Tag Archives: Japanese

05.11.16
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[Sidney, BC] Isn’t Far to Get a Taste of Tokyo

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Taste of Tokyo
9842 Resthaven Dr.
Sidney, BC
(250) 656-6862

J: No matter how hard we try the Two Hungry Blokes can’t seem to stay away from the attractive town of Sidney-By-the-Sea. It’s either we keep coming back to browse their locally owned shops in and around Beacon Avenue or to fill our bellies from the various eateries we have yet to fully explore. This time, it was the latter. Ed was being treated to a meal for his services rendered and I was paying out of my pocket. After 4 years of talking about it, then scheduling, and rescheduling, we finally managed to visit Taste of Tokyo. It would’ve been a perfect Saturday night if the fog hadn’t rolled in.

E: With me also imitating a fog horn to indicate that we were about to hit land, I’m certainly glad where we landed was in the bay within the heart of Tokyo! Yes, I could go on about my trip from more than a decade ago, but I have fond memories. I even sailed within this bay to spot, of all things, the Statue of Liberty, see where NHK Japan’s head office is and walk along the causeway. But hunger did strike fast and hard. Out of all the Japanese style buffets offered within or near Victoria, I always find going here to be the best and I always hit their baked oyster selection first! Throughout the night, their sushi and nigiri offered are get as much as you want before the selection of fish changes for the next plate is put out!

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04.23.16
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Bringing Japan’s Ambrosia to Earth; Nakano’s Shuzo Ichigo No Osake

sakeSake lovers already know not all brands are alike. Everything comes from the purity of the water, type of rice used and how it’s brewed. But when it comes to additives, what can be added to transform this drink to become a holy nectar of the gods? Nakano’s Shuzo Ichigo No Osake is created using the natural waters flowing from Fujishiro Mountain Range and every time I sample this strawberry-infused delight, I believe I’m kissing Amaterasu’s smooth divine lips!

I discovered this delight when in Vancouver many months ago. As I drifted by Gyoza Bar, the harmonies I heard from within drew me inside and as I sat down, I eyed the drink menu over the food instead.

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04.20.16
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[Seattle, WA] Can You Be My Sansei?

Sansei-Horizontal-Logo-ReverseSansei
815 Pine St.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 402-4414

I figure Seattle, Washington has more truly upscale Japanese restaurants than Victoria, British Columbia. If that says something about finding a place to enjoy my meals and sample the unique, perhaps I should live in this State instead of the province to get my fusion-style cuisine on. I noticed this operation while here for my annual nerdvana. Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) and Star Trek Ultimate Voyage took place on the same weekend.

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When I arrived at the historic Paramount Theatre, I was more than gobsmacked. I was licking my lips at seeing Sansei, a seafood restaurant and sushi bar across the street. I seem to have a knack for wanting to visit well-established operations when in the States without knowing a lot about their reputation beforehand. Hitting Portland, Oregon blind years ago demonstrated that. I had little knowledge about Jakes Famous Crawfish and only heard a few stories about Voodoo Doughnuts. I rode through this city with my road trip buddy, and we lucked out in getting into two of this city’s most well-known operations.

I was not too sure about what to expect when I visited Sansei the next day to get a bite, a simple dinner — or so I hoped. I had no idea about this establishment’s excellent reputation in Hawaii until I read the literature. A quick chat with the waitress and search via Google revealed them as “one of America’s Best Sushi Bars” to which I could have spent my entire convention food allowance on or I could sit at the table for a ramen dish only to tease James from afar later. His only words over the phone were, “You’re despicable.”

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02.25.16
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Omakase to My Heart! New Sushi Diner in Town!

12487051_660976984044593_3501945316300320856_o990 Blanshard St
Victoria, BC
(778) 265-8688

On a wet February night in Downtown Victoria, life was very good. Here I am, headed to Parkside Hotel & Spa to screen Empire of Corpses (屍者の帝国) as part of the Victoria Film Festival, and I passed by a corner to find it’s now occupied by a new Japanese restaurant. A few doors ahead was Yokohama, which has now changed to a Chinese only restaurant, and in bold letters read Omakase. I knew what that word meant in Japanese — the selection comes from the chef, and from Shingo Sano, I was wooed by the offer of fresh Japanese mackerel, local geoduck and fresh uni — all of it was delectable. I swear it came out of the ocean that day. There was a bit of processing on the sea urchin, meaning it was probably handled that morning, but I could feel the roe from the sea urchin tickle my tongue like a certain lover I met long ago.

Did I miss the anime? Fortunately not, but I was tempted to head in again on that night. I did visit this diner on the previous day, only to have my movie going schedule altered due to my food coma, but the price I paid was well worth it. I had intended to go see The Lobster, and wanted to celebrate by having the hefty lobster roll offered here. After seeing the size of that maki, I did not want to rush the meal by any means.

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12.15.15
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Sailing Against Tradition at Sushi Island

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Sushi Island
#105 – 1633 Hillside Avenue
Oaklands
Victoria, BC
(778) 433 – 8488

E: This newer restaurant has one great thing going for it and that’s its evolving menu of fusion delights. From the Incredible Hulk which I first tried to the Pink Panther, I’m sure the almighty Thor will pop up one day as a corn, tuna and tamago combination that’s rolled inside out for fusion sushi diners to feast on. Poor Odin; he must be rolling in his grave by now at seeing his son turned from Norwegian to Japanese.

I must say that I wasn’t too sure about this place when it first opened over the summer. The name is not necessarily inviting, but it does live up to being the place to visit for the strange and exotic. I see that with the monkey roll, they are trying to compete against the time-honoured Shiki Sushi downtown. Bananas and rice? Surely they must jest.

James and I met up at Hillside Centre to deal with some issues he’s having with one certain operation, and since we had to wait for them to figure out what to do with us, I said let’s set sail to Sushi Island since it’s nearby!

J: And that certain operation never could get their act together. At least Sushi Island can. I took my mom here before and I praised it to Ed afterwards but he adopted a “we’ll see” attitude. This article will probably be Ed’s way of admitting I’m right unofficially. I love my Japanese food authentic, fusion and mom and pop style (