Tag Archives: Bento

Bento, Izu City, Izu Peninsula, Lunch, Shuzenji

Bento Lunch at Meshiya Mizu in Shuzenji, Izu Ciy, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture!

June 14, 2019 dragonlife 1 Comment

Service: Shy but very kind
Equipment and facilities: very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: bento lunch and Japanese traditional lunches!

Although Shuzenji is increasingly becoming an international touristic spot locals still have many places tucked away from the crowd where they can still enjoy authentic traditional Japanese cuisine left alone by modern trends.
Such a place is Meshiya Mizu!
Actually Meshiya means eatery in Japanese!

They are open only at lunch and serve basically two types of set lunches, although a good look at the menu might entice you to something else!
One is a bento style lunch with boxed lunch and side dishes!

The great majority of vegetables and other ingredients are local!

Traditional Japanese dessert!

The other set is based on soba/buckwheat noodles, a very popular offering with the locals!

Local vegetables!

So healthy!

Enjoy!

MESHIYA MIZU

410-Shizuoka Prefecture, Izu Shi (Izu City), Shuzenji, 765
Tel.: 0558-72-0546
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00
Closed on Tuesdays (on Wednesday if Tuesday is a National Holiday)

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

Bento, Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese Lunch Box, Shizuoka Prefecture, Vegan Gastronomy, Vegetarian

Vegan & Vegetarian Sushi Bento

April 7, 2018 dragonlife 2 Comments

Although I’m not a vegetarian I’ve wanted for a long time the Missus to concoct me an entirely vegetarian bento. Not only she complied, but she made it a sushi as well!

She first steamed the rice and prepared it as sushi rice (blending it a little salt, sugar and rice vinegar) before mixing plenty of sesame seeds in.
She then proceeded to cover the lot with vegetables.

She fried sliced lotus roots in spices for a hot addition to the plain boiled green peas in their pods (“snap endo” in Japanese).

Then, keeping in mind the color arrangement and the whole balance, she first added a shredded carrot salad seasoned with gomadare/sesame dressing and crushed peanuts, and next gobo kinpira/stir-fried spicy burdock root (seasoned with chili pepper and black sesame seeds). She finally topped the whole with some sliced plum tomato.

For salad and dessert she prepared a vegan/vegetarian kabocha and black beans salad to which she added fresh lettuce and Akihime strawberries from Shizuoka!

I don’t plan to be a vegan or vegetarian but my sometimes tired body can really appreciate the cuisine now and then! At least this could give good ideas to my vegetarian/vegan friends!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Bento, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka City

Bento: Autumn Saturday Bento!

November 16, 2015 dragonlife 2 Comments

After a very long laps the Dragon (Missus) seems inclined to prepare traditional Japanese lunch boxes/bento, at least on some days when we both are away at work at lunch time!

She made this comparatively simple one on Saturday, mostly with leftovers!

On a bed of steamed rice she first placed shredded grilled salmon, slightly seasoned topped with black olives.

She spread the middle with boiled egg and tartar sauce salad.

The vegetable part was conceived with stir-fried beansprouts, shredded carrots and green pepper and plenty of black sesame seeds seasoned with spicy sauce!

Very healthy and fulfilling!

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, Bento, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Health, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism, 弁当

Healthy Bento by Real Food Market “Akutsu” in Shizuoka City!

February 11, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last Sunday during the 1st Shizuoka Seeds Exchange Meet I had the occasion to sample one of those healthy bento made by Real Food Market Akutsu in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

A menu was also kindly provided!

The whole bento was well protected!

Now, what did we have?

Rice grown by Mr. Aoki in Shizuoka City mixed with some kuromai/black rice!

Fried vegetables seasoned with leek miso!
Incidentally all the vegetables are grown organically in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Top: Shio konbu seaweed seasoned with wasabi
Bottom: Rape flowers, cauliflower, carrot and Red heart daikon!

Shizuoka Bioran eggs tortilla, deep-fried potato, pasta, tomato sauce, boiled greens!

Tofu and meat hamburger with home-made demi glace sauce!

Not only healthy but very tasty!

REAL FOOD MARKET “AKUTSU”
420-0867 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Baban Cho, 91 (along Sengen Shrine Street)
Tel.: 054-221-4046
Opening hours: 10:00~19:00
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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Beef, Bento, 美食, Ekiben, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Ekiben/Railway Station Bento: Hamamatsu Mikkabi Beef in Kakegawa JR Railway Station!

