No matter where you go these days in greater Seattle, you’re never far from a poké restaurant. Every neighborhood seems to have its own favorite. Some poké bowls are simple, delicious Hawaiian-style fare, and others combine all sorts of toppings, from edamame to fried onions, into a colorful melange of a meal. All are perfect for a hot summer day. Here’s our quick guide...
From Japan’s foremost gourmet food blogger, fallindebuhasshi’s blog post, introducing a great place for kaisendon, also known as chirashi or barachirashi. Ginza Sushimasa Located near the Miharabashi crossing in Higashi Ginza, Sushimasa is very accommodating for a sushi restaurant in Ginza. It has semi-private rooms for a relaxed dining experience and is affordable. The toppings, which are thoughtfully sliced in small pieces, mix together...
“Lately, at the high-end shops in Ginza and Roppongi, it’s all fixed courses. No matter who the customers are, they get served the same sushi in the same order. Repeating the same thing over and over? I think that has to be a bore.” Tatsuro Shibuya has a 30-year career as a sushi chef. His shop is about a 40-minute drive from central Tokyo...
How does Seattle stack up against other American cities when it comes to sushi? We asked several people with experience here and in other cities to find out. “I think we’re fourth,” says Executive Chef Taichi Kitamura of Sushi Kappo Tamura. “We’re behind L.A., New York and San Francisco for a combination of reasons. But we’re close.” Kitamura says some of those factors include...
How you can experience true Edomae sushi in Japan The unpretentious Umenoki sits in a hard-to-find alley in Tokyo’s Akasaka neighborhood. The exterior is black, and only a colorful noren curtain that changes with the seasons indicates there’s something going on inside. It’s easy to pass right by this sushi shop. But if you do pass it by, you’ll be missing out. Duck inside...
The comeback of standing sushi bars in Japan When you’re looking for a reasonable, casual alternative to the high-end sushi bars, kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurants spring to mind. In Japan, another option has been catching on lately: tachigui, or stand-and-eat, sushi restaurants. No seats, no frills, no omakase courses, no scary bills to worry about. You can order six pieces of maguro and...
Shellfish is an indispensable part of sushi. About 20 types of clams and abalone are used in the cuisine to add different texture and flavor. Here are some of the most delicious choices. Hokkigai (Surf clam) Hokkigai has a unique look: white flesh with a red pointy end. It is thick and chewy. A strong sweetness and umami fill your mouth with every bite....
“MAGURO” (Tuna) has always been the most popular sushi item all over the world, but recently “Salmon” is gaining its popularity almost to strip Maguro’s No. 1 status. Salmon is widely known in the world. It is the fish those sushi beginners can feel comfortable to try. Salmon goes well with western seasoning such as mayo, olive oil and cheese. It must be one...
Having friends over to watch the Super Bowl or expecting a cozy Valentine’s date at home? Why not impress your friends by making sushi at home? Too difficult, you say? Not true. Kits available at Uwajimaya supermarket make it quite easy to whip up both rolls and nigiri sushi in the comfort of your kitchen. For starters, try the Hand-Rolled Sushi kit. Add...
Chef Taichi Kitamura’s popular Sushi Kappo Tamura restaurant in Eastlake was the only restaurant in Washington state to make Open Table’s 100 Best Restaurants in America list for 2018. The list is compiled based on enthusiastic feedback from diners who use the Open Table reservation system, not reviews by professional food critics. The award is in part a tribute to Kitamura’s affable style. “It’s...
