Tag Archives: 美食

Vegetarian Japanese Cuisine: Fried Tofu and Vegetables

fried-tofu-vegetables
Pic kindly upgraded by Jay Gustafson!

The other night, the Missus thought that some healthy food was in order, that is as much for herself as for me, what with her drinking wine and me savouring my Japanese sake!

She used already deep-fried tofu cubes called “nama-age” bought at the nearby supermarket, cut them to bite-size, saute them on a non-stick frypan as they were (no need for oil) with a liberal amount of pizza cheese and served them with a good measure of freshly chopped thin leeks. All the while on another pan she fried slightly boiled renkon/lotus roots slices with eringi mushrooms cut lengthwise and half-cut Brussels sprouts with some olive oil, a litle salt, pepper and a spicy seasoning mix.
Once ready she added themhot on the same plate.

So simple and tasty!

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Sushi Donburi for Friday the 13th! / Budget Lunch (part of)

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Yesterday I made the mistake to notify the Missus too early that I was not going out tonight as per my usual schedule.
-“Fine,” she replied, “and I expect you to cook as well!”
-“No problem!”
-“I’d better prepare a light lunch, then!”
-“….”

So as part of a “budget lunch” including salad and miso soup (and strawberries for dessert) she prepared the above donburi:
-The rice was steamed rice to which she mixed the konbu/seaweed finely cut.
-She marinated thin slices of raw tuna in ponzu, sake and what else. The leftover marinade was poured over the rice to season it before she placed the pieces of tuna on top.
-Smoked salmon with capers.
-A spoon of “tobikko/flying fish roe”
-a generous portion of locally-made (up the Abe River in Shizuoka City) “Wasabi zuke/chopped wasabi stems and flowers fermented in “sake kasu/sake white lees” (all from Shizuoka Prefecture!)
-She tore some shiso/perilla leaves above the fish, et voila!

Friday the 13th it is today. Let’s hope it is my (our) lucky day!

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Sashimi and Sushi for the Saint Valentine!

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I suppose I have to bend to the Saint Valentine since I started receiving presents from other ladies (at my grand age?).
I would like to reciprocate, but in Japan men have to wait until March 14t, “White Day”, another festivity invented the Japanese Chocolate Businesses.
I will just suggest to do it more the “Japanese Way”, LOL.

Above are two heart-shaped slices of Minami Maguro/South Pacific Tuna. That is for the solid appetites.

st-valentine-sushi

Now, for the small appetites, how about these dainty, minuscule “genkan sushi” with ikura/salmon roe.
they are very easy to design. They are everywhere in Sushi restaurants these days!

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Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2009/5)

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2009 #5
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Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Winter is a time of hibernation for many species. The Barley Wine style of beer is not one of these. Winter is the season that this big bear of the beer world comes out to play. Baird Ganko Oyaji (“Stubborn Ol’ Man) Barley Wine 2009 is being released from his cellar cave on Wednesday, February 11 (coinciding with the kick-off of our Baird Big Beer Winter Week at the Nakameguro Taproom).

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2009 (ABV 9%):

Brewed in July 2008 and packaged upon krauesening in October, Ganko Oyaji 2009 sports a grist bill of three base malts (including some wheat), two caramel matls and Japanese red sugar. The starting gravity is high (25.3 P) resulting in a strong beer, yet the apparent attenuation is modest at 67% leaving ample residual body and sweetness. This rich texture and sweet mouthfeel is balanced by 85 IBUs of American hops (Warrior, Columbus, Horizon, Sterling). Aroma hopping was done in the whirlpool but no dry-hopping was conducted in the conditioning tank. Ganko Oyaji is an ideal after-dinner or before bed restorative. It promises to condition nicely in the bottle and keg for months and years to come.

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2009 will be available on draught and in bottle-conditioned (633 ml) form through the fine family of Baird Beer retailers in Japan (including our own Taprooms) beginning Wednesday, February 11. In addition, limited quantities of both bottle- (360 ml) and keg-conditioned Ganko Oyaji 2008 are also available for purchase. The vertical tasting of strong beers of different vintages is both highly enjoyable and extremely instructive.

