Viewing entries tagged
sashimi

Tatemichiya

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Tatemichiya

Not a lot of people know this, but I was really sick with Bronchitis on my way to Japan. It actually got worse during my flight and at times, I thought I was going to die. I was desperately buying vitamin juice packs from our local 7 Eleven down the street from our hotel in Ginza. This was during winter so the cold frosty air didn't help my cough much. Luckily, I conquered a few days before visiting the emergency room. But, let's save that conversation for a different day.

Before visiting the hospital we saw one of my dearest friends, Ami Tsuchida, who lives in Tokyo. She recommended a local Izakaya that she's been going with her mom. It's as rock'n'roll and divey as it gets. 

This was shot from their little upper level seating. Tons of people were also smoking which didn't help my coughing much, but to my surprise, the alcohol helped. They have tons of sake, shochu and beer. If you don't finish your bottle they can tag it for you.

Marinated hotaru ika - Briny and sweet squid pairs perfectly with Japanese beer. I switch off between Sapporo and Asahi.

I believe this was shiokara over cream cheese. Shiokara is pretty much squid fermented with their digestive parts. It sounds gross if you're not familiar with these kinds of food, but I really like this.

A very traditional home dish Japanese people ate as a kid. Ham katsu. It sounds weird, but does it really? This isn't something that's bizarre, but this was one of the most memorable dishes I ate because of it's simplicity yet addictively delicious. 

Fried Oysters. One of my favorite izakaya items. Served with tonkatsu sauce and an egg tartar. SO GOOD. Where's my beer?

White fish with shiso deep fried. Served with grated ginger.

Sashimi moriawase.

Agedashi tofu with natto. Came out hot and sizzling. I love how a lot of restaurants serve natto!

Tsukemono. I always order this at every Japanese restaurant. It's nice to have with drinks. It also acts like a palate cleanser. 

Tonkotsu ramen to end our dinner before heading to a cigar lounge.

I forgot to take photos of yakitori, but we had it as well.

B1F, 30-8 Sarugakucho, Shibuya 150-0033, Tokyo Prefecture (Shibuya / Harajuku / Ebisu) +81 3-5459-3431

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Kotohira Restaurant

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Kotohira Restaurant

I'm not in this area often, but was attending an audiophile event in the area. What I love about traveling a few 10-30 miles outside of my neighborhood is that it really pushed me to find a new restaurant to try. Being at the event, walking up and down stairs, visiting rooms by rooms filled with amazing HiFi can really stir up an appetite. It can also make me very hangry. 

What sucks about being a nowaday foodie is no matter what, you are in charge of picking a place. Even if that baton has passed... it always comes back.

Kotohira was discovered by the love Yelp app. I'm not a fan of the reviews people leave, but I use it just to know what there is around me. I've been to this plaza before where Kotohira is located. I've eaten at Furaibo a few times mainly for their tebasaki karaage. 

I wanted something warm, hearty, and comforting. Kotohira was a perfect choice. It had the traditional Japanese lunch combos available with sizeable bowls that will make you take a nap. Here are a few things I was able to snap.

Side udon that comes with a combo. Slurp away.

Pan fried gyoza. Dip this in a mixture of vinegar and hot chili oil.

Chicken Karaage. Another one of my favorite dishes as mentioned before somewhere in this blog. I love extra lemons. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

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Bento combination with tuna sashimi, chicken karaage, grilled saba, tempura, and Japanese root vegetable. When I went to Japan a few years ago, I ate a lot of combinations like this. It's really comforting and brings back a nostalgic memory.

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unagi over hot rice. 

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Subtle scoop of Neapolitan ice cream.

Edit 1747 W Redondo Beach Blvd Gardena, CA 90247

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Big Catch - Alhambra

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Big Catch - Alhambra

Back here again, but it never get's old. Some of the best happy hours in THE AREA serving up $1 oysters. The Big Catch in Alhambra is definitely my favorite location. It's open and airy. Bar seating is open to the outdoors which lets in a nice breeze.

In case you didn't know, Big Catch is part of the EMC Seafood Group. So everyone that loves EMC for their oysters can also enjoy the same quality here. Kumamoto's are the most popular, but I also really love Kusshi.