February 4, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Mikabi in Hamamatsu City is not only famous all over Japan for its oranges but also for its beef!
Yesterday I had to stop in Kakegawa City and had a look at the ekiben/railway station bento they had on on offer when I discovered this new one among he more than half-dozen displayed.
I didn’t hesitate!

As it is sold in its box and cover!
Note the oranges harvester between the oxen!
And also the three little guys with their drinks including Japanese sake!

Everything is clearly indicated as dictated by the Japanese law!

Jishotei Bento Company in Hamamatsu City must be one of the oldest in Japan as it was founded in 1824!

The food inside is protected by a rigid transparent vinyl lid!

One more sheet of soft transparent vinyl further protects the meat inside!

Now, what do we have here?

Grated wasabi dressing for the beef!

Pickled cucumber!

Two layers of succulent braised beef thin slices!

The rice was steamed with Mikkabi ornage pulp for great taste balance!

Red ginger pickles!

A bit expensive but really tasty and lighter than expected!
Perfect on a train trip!

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Beef, Bento, 牛肉, 美食, Ekiben, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Ekiben/Railway Station Bento: Shizuoka Charcoal-grilled Beef in Shizuoka JR Railway Station

September 29, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Although I already sampled all the ekiben/railway lunch boxes on sale at Shizuoka JR Station I always keep an eye in case a new one or seasonal one appears.
I did well to do last Friday before taking the train to Kikugawa City as I discovered this new one put on sale beginning of September!

The whole as sold with chopsticks and toothpick!

It is advertised as “Sumi Yaki Fuu Gyuuniku Bento”!
“Suni/炭” stands for “char coal”, “Yaki/焼き” for “grilled”, “Fuu/風” for “manner/way/method”, “Gyuuniku/牛肉” for “beef” and “Bento/弁当” for “lunch box/box lunch/boxed lunch”!

As usual Tokaiken Co. clearly sates the contents, price and consumption date limit as required by the law!

The food inside is efficiently protected by a rigid transparent cellophane lid.

Now, what do we have?

Very simple, but elegant and tasty!
The charcoal-grilled beef slices with additional seasoning provided with golden sesame seeds.
The lettuce is very fresh!

You can enjoy the beef, lettuce and rice separately, but if you are clever with chopsticks pick the beef and lettuce together!
Very tasty but comparatively light.
For the pleasure of both genders!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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: 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!
-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, Bento, 美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Korean Cuisine, Korean Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bento: Shizuoka Bento 2: Korean Bibimba Bento at Cenova

August 19, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

When I visited Cenova today to buy a bento I thought of Sissi when I discovered the bento booth held by Saikabo company!

Saikabo is a very big company with 24 restaurants in Japan, 3 more in Korea, 17 shops in Japan and even 1 kimuchi Museum!

This is how I found it exhibited at Cenova Deaprtment Store in Shizuoka City!

Cute sign, isn’t it?

This summer is terribly hot and as it is cold food they make sure it keeps cold until you open back at homeor at the office!

It comes into solid but light disposable plastic double-decker boxes closely fitting each other.

The price (at 680 yen maybe a little expensive, but the food is very tasty!), the ingredients and the consumption date limit are clearly printed on the label.

Once open it looks simple enough, but it is actually very fresh and so healthy! Mind you kimchi-baseed food is comparatively easier to preserve!

The cold steamed rice is seasoned Korean style with sesame oil and sesame seeds!

This side dish looks so Korean!

Korean marinated (some of them fried) namul (namuru in Japanese) vegetables: gosari namul (stir-fried bracken fern shoots that have been softened and seasoned), muchae (julienned white radish in a sweet vinegar sauce with ground dried chili pepper), sigeumchi namul (lightly blanched spinach dressed with spring onions, garlic and sesame seeds) and kongnamul (cold boiled soybean sprouts with sesame oil, spring onions, garlic and sesame seeds).

Sorry for the fuzzy picture, I was in a bit of hurry to care!

Fried graound beef and hot chili/kimchi sauce and kimchi Chinese cabbage!

