Cooking 03: Temakizushi 手巻き寿司

Temakizushi (手巻き寿司) is a hand rolled sushi, contains of rice and strips of ingredients wrapped in a half sheet of Nori. It is tasty and easy to make, and the most, it is purely fun to make it by yourself. I enjoyed Temakizushi for dinner, so I will teach you how to make it.

Sushi rice was prepared separately; mixed with sushi vinegar. Temperature of the rice must be cool down a bit, otherwise it does not match with sashimi’s warmness.

Hijiki

Hijiki is a healthy kind of seaweed. It looks strange if you have never seen it, but it is very healthy and good nutrition for your hair.

Osuimono

Osuimono is a Japanese soup, served with Shiitake, Fu and Mitsuba. Miso soup is also popular soup in Japanese food, but osuimono is match more with sushi.

Ingredients

Let’s take a look at ingredients. You can prepare all kinds of sashimi and veggie you like for Temakizushi, but this day, we ate Shrimp (Ebi: えび), crab meat (毛がに), salmon roe (いくら), and Yellowtail (ぶり). Don’t forget to add Shiso leaves (green perilla: シソ). Shrimp was simply boiled with water, no MSG or anything, but shrimp must be fresh.

Let’s make one with me.

Prepare a sheet of Nori, and add Shiso on the top of seaweed if you like.

Take a little bit of rice. Not too much.

Then, add ingredients you like. I sometimes dip into soy sauce first, but of course, you can wrap first then dip into soy sauce. If you go to sushi bar, you see more beautiful shaped hand roll sushi, but for us, simply wrap and eat it. Simple and easy, but the most importantly, all ingredients must be fresh. (^^)

Restaurant #39: Tototo, Sapporo

Totoro is one of my favorite restaurants in Sapporo station area. My friend and I went there for first time in five years. Menus were changed a bit, but still, they have fresh seafood and tofu! The restaurant is located in front of Sapporo JR station, so it is very easy to access.

My friend and I went there without a reservation, but since it was weekday, there were a plenty of seats. Unfortunately, this restaurant allows smoking. It is still common for people to smoke in public in Japan. Luckily, people around us didn’t smoke, therefore I didn't have to suffer from extra frustration. The décor was modern and elegant, kept Japanese Izakaya style. Jazz music was played and it would be recommended for a date or friends’ meeting.

Salad with Steamed Sesame Chicken

We started with a salad with steamed sesame chicken ( 蒸し鶏の胡麻たっぷりサラダ ) (609 yen). Some pieces of sunny lettuce, colorful bell pepper, shredded Daikon (Japanese radish), steamed chicken with oriental sesame sauce, covered with shredded Negi. Domestically raised chicken was steamed well, and it was so juicy! Veggies were fresh, especially paprika.

Ladled Tofu

This fresh tofu was named “引き上げ掬い豆腐” (504 yen). The worker brought just made tofu to us with a big wooden container, and served us some scoops of tofu. Of course it is okay to eat just a tofu, but usually enjoy it with some ingredients, called Yakumi (薬味). Four different yakumi were served; negi, ginger, salt, and katsuobushi. Tofu was great! Once I put it in my mouth, it melted right away with fresh soy bean taste.

Deep-fried Yuba Bundle with Prawn & Cheese

海老とチーズの湯葉包み揚げ (714 yen) was one of my favorites at that night. We wanted to eat more, but sadly just two pieces were served. Yuba was golden colored and crispy, and the taste of a big fresh shrimp and creamy melted cheese were really matched! They served right after they cooked, so it was hot and juicy!

Pork Yakitori

豚串 (one stick 189 yen). It was quite a long time since I ate yakitori last time. I love yakitori~! (^-^)

Kimo yakitori

砂肝串 (charbroiled gizzard) (one stick 189 yen). Very fresh!

Chicken & Negi yakitori

ねぎま串 (Negima: one stick 189 yen). I liked Negima the most.

Overnight-dried Aburi Squid

いか一夜干し (504 yen) was chewy enough.

Japanese pickles

漬け物 (Japanese pickles: 445 yen). My friend's favorite. She always order this. ha ha. Taste was fine, but I thought it was a bit expensive...

Chicken Rice

The last item that I ordered was Chicken Ochazuke (鶏飯) (504 yen). My “shime” item is always onigiri or ochazuke. This chicken ochazuke was lightly flavored, but the chicken was steamed well, and the broth was from this chicken. If you’d like, put a little bit of Wasabhi; it gives a surprising accent at the end of the great meal.