Baird Big Beer Winter Week 2009 at the Nakameguro Taproom (Wednesday, February 11 – Tuesday, February 17):

Wednesday, February 11 is a Japan national holiday and Baird Big Beer Winter Week 2009 kicks off that day at noon at our Nakameguro Taproom. This annual event is a celebration of strong beers whose power and warmth are best enjoyed in the cold chill of the winter season. Fourteen different Big Beers will be on tap at Nakameguro all week long; they will be matched with ten or so original dishes being brainstormed by Yoko-chan and the Nakameguro Taproom kitchen staff (all priced between 500 and 1500 yen). The Big Beers to be offered are:

-Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2009
-Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2008
-West Coast Wheat Wine 2009
-West Coast Wheat Wine 2008
-Dark Sky Imperial Stout 2009
-Dark Sky Imperial Stout 2008
-Yabai Yabai! Strong Scotch Ale 2009
-Yabai Yabai! Strong Scotch Ale 2008
-Hatsujozo 2009 Double IPA
-Hatsujozo 2008 Double IPA
-Kinshu Domei Double IPA
-BakaYaro! Ale (Original receipe and concept of home-brewer Chris Poel)
-Baird Dubbel
-Double Piston Bock (Dopplebock)

All Big Beers will be served in half-pint (750 yen) and taster (400 yen) sizes only. Taster Cards (including punches for all fourteen beers) will be sold for 5,000 yen (600 yen discount from the a la carte purchase price). Taster Cards are valid for the duration of the event week but not thereafter. Please plan on joining us in Nakameguro for a fantastic Big Beer Winter Week!

Cheers,
Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE


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Foodbuzz Proposal: Submit a Budget Lunch!

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Upon reading recent great postings by budget-limited ladies like Sugarbar and GirlJapan introducing appetizing recipes and including stunning pics, I felt that in these times of poor economy and reduced budgets it could be a good idea to share experience in preparing meals without emptying your purse. After all, cakes and superlative dinners at renown restaurants are great, but we still have to eat balanced food at the best value everyday!

This is where I would like to propose the Foodbuzz gurus to open another section on their “Submit” window, namely “Submit a Budget Lunch”!

As an example to illustrate the above request, here is what The Missus came up with for lunch yesterday (full pic above):

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The salad was made with chopped greens, boiled green and mauve (they turn violet upon boiling, but recover their original colour when sprinkled with dressing) all bought at the local supermarket and grown locally.

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The rice bowl. I had two helpings.

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The Missus steamed rice with home-stewed azuki beans and violet sweet potatoes. Upon steaming it, she took the konbu/seaweed piece out, chopped it fine and mixed it back with the rice. She served it in a bowl sprinkled with white sesame seeds.
Until now, this could have become a lunch for vegans or vegetarians!

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The main dish. I had two helpings, too!

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The whole lot was stewed in the “oden” fashion providing for great hot soup! It contained daikon, konnyaku (devil’s tongue tuber), ito (vermicelli) konnyaku, bacon-cabbage rolls, cabbage-sausage rolls (the rolls are home-made, not frozen) and “buta bara niku/large chunks of pork”.

Cheap, fulfilling and healthy!


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Abondance’s Classic Cakes (2): Tarte Siciliene/Sicilian Tart

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As promised, this is another cake created by my good friend Bernard Heberle In Hamamatsu City!

In his own words:
“Voici le gâteau que je te propose ce mois ” Tarte Sicilienne ” qui est une tarte a base de Mascarpone et de pistache avec des Fraises de notre belle région ” 紅ほっぺ” sur un fond de pâte sucrée a la crème d’amande et coulis de fraise. Toute la Sicile dans l’assiette.”

“Here is the cake I would like to propose you this month, Sicilian Tart”, which is a tart based on Mascarpone and pistacchio with strawberries from our beautiful region called “Behi-Hoppe”/”Red Cheeks” on a bed of pate sucree with almond cream and strawberry coulis/sauce. All Sicilia in the plate!”

Need I comment? LOL

Abondance
Address: Hamamatsu Shi, Sumiyoshi, 2-14-27 (in front of Seirei Hospital)
Tel.: 053-4738400
Fax: 053-4738401
Opening hours: 10:00~20:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
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Sashimi Set at Tomii (’09/04)

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Pic kindly upgraded by Jay Gustafson!

As said before, there are times I cannot work until late without taking a break and have a quick bite. I prefer to eat good food, then, even to a minimum. I’ve long stopped “filling a hole” with the nearest junk food.

