Tag Archives: Gastronomy

Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/05/03): Upcoming Event: Nakameguro Taproom 4-Year Birthday Celebration

May 3, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Upcoming Event: Nakameguro Taproom 4-Year Birthday Celebration

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

May Hop Madness Month is not the only gig we got going on at our Taprooms this month. May 10 is a day of two significant birthdays for us — my wife and Baird Beer matron saint, Sayuri’s, and the Nakameguro Taproom’s. Nakameguro Taproom is turning four, Sayuri 4x.

Please join Sayuri and me for a double birthday celebration at the Nakameguro Taproom on Thursday, May 10. Beer highlights will include the 2012 debut tapping of Saison Sayuri, my annual beer tribute to her, as well as the unveiling of NT-4 Belgian Real Red Ale, our first go at a Belgian yeast-fermented real ale dispensed via hand-pump. Even more glorious, though, will be the special Belgian Brasserie-inspired food menu being put together by our extraordinarily gifted new head chef, Joon Ou. If you haven’t yet had a chance to sample the amazing beer cuisine that Chef Joon has been crafting since his start a month ago, this is your opportunity.

More event details will be forthcoming shortly. In the meantime, enjoy a very hoppy May!

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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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, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), 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!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 鱸, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Seabass, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Suzuki, Tourism

Japanese Fish Species 17: Seaqbass-Suzuki-鱸

May 2, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

“Simple” Sashimi Plate

Here the seabass was first seared before before being sliced for sashimi!

Like any other fish, it bears many names: Madaka, Hakura, Shiibasu.

In the Kanto (Eastern Japan) area, including Shizuoka Prefecture, it is called Seigo when under 25cm. At 3 years of age, when it has attained a length near 60cm, it is called Fukko or Suzuki.
In Kansai (Western Japan) it is called Seigo, Hane, and Suzuki.

A summer fish par excellence, it is caught mainly in Central and western Japan. But it is also caught in winter in Shizuoka waters.

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.
It has been raised succesfully, thus replenishing stocks.
170.000 seabasses were raised in 1992!

Great as a sushi and appreciated for it natural taste. A little salt and lemon juice are enough.

As a sashimi it can be declined in many ways such as carpaccio!

Raw, it can be combined as a simple and sublime salad with octopus for example.

Italian-style as fritters combined with a salad!

Of course it is a very versatile fish you can appreciate cooked, simmered, or grilled, although it becomes fragile upon being cooked.

Grilled, Japanese-style, with a aonori/seaweed coating!

Fried on its skin and served French-style!

And why not eat it simply as steamed fish?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Bento, 美食, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, 弁当

Today’s Bento/Lunch Box (12/20): “Gucha gucha” Chirashi Sushi Bento!

May 2, 2012 dragonlife 4 Comments

When I asked the Missus how the bento was going this morning, she replied:
“Gucha gucha narisou!”
Which could be translated in two ways,
a) It’s going to be a mess!
b) Anything goes!
Luckily enough, she meant that all kinds of things/ingredients would be included!

She started with the preparation of the sushi rice in chirashi style/home-made free style decoration sushi.
She had prepared Japanese style sweetish scrambled eggs she added with chopped ginger marinated in amazu/sweet vinegar.

She thought for a while and then added chopped cucumber and boiled black beans and mixed the lot.
She filled the first box with it and topped it with boiled prawns and chopped parsley for plenty of colors!

For the salad box she cut a whole large avocado into large cubes and seasoned it with mayonnaise, capers and pink pepper.
She flanked it very sweet plum tomatoes (my dessert) and plenty of local cress.

She might have said, “gucha gucha”, but in fact it looked pretty well-balanced to me with plenty of volume and great taste! LOL

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美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 鱚, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Kisu, Shiroebi, Shirogisu, Shizuoka Cuisine, Sillago, Tourism

Japanese Fish Species 16: Sillago-Shirogiau-白鱚

May 2, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

SILLAGO-SHIROGISU

Shirogisu/白鱚, or Sillago in English probably has as many Japanese names as English names.
The Sillago found along the Japanese shores is also called sillago japonica, Whiting or Smelt-Whiting in english, Shirogisu, Kisu, Magisu and Kisugo in Japanese.

The best specimen in Japan are caught in Fukuoka (Kyushu) and Ehime (Shikoku) prefectures from Spring to Summer.
It is also a sport angler’s favourite as they come in all sizes, although the everage will not measure much more than 10 cm. The specimen found in Shizuoka are fairly small and comprise many varieties including deep-sea fish.

