Shizuoka-raised Sanoman Co. Dry aged Beef and Mangeton Pork Recipe by Dominique Corby at Le Cordon Bleu Japan, Inc., Tokyo in Collaboration with M2 labo Inc.!

All the products used by Dominique Corby were forwarded by M2 Labo Co. in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture, thanks to their intricate agricultural network supporting the producers and products of Shizuoka Prefecture!
Dry-aged beef and Mangenton pork are extravagant meat produced by Sanoman Co in Fujinomiya City. Vegetables were produced by Nagomi Farm in Fujinomiya City and the whole fresh wasabi were cultivated by Maru Ichi Farm in Utogi, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

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The dry-aged beef painstakingly developed by Sanoman Co. in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture!

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Organic vegetables from Nagomi Farm at the foot of Mount Fuji!

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Once again Dominique had conceived the recipes as simple as possible and with other products from Shizuoka including organic vegetables from Nagomi Farm and of course wasabi from Maru Ichi Farm in Utogi, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

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He had beforehand prepared burdock/gobou roots and asparaguses for the decoration and finish!

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Sweet potato chips had been prepared beforehand, too!

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Wasabi leaves tempura were prepared during his demonstration!

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As the mangento pork required a long roasting at constant temperature it had been cooked in the morning!

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Naturally, the pork was added the last fishing touch, especially in the light that its fat is succulent, while the beef recipe was demonstrated!

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Dominique first cut out some of the fat of the beef, but left plenty as it is too good to ignore!

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He then proceeded to cut it into thin slices to compose a mille-feuille!

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He confided that as beef was concerned it was a recipe he was experimenting for the very first time!

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Deliberately slow and delicate work!

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He then flattened each slice himself.

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Each slice was then salted and peppered. Next he added plenty of freshly grated wasabi on each slice!

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Each slice was then placed on top of each other and smeared with freshly grated wasabi one at a time!

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The mille-feuille was then enveloped tightly into cellophane paper to help the meat achieve shape and consistency!

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It was then fried on its edges to allow the meat to weld!

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It was then fried all around (private TV picture) just enough to e\leave the inside almost raw for best taste!

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The beef was then cut into slices to appear as a mille-feuille!

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Sanoman Co. Dry-aged beef with grated wasabi in Mille-feuille, on Wasabi Leaf, wasabi leaf tempura and Sweet Potato Chips, asparaguses and burdock, gobo!

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The wasabi cooked loses its sting but contributes a very soft and delicate touch to the meat!
Dominique seasoned it freshly grated wasabi for extra zip, taste and finish!

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The Sanoman Co.’s ultimate dish served to each student attending the demonstration!
Sonoman Co.’ dry-aged beef with Mangenton Pork Roast, organic vegetables and wasabi tempura!

Needless to say that the whole staff came to sample the leftovers after the demonstration!
Even in Tokyo you have very little chance to see and even less to taste such products prepared by a top-class Chef!

M2Labo Inc., VEGI PROVIDER, Sync Foods
439-0006 Kikugawa City, Horinouchi, 110-1, 102
Tel.: 0537-28-7721
Fax: 0547-28-7724
HOMEPAGE

LE CORDON BLEU Japan, Inc
150-0033, Tokyo, Shibuya Ku, Sarugaku Cho, 28-13, ROOB-1, 1F
Tel.: 03-5489-0142
Fax: 03-5489-0052
Dominique Corby on FACEBOOK

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, Pie
rre.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

Italian gastronomy: Dinner with Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん at Storia, Shizuoka City!

Until April 30th, 2014

Service: Friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Extremely clean overall. Splendid gender separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Light & mild Italian gastronomy. Great use of local products
Entirely non-smoking!

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As dragon and I shared a rare holiday today we decided it was about grand time we visited again Storia Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shiuzuka City!
And it did turn into a momentous occasion as I explain at the end of this report!

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I noticed a new addition to the decor!

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Lovely little figurines and stories created with cork!

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Their creator is no one else but one of the serving staff!

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Storia offers an interesting set of three drinks for a reasonable fee: 1 sparkling wine or beer, 1 white wine and 1 red wine!

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Beer for me, sparkling wine for Dragon!

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it is always a safe bet to start with a plate of appetizers!

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Parma Ham!

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Pate de Campagne!

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Potato, mozzarella, and spring onion salad with parmigiano!

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Shizuoka madai/Japanese red snapper carpaccio!

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Served with 3 different pearl tomatoes and succulent vegetables!

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More wine! We actually asked for another set later!