To make a story short, I found myself in front a sashimi plate at my favourite Japanese restaurant, Tomii (the second posting in a row, I know! LOL).

Here is what I was served:
(From right to left, bottom row)
-Isaki no Yakishimo/Isaki is a local seabream/snapper. “Yakishimo” can be called “Aburi”, that is the fish has been ever so slightly grilled on its skin. The fish was caught in Suruga Bay.
-Freshly grated wasabi from Shizuoka
-Aori Ika/Cuttlefish variety. Body and “ears”/fins
-Shiso/perilla flowers
-Uni/sea urchin on a small shiso/perilla leaf
(From right to left, top row)
-Madai/”true Snapper”. It was caught in Sagara (Shizuoka Pref.)
-Sliced balck daikon
-Hirame/sole caught off Miho, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City
-Akami/tuna lean part
All the chopped vegetables are local.

Culinary art at its best!


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Japanese Cuisine: “Zensai”/Hors d’Oeuvres

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Good Japanese Cuisine Restaurants in this country have a way to encourage you to eat and ord by serving “Zensai”, or Hors d’Oeuvres with your first drink. Whereas it can be mediocre at the best in most establishments, it becomes a real treat at Tomii, one of my favourite “Nihon Ryouri”?Japanese Cuisine restaurants in Shizuoka City!

This is what I was served last night as I took a break from work:

-Hotate Kainashira Daikon Oroshi/in the small pot, cooked scallops and served cold with grated daikon and sauce.
-Na no Hana/Rape flowers atop:
-Tori no Matsukazekaze Yaki/Japanese-style Chicken Terrine
-Fuku Mame/ a large sweet black bean
-Aka kabu/Red Turnip atop Tako/Simmered Octopus and in front of Uni Shinjo Take/steamed fish paste coated with sea urchin sauce

I wouldn’t mind dining on s eries of them!

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)


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Japanese Seasonal Fish: Seabass/Suzuki

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Suzuki or seabass is a fish so popular with anglers all over the world that a lot of people forget it is an extremely popular fish for sashimi and sushi in Japan.

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(Pic taken at Tomii Restaurant in Shizuoka City)

Like any other fish, it bears many names: Madaka, Hakura, Shiibasu.
In the Kanto area, including Shizuoka Prefecture, it is called Seigo when under 25cm. At 3 years of age, when it has attained a length of near 60cm, it is called Fukko or Suzuki.
In Kansai it is called Seigo, Hane, and Suzuki.

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As you can see above the colour and texture are slightly different (Fukko is on the right)

It is indeed a bit early to introduce this fish, but I can’t help thonking about it!
A summer fish par excellence, it is caught mainly in Central and western japan.
The bigger and the older the fish, the better it is considered. After a decline in the 1980’s, catches have increased recently, reaching more than 9,300 tonnes after 2000.

Of course it is a fish you can appreciate cooked or simmered, or grilled, although it becomes fragile and breaks up easily upon being cooked.


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Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2009/4)


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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2009 #4
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Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Today marks the 8th annual release of the first fruited ale ever brewed at Baird Beer: The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale.

The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale 2009 (ABV 6.7%):

The mikans used in this brew are fresh, succulent, and local — harvested on the Heda land and by the hand of our carpenter friend, Nagakura-san. The Baird brewers hand-process the harvested mikans, shaving off the outer skin of the peel and pressing the juice. Both peel shavings and juice are added to the brew at different stages of production. The mikans serve to add depth and complexity to an already sumptious ale; their role is to complement, not dominate.

In addition to mikans, the 2009 Carpenter’s Mikan Ale incorporates a grain bill including Maris Otter pale ale malt, wheat malt, unmalted wheat and two types of Japanese sugar (sudakito and akato). The hopping schedule features cirtrusy Centennial and Cascade varieties including dry-hop additions to the conditioning tank. The combination of mikans and citrus hops provide an exquisitely complex yet balanced fruit character. The wonderful aromatics of this character waft gorgeously from the billowy white head that forms in the glass. Final transport to beer Nirvana comes courtesy of the tight and spritzy natural carbonation that works to keep you tastebuds fresh and alert.

The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale is now pouring from the taps of both of our Taprooms. It also will be available on draught and in bottle-conditioned form (633 ml bottls) at select Baird Beer retailing pubs, restaurants and liquor stores throughout Japan.