Standard Shirogisu Sashimi

As a sahimi/raw fish it can be prepared in many manners:
Standard sashimi as above.

Shirogisu Konbujime Sashimi.

As konbujime, it will be matured between two sheets of wet konbu/seaweed to attain a sweet taste.

Shirogisu Aburi Sashimi

As aburi/lightly seared, one can enjoy two different textures and tastes at the same time.
Mind you, it is not easy to sear properly as the fillets are very thin!

The greatest part of the sillago catch comes from Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, China and other Asian countries.
Fortunately, here in Shizuoka, we do catch a sizeable amount in Suruga Bay guaranting freshness in season.

Shirogisu Sushi Nigiri.

If absolutely fresh, shirohisu/sillago makes for an interesting morsel, the more for it as it is quite rare in this sushi nigiri form.

Anglers will certainly appreciate it grilled on the stick at a BBQ on the beach with a nice pint of beer!

But the most popular way of savouring it is arguably as tempura or breaded and deep-fried, although the fish taste will vary greatly with freshness!
But if absolutely fresh, don’t forget to deep-fry its bones and head!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Bento, 美食, 野菜, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, 弁当

Today’s Bento/Lunch Box (12/19): Fried Shirasu Rice Bento!

May 1, 2012 dragonlife 10 Comments

The Japanese are very fond of steamed shirasu/シラス, sardine whiting, which is a Shizuoka specialty, and often mix it with their rice.
I like shirasu but I don’t appreciate it as such when mixed with rice as the “fishy” taste is too strong for me.
The Missus has come with an easy solution: she fries it before including it to the rice!

Therefore the Missus fried some steamed shirasu she had bought at the supermarket in oil and spices and let it cool.
She steamed the rice, and once ready, mixed it with the shirasu and chopped green pimentos.
It does make for good colors and great dietetic balance!

Unfortunately you can’t see them, but the Missus laid three leaves of violet endive/chickory to use as vessels for the different ingredients of the side box!

She filled the top one with shredded carrot, thin-sliced apple and walnut. Even with dressing I considered it as my dessert!
She lined the middle one with basil leaves on which she placed three small pan fried rolls consisting of bacon rolled around cucumber for one of them and the other two rolled around fried chorizo sausages fo supplementary zip. She added boiled snap green peas/green peas in their pod for more color and fibers/vitamins.
As for the third endive leaf she filled it with potato salad also containing sliced black olive and cucumber.

As usual a very colorful bento.
Moreover, it was not only yummy but very well-balanced!
With all that praise heaped on her the Missus will become suspicious!

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美食, Daikon, Daikon leaves, 野菜, 農業, Food, Food Health, Furikake, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Ginger, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Vegan, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Vegan Japanese Recupe: Daikon Leaves and Ginger Furikake

May 1, 2012 dragonlife 6 Comments

As I said many times it is a shame to throw perfectly edible and delicious fresh daikon leaves when you happen to find them!
Now if you also happen to have ginger roots, soft and fresh, you can produce an even better furikake/”sprinkle” for accompany any dish or use a great snack with beer or sake!
Bear in mind that the recipe can be adapted to any root vegetable leaves (if edible!)!

INGREDIENTS: for 4 people

Daikon leaves of one daikon
Ginger root: a small cube, 3x3x3 cm
Mirin/Sweet Japanese sake: 3 tablespoons
Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons
Sesame oil: 1~3 tablespoons
Sesame seeds (grilled): as appropriate according to preference

RECIPE

-Chop daikon leaves and ginger root finely.

-Pour sesame oil in a frypan and stir-fry ginger a little first.

-Add daikon leaves, mirin, and soy sauce and stir-fry over medium-strong fire until all juices have evaporated.

-Add sesame seeds and serve!

Easy, healthy and very tasty!

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Japanese Fish Species 16: Striped Horse Mackerel-Shima Aji-㠀縞鯵

May 1, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Shimaaji/縞鯵, or Striped Horse Mackerel is one variety of Aji/鯵, Horse Mackerel-Saurel.
Although the season is said to be in Summer, the taste varies little with the time of the year.
Striped Horse Mackerel caught by anglers off the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture are said to be the best in Japan.
It is known under the other names of Ookami, Kose and Katsuoaji.