Overall, I really enjoyed the meal here. The only disappointment was that the restaurant was not non-smoking. Unfortunately, in Japan, many restaurants, especially Izakaya style, allow customers smoke. I really hope that they at least arrange some area for non-smokers…

Total: 4498 yen (for 2 people with some drinks)

Tototo Asty 45: 地鶏と旬魚 手づくり豆冨　ととと
1F Asty 45 Bldg. Kita 4-jyoNishi 5, Chuo-ku
Sapporo, JAPAN
011-219-4566
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/h061900/

Restaurant #19: Nangokushuka, Sapporo

My family went to see Ken Watanabe’s new movie, “Shizumanu Taiyo” (沈まぬ太陽). After the movie, my family and I met in front of the train station and had lunch together. I wanted to try Kyokaro, the Chinese restaurant I wrote before, but this time my aunt told me there is another Chinese restaurant at Sapporo Stellar Place, the building next to Daimaru. OK, let’s try different atmosphere!

“Nangokushuka” is a Chinese chain restaurant, originally from Harajuku, Tokyo. It seems that the décor was modern and cool, although I like Kyokaro’s décor better. We needed to wait for twenty minutes due to the weekend, but it was worth to wait. The waiter and waitress were friendly enough. It is quite different mood compared to Kyokaro. Kyokaro, the Chinese restaurant at Daimaru department store, have more gorgeous, elegant service and atmosphere. On the other hand, Nangokushuka is more friendly and energetic. I like both style.

Su La Tan Men

I chose “Su La Tan Men” (Suan la Tang Mian: スーラー湯麺) (1050 yen). I think I tried the only soup before, but with noodle, it made me full easily. It was an interesting taste. I mean I liked it a lot, but my family told me that it tasted special Chinese spices they’ve never eaten before. Hmm… I guess I ate enough Chinese food and it doesn’t bother me at all. The soup was thick & creamy, and spicy from the pepper with shrimp, squid, scallop, shiitake, bok choy, komatsuna and egg. Even though I am a big eater, this was huge! It would be nice if I share with some friends.

Lunch Set with Soy Sauce Chicken

Lunch menu comes with today’s dish (you can choose one from three choices), one piece of Dim Sum (点心), 2 pieces of side dishes(副菜), Rice or Chinese bread, Today’s soup, Kou no Mono (香の物), Today’s dissert or Chinese tea. Soy Sauce Chicken (愛知県産えぞゆきのした 真狩産ボロ葱入り鶏肉の醤油炒め) (1260 yen) was very tasty enough and made me satisfied qualitatively and quantitatively. Ezo Yukinoshita, known as Enoki, was from Aichi Province, and Chicken and Green Onion sauté with soy sauce was from Makkari, Hokkaido. Chicken was so juicy and interestingly it looked like a pork. Negi (green onion) always matches with chicken. You may sauté with sour and sweet sauce, but my favorite is usually with soy sauce.

Half & Half Lunch Set: Gomoku Ankake Tsuyusoba

Gomoku Ankake Tsuyusoba (五目あんかけつゆそばセット) (1365 yen) was hard to finish up. It was... too much! It was my uncle’s choice. It didn’t make sense that the Tsuyusoba, like a Chinese ramen, comes with today’s soup. They should come with either Dim Sum or dessert. Unfortunately, soup was already getting cold and my uncle didn’t enjoy it. The ingredients, though, were tasty. Fried Rice was great, he said. Simple, but with proper taste. Shrimp, egg, and komatsuna mixed with rice, and they used the special pepper who gives the taste of Chinese.

Lunch Set with Three kinds of Seafood

Lunch set with seafood sauté (茨城産パクチョイ入り海鮮三種: 天然海老、帆立貝、絞甲いかの天日塩炒め) (1470 yen) was my aunt’s choice. Fresh ingredients from all over Japan were used in this dish. Bok Choy from Ibaragi province was sauté with natural shrimp, scallop and squid. It looked interesting that they also used pumpkins and negi. Yes pumpkins with seafood. I need to taste it next time.

Overall, we enjoyed their food and atmosphere. I was especially satisfied with the quantity of their dishes. That is how the Chinese food is supposed to be: provide the food until the customer can’t eat anymore.

Total: 5145 yen (for 4 people)

Nangokushuka
6F, Stellar Place Sapporo
5-banchi, Kita 5-jo 2-chome, Chuo-ku
Sapporo
011-231-7592
11:00-23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
http://nangokusyuka.co.jp/

Sapporo Autumn Fest 2009: Part 3

Let’s move to 7-chome site. This site was for sake and Japanese-style small dishes, good with drinks. Beef and seafood BBQ smelled really good!

Curved Organic Sausage (巻き巻きソーセージ)

The picture was taken after we cut it in pieces, but it was really long. I have tried Chinese, German, Italian and American sausage before, but I like Japanese sausage the most. The reason is simple, I just got used to the taste. The outside of the sausage was crispy, and it was juicy inside. I can tell that it was very fresh.