Big Beer Winter Week 2009:

Each winter we use our Taproom as a venue for a week-long celebration of strong and fortifying ales and lagers. We call this celebration Big Beer Winter Week. During this week, a collection of strong ales and lagers will be served simultaneously and paired with cuisine designed to complement these robust and warming libations. This year, we will hold this event at each Taproom during successive weeks. Specific dates are listed below:

*Nakameguro Taproom Big Beer Winter Week 2009 (Wednesday, February 11 – Tuesday, February 17)
*Fishmarket Taproom Big Beer Winter Week 2009 (Wednesday, February 18 – Monday, February 23)

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for some wonderful winter revelry. Specific details regarding big beers to be served will be forthcoming shortly in an upcoming bulletin.

Cheers,
Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE


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Donburi: Sushi as a full meal

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From bottom, clockwise:
“Uni” (Sea Urchin), “Kani Tsume” (Crab legs), “Maguro” (Tuna), “Nanban Ebi” ( large prawn variety)

“Donburi” is a popular way to eat sushi with foreigners as it combines quality and quantity, and usually reasonable prices!
I thought a few examples might help you choose your favourites nex time you come to Japan!
The above donburi and three following were savoured in Sapporo and Otaru (Hokkaido Island).

donburi-sapporo-2
From bottom, clockwise:
A little variation from the first pic!

“Hotate” (Scallops), “Uni” (Sea urchin), “Ika” (Squid), “Kani Tsume” (Crab legs)

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A more extravagant sample this time:

From top middle clockwise:
“Ikura” (salmon roe), “Kazu no ko” (herring roe), “Kampachi” (Amberjack), “Tako” (octopus), “Sake” (raw salmon), “Hotate” (scallops), in the centre, “Uni” (sea urchin)

donburi-sapporo-4
This is a truly extravagant one!

From bottom, clockwise:
“Hotate” (Scallops), “Ikura” (Salmon roe), “Kazu no Ko” (Herring roe), “Kampachi” (Amberjack), “Uni” ( Sea Urchin), “Kani Tsume” (Crab leg), “Ebi” (Boiled prawn)

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During a recent trip in Shiretoko, Hokkaido Island, we dropped at Ikyuya Restaurant, located in a small city called Shari (some of the place names in Hokkaido can become a real puzzle as they are mostly very local names written in Kanji that fit the pronunciation instead of the meaning!).
We (the Missus) had chosen this establishment as a representative of the local cuisine favoured by local people.

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THe Missus oredered the “Oyako Don”/”Father-Mother and Son-Daughter Bowl”.
In Shizuoka it means chicken omelette (the Hen and the Egg!) spread on a bowl of rice. In Hokkaido, it stands for Shake sahimi”/salmon sashimi and “Ikura”/salmon roe spread over a bowl of rice. It must have been good as for once silence reigned around the table!

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Our two friends (which included our gracious driver) opted for “Uni don”/sea urchin and chopped dry nori/seaweed spread over a bowl of rice,

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“Uni to Ikura Don”/sea urchin and salmon roe spread over a bowl of rice.
Extravagance at a very reasonable rice, absolutely fresh and sweet seafood away from metropolises, what more can you ask?
Ikyuya
Hokkaido, Shari Cho, Utoro Higashi, 13 (2 minutes walk from Utoro Hotsprings Bus Terminal)
Tel.: 0152-242557
Opening hours: 11:00~18:00 (might get closed in the afternoon on busy days. Come early!)
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Home-made Donburi

donburi-home

You do not have to go to a Japanese restaurant or sushi bar to eat “donburi” if you happen to have a wife who not only likes them but can also concoct them!
In short, my better (worse?) half once came up with the following for lunch:

Plain steamed rice topped with slices of “akami”/ lean tuna part, avocado salad with mayonnaise and wasabi pickles (the latter provided a nice balance with a spicy touch), boiled shirasu/whitebait sprinkled with “hijiki” seaweed and “tobikko”/flying fish roe.
The tobikko added a nice colour finish touch. It is quite cheap down here in Shizuoka City. From what I saw on Chuckeats Blog, it seems quite a treat over there in the U.S.!
I poured a little Shizuoka-made wasabi dressing on top. This dressing is a lot milder than pure grated wasabi with a little sweetness which combines well with the fish!

