The Kick It Spot » Japan

Gonpachi at Miyako Hybrid Hotel

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:40:27 +0000

After a good study session, went with Sooj and the kickboxer to get some soba. Wanting to try a new place, I suggested we go to Gonpachi, since they make their own soba. Having been to the Gonpachi in Tokyo, I had high expectations for this place. And though the modern decor was slick and good enough to be called a date place, I was really disappointed with the food. It wasn’t bad tasting; it just did not impress me…at all. I will give this place another try, but not for a while. Anyways…

Meiji Tofu Temptation – four kinds of tofu served with sea urchin and truffle oil, lemon and olive oil, balsamic and salmon roe, and gochujang and black caviar.

takowasa – raw octopus and wasabi plant stalk

popcorn shrimp

kamo seiro udon – served with a warm duck broth

kamo seiro soba

close-up of the duck broth. it was actually pretty tasty.

C’est tout.

Link: Gonpachi

Mifune – Ten zaru Soba

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:01:36 +0000

Sat at the lunch counter. It was cheap. Taste wise, it was eh … probably the same status as if I were to make this myself =)

… which is why I eat out 85-90% of my meals..

Link: Mifune

Uni!

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:12:38 +0000

Uni – Sea Urchin. Had a random craving that needed satisfying.

Recipe: Broiled Cod in Miso Sauce by Nobu Matsuhisa

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:35:11 +0000

Copy + Paste from somewhere on the internet.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

6 Tablespoons white miso (fermented soybean paste)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
1/4 cup sake
4 6-ounce black cod or sea bass fillets (each about 3/4 inch thick)

Start marinating the fish for this dish at least two hours before you plan to serve it.

Mix first 4 ingredients in shallow baking dish. Add fish and turn to coat. Cover dish tightly and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours.

Preheat broiler.

Remove fish from marinade. Broil until just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side.

Shin-Sen-Gumi Gardena Ramen Restaurant – Ate so much, going to explode!

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 06:14:08 +0000

Sooj joined me for dinner…

ordered way too much.

takowasa

hiyayakko

cheese eggroll

soboro don

hakata ramen

Takoyaki

Sushi Ichiban Kan – no sushi for me today

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:13:40 +0000

Went to a sushi place and didn’t order any sushi…. hahahaha.

Tempura Udon…. plus red chili powder.

baked green mussels…YUM

agedashi tofu

Yep, non sushi items are pretty good here as well.

Link: Sushi Ichiban Kan

Mitsuwa – UMAIMONO GOURMET FAIR

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 10:04:17 +0000

Umi no Sijuso… from Otaru (Hokkaido)

it was delicious.

Link: Mitsuwa

Matsui – Grilled Black Cod marinated with miso sauce

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 02:51:00 +0000

I’m going to teach myself to make this.

Matsui, 21605 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Ukon No Chikara in the United States!!!

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:39:29 +0000

Checking out the latest mailer from Mitsuwa, I noticed that they’re having a special fair (5/13/10 to 5/23/10) to celebrate products by House Foods. And when I glimpsed a picture of Ukon No Chikara with a starburst “new” caption, I got in my car and made a dash to the market. Up until now, these were not available anywhere in the United States.

Oh… for those not familiar with this drink, it’s an EXCELLENT hangover cure or preventer (if you drink it before your night on the town). One of these saved my life when I was in Tokyo.

I’m not sure if it will be a mainstay at Mitsuwa or is just part of the “House Fair.” In either case, at $15 for a 6-pack, I think I’ll go back to stock up.

Links
Mitsuwa
House Foods

Ichimi Ann – Eel Box Sushi

admin — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:09:01 +0000

I’m making this place a regular go to spot on the weekend. It helps to give my life some sense of structure.

This time, I got a 6-piece thing of eel box sushi.

Link: Ichimi Ann