In English it called Striped Horse Mackerel, Saurel or White Trevally.
White Trevally, Pseudocaranx dentex, is a jack of the family Carangidae widespread in tropical and warm temperate areas between 40°N and 47°S, in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has a deep body, and a greenish colour with metallic overtones and a dark spot above the gills. The fins are yellow.
In New Zealand, this Trevally is known by the Māori as Araara, and is generally confined to waters north of Cook Strait, although it sometimes reaches as far south as Otago in the summer.

It is a great fish to serve as sashimi, either in simple slices as above,

Or the whole fish as Tataki/tartare!

In Shizuoka, where the fish is usually served still alive, the bone and heads will be served later deep-fried. Superb snack!

The fish is easy to manipulate to make beautiful maki with daikon as above!

The sushi nigiri will have photograpers on constant alert!

See what I mean?

Of course, Aji can be enjoyed grilled with a simple seasoning of soy sauce or ponzu!

Like most white-fleshed fish it can be deep-fried in batter and breadcrumbs at home!

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Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/04/30): May is Hop Madness Month; Two New Hoppy Seasonal Releases

April 30, 2012 dragonlife 4 Comments

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

May is Hop Madness Month; Two New Hoppy Seasonal Releases

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

As you know, hops are dear to the hearts of the brewers of Baird Beer. We simply love hop character in beer. The hop is so important to us, in fact, that we have decided to designate May as “Hop Madness Month,” and to celebrate it through the release of sixteen different varieties of hop-forward beer. The May Hop Madness Month beer menu reads as follows:

May Hop Madness Month Baird Beer Menu:

Bohemian Pale Ale (5.0%): Saaz hops and floor-malted Bohemian barley (handpump)
Spalter Golden Ale (4.7%): Famous Spalter aroma hops from Germany
Summit IPA (6.7%): These IPAs share the same recipe but a different US hop
Chinook IPA (6.7%): These IPAs share the same recipe but a different US hop
Columbus IPA (6.7%): These IPAs share the same recipe but a different US hop
Nelson Sauvin IPA (6.7%): Same IPA recipe, different New Zealand hop
Daidai IPA (6.5%): Fruited & dry-peeled IPA
Teikoku IPL (6.5%): Our Year-round IPA fermented with our lager yeast
Continental IPA (6.7%): Double dry-hopped with 4 continental European hops
Triple-Dry Bohemian Pils (5.7%): Triple dry-hopped Bohemian-style Pilsner
Suruga Bay Belgian Imperial IPA (7.7%): Belgian yeast fermented Suruga Bay
Belgian Strong Pale Ale (8.0%): Dry-hopped with 6 European hop varieties
4-C Strong Pale Ale (6.0%): Hopping with Columbus, Chinook, Citra, Cascade
4-S Belgian Blonde Ale (5.5%): Hopping with Sterling, Santiam, Saaz, Styrian Gold
Hop Havoc Imperial Pale Ale (6.2%): 90 IBU pale ale that is double dry-hopped
Red Hop Ale (5.7%): Hoppy American-style Red Ale (handpump)
We are kicking off May Hop Madness Month with today’s general release of the following two beers: Daidai IPA and Teikoku IPL.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Daidai IPA (ABV 6.5%):

Daidai is an extremely aromatic and tartly sour local citrus fruit that we marry together with three powerfully fruity varieties of American hops: Citra, Simcoe and Chinook. 65 bittering units of hops in the kettle provide a magnificent stage for the daidai fruit performance that happens in the whirlpool (juice and peels) and then again in the conditioning tank (dry-peeling). The result is magnificent — an IPA like no other.

Daidai IPA is available in both kegs and bottles (630 ml) and will be pouring from taps all over Japan (including our own Taprooms) beginning Tuesday, May 1.

*Teikoku IPL (ABV 6.5%):

Teikoku IPA, of course, is our year-round India Pale Ale whose signature character derives from the deft combination of three varieties of earthy and spicy aroma hops — Kent Goldings from England, Styrian Goldings from Slovenia, and Glacier from the United States. A robust malt backbone courtesy of floor-malted Maris Otter barley from England makes Teikoku an extraordinarily balanced and thoughtful IPA.

Teikoku IPL is the lager version of Teikoku IPA — we ferment it with our Numazu Lager yeast rather than our house ale yeast. Drinking the two (IPA and IPL) side by side provides a wonderful edification in the flavor differences derived from a single source — yeast.

Teikoku IPA also is available in both kegs and bottles (630 ml) and will be pouring from taps all over Japan (including our own Taprooms) beginning Tuesday, May 1.