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The beauty about Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん is his readiness to cope with his customers’ selfish wishes!
Dragon wanted her egg well fried, whereas I wanted mine served as introduced on the menu.
Unfazed Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん just served two different eggs instead of one! with those beautiful asparaguses!

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Simple and extravagant with Parma ham!

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Three different aspraguses, white, green and violet!

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Dragon needed her pasta!

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Mussles and cockles pasta!

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Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん is best at showing his great skills when it comes to meat dishes!

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Roast duck with fresh shiitake Mushrooms, stick senior broccoli and black cabbage!

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The roast duck is simply a true beauty I took a long time to savor!

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My favorite dessert with Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん: Tiramisu!

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Tiramisu can be so often disappointing even in Italy, but Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん’s creation with a biscuit imbibed with coffee liquor is a treat not to miss!

Unfortunately I might have to wait some time before I can enjoy again Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん’s gastronomy!

The reason why I wrote “Dinner with Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん” and “Until April 30th, 2014” is because he will leave Storia, very probably with the lady staff on the last day of this month!
A great loss for the gastronomy of Shizuoka Prefecture!
I sincerely hope he will find soon a new place to show his skills again.
I’ll make sure to interview him personally then, or if he has to migrate far, I will find somebody to rediscover him all over again!

STORIA
Chef: Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん
422-8076 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo 1-7-13, Espacio Takajyou, 2F
Tel.: 054-260-7552
Opening hours: Lunch-11:30^14:30; Cafe-14:30~18:00, Dinner-18:00~22:30
Closed on Mondays and 2nd Tuesday (the next day in case of National Holiday)
Credit cards OK
Entirely non smoking!

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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, Pie
rre.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

Japanese Appetizer (O-toushi/お通し): Vegetables and Potato Chips salad!

O-toushi/お通しis actually a bit difficult to translate.
In a Japanese (in Japan) izakaya it is an appetizer that is served with the first drink and that you pay for in general in lieu of a cover charge.
I have nothing against such a notion as it gives you a good idea of the chef’s skills!

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Sometimes so-called junk food can be put to a good use!

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We always have some kind of potato chips, the dried ones sold in packages, bags, and what else!
Dragon took some of a very hot/spicy kind and crumbled them into small pieces.
She made a salad with boiled string beans, and shredded fresh carrots, sliced black olives some mayonnaise, pepper and what else.
At the last moment she added the crumbled potato chips.
The dish thus conceived had a very pleasant extra crunch and zip!

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, Pie
rre.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

Angel Trumpets in Shizuoka City: Beautiful, but Beware!

Some flowers, like many other plants, might be beautiful and enticing, but very often it is a good idea to admire form a distance!

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This flower does have a great name, at least for religion-conscious people: Angel Trumpet!
But in fact it has little angelic about itself!

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There’s a small Shinto Shrine across from Parco Department Store in Aoi Ku, Shzuoka City, called Kogisho Shrine, famous in town for housing regular flea markets and other events, although it is also notorious for its use by smokers who should have a look at the back entrance where the above small torii gate stands!

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They will find this flowering tree just behind the torii gate on the right!

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Local worshipers use the tree for motive messages!

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My impression is that it is used more or less to hide the drab neighborhood!

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These long unopened blossoms do look like long yellow cigars!
Another reason for smokers to sit down under them! LOL

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now, do have a good look at their definition on WIKIPEDIA

You will find out that although they are used as medicine in some places, the whole plant is poisonous!!
Still, the flowers are beautiful!

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, Pie
rre.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

Japanese Appetizer (O-toushi/お通し): Bamboo Shoots!

O-toushi/お通しis actually a bit difficult to translate.
In a Japanese (in Japan) izakaya it is an appetizer that is served with the first drink and that you pay for in general in lieu of a cover charge.
I have nothing against such a notion as it gives you a good idea of the chef’s skills!

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Bamboo shoots are in season, although they are going to disappear as fresh produce very soon.
We still can find them raw or already boiled in supermarkets all over Japan, and especially in Shizuoka where they grow early!

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Dragon bought a large piece already boiled at the big Cenova market in Shizuoka City.
She washed it first and then cut it in fairly large long pieces.
She fired hem in a little oil and soy sauce and a little seasoning of her own until their surface became crispy and brown in some places!

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Served with chopped scallions it once makes for a tasty and healthy morsel!
Vegetarians and vegans should particularly enjoy the satisfying crunch!

