientele.

Miyuki Honten is a true Kanazawa City izakaya with a small entrance easy to miss!
The reason is simple enough: like many such establishments in this cold part of Japan, it is all in length with a narrow entrance to keep the cold out!

Even at 17:00 it is a busy place and you had better reserve in advance, not like us who were very lucky to find once again the best seats at the counter because we entered very early!

They certainly need a many staff with so much on the menus!
We were told they use 14 part-timers in shifts of threes to be added to the husband, wife and son team (and probably a hidden cook or two!)!

like all good izakayas you will have a good idea of the gastronomy served with all the appetizers lined up in front of the counter!
Mind you you can take a seat at a table or away from the crowd on a tatami!
But again like in any good izakayas conversation with the owners can be so great fun!

have a good look at the exhibited food before delving into the menu!

And you must try the local oden, an unending conversation topic!
The place was opened 46 years ago. The original owner is still alive and at 87 decided to open his own little karaoke bar for his personal fun and leave everything to the very capable second generation!

As for the many sake don’t hesitate to consult the owners or staff if you are tourists like us!

lightly cooked local na no hana/rape flowers as the appetizer with the first drink!
Already a good sign of the above-average quality!

Simmered cuttle fish!
They do serve excellent sashimi, but as a non Japanese their cooked seafood should be a delight if you are not keen on anything raw!

Great oden!
A local discovery: they serve shumai in oden in Kanazawa City!

Now, we parctically heard all the customers order the above steamed grated lotus root ball!
Delicious and very local in concept!

Home-made potato and vegetables salad!
Perfect with beer or sake!

One my favorites!
Cod milt tempura, another specialty of the house!

Home-made specialty that everyone ordered too: white satsuma age/deep-fried fish paste! A must!

Beef suji/tendons and tofu nikomi/stew!

Nanban-style deep-fried chicken!

Pity there was a limit on our stomachs and that we had to go home the next day!
I plan to come back to Kanazawa City again and Miyuki Honten is first on my list!
One of the very best izakayas in all Japan!

MIYUKI HONTEN
920-0981 Kanazawa City, Kata machi, 1-10-3 金沢市片町１丁目１０－３
Tel.: 076-222-6117
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00
Closed on Sundays and national Holidays
Cash only
Reservations recommended!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish Gastronomes Gastronomic Photography Gastronomy Izakaya Japanese Gastronomy Japanese Restaurants Kanazawa City Oden Photography sake seafood Tourism vegetables

レシピ, Crab, Crustaceans, Cuttlefish, 美食, 野菜, 金沢市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Kanazawa City, Life, Life in Japan, Markets, Photography, Recipes, Tourism

Gastronomic Destinations: Kanazawa City 3: Ohmichou Market-近江町マーケット!

January 13, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Crabs, crabs, crabs!

The Ohmichou market is certainly one of the most famous spots in Kanazawa City!
It was established 300 odd years ago during the Japan Feudal Times and is still striving!
For more information read one of their homepages I included at the bottom of this article! No less than 5 languages! Great promotion that some places should take good note of!

Alright, let me take you along during my first ever visit last week!

One of the many entrances to the market. Note the curtain to keep the cold out!

Past the entrance!

Naturally, Tengu, the biggest meat company in town has its shop inside!

Ishikawa Prefecture is famous for its vegetables!

But seafood is the main attraction!

Very expensive crabs, many of them still alive!

More crabs and shrimps!

Sweet shrimps!

Enormous oysters!

Aori Ika/Bigfin Reef Squid!

Big and fresh shiitake mushrooms!

Yellowtail/Buri!

Boiled octopus!

Local vegetables for every day food!

aturally

Naturally, there are many restaurants inside, especially on the second floor, offering super fresh seafood in particular!

Wasabi from Shizuoka (cheap variety from Izu, though!)!

Beautifully colored cute little cauliflowers!

Lily roots and taro roots/satoimo!

All kinds of freshly fried food are available for immediate consumption and enjoyment!

We were particularly interested in this famous shop for a quick morning snack!

Octopus and beef Croquettes!

Remember this noren/curtain! We definitely recommend the place!

Hot sweet shrimp croquette!

Hot beef croquette!

