Ever the innovator, Chef Shiro Kashiba has found a new favorite fish. He’s been serving nishin (Pacific herring) sushi lately at his restaurant in Pike Place Market. Kashiba wasn’t much of a fan of the traditional pickled herring, so he freed the fish from the pickling process and found out it is quite delicious as a sushi topping. For more on Chef Shiro Kashiba,...
This is a great Izakaya in Capitol Hill for a casual gathering with special friends. The restaurant is loaded with the owner’s kodawari and is super cool. We always have fun drinking here. Every dish on the menu is carefully selected to go with alcoholic beverages (like sake) and brings joy to the table.
During a whirlwind tour of western Japan in spring 2019, I interviewed several craftsmen who work with sap from the Asian lacquer tree to make exquisite pieces of lacquerware. I imagined these craftsmen working in well-lit art studios or museum-like surroundings. Instead, I found them working out of their homes or in a warehouse-like office, their work aprons stained coal black from the urushi...
If you are curious about sake and have an adventurous palate, stop by Hannyatou and explore. This unique sake bar tucked into a backstreet of Fremont (and right next to sister restaurant Kamo Negi) has a fun, inspired menu and an excellent list of sake and Japanese microbrews. A sake sommelier will guide you through the drinks menu to find the right match for...
Makoto Kimoto, owner of Suika and Tamari Bar, has added to his growing Capitol Hill empire with yet another restaurant: Rondo, a dragon’s lair full of Kimoto’s playful inspiration. Kimoto explains that the famous Japanese folktale “Urashima Taro” gave him the inspiration for Rondo. In the story, Urashima Taro is invited to a dragon’s palace under the sea. He receives a warm welcome from...