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, Pie
rre.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

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses In Shizuoka Prefecture 16: Kanaya

“Kura” (in Japanese 蔵 or 倉) means “warehouse” or “Storehouse”.
In traditional Japan, especially during the Edo Era, as most of buildings and urba/village structures were made of wood, fires were the bane of society by and large.
However well-protected a fire would consume a house or buildings and all its properties within minutes.
Hence a special building or warehouse was needed to protect goods and properties against such a catastrophe.
But erecting a storehouse solely made of concrete, stones and some metal cost a vast amount of silver and gold and only rich merchants and nobility could afford them. Even castles could not be built entirely of stone then.

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I found this comparatively middle-sized kura in Kanaya, Shimada City during my recent Tea Festival coverage!

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It looked old enough although in good repair. Only the windows showed its age as the concept of the walls in base stones and and hard concrete block made it very resistant!

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An old Japanese talkative lady very proud of the more than the 90 years she lived in the city informed us that this kura was owned by the Matsumura Family apparently the richest in Kanaya.
Since she told us she used to play nearby as a kid we can imagine the age of the edifice!

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A very sturdy and well-maintained kura still used as a shed!

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, Pie
rre.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

Japanese Appetizer (O-toushi/お通し): Boiled Squid and Kimchi!

O-toushi/お通しis actually a bit difficult to translate.
In a Japanese (in Japan) izakaya it is an appetizer that is served with the first drink and that you pay for in general in lieu of a cover charge.
I have nothing against such a notion as it gives you a good idea of the chef’s skills!

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Dragon had found some boiled squid and kimchi at the supermarket.
Kimchi is Korean but it is one food that all Japanese have adopted as their for a very long time!
The kimchi provided enough seasoning on its own, but Dragon also added black sesame seeds for extra taste!

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Sprinkled with some finely chopped scallions it makes for a very healthy and tasty morsel to enjoy with your drink! wine in this particular case!

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, Pie
rre.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

GREEN TEA: SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE TEA FIRST AUCTIONS IN 2014 IN SHIZUOKA CITY!

Once again like every year with this most important event Tea growers are early-risers!
Since Marufuku Tea Factory (Shizuoka City) in the person of Ms. Asami Itoh/伊藤麻美 had again kindly invited me to attend and interview at the official first day of the new tea auctions (officially) held today (April 23rd) I found myself the only European (journalist) present at the early hour of 6:30 a.m.!

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Like every year too the event is held at the Shizuoka Tea Market Center in Tamachi, SAoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

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“Cha Musume” were i\on hand to serve the new tea of the year, most of it from the Shimada and Makihara regions as these produce the first tea of the year due to their comparatively low altitude!

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Some producers took advantage of the event to sell their vegetables and other products!

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A tea massage demonstration was also held outside!

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As usual this was the day for plenty of speeches in front the TV and newspaper reporters!

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Mr. Fumiyaki Ichikawa of Marufuku Tea Factory was also present to buy some tea!

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The “bigwigs” who also had some problems with the early hour!

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Shizuoka Prefecture Governor, Heita Kawakatsu/川勝平太静岡県知事!

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Shizuoka City Mayor, Nobuhiro Tanabe/田辺信宏静岡市長!

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And then the participants were soon haggling prices!

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Making offers or taking notes?

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Note that the auctioneers are still using traditional abacuses!

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Some of these teas were pretty steep!

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18,000 yen for 3 kg!

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But this particular tea was the record for the day!

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100,000 yen for 4.5 kg of hand-massaged Yabukita tea!

Note: Shizuoka tea is not only absolutely safe, it is of very high quality this year!!
Next report will be in the tea-fields picking up the Ichiban Cha (First leaves of the year)!

Marufuku Tea Factory (Owner: Ms. Asami Itoh)
420-0006 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Wakamatsu, Cho, 25
Tel.: 054-271-2011
Fax: 054-271-2010
Mobile: 090-3250-4188

CHA-O (Director, Ms. Asami Itoh)
420-0006 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Wakamatsu Cho, 94
Tel: 054-253-8421
Fax: 054-253-8413
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, Pie
rre.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

Scabbard Fish at Parche Supermarket in Shizuoka City!

There seems to be an endless list of names for Tachiuo/太刀魚!
In Japanese it means “big Sword Fish”!

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I’ve always liked the name of Scabbard Fish as it becomes an interesting comparison with the meaning of the Janaese name!

This is the Wikipedia definition which does not things any clearer!
The largehead hairtail (also beltfish), Trichiurus lepturus, is a member of the cutlassfish family, Trichiuridae. It is a long, slender fish found throughout the tropical and temperate waters of the world. The Atlantic and Pacific populations are also known as Atlantic cutlassfish and Pacific cutlassfish, respectively.

Largehead hairtails can grow to over 2 m in length; the largest recorded weight is 5 kg and the oldest recorded age is 15 years. They live in shallow coastal waters, rising to eat planktonic crustaceans during the day and returning to the sea bed at night.