OHMICHOU MARKET/近江町マーケット

JAPANESE HOMEPGAE</strong>
ENGLISH HOMEPAGE
CHINESE HOMEPAGE</strong>
CHINESE (TAIWANESE) HOMEPAGE
KOREAN HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish Gastronomes Gastronomic Photography Gastronomy Japanese Gastronomy japanese markets Kanazawa City Markets Ohmicho market Photography seafood Tourism vegetables

レシピ, Crustaceans, 美食, 酒, 里芋, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Izakaya, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Kanazawa City, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Tourism

Gastronomic Destinations: Kanazawa City 2: Itaru (Honten) Izakaya!

January 12, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sashimi plate, all local fish!

Service: Friendly and very attentive
Facilities and equipment: Very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable (considering the quality)
Strong points: Local fish, sashimi or cooked, crab and seafood, local vegetables. Great sake list!

In Kanazawa City winter means early and cold nights.
People tend to go earlier to their favorite haunts and it is always a good idea to reserve as good or popular establishments are full by 6:00 p.m.!

For our first night we chose to visit Itaru (Honten, there is another one)!
We came early enough and were lucky actually to get the best seat at the corner of the counter with a full view of the kitchen!

In such a cold part of Japan, entrances are deceptively narrow to keep the cold out, but once inside you usually find yourself with plenty of space!
But it is still cold for some and knee blankets are available!

Such a spot by the counter does not seem that popular there and we were really glad to grab it, which allowed us not only to watch the chefs at work but to share a chat with them!

Of course I ordered local sake!

In Kamazawa City, izakayas are proud of their heritage and always have plenty of local sake on their menu!
The above was Tengu no Mai!

O-shino/home-made pickles!
Kanazawa is also famous for its countryside providing a wealth of vegetables!

Local seafood for our sashimi plate:
Octopus, tuna, sweet shrimps, yellow tail and seaweed marinated seabream!
Interestingly enough the freshly grated wasabi is made with roots from Izu peninsula!

from another angle!

A local grilled fish: Nodokuro/Black throat!

Expensive, even in Kanazawa!

Another local specialty: Lotus root chawanmushi!

Another local sake. Sorry, I forgot to note down the name!

Another local specialty: hako crab sushi donburi!

And to finish pork and vegetable stew!

tasty, comforting and healthy!

ITARU (Hontenn)
Kanazawa City, Kakinokibatake, 3-8
Tel.: 076-221-4194
Opening hours: 17:30~23:00
Closed Sundays
Cash only
English menus available

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish Gastronomes Gastronomic Photography Gastronomy Izakaya Japanese Gastronomy Japanese Restaurants Kanazawa City Photography Restaurant Restaurants sake seafood Tourism vegetables

美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Kanazawa City, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sushi, Sushi bars, Sushi restaurants., Tourism, 寿司

Gastronomic Destinations: Kanazawa City 1-Mori Mori Sushi!

January 10, 2014 dragonlife 3 Comments

Service: Easy-going and friendly
Facilities and Equipment: Overall very clean. Very clean wasroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Very good value for many local fish and seafood! Better than average conveyor belt sushi! Entirely non-smoking!

Usually I’m not so keen on kaiten sushi/回転すし/Conveyor belt sushi, but when you happen to enjoy food in a Prefecture and City famed for their fish and seaood I’m willing to make a concession, with a few conditions attached that is!

Mori Mori Sushi is a big sushi restaurant chain in Japan, with no less than 15 establishments allowing them to make extensive use of computerized service.

It is a busy place, but you do not have to sit elbow to elbow with other customers as the “belts” also run along the booth-style table seatings!

The table we were offered was the epitome of sushi high tech!

You can choose your morsels in two different manners:
via the computer digital screen or by picking plates running along on belts!

Now I must admit that this system should appeal to non-Japanese speaking tourists as you can switch to English, Korean, Chinese and Mandarin (Taiwan) Chinese!

The lid covered plates running along is a show by itself!

Plenty of simple instructions:
Smoking prohibited!
Do not ride the belts (that’s for silly kids!)!
Mind your sleeves!
Do not return a plate onto the belt!

You are free to collect leftovers to take back home! (no waste!)
Pay your bill to the staff at your table (no need to search for the register. You can pay by card at your table!)!
Refrain from drinking alcohol if you are driving!
No pets allowed!
Do not block large trays on the belt (such large trays are private oreders, anyway!)!