Very tasty ( a bit hot, actually, but nothing exaggerated) and so healthy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Bento, 美食, 静岡市, 観光, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Health, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, 弁当

Bento: Shizuoka Bento 1: Tofu Hamburger Bento at Matsuzakaya

August 16, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Shizuoka Prefecture has a population of almost 4,000,000 souls, practically the same as New Zealand or Ireland, and Shizuoka City counts from 800,000 of them.
Many workers in Shizuoka Prefecture are of the white-collar sort who have little time to prepare or eat lunch at a restaurant.
But Japan has developed the concept of a portable lunch to a perfection reached nowhere else: bento!
It is no wonder that one can find so many of them in mind-boggling variety and price range, especially in large cities from the cheap ones sold at convenience stores to the very specialized ones concocted by restaurants as extravagant take-outs.
At least this makes for a hopefully unending series of articles even if I shun the mountain of run-of-the-mill found in convenience stores or company cafeterias!
At the same time I can help you discover all about local gastronomy through a very practical, reasonable and tasty way to spend your lunch or dinner back home, on a park bench or at your hotel!

Matsuzakaya Department Store in Shizuoka City offers an incredible number on its basement floor and I had to survey the whole floor twice before I decided to acquire one at a small shop run by Matsuoka Company.

Matsuoka Co. hails from Nagoya city in neighboring Aichi Prefecture but the ingredients are obviously from Shizuoka Prefecture. They presently offer a bento limited to 20 boxes whose ingredients comprise tofu hamburgers!

At 12:00 a;ready half of them had been sold!

it was packed again in a cellophane paper bag with disposable chopsticks, toothpick and tartare sauce before being placed into another vinyl bag for transport! Talk about Japanese hygiene!

befor opening. Sorry for the fuzzy picture!

At 680 yen very reasonable!
Every ingredient is clearly printed!
Made on the 16th of August 2013 at 11:45 and to be sold before 16:45!
The hygiene rules are pretty strict in Japan!

Once opened it not looks appetix\zing but also colorful and artistic in spite of the simple ingredients!

Kyoto-style red cucumber pickles, tamagoyaki and boiled/steamed broccoli.

Simmered eggplant, yellow sweet pimento and blanched lotus root slice.

Fried shishito pepper, simmered eggplant, red sweet pimento blanched lotus root slice and fried kabocha pumpkin slices.

The deep-fried tofu hamburger coated with sweet and sour sauce and sprinkled with golden sesame seeds.

Shredded dry seaweed/nori between the rice and the toppings for extra taste. And so healthy!

The tofu hamburgeres1
Sorry for the fuzzy picture, I was really hungry!

See next lunch! LOL

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bento, 美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, sushi, Tourism

Sushi: Sushi Sets, Bentos and Takeouts at Shizuoka City Department Stores-6

August 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

A great set for two, but don’t fight over the single items! LOL

Due to the incredible wealth of fresh fish all year round, there is an enormous consumption of sushi at every level in Shizuoka City, from very cheap takeouts to expensive ( but certainly not as expensive as in Tokyo, qulity fro quality!) sushi restaurants.
Next time you come to Shizuoka City for a few days and are looking forward to budget sushi do visit the local department stores where you will have the surprise to discover tasty, from reasonably fresh to very fresh, and reasonably priced sushi sets, bentos and takeouts you can take beck to the hotel or into a park for instant pleasure.
Naturally I would advise the foreign (and Japanese) residents to do some homework!
As for prices count 100 yen for 1 US $ or 130 yen for 1 Euro!

This is unfortunately the last installment, but I will come with another theme next time!
Isetan Department Store’s display is not wide-ranging as the other other but it is nonetheless worth a visit and a long look. Be aware that their offerings go fast, so come early!

At 1,500 yen (but with a 100-yen disount!) the price seems a bit high for this one, but it includes “hon maguro/blue fin tuna”, ikura and raw salmon among pricey items. Note the menegi/leek sprouts sushi nigiri!

Two very reasonable set for 580 yen (minus a 100-yen discount):
Hirame Tsukushi/Sole (halibut, grouper) sushi nigiri
An all tuna set with sushi nigiri, grated tuna/negitoro gunkan and tekka maki!

An individual sushi set for 780 yen including tuna, flying fish roe, negitoro gunkan and cuttle fish!

Two different individual all-tuna sushi sets for 580 yen! Now, this is cheap!

The day Special sushi set!
15 sushi pieces for 1,780 yen! A whole dinner!
Including pricey items such as hon-maguro, mebachi tuna and conger eel!
What would you pay for that even in a sushi restaurant?

4 inari zushi for 210 yen! The perfect accompaniment to another set of fish or fowl for example!