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These were caught in the Suruga Bay off Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
They seem a bit pricey at 1,500 yen a piece, but they are the freshest samples you will find anywhere except on boats!
You will find cheaper ones in other markets but they will not be that fresh and will bear many injuries as the skin is very thin and easily broken!
Do not buy fish with broken skin, a sure sign of lack of freshness!

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They certainly not easy to put on display for the reason of their length!

It is a very versatile fish which can be appreciated as sashimi, sushi both raw or aburi/seared!
It is a little beauty as tempura, but you can also cook it grilled or in sauce in all kinds of gastronomy!

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, Pie
rre.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

Japanese Appetizer (O-toushi/お通し): Mashed Kabocha Salad

O-toushi/お通しis actually a bit difficult to translate.
In a Japanese (in Japan) izakaya it is an appetizer that is served with the first drink and that you pay for in general in lieu of a cover charge.
I have nothing against such a notion as it gives you a good idea of the chef’s skills!

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Kabocha, or Japanese pumpkin, is a very versatile vegetable often associated with soup or tempura.
It can be prepared in a Western way by boiling it first and make a mash while it is still hot.
Fragon then mixes it a little mayonnaise, broken boiled egg, black olive slices and little pepper.
last she sprinkles it with hand-broken parsley!
Makes for some elegant colors and is so yummy it does disappear quickly!

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, Pie
rre.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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kokkou Brewery-Tokubetsu Honjozo Miyabi No Iki

It’s been quite some time since I tasted a brew by Kokkou Brewery in Fukuroi City!
Their sake are not easy to find in Shizuoka City actually!

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Kokkou Brewery is remarkable for the fact that it was the first brewery to sue the famed Shizuoka yeasts!

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They tend to produce very dry sake, even by Shizuoka standards and this particlar brew has a special attached to it, “Miyabi no iki'”/”Elegant Style”!

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Rice: Yamada Nishiki 20%, Gohyakumangoku 80%
Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: + 9
Acidity: 1.2
Amino acids: 1.1
Yeast: Shizuoka Ginjo HD-1
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in March 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Melon with hints of apples and pears
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack with pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Dry almonds, nuts.
Very elegant in spite of its very dry approach.
Disappears quickly.
Changes little with food but for a slightly sweeter turn.

Overall: Extremely elegant for a “simple” tokubetsu honjozo.
The skills involved in the creation of such sake are simply extraordinary!
Blind tasting will bring out surprises!
A sake for all seasons and genders and occasions!

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, Pie
rre.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

Shizuoka-raised Amago Trout Recipe by Dominique Corby at Le Cordon Bleu Japan, Inc., Tokyo in Collaboration with M2 labo Inc.!

All the products used by Dominique Corby were forwarded by M2 Labo Co. in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture, thanks to their intricate agricultural network supporting the producers and products of Shizuoka Prefecture!
Amago trout is a Red spotted masu trout in English and comes into two different sizes at Shimoyama Trout Farm in Shuzenji, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture!

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The trout raised at Shimoyama Trout Farm are raised along wasabi water fields in Shuzenji, Izu peninsula in a totally organic environment!

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Organic vegetables from Nagomi Farm at the foot of Mount Fuji!

Dominique had conceived the recipe as simple as possible and with other products from Shizuoka including organic vegetables from Nagomi Farm!

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He also used fresh wasabi directly sent by Maru Ichi Fram in Utogi, Shizuoka City, whose plants were awarded the best wasabi in Japan Prize last year!

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An international class was admiring products they saw for the first time!

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Dominique had even prepared a collection of photos of the wasabi fields in Utogi for them!

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The ingredients!

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Dominique first seasoned the fish very lightly.

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He grated and prepared wasabi for the sauce and the garnish.

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He prepared a cream with shungiku/spring chrysanthemums, komatsuna and wasabi to which he added fresh cream later!

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He then rolled the amago trout in filtered flour to cook them in meuniere fashion with olive oil and butter!

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The fish were then poeled/sauteed carefully!

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More organic vegetables were used for the garnish including Japanese long leeks, green broccoli, red broccolini, wasabi stems, radishes and so on!

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Et voila!
Shuzenji Amago Trout sauteed Meuniere with organic vegetables and wasabi stems, shungiku, komatsuna and wasabi cream!