May Hop Madness Month @ Baird Beer Taprooms:

During the month of May, all sixteen of the hop-forward beers on the May Hop Madness Baird Beer Menu above will be on tap at one time or another at all four of the Baird Beer Taproom pubs. The Nakameguro and Bashamichi Taprooms will devote five taps at all times to a rotation of the Hop Madness beers; the Harajuku and Fishmarket Taprooms will be pouring 2 to 4 varieties at any one time. Each Taproom will be blogging regularly about the daily lineup of Hop Madness beers that will be pouring from its taps.

There will be available at each Taproom stamp cards that we call the May Hop Madness Baird Beer Card. Any customer who enjoys all sixteen varieties and thus completes the stamp card before the end of May will receive his or her choice of a free Baird Beer T-shirt or Baird Beer logo glass (any variety). The May Hop Madness Taproom Baird Beer Card can be used at any of our four Taproom locations. It is not a pre-paid card. You may receive one at any Taproom beer counter beginning May 1– just ask a staff member.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sashimi, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, sushi, Tourism

Japanese Fish Species 15: Japanese Halfbeak-Sayori-鱵, 細魚, 針魚

April 30, 2012 dragonlife 5 Comments

The Japanese Half Beak or “Sayori” is a very popular fish in Japan as sashimi or sushi because it black-striped flesh does make for some spectacular design in spite of the difficulty to take its skin off cleanly!
The word “sayori” can be written in three difeerent kanji: 鱵, 細魚 (“Thin Fish”, 針魚 (“Pin Fish”).

It is also known unde the names of “Hariuo”, “Kannuki”. The latter name is used for large sprcimen sold in the Tokyo area which can reach up to 40 cm.
It is mainly caught between Winter and Summer, but the best specimens are before and after the spawning season in April~June.
The Japanese sayori mainly come from the shores of Mie, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Hiroshima and Wakayama Prefectures.
We are lucky to catch our own in Suruga Bay off Shizuoka and savor them so fresh!
It is also imported from China, Korea and Australia.

You can easily buy the sashimi cut at supermarkets and re-arrange it at home!

In my own personal opinion it makes for some of the most elegant sushi nigir! Very popular with ladies!

Grilled or as himono/dried, it is the perfect snack I would love anytime with a great beer or sake!

But all said, you can beat such a lovely sushi nigiri!

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美食, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Healthy Vegetarian Lunch at Locomani in Shizuoka City (Spring 2012)!

April 30, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Very friendly although a bit shy!
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Vegetarian menus. Healthy rice flour cakes.
Completely non-smoking!

Whenever I have to take lunch away from work and that I wish to avoid the great but heavy on my system repasts, the place for a nice, healthy and tasty meal is Locomani only a 3-minute walk away!
They have three great lunch sets. either vegetarian or omnivore, that you can enjoy at all ease inside a comfortable all-wood set-up so conducing to relaxation. Although busy at lunch time, the atmosphere is perfectly clean as no smoking has ever been allowed there!
All the ingredients are carefully selected, most of them local and many organic!

What did I have this time, then?

Rice can be either plain white or genmai/whole. I chose the combination of the two!

Although the menus change regularly the miso soup is always vegetarian and you can expect healthy and yummy tidbits like mushrooms and hijiki sweet seaweed!

And there is always a dish of freshly cooked seasonal greens!

The main dish!
Note that organic red tea is also included!
Now if you are vegan, have a talk with the chef one day when the place is not busy and I’m sure he will know how to satisfy your priorities!

There will always be fresh and often organic salad!

This time I had delicious, crunchy and juicy deep-fried vegetable Imperial rolls!

As you can see, you don’t have to be omnivore to be satisfied!
Even if you are not a vegetarian like me!
Once again I managed to keep myself away from their cakes! LOL

To be followed…

LOCOMANI
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 1-10-6
Tel.: 054-260-6622
Closed every Wednesday and one Monday
HOMEPAGE/BLOG (Japanese)

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Japanese Fish Species 14: Spanish Mackerel-Sawara-鰆

April 29, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

SAWARA-1

Sawara/鰆 or Spanish Mackerel is considered as the best kind of Mackerel in Japan. Not only it is a big variety, but its comparatively white flesh is succulent in almost any kind of cooking!

It is known under different names such as Sagoshi and Sagochi when young and Yanagi when mature.
It is basically caught by trawling, but can be fished by line. It is, unlike other mackerels, a pretty solitary fish.

It is caught widely around Japan, off Russia, China and Korea.
The total catch has varied in recent years, but thanks to import, including 21.000 tonnes from China, it has become a feature in season from late Autumn to end of Spring.