All kinds of sushi rolls (2 per pack cut into 4 pieces each) from 210 yen to 420 yen! An embarrassment of choices!

kaisen donburi/Fresh seafood bowl with 7 different ingredients including tuna on a bowl of sushi rice! Only 680 yen! A whole meal!

A Shizuoka specialty: Anago donburi!
Broiled conger eel and tamagoyaki atop rice!
At 580 yen, a real bargain!

Right, that is all for sushi sets, bentos and takeouts at Shizuoka City Department Stores!
Of course if I have the opportunity to visit other Department Stores in a different city of our Prefecture I’ll be glad to report on them!

Any suggestions for the next theme based on food you could buy at Shizuoka City Department Stores?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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 kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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

美食, Eel, 観光, 魚, 鰻, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Hamamatsu City, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Japanese Gastronomy: Eels at Chigusa in Hamamatsu City!

August 15, 2013 dragonlife 11 Comments

Service: shy but very friendly
Facilities: traditional but very clean
Prices : reasonable for eels (eels are very expensive in Japan)
Strong points: Eels! Only local fish used! Great view on Hamana Lake

Summer is eel eating time in Japan, especially in Shizuoka renown all over the country for its great eels mainly bred around Hamamatsu City and in Hamana Lake in particular.
So the other day we decided to visit at long last a famous but traditional and very reasonable eel restaurant lost by the Hamana Lake in Mikkabi, Hamamatsu City, called Chigusa (ちぐさ/千草)!

So instead of boarding a regular train, and taxi or bus we took a local train along the Tenhama Line (Japanese web site), a trip I would advise any true traveler (and photographer) to take to enjoy the sights and discoveries of old Japan!
We got down at an unmanned (yes, they still exist! Talk about Japanese trust!) station in the blazing sun.

The station is called Okuhamanako/Far side of Hamana Lake.
Get down there and try to reach the main road through the countryside as soon as you can (there are many ways!)!

This particular area, Mikkabi in Hamamatsu City, is famous all over Japan for its (still green now) oranges!

Once you reach the main road turn left and walk along for 10 minutes along the Hamana Lake!

You can’t miss it even if you can’t read Japanese as a long black eel is welcoming you from afar!

A picture/snapshot not to miss!

The entrance with unagi/鰻 written on the noren/暖簾, entrance curtain!
Who’s that guy taking a picture? LOL

Past the entrance you will find these long metal tubes wrapped in rice straw ropes.
What are they? Can you guess?

Portable fireworks!
This very rare festival is held beginning of August in Hosoe near Hamana Lake. I couldn’t manage my schedule to report but I’ll do it next year! Promise!

Have a good look at the souvenirs before entering the dining room!

Very traditional Japanese atmosphere inside!

The menu is in Japanese, but the pictures will give a very good indication!
I personally chose the above, the best eel “double-decker” lunch set. Even at 3,200 yen (32 US $) it is very reasonable when you realize that the eel prices have almost doubled in the past 3 years!
And the eels are exclusively locally bred in Hamana Lake!
It is worth the trip, even by car as there is a big car park!

Another important detail: you will have to wait some time before your order arrives. A good sign proving that contrary to the “cheap diners” food is individually prepared for best quality!
The lunch arrives at your table in a bento box shape on a tray.

Take off the lids…. et voila!

A succulent light soup containing eel liver/鰻肝!

Home-made Japanese pickles, o-shinko/オシンコ!

The broiled eel double decker/unagi jyuu/鰻重!

Two layers of eel grilled and broiled to perfection with two layers of freshly (very important!) steamed rice enhanced by the sauce of the eel
Take your time and use chopsticks to make sure you eat slowly and appreciate it to the fullest! This eel in eel country!

This gourd-shaped receptable contains shijimi/七味 mixed spice powder you can sprinkle over the eel for extra zip!

Dragon (my worse half) chose the above which contains a single layer of broiled eel but with finely shredded omelet between the fish and the rice!

Really appetizing, isn’t it?
I forgot: we visited Chigusa on Dragon’s advice! LOL

Do I need to mention I helped Dragon to finish it under the pretense of sharing?