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Japanese Seasonal Fish: Turbot/Makogarei

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“Makogarei” or Pleuronectes yokohamae Gunther for the specialists is one of the many kinds of turbot indigeneous to Japan.
You will find it on the markets between June and August.
Depending where you live, you might do well to know its other names: “Aome” (Sendai), “Mushibirama” (Konahama), “Mako” (Tokyo) or “Amakarei” among many.
It is net-caught all around Japan.
It has comparatively a lot of flesh for a turbot, making it a choice morsel for nigiri or sashimi.

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It can reach a length of 30 cm. Contrary to many other fish, the size will bear no incidence on the taste, but if you wish for extra taste, avoid female specimen bearing eggs/roe, and if possible, although a bit extravagant, choose a live fish (possible at Parche, Shizuoka JR Station!).
A good sushi or Japanese restaurant will deep-fry the bones and head for you, making for a great snack with great ale!

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Bryan Baird’s Newsletter


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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2009 #3
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Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Thanks to all of you who took part in the IPA Festival held at our two Taprooms. Even though climax was reached and our hop orgy is over, the IPA fun continues with today’s general release of Brewmaster’s Nightmare Rye IPA.

Brewmaster’s Nightmare Rye IPA (ABV 6.5%):

Malted rye is notoriously difficult to handle in the brewhouse. When mashing it produces a glutinous, gummy wort that is difficult to lauter. Should the brewmaster fail to set his mash bed just right or tick up the lauter speed a notch too high, a day infinitely long and arduous awaits. However, when processed deftly the malted rye lends a spicy, peppery character to the wort flavor that is supremely interesting. Combined with the spicy, fruity and herbal character of well-selected hops, the flavor reward is sublime.

Brewmaster’s Nightmare Rye IPA combines this rye-accented malt mash with gobs and gobs of resinous and spicy American hops (Warrior, Simcoe, Columbus and Santiam) producing a veritable fireworks show of flavor in the mouth. If hoppy, complex brews are your thing, this is your baby!

Draught and bottle (633 ml) versions will be available at fine Baird Beer retailing establishments throughout Japan (including the Fishmarket and Nakameguro Taprooms).

Cheers,
Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

Japanese Fish Species: Scabbard Fish/Tachiuo

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(Sorry, but that fish is just too long for the screen!)

Scabbard Fish or “Tachiuo” (太刀魚/Great Sword Fish in Japanese), a very popular in Japan in spite of its great length is usually caught in Summer in Japan but also appears in Winter in Shizuoka Prefcture.
As other fish it owns other names: Tachi (not in Hokkaido, where the word means “whiting”!), Shirada and Tachinouo.
It is mainly caught off Wakayama, Ehime and Oita Prefectures, although it is also caught in Suruga Bay off Shizuoka Prefecture
It is both caught by line or net.
In 1999, 37,000 tonnes were caught, but it fell to 23,000 tonnes in 2000.
It is also imported from Kore and China, although their fish is slightly different from the Japanese variety. More than half of imported fish are eaten west of Kansai.

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It is fish than can be eaten raw as nigiri.

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I personally prefer it “aburi” (slightly grilled) with a dash of ponzu and some momijioroshi (grated daikon with chili pepper) as above served at Sushi Ko Restaurant.

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Some time ago I ate it at Oboro No Tsuki Restaurant (now defunct) as above:
They first put a double layer of sushi rice interspaced with shiso leaves (perilla) in a box for “oshi zushi” (pressed sushi), then top it with thick fillets (the fish is actually quite thin) and press the whole.
Next they slightly grill the top (“aburi”), take it out of the box and cut it to size.
Quite tasty and appetizing-looking!


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The Best Desserts of the Past Year


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One always fondly remembers his/her desserts as the apotheose to a great meal. I thought I would run an anthology of the best desserts I personally savoured for the past and share it with friends before leaving onto new adventures this year!

Read Fruit salad topped with Vanilla Ice-cream and Raspberry Sorbet at Hana Hana Restaurant:
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A favourite end-of-the-summer dessert back in France served in Shizuoka City. I wouldn’t mind eating it at any time of a hot day!

Chocolate Mousse, Mikan Orange Sherbet and Campari Jelly at Sugimoto:
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I was served this simple and extremely elegant dessert by Tetsuya Sugimoto in his former restaurant in Shizuoka City!