UZU-2

(Kan-Sawara at Uzu, Shizuoka City)

In Winter, it is called Kan Sawara/寒鰆 (寒stands for cold, 鰆 stands for Sawara/Spring Fish) and is a sought after morsel. In Shizuoka it is sometimes caught then in Suruga Bay, and I can tell you it disappears quickly from the table!

UZU-09-05-29-5

(Sawara at Uzu, Shizuoka City)

Later in Spring, it is just called Sawara and is leaner.

SAWARA-2

It can be cooked in many ways: broiled as above.

SAWARA-4

Or grilled.

Of Course, as sushi nigiri! Especially Kan Sawara!

Very interesting, seared and with tare on nigiri!

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Beef, 美食, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Food, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Veal, 仔牛

French Gastronomy: Veal Liver at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

April 28, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Excellent and very friendly.
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Superb washroom (mouthwash and toothpicks provided!)!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive, very good value.
Strong points: Interesting wine list. Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables and Shizuoka-bred meat.

Veal is not an easy meat to savor at restaurants in Japan as the Japanese farmers do not usually raise calves the way they do back in Europe or America to obtain a white flesh.
On the other hand veal in Japan is always a tender pink.
The Japanese have always had a special fondness for any veal and veal or beef liver is very much appreciated if somewhat rare.

When Touru Arima/有馬亨さん told me he had just received veal liver fom Fujinomiya City I did not hesitate!
The more for it that we don’t eat any at home! LOL

The veal liver had been sauteed the French way with vinegar and the sauce was prepared with Dijon seed mustard.
Just the way back home in my native Bourgogne!
But the vegetables were definitely Japanese!
The great wedge of bamboo shoot is of course local, slowly fried to a crisp, a very unusual way to cook it in Japan.
So tender inside and so crunchy on the outside! A treat!

Now, the small cabbage is a real organic cabbage harvested very young at Kitayama Farm in Fujinomiya City.
It did require some preparation, though!

Touru Arima/有馬亨さん boiled it a little first to be able to open it carefully. He then filled it with wild boar stew/ragout (the wild boar comes from Shimada City!). He closed the leaves back and sauteed the lot with the liver!
A French delicacy with four ingredients from Shizuoka Prefecture!

A bliss!

To be continued…

PISSENLIT
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

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美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 鮭, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Salmon, Shake, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Japanese Fish Species 14: Salmon-Sake/Shake-鮭

April 28, 2012 dragonlife 8 Comments

SAKE-1

Salmon is a favourite almost everywhere on the Globe, but it is in Japan that you can enjoy it in the most numerous manners!

Like every other fish it has many names according to season and place:
Shirozake/White Salmon, Akiaji or Akizake for Autumn Salmon, Shake in Tokyo.
In Spring it is called Tokishirazu.
I don’t have to tell you there are many, many names for it all over the world!

SAKE-SUJIKO

Its roe, before processing, is called Sujiko/筋子 in Japanese, whereas the salmon roe, once treated, is called Ikura/イクラ.

SAKE-ROE-SUSHI

Many Japanese appreciate the roe untreated, but more people enjoy it on top of rice as it is with some soy sauce and grated wasabi.

SAKE-SUSHI

It also makes for some splendid colourful creation on a plate of sushi!

SAKE-SUSHI-2

As oshizushi/pressed sushi, it can make some very interesting combinations with the salmon flesh and roe.

SAKE-GOHAN

Have you ever tasted Sake Gohan/Salmon Rice?

SAKE-OSHIZUSHI

Slightly smoked the Japanese way, It is extensively used in the making of bentoes!

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美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 鯖, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Mackerel, Saba, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Japanese Fish Species 13: Mackerel-Saba-鯖

April 28, 2012 dragonlife 7 Comments

Mackerel or saba is a fish eaten over the whole Northern Hemisphere and does come under many varieties and names.
In Japan it is mainly called “Saba”, “Masaba” or “Sekisaba”.
In this country it is mainly caught off Oita, Saga Prefecture, although quite a few are caught off our coasts in Shizuoka Prefecture, especially off Yaizu.
They feed on plankton mainly.

They are prepared and cooked in many guises. In France, my birthplace, they are steamed and then pickled in white wine and spices before being canned.

Naturally tinned mackerel is available in Japan,too!

In Northern Europe they are also eaten half raw as smorgasbrod and pickled fish.