It would certainly be a dilemma if I had to choose only one of those two lunches!
Make sure to come with a special company to taste as much as you can as I daresay that yen for yen this is the best value for eel in the whole Prefecture! (but I’m sure a lot of people will disagree! LOL)

CHIGUSA ちぐさ/千草
Hamamatsu City, kita Ku, Mikkabi Cho, Mikkabi, 1148-10
Tel.: 053-525-0218
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00, 16:00~20:00
Closed on 31st of December and 1st of January only
Reservations strongly recommended
Take-outs OK!
Cards OK
Non-smoking at lunch time
Car park available (30 spaces)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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 kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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

美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, sushi, Tourism

Sushi: Sushi Sets, Bentos and Takeouts at Shizuoka City Department Stores-5

August 14, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

The little red and white tag means that the wasabi is served separately!

This time let me take you to Cenova Department Store basement Floor where you will find not one but two supermarkets proposing sushi bentos, sets and takeouts!
Let’ visit the second one which is owned by the Shizutetsu Stores Chain!!

Thin rolls for all priorities, including vegetarian all 260 yen a pack!

A pack of 8 tuna nigiri sushi for 580 yen or (right) or 6 horse mackerel nigiri sushi for 398 yen. Horse mackerel is Shizuoka specialty!

A set of 10 smaller nigiri sushi for 680 yen including flying fish roe, tuna, scallops, salmon and so on!
Perfect for small appetites!

A similar set in an easy to carry bento box for 780 yen but with ikura!

Two similar sets for 780 yen including 9 nigiri sushi (with a 100 yen discount!) one with flying fish roe on cucumber, the other with negitoro/grated tuna!

A very reasonable set for 690 yen comprising 10 nigiri sushi! Note the small pack of pickled ginger!

Now this set of “Shun/旬/Seasonal seafood”, 10 of them is really good value, even in spite of the smaller toppings!

An all-salmon sushi nigiri bento for 590 yen with raw salmon, seared salon, and gunkan containing oya-ko/parent and child/ikura and small pieces of raw salmon!

For maki/rolls lovers! Extremely good value!

At 599 yen ridiculously cheap 5 gunkan sushi filled with ikura! For the Russians? LOL

The next and last stop will be at Isetan Department store!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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 kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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

Bento, 観光, 農業, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, sushi, Tourism

Sushi: Sushi Sets, Bentos and Takeouts at Shizuoka City Department Stores-4

August 13, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Do not ignore the great sashimi sets either at Cenova Department Store!

This time let me take you to Cenova Department Store basement Floor where you will find not one but two supermarkets proposing sushi bentos, sets and takeouts!
Let’ visit the first one which is affiliated to the supermarket at Shizuoka JR Station Parche Department Store!

A classic set with no less than 11 varieties of sushi nigiri including the Shizuoka specialty, a big conger eel!
At 1,380 yen a bargain considering that ikura and sea urchin are also featured!

At 950 yen all seafood local coming from Numazu Harbor!
Talk about local freshness!

For the thin maki/rolls lovers at 260 yen a box!

599 yen, another ridiculously low price for ikura!

Two different donburi:
Tekkadon with tuna and scallops fro 525 yen
Maguro no Tsubu Don with pieces of tuna and sweet shrimps for 398 yen!

“Shun/旬/Seasonal no neta nigiri!
Seasonal fish only in sushi nigiri fwaturing sardine, tuna, pike mackerel, yellowtail, and bonito for 690 yen!

Another set at the same price but all sushi nigiri different including salmon, squid and scallops!

Almost the same for the same price but including negitoro/grated tuna and ikura!

For the lovers of Large (actually medium here) Maki/Roll for 299 yen and inari sushi (sushi rice inside deep-fried sweet tofu pouches for 200 yen!

Next I will take you to the second supermarket owned by the Shizutetsu Stores Chain inside Cenova Department Store!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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 kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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

Bento, 美食, 観光, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Sushi: Sushi Sets, Bentos and Takeouts at Shizuoka City Department Stores-3

August 9, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Shirasu (steamed sardine whiting) donburu and Enroku (large rolls and inari sushi)

As promised in Part 1 I will take you next to Matsuzakaya Department Store just across Shizuoka JR Station
As the supermarket is located in the basement you can access to it directly through the underground passageway from the station!

All all tuna set! O-toro and Chu-toro nigiri and a negi-toro (grated tuna) inn gunkan style. Note that the wasabi is separately served to suit all priorities. At 800 yen a giveaway!

A more extravagant set including O-toro and Chu-toro, salmon, clams, salmon’s roe, sea urchin and white flesh fish! Only 1,285 yen!