Baked Scallops (ホタテ焼き) (300 yen)

Hot and delicious! Salty enough with the ocean taste, and melted butter gave an accent. This must be great with a glass of beer.

My uncle tried some Japanese sake. The fresh spring water in Hokkaido makes great Sake (酒) and Shochu (焼酎).

Beef Steak Don (ステーキ丼) (800 yen)

At second visit, I tried Beef Steak Don, my friend recommended me to try it out. It was surprisingly reasonable price; 800 yen! I wish I could’ve gone back and try this again. I still remember the delicious taste. The steak was thick, tender and juicy, and no need to put any sauce. It was already in perfect taste. Rice was too tender, but I was satisfied with their thick steak.



8-chome site eventually became my favorite. This site was the huge, lively food market, barbequing fresh seafood and meats from all area of Hokkaido. It is a place for seafood and local dishes lovers. At my first visit, I couldn’t eat anything because I was too full, but I tried some at my second visit.

Crab Miso Soup (毛がに汁) from Esashi (枝幸町)

There was a long line in front of this booth. No wonder, they gave us free crab miso soup. Yes, it was FREE! They prepared 100 cups of soup for free. Broth was perfect, and we enjoyed it.

Takoyaki with cheese and yam (チーズと山芋のたこ焼き) from Ozora (大空町)

This item was interesting. Takoyaki (たこ焼き) is a popular food in Osaka, Japan. In addition to a piece of octopus, this owner also put creamy cheese and grated yam together. Just a simple idea made the takoyaki tender and rich flavored.

See you next year!

I wish the weather could be warmer, but we had a great time together. Many visitors seemed to enjoy this event. It made me happy to see my home town become crowded and active. We need more lively events to provoke our economy! Next year would be from September 17, 2010. Mark it on your calendar, and visit the city of Sapporo during this wonderful event!

Sapporo Autumn Fest 2009
http://www.sapporo-autumnfest.jp/

Restaurant #03: Hachi-Kyo, Sapporo

This restaurant brings a new style of service that workers really enjoy what they are doing. The owner of this restaurant was a fisherman for more than ten years at Shiretoko, Rausu, where is the eastern part of Hokkaido. Now, he owns this powerful izakaya style restaurant, so-called “Hachi-Kyou” at Susukino area of Sapporo. I mean it is really powerful. Once you enter this izakaya, all workers shout, “Irasshai!” with respect. It reminds me of the spirits of fishermen. You will surprise the full of power, and will notice this is not a place to discuss about serious stuff with your friends.

The interior is creative. Some huge tapestries for fishing vessels are decorated on the wall. There are some fishermen’s pictures at the counter table, so you know who took seafood that you are eating.

Only fresh seafood is prepared, mostly from Shiretoko Rausu. Raw fishes are very fresh; sashimi would be a great choice if you can eat. Most dishes from the menu are used fresh seafood, such as Sanma and Hokke, both are my favorites.

My friend and I tried as follows:
4 drinks
“Wasabi potato salad” as an appetizer
“Hokke Menchi Katsu” (deep fried minced meat cake with Hokke meat)
“Sanma Sashimi”
“Tako-zangi” (deep fried octopus)
And their popular item so-called “Tsukkomeshi”, which is “Ikura Don” (rice with fresh salmon roe)

Wasabi potato salad was unexpectedly tasty. The potato salad was mixed with wasabi colored flying-fish roe, which gives me an interesting pops in my mouth. I forgot to ask them if they use some meat in “Hokke Menchi Katsu”. It didn’t taste like fish at all but tasty smell of Hokke. I know they used the Hokke’s meat, but not sure about beef or pork. Sanma is one of autumn season’s fishes, so now is the great time to eat.

My favorites in this dinner were “Tako Zangi” and “Tsukkomeshi”. Unfortunately, I accidentally forgot to bring my camera!!! Luckily, my friend took some pictures of Tsukkomeshi.

Tsukkomeshi (white rice only)

Tsukkomeshi

The fun part of this dish is that they bring white rice with a ball. Then, one worker put Ikura (salmon roe) over the white rice until we say “stop!” When he puts Ikura, he and other workers shout as “Oissa!”, which is a cheer when the fishermen put out the fishes from the ocean. It is fun, delicious, and noisy in an exciting way. This restaurant became popular, and many autographs of many artists, especially wrestlers, are decorated on the wall.

I recommend this restaurant to young energetic people and people who likes new stuff. If you like a quiet restaurant, then this place is not for you. However, I guarantee that you would love the food anyways. Please try, and I would like to know how you feel.

Total cost: 6640 yen (for 2 people)

Hachi-Kyo
1F, Miyako bldg, Minami 3-jo Nishi 3, Chuou-ku
Sapporo, JAPAN
011-222-8940
http://www.atomsgroup.jp/ha.html