It can be appreciated as sashimi, but it must be absolutely fresh and is best served with grated fresh ginger and lemon.
As far as sushi is concerned, “masaba” variety is best

Saba Konbujime nigiri.

It is especially popular as “oshizushi” (pressed sushi).

Double oshizushi!

My preference goes for Saba konbujime.

Saba Bogata

The mackerel is kept inside a variety of wet seaweed for an hour or so before put whole on top of a long “bar” of rice, then cut to size.

Saba Heshiko Zuke.
Saba/Mackerel has been a staple fish in Japan since immemorial times.
One way to conserve it for better transport away from the shores was “Saba Heshiko Zuke”, that is, pickled in miso and sake white lees.

Saba/mackerel is easily grilled, either on the stick as above,

or grilled and served cut in slices.

The same grilled saba can be served as oshizushi/presed sushi!

Saba can be also served to a tasty crispiness by deep-frying it!

Or simmered the Japanese way with miso, sake, soy sauce, ginger and mirin!

A very versatile fish!

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美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Hamburgers in Shizuoka 2: Taiwan Hamburger at Gonta Chaya!

April 28, 2012 dragonlife 6 Comments

Service: easy-goin, smiling and very friendly.
Facilities: old but clean.
Prices: very reasonable, extremely good value.
Strong points: Enormous portions but very healthy slow food on the whole
entirely non-smoking!

Gonta Chaya (notice the no-smoking sign!)

This all started with an article posted by my new foodie friend at Local Lemons who wrote an article about the trouble she bumped into thanks to MacDonald’s who threatened to sue her for using the word “Mac” in the name of her new restaurant in SanFrancisco:

To state the obvious, the notorious diner, thanks to its untold wealth, is not only making a profit out of its dubious junk food, but is also suing (for money!) everyone in sight at the mere mention of the word “mac”. I wonder if all these friends of mine with a surname starting with mac or Mc will be one day forced to change it!

I do not like the burgers of that company for the simple reason that they are unworthy when it comes to nutritious value and health damage!

Unpretentious decor in Gonta Chaya. Keep to the taste!

Alright, let’s stop babbling about the horned liars and talk about real food, and slow at that!

Gonta Chaya (Manki Neko) was opened on April 15th, 2008 in Sengen Street, the thoroughfare leading to Sengen Shrine, the major Shinto Shrine in Shizuoka City. Husband and wife were originally born in Yamaguchi and Aichi Prefecture but moved to Shizuoka about 12 years ago.
They always had wanted to offer slow (and real) food and finally got their wish when they open Gonta Chaya in our city.
Not only they do greatly care for good food, but also for their environment as they uncompromisingly banned smoking from their premices!

Have you heard of Maneki Neko?

They started as a Taiwanese-Nagoya-style ramen restaurant but heir love for good meat and hamburgers incited them to add the American delicacy to their menu.
And they certainly haven’t achieved half-measures, and that with ridiculously cheap prices (count 80~85 yen for 1 US $/10 % reduction for people over 60!):
Burger menu (ramen and others is another long and yummy propostion!):
Sengen Junior Burger: 350 yen
Sengen Burger: 500 yen
Sengen Double Burger: 700 yen
Sengen Triple Burger: 999 yen
Super Sengen Burger: 750 yen (drink included)
Super Sengen Burger Double: 1,100 yen ( ” )
Sengen Oyako Burger: 300 yen
Sengen Burger Set (Lunch only)

What did I choose!
The Super Sengen Burger!
An incredible half-pounder of Australian beef, not overcooked but slow-cooked (be patient!) to the perfect cripsy outside and juicy inside!
It is further enhanced with a crispy fried piece of bacon!

As for the Super Sengen, the buns are mercifully thinner but still home-made and toasted to a crisp bite.
You are going through a real maze of tastes thanks to sauces and dressings added in the right proportion.
Open/lift the bun, and you will discover a full meal with a load of fesh vegetables!

The cheese is real sliced cheese and the egg is fried to a juicy peak!
It is a full meal, I can’t guarantee you!

The place is open for lunch every day, but for dinner only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
They offer plenty to drink from Shizuoka Sake, Shizuoka Tea Shochu, Shochu, German and japanese beer, wine and soft drinks.

They also can lodge foreign backpackers for a good price in their home above the restaurant! Will write an article about that son!

Are you convinced?

(Maneki Neko) Gota Chaya
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Baban-cho, 117-1 (just past the big red Torii Gate at the entrance of Sengen Street
Tel.: 054-254-2701
Business hours: 11:00~14:30, and dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays

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