Among others this set features chu-toro, ama ebi/sweet shrimp, ikura/salmon’s roe and broiled conger eel! 980 yen!

Kaisen Donburi, a cheaper and full meal devised as a donburi with ingredients arranged atop sushi rice including clam, octopus, boiled prawn, tuna, squid, shredded omelet, pickled mackerel and so on. At 580 yen ridiculously cheap!

A more sophisticated set of sushi nigiri featuring Chu-toro, crab, saurel, red clam, ikura and kanpachi/amberjack or yellowtail. At 680 yen for the sushi lovers!

This particular set has obviously been designed for a couple as all ingredients come in twos!
At 1480 yen it is very cheap as it includes sea urchin, ikura and tuna!

This set called “Hagoromo”, a name found on matsubara Beach which has just become a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in the company of Mount Fuji, is perfect for a full lunch or dinner as the nigiri have been devised smaller on purpose but still featuring such ingredients as tuna, conger eel, pickled mackerel, boiled shrimp, raw salmon and so on. Only 780 yen!

“Maguo Zukushi Set”/All tuna set!
As nigiri with slices of raw tuna, gunkan containing negitoro/grated tuna and tuna sushi rolls! At 780 yen you can enjoy tuna in 3 different ways!

Another budget-like sushi set featuring a great variety of ingredients including tuna, squid, seared salmon, kampyou maki rolls and so on! Only 580 yen!

All kinds of rolls for less than 300 yen a pack!

Very reasonable and yummy set of 8 (less than 700 yen) and 4 (less than 300 yen) nigiri sushi which allow you to choose a predetermined ingredient at a reasonable price to complement your meal!

Now, if you come late in the afternoon, at about 5:30 or later you might be able to profit from bargained prices but you will have to hurry as it is a real battle to get them after office hours! 680 yen, can you beat that?

11 x nigiri sushi for 880 yen!

A truly extravagant set of 12 x nigiri sushi for 1,180 yen!

next i will take you to two different places inside Cenova Department Store, about 15 minutes walk from Shizuoka JR Station!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Matcha Dipped Baguette, 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: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

美食, 観光, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, sushi, Tourism

Sushi: Sushi Sets, Bentos and Takeouts at Shizuoka City Department Stores-2

August 8, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Devising your own sushi meal at Shizuoka JR Station Parche Department Store!

As promised in Part 1 I will take you next to another part of Shizuoka JR Station Parche Department Store. It is actually the first part of the market you can enter from inside the station. It is replete with all kinds of food to take out from Chinese to oden and of course sushi!

In that particular part of the supermarket sushi are sold by Uogashi Sushi Restaurants Chain Company which hails from Numazu City in the Eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture.
One of their attractions is that offer individual sushi nigiri all individually wrapped!

There are loads to choose from and I can tell you you will have a hard time choosing form them!

They also offer very reasonable (580 yen) shirashi donburi you can take home or to the office right away!

Kohaku Donburi/Red and White Donburi!
A combination you will probably never see away from japan: steamed shirasu/sardine whitebait and grated tuna (raw)! A delicacy!
At 500 yen, a giveaway! Mind you shirasu is a Shizuoka specialty!

Tokujyo Mizore Donburi.
At only 780 yen, another giveaway including crab, sea urchin and raw tuna served as chirashi sushi!

Temaki sushi! hand-made sushi “roll” conceived in a conical form easy to handle and eat!
Prepared and sold individually!

For a closer look!
Priced between 140 and 220 yen.
Note that the nori/dry seaweed is kept dry!

Tappuri (a lot) anago (conger eel) donburi!
At 980 yen it is still a bargain considering the spiraling prices. The fact that is a Shizuoka-bred fish does help!
The broiled fish is very soft and a real delicacy!

Next I will take you to Matsuzakaya Department store just across from Shizuoka JR Station

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Crustaceans, 美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Fish Markets, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, sushi, Tourism

Sushi: Sushi Sets, Bentos and Takeouts at Shizuoka City Department Stores-1

August 7, 2013 dragonlife 6 Comments

Sushi Lunch Bentos fro sale at 500 yen at Shizuoka JR Station Parche Supermarket!

Let’s start with the big supermarket on the first (ground) floor Of Parche Department Store located above and around Shizuoka JR Station!
First go to the fish and seafood area at the very end of the supermarket near the fish stand where they conduct interesting sushi lunch set sales!
500 yen a box is cheap away from Japan!