Petit Mont-Blanc and cassis Sherbet at Gentil:
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Refined and delicate, it didn’t last long with me!
A celebratedcreation by Gentil, in Shizuoka City, which specializes in small sophisticated desserts!

Creme Caramel Brulee and Caramel Ice-cream at Hana hana:
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Hana Hana in Shizuoka City has become famous for this particular dessert combining two sublime ways to accomodate Caramel. Actually I should say three because the creme is Caramel, the “burnt” topping is Caramel and the Ice-cream is Caramel!

Italian and Japanese Dessert Marriage at Aquavite:
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A very original at one of the best Italian Restaurants in Shizuoka City:
a combination of panacotta, Shizuoka “Benihoppe/Red Cheek” strawberries, “Tama Konnyaku” (Devil’s Tongue Tuber Jelly) from Yamagata Prefecture and at least three kinds of fruit coulis.

Champagne Jelly by Le Cafe-Labo:
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This particlar creation by one of the best confectiners in Shizuoka is a bit of misnomer as they used Cremant de Bourgogne from the Cote Chalonnaise in France. A bit extravagant when you know that Cremant, yen for yen (cent for cent), is better value than overpriced Champagne!
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Ladies and vegans, rejoice! This is a very very healthy low-calorie dessert as the jelly is 100% natural “kanten” or Japanese agar/seaweed jelly!
They come with two different garnish: “kyoho Budo”, a very large expensive Japanese grape variety (usually seedless) as a shown in picture above and:
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Lychee.
Both have a very light but solid consistency. It melts deliciously inside the mouth with an elegant Cremant wine taste. It has a “short tail”, meaning you cannot wait for the next spoonful!
Definitely for ladies or calories-minding couples!

Bourgogne Noir Dijon at Chez Lui:
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Chez Lui is a large “chain company” based in Tokyo and represented at Parco in Shizuoka City, but their cakes have the merit to be made on site.
I could be accused of favoritism as I was born in Dijon!
But I must admit this is probably the best cassisbased cake I ever ate!
It is mainly made up of Cassis Mousse coated with Cassis Coulis and decorated outside with white chocolate. It is furthermore topped with blueberry, blackberry, mint and chocolate.
The inside is pretty complex with a double base of almond biscuit and chocolate short cake.
A small chocolate short cake disc about two thirds of the cake in diameter has been “inserted” inside the mousse with some Creme Chantilly.

Ma-cha Mousse by Chocolat Fin:
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This particular might look simple, but not only it is more sophisiticated that one might first think but one has to understand this THE true Shizuoka dessert because Shizuoka Prefecture grows more than 55% of the national green tea crop!
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Chocolat Fin, another great confectioner in Shzuoka City, had the greaty idea to come up with a creation made with ma-cha tea, a superior class of tea used in tea ceremonies and restaurants. As it comes under the form of extremely fine powder it is very easy to manipulate.
This Ma-cha pudding was underllined with a caramel sauce and topped with a fine layer of ma-cha jelly. The whole pudding is a perfection of balance, not too sweet, with a definite tea savour and firm enough for you to dig in with your spoon. Actually, I made a point of leaving it in the fridge for a couple of hours before devouring it. It almost ate like an ice-cream!

Pistache by Le Cafe-labo:
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After admiring this other creation by Le Cafe-Labo (it certainly deserves it!), you can either savour it layer by layer, one at a time, or cut through it to entertain yourself with the combination of the tastes.
And you certainly have quite a few to review:
from top to bottom:
1) Pistachio Mousse
2)Chocolate Cream
3) Chocolate Mousse
4) Raspberry Sauce
5) Chocolate Crunchy
6) Pistachio Syrup

Gateau Basque at Bouquet:
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I’m an unconditional fan of Gateau Basque. Bouquet, another great confectioner in Shizuoka City is the only one I know in the whole Prefecture, and probably in the whole of Japan, who came out with the perfect and authentic cake!
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(cut from whole cake in picture at the top)
It is not easy to prepare, and the owner, a very shy man, makes only two a day if he is in a good mood. It tends to disappear quickly, but it is possible to reserve.
It is a lot lighter than it looks. Ladies and Gentlemen alike will enjoy to its just value!

I did savour many more memorable desserts, but I will have to stop there, otherwise I will have to start a book!