The belt move slowly enough for you to look and pick up an individual plate!

Yummy!

These trays on the train are private orders that will be delivered at only one table. Don’t try to block it!

Don’t worry, there are plenty of cartes on hands for the analogs like me to have a good look at the offereings!

have a good look at the sets, too!

Gunkans/ships and Rolls!

There is also a special additional daily menu! You might need some help there!

Our first set, all different shrimps!

Our second set!

We had just disembarked from a 4-hour train trip and were very hungry at this first lunch so we ordered some extra!
“Gasuebi sshrimps”!

Sea urchin and salmon roe!

Shiroebi shrimps”!

Scallops!

Natto and cuttle fish/squid!

Negitoro and quail eggs!

Our last order came by train!

Tamagoyaki nigiri!

When you call for your bills the staff will pass a computer reader along them and voila, your bill will be ready!
Note that the plates are of different colors indicating a pre-ordained price including drinks. So do not worry if you are served empty colored plates with your drinks!
Tea is free and you can mix it and serve it yourself thanks to a hot water tap at your table!

MORI MORI SUSHI (Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurant)

Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanzawa City, Horikawa Shin Cho, 3-1, Kanazawa Forus Department Store, 6 F (near Kanazawa JR Station)
Te.: 076-265-3510
Opening hours: Forus Department Store opening hours
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Conveyor-belt sushi Gastronomes Gastronomic Photography Gastronomy Japanese Gastronomy Japanese Restaurants Kanazawa City Non-smoking restaurants Photography Restaurant Restaurants sushi Tourism

レシピ, 美食, Ecology, Environment, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 魚, 農業, Food, Food Health, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Kikugawa City, Meat, Non-smoking restaurants, Recommended Lunch Restaurants, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

French Gastronomy: Lunch at Cava.K. in Kikugawa City!

December 30, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Bear stewed in red wine!

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Spotless clean overall. Superb washroom
Prices: Appropriate. Reasonable when considering quality and originality!
Strong points: Gibier/Game, the best in the Prefecture! Great use of superb local and own garden ingredients. Seasonally cured meat and ham.

Cava.K. French Restaurant is lost in the mountains near green tea fields in Kikugawa City, western Shizuoka prefecture for a good reason: Chef Hiroyuki Yamaguchi/山口祐之さん wants to stay as close as possible to local hunters for best supply of game whatever the season!

He also grows his own garden to supply variety to the local products!

The reason he called his French Resaurant Cava.K. is twofold: “Ca va” in French means “It’s fine”. The district where the restaurant is located is called 沢水加/sabaka. When you that “K” is pronouced “ka” in French, the whole name almost sounds the same!

The style of the building is certainly original in Japan, like a modern chalet!

All kinds of original processed foods and presents can be purchased there, too!

The specialties of the day!
If you don’t understand Japanese, don’t worry, the staff can at least tell it in French!

We came six of us that day for a business lunch. We had to skip alcohol but I can tell you that made it a feast, including game!
Alright, let’s start!

Akaei ebi shrimp, Aori Ika/great reef squid, spinach (from their garden), soupe de poisson/fish soup and tuile de noir de seiche/squid ink tile.

Gougere! I had some work to do, explaining all that French to my Japanese colleagues!
I didn’t take picture of the bread, but it was also home-made!

Another appetizer you will be hard put to find anywhere else in Japan: smoked yamadori sasami/Yamadori Chicken breast, duck and pheasant!

Another set of appetizers!

Celeriac, leeks potato soup with Karugamo/duck confit from Kikugawa!

Marcassin/Young wild boar a la creme, Trompettes de la Mort mushrooms, kohlrabi and pie!

Shojoin turnip, shiro baigai clam, scallop, Ikawa lotus root, ikura/salmon roe!

The consomme that was served then was entirely made with wild venison. The last touch was added with fennel!

The fish dish!
Sole from Omaezaki, with bisque sauce. Local vegetables including Japanese echalette and native corn from Ikawa!

Actually, before the start of the repast we were requested to choose a main dish from the gibier/game menu:
From top to bottom:
Karugamo/wild duck roast
Pheasant from Kikugawa Roast
Wild boar from Kawane Roast
Japanese deer from Ikawa Roast
Civet Roast (the first ever I’ve heard of it as a game dish!)
Hare from Kikugawa Roast
Asian Black Bear from Kawane stewed in red wine
Asian Black Bear from kawane Roast
Kamoshika Deer hamburger

What do you think we chose?

Civet roast!
We had some great fun sharing all these dishes between us!

Hare Roast including its kidneys!

Pheasant Roast!

My choice!
Asian Black Bear stewed in red wine!

Important note: for those who think we are eating Japan wild life into extinction, stand corrected! All these animals had to be culled in the wild by professional hunters as they proliferate to very dangerous numbers for the local ecology. At least they become useful!

One of the best cheese trays in the Prefecture, half of the cheese French, the other from Nagano Prefecture!

And then it was all kinds of desserts I had very little time to ask about!
I promise to be more careful next time!

It was certainly a delightful sin to break into them!

To finish it all chocolate declined into four different symphonies!

Don’t ask me how much we pay! It was ridiculously cheap considering the quality, the originality and the supreme flavors, aromas and savors!

I very much doubt you will find the equivalent in Tokyo, so reserve your train ticket!

CAVA.K.
Chef: Hiroyuki Yamaguchi/山口祐之さん

439-0003 Kikugawa City, Sabaka, 791-11
Tel.: 0537-37-1820
Fax: 0537-37-1850
Opening hours: 11:30^14:30, 18:00~21:30
Parking: 8 cars
Cash only
Reservations advised
Entirely Non Smoking!
HOMEPAGE
BLOG (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

French Gastronomy French Restaurants Gastronomes Gastronomic Photography Gastronomy Japan Japanese Gastronomy Non-smoking restaurants Photography Recipes Restaurants Tourism

由比, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, History, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Sakura ebi, Sakura shrimp, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism, 桜海老

Railway Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture 3: Yui JR Station and Vicinity

December 22, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Some stations, even larger ones, are better left alone, but one should give at least one chance to any you venture to get off as there is always a chance that such a station and its vicinity contain enough helpful information, especially in a touristic spot.

Yui is such a station along the Tokaido Railway Line about 20 minutes from Shizuoka JR Station in the east direction and found between Okitsu and Kambara Stations.
After all Yui has always been an important stage along the various routes coursing Japan between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto as superbly described in many ukiyo-e/woodblock prints.
So, although the railway station is tiny, keep your eyes open (and don’t forget you can espy Mount Fuji from the overhead tracks bridge!)!

I know a lot of stations which don’t bother, but you will find a window display of the local products typical of Yui.
Bear in mind that Yui was a city of its own before being recently merged with Shizuoka City and Shimizu Ku!

Ogura Co. specializes in processed sakura ebi/cherry shrimps and fish!

Yui Cannery Co. is famous all over Japan for its “White Ship” olive oil tuna cans!

Inaba Co is another big tuna cannery!

Kakusa Co specializes in processed fish products, especially dry and liquid fish dashi/soup stock!

The Yui Cake (Japanese cakes) Association is also featuring their products!

With all that fish around Yui is home to high end brand of dog and cat food producers!

Yui is also home of famous kamaboko/steamed fish paste and kuro hanpen/black sardine fish paste cakes, the latter found only in Shizuoka Prefecture as demonstrated by the Yui Kamaboko Makers Association!

Next time you visit Yui buy some in the many shops along Sakura Ebi Street as an unusual souvenir! Great with sake or beer!

The small but renown Hiroshige Museum hang their posters inside to inform all-comers of their events!
A must visit in Yui!

Yui might be small but you will gratified to discover that most signs are bi-lingual (sometimes with funny renditions!)!

A must take picture: the Sakura Ebi Portal at the the entrance of Sakura Ebi Street!
The contraption was only moved there recently!

You will find the double Yui Emblem of Sakura Ebi and Mount Fuji everywhere, so keep your eyes open for some interesting shots!

You will find big signs hung by local establishments but like in any touristic spots big signs do not always guarantee the best of quality. To take with a pinch of salt! After all there is plenty around!

Past the exit on your right you will find this first map board. Have a look at it even if you do not understand Japanese as more bilingual boards are near!

It will give you a first idea of what to look for!

Tokai Nature Trail bilingual board! Take your time to consult it!

Take good note!

You must take a look at Village Head Koike’s Mansion on Tokaido (meaning “Village Head/Chief’s Mansion along the Tokaido route. Free entrance) that I will talk about in an article soon to be posted and the Museum of Light, one of the only three lighting (candles and so on) museums in Japan! (entry 500 yen including coffee and an oral and manual demonstration!)!

The Yui Edo Period Lodging Stations Guide Board!

Take your time and read it!

And don’t forget the sakura ebi & Mount Fuji emblems, they are everywhere, even on manhole covers!

FOR MORE REPORTS ON YUI AND SAKURA EBI do consult the following reports:

–Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps: Catching Season Opened in Yui!
–Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps Catching in Yui. Still Hard Work!”
–Japanese Crustacean Species 7: Sakura Shrimp-Sakura Ebi-桜海老
–O Taiko Festival at Toyosumi Shrine in Yui, Shizuoka City on the New Year!
–Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 14: Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

美食 Fish Food Gastronomes Gastronomy Gourmet Japan Japanese Gastronomy Railway Stations Shizuoka Shizuoka Prefecture Shizuoka Railway Stations Tourism

レシピ, 由比, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Recommended Lunch Restaurants, Restaurants, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Seafood, sushi, Sushi restaurants., Tourism, 寿司

Sushi: Suruga Bay Sushi Set at Ginta in Yui, Shizuoka City!

December 21, 2013 dragonlife 6 Comments

Service: Friendly and great explanations!
Facilities and equipment: old
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Suruga Bay sashimi and sushi! Sakura ebi!

“Me-Ichi Dai/メイチダイ”, a very rare seabream caught in Suruga Bay! It goes by the Latin name of Gymnocranius griseus (Temminck and Schlegel)! You would have to pay thousands for it in Tokyo! One of the best seabreams in Japan!

For all its derelict appearance (and it is actually old in all senses of the term!) Ginta in Yui just in front of Suruga Bay regularly appears on magazines and TV.
The reason is simple enough: this is a rare place, albeit cheap by sushi restaurant standards, which serves mainly local fish and seafood caught in Suruga Bay/駿河湾, and more precisely in a smaller bay called Kurasawa Bay/倉沢湾!
These are the richest bays in Japan when it comes to varieties, even including deep-sea fish which also appear as sashimi on plates in Numazu city for example!

Sakura ebi emblem on a small bridge crossing one of the many streams running into the sea!

Mr. Hara is a story himself: being the son of a sakura ebi/cherry shrimp fisherman, he was destined to sail in his father’s feet, but he had one little problem… he suffered from chronic seasickness! There was only path left to him: opening a sushi restaurant!

But his superior knowledge of the local fish and fishermen gave him the inestimable advantage over all sushi restaurants in the Prefecture that he had first catch and first choice whenever he wanted!
He didn’t have to serve fancy sushi or sashimi but keeping things simple served him perfectly. People would come from very far indeed for only one of his three specialties: aji/鯵/Kurasawa Bay Horse mackerel sushi nigiri plate, full course sakura ebi/桜海老 set (in season only for a mere 3,000 ywn!) and the 8 local fish sushi nigiri set for the ridiculous price of 1,800 yen/18 US $/13 Euros!
The other day I opted for the 8 local sushi nigiri set (I always do, actually!).
The set details allways appears on a notice on the board and served in the same order, a simple and great way ro introduce the fish offered!

The 8 local fish and seafood nigiri set!

Hirame/平目/Sole-Grouper!

Tachiuo/太刀魚/Scabbard fish served with momiji oroshi (grated daikon and chili pepper) and ponzu! topping

Yagara/ヤガラ/Trumpet fish served in konbujine style (marinated in seaweed)!

Fugu/河豚/Globefish (don’t worry, a non-poisonous variety!) served with momiji oroshi, leek and ponzu topping!

Kurasawa Bay Aji/鯵/Horse Mackerel!

Ishidai/石鯛/Striped Beakfish-Barred Knifejaw!

Kurodai/黒鯛/Japanese Black Porgy!

Sakura Ebi/桜海老/Cherry Shrimps served in gunkan-style nigiri!
Note the glossy shell skin and the many red dots, a sure sign of super freshness!

And sakura ebi miso soup to finish it all!