Take a peak at their raw bar to eye everything you want to order.

This maine lobster is waiting for you.

Their famous Lobster Roll with tarragon butter, sea salt, stuffed inside a grilled brioche bun.

Dirty Fried Rice - Shrimp, Calamari, Salmon, Green Onion, Egg, Lobster meat, Cajun Sauce. Salmon stood out the most, it was perfectly cooked.

Sashimi Sampler - Salmon Toro, Yellowtail Toro, Toro, Sweet Shrimp (Amaebi). Don't forget to eat the shrimp heads. They also used pickled grated wasabi. Sashimi and sushi are extremely fresh. Something I recommend ordering when you come. They also have plenty of seafood creations to try.

2 S. Garfield Ave. Ste. 100, Alhambra, CA 91801

Tel: 626-282-8590

Hrs: Mon-Thurs 11:30am - 12am

Fri-Sat 11:30am - 2am

Sun 10am - 12am

 

 

 

 

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Sushi Gen - Downtown Little Tokyo

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Sushi Gen - Downtown Little Tokyo

I found Sushi Gen a few years ago when I started making more cash to afford higher end sushi. I didn't start to understand the craft until after my first visit here. After my first visit, I came back a few more times and it never fails to deliver. The ratio between rice and fish is always perfect in the nigiri. The quality of their seafood surpasses the expectations of local joints. There's a lot of great sushi places out there, but Sushi Gen always has that charm every time I go. People think it's all about the hype and the long lines that drive people to go. I'm not going to say that's not part of it, but they deliver on what they are proud to serve and I like to stick up for that because they shouldn't be shunned out for being "popular" just like they shouldn't be raved about just because they are "popular".

I've heard great things about their lunch specials. The sashimi lunch here is what everyone goes nuts for. The line was also no joke. We got there at 10:40 to wait in line. They don't open till 11:15AM. After the first crowd gets seated, the rest of us leave our name and the number in our party. Make sure your party is here or you won't be seated when called. Don't be mad about it either. There's a lot of hungry eaters waiting in line ready to take your seat anytime, so just be prepared. We got seated at 12, perfect timing for lunch.

Each entree is served with marinated steamed tofu and lightly pickled cucumber and cabbage.

This is the unagi set with side sashimi. The unagi was very flavorful, fatty, and scrumptiously decadent. Dust a little sansho pepper on top and dig in. I highly recommend this set. For $28, it's a great deal.

The side sashimi that comes with the unagi.

Their famous $17 sashimi lunch. Comes with a good portion of hot rice, this was a lot of food than what I bargained for! Fish was absolutely amazing. The tuna slice you see behind the hamachi, I believe was bluefin tuna. I could see the fat marbling throughout and knew this bite was going to be a treat. My eyes literally lit up after my first bite. They also served chopped up spicy tuna, negitoro, a few ends from the yellowtail and tuna. Also a grilled salmon piece in the back. Totally worth it.

422 E 2nd St Los Angeles, CA 90012

Little Tokyo, Downtown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sushi Roku Pasadena 16th Anniversary

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Sushi Roku Pasadena 16th Anniversary

Happens only once a year for all of us. Birthday's are special. Especially at Sushi Roku, they go big by offering their dinner menu for 50% off (food only). I've been eating here for many years now, but only found out about this big shebang last year. Rounded up a small group and rushed towards the bar seating area since they were booked for the night.

Sake for the table. After this bottle, we did some sake samplers (recommended).

And here are the slew of foods we ordered to celebrate Wednesday 

and the 16th Anniversary of Sushi Roku. I swear I am here all the time it feels like home.

Shishito peppers, nasu dengaku, and hanabi are always my go to for appetizers when I'm here. Oh! and fluke kumquat sashimi in a yuzu vinaigrette. The sushi you see are yellowtail, ankimo, salmon, toro and uni. Orders of salmon cut rolls are always welcomed. Some baked crab handrolls are always satisfying. And surprisingly, the chicken Karaage was very tasty with a bowl of hot rice! For dessert, we had their warm butter cake with vanilla ice cream and 3 unique mochis with flavors: pistachio, strawberry chocolate chip, and passion fruit.

One Colorado 33 Miller Alley Pasadena, CA 91103

 

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