M2Labo Inc., VEGI PROVIDER, Sync Foods
439-0006 Kikugawa City, Horinouchi, 110-1, 102
Tel.: 0537-28-7721
Fax: 0547-28-7724
HOMEPAGE

LE CORDON BLEU Japan, Inc
150-0033, Tokyo, Shibuya Ku, Sarugaku Cho, 28-13, ROOB-1, 1F
Tel.: 03-5489-0142
Fax: 03-5489-0052
Dominique Corby on FACEBOOK

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, Pie
rre.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

Kanaya Tea Festival 2014

The Kanaya Tea Festival is the more important for being held only every two years!
It is held on the second week end of April for two days, meaning that the ladies and girls of the whole town parade no less than 4 times during that time!

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I arrived at Kanaya Station on Sunday and altough the parade is held a bit away from it you knew what was going on!

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The welcoming committee!

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Our bunch of 7 visitors, including 6 expats, was duly invited to pose with the welcoming party for the official photo album!

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All ladies from the town participated to the whole festival!

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As for the little ones, they did need some help!

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A small dance party of cha musume was on show in front of the Station all day!

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No less than three generations!

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Participants, especially adults, were busy with preparations of the floats for the evening. Unfortunately Shizuoka City is quite a long way and I couldn’t stay at night… Probably for the best as I would have had to stay overnight with all that drinking going on! LOL

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Busy, busy, busy!

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Fixing the lanterns to light up the night!

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Last practice!

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Well, these hadn’t waited to practice drinking!

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And those veterans definitely enjoyed the respite!

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All under the watchful eyes of the organizers?

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Cha Musume Pageant!

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Alright, ladies! Get ready!

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Let me help with those knots!

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So cute!

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Not the way the dancers were carrying their belongings!

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Over 1,000 dancers all set!

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during that time onlookers were busy feeding themselves! Takoyaki!

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Okonomiyaki!

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Tea leaves massage!!

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Professional demonstration!

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Dance step 1?

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Dance step 2?

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Dance step 3?

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One little cha musume forgot to turn around!

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Dance step 4?

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Dance step 6?

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Never too young to start!

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In two years time these little girls will be veterans!

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My favorite dancer of the day!

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And I left to the sound of two strong lady drummers!

In two years time I’ll make sure to stay there all nigh!

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, Pie
rre.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

Japanese Appetizer (O-toushi/お通し): Mini Tomato O-Hitashi!

O-toushi/お通しis actually a bit difficult to translate.
In a Japanese (in Japan) izakaya it is an appetizer that is served with the first drink and that you pay for in general in lieu of a cover charge.
I have nothing against such a notion as it gives you a good idea of the chef’s skills!

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When we can get plenty of small/mini tomatoes we just peel them (drop in hot water first and they’ll peel easily away!) and marinate them in hon dashi/Japanese soup stock (preferably konbu/seaweed) and mirin inside the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours.

Serve them with their soup and fresh parsley!
Of course, variations are infinite!
Think of the presentation, too!

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, Pie
rre.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

Italian Gastronomy: Quick Dinner at Soloio (April 2014) in Shizuoka City!

Service: Pro and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Great overall cleanliness and superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Fresh local ingredients whenever possible. Both traditional and inventive Italian cuisine. Good wine list at moderate prices. Open late!

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The other day, having been busy all day as it is bound to be on holidays (!) we decided it would be better to visit our friends at Solio Italian Restaurant in Shizuoka City, Aoki Ku!
As they serve only slow food it was perfect for relaxation and great food!

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Sommelier Mieko Osawa/小澤三江子さん and Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん

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As Takehiko is very particular about the vegetables he uses, one ought to have a go at his great bagna cauda!

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All local vegetables including some from his own garden!

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I never tire of looking at them!

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On that particular day one item than Frenchmen cannot ignore was on the menu!

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Ris de veau/veal sweetbread with mushrooms in Marsala wine sauce!

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Actually both Takehiko and Mieko had just come back from a week-trip to Italy!
They offered us some succulent wild boar and pork salami served with cold confit onion!

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Takehiko is also very careful about the fish he serves especially as carpaccio!

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Madai/Japanese red seabream from Shizuoka Prefecture!

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Pasta is always made with the best and freshest ingredients!

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White fleshed fish and spring cabbage linguine!

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Might look simple enough, but I can guarantee that the taste is superb!
We certainly never eat what we can make at home, and there are secrets that will never be fully revealed!

SOLOIO

Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん/Sommelier Mieko Osawa/小澤三江子さん

420-0858 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 9-7, Kita, 1
Tel./fax: 054-260-4637
Business hours: 16:00~24:00
Closed on Monday
Credit cards OK
Private parties welcome!
Happy hour: 16:00~17:00: 1,000 yen set-3 appetizers plate and 1 glass of house wine!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!