GINTA
421-3111 Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Yui, Konjuku, 165 (Get off at Yui JR Station, turn right, a few minutes walk)
Tel.: 0543-75-3004
Business hours: 11:00~23:00 (but better call beforehand!)
Closed on Tuesdays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Gastronomes Gastronomy Japan Japanese Gastronomy Lunch Lunch Restaurants Photography Recipes Recommended Lunch Restaurants Restaurants sushi Sushi restaurants.Tourism

レシピ, 美食, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sake, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, sushi, Sushi bars, Sushi restaurants., Tourism, 寿司

Sushi: Dinner at Sushi Ko (December 2013) in Shizuoka City!

December 9, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん

Service: Pro and very friendly
Facilities: Very clean. Excellent toilets
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Great variety of seafood from Shizuoka Prefecture and the rest of Japan. Great list of sake and shochu

I don’t really have to introduce Sushi Ko in Aoba Street, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City and its main chef, Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん!
So what did we have last night?

Negi toro snack to accompany the first drink!

Sake brewed by Fujinishiki Brewery in Fujinomiya City: Junmai Ginjyo nama, Sushi Ko Edo no Kaori!

We asked Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん to prepare a whole filefish called Umazura/Horse Face!

O-tsukuri-style sashimi Plate with scallion!

Just wrap the sashimi around the scallion!

And dip them in a sauce made the live fish liver!

Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん kept some of the sashimi and liver to make those beautiful nigiri sushi!

And we had the cheeks of the fish deep-fried!

3 different fish zuke (marinated) set!

Buri/Amberjack!

Akami/Lean tuna!

Salmon!

Japanese foie gras/Ankimo/Frog fish liver!

Shiokara/Pickled cuttle fish for the dragon!

Hotatae/Scallop nigiri!

Amaebi/Sweer Shrimps!

Negitoro maki!

Grilled watari gani crab miso!

Chawan Mushi/Japanese-style steamed salted pudding!

Tamago Yaki!

And complimentary strawberries!

SUSHI KO
420-0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 2-3-1 (Aoba Park Street)
Tel.: 054-251-9701
Business Hours： 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 （Sundays）
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (in Japanese)
Smoking allowed. Private room can be arranged for non-smoking (4 people)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish Gastronomes Gastronomy Izakaya Japan Japanese Gastronomy Photography Recipes Restaurants sashimi sushi Sushi restaurants.Tourism

レシピ, 美食, 酒, 蛸, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Health, Izakaya, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sashimi, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Seafood, Tourism

Sashimi Plate at Nishiki Izakaya in Shizuoka City!

December 7, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Kind, friendly and attentive if a bit shy
Facilities and equipment: Very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Higher-level izakaya gastronomy. Superb fish, local for most. Great sake and shochu list.

I have known Chef Yoshiyuki Nishitani for quite some time, back to the years before he decided to fly on his own wings.
It didn’t take im much time to create himself a niche in the highly competitive izakaya scene in Shizuoka City.

Nishiki is a little away from the nightlife hubub of Shizuoka City in Aoi Ku acoss the Showa Street and is cozy with a single long counter propitious to a rich conversation with your neighbors and the chef.

I will have to taste those Kansai-style oden next time as I had little to spare on that particular visit!

There are plenty of sake at Nishiki, including local ones, so I treated myself to a small bottle of Shosetsu brewed by Kanasawagawa Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

I was given a great snack of re sweet potato and edamame salad while my sashimi plate was being prepared!

The little detail that makes you feel welcome!

The sashimi plate!

Tachiuo Aburi/Seared Scabbard Fish!

Isaki/Chicken Grunt (it’s a fish!)

Kanburi/Winter Amberjack from Northern Kyoto, the only fish of the day not from Shizuoka!

Madago Octopus!

Mebachi/Big-eyed Tuna

Great attention in small succulent details!

Winter Amberjack under skin toro!

And how much did I pay for the sashimi plate, the tidbits and the sake?
24 US $/20 Euros!
At thei level of freshness, quality and variety, izakaya and restaurants in bigger cities will be hard put to serve the same as such a reasonable price!

NISHIKI

Chef: Yoshiyuki Nishitani/西谷喜幸さん

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 2-2-1, Livenet Aoba, 1F
tel.: 054-251-7991
Opening hours: 17:00~02:00
Closed on Tuesdays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish Gastronomes Gastronomy Izakaya Japan Japanese Gastronomy Photography Recipes Restaurants sashimi Tourism

Posts navigation

1 2 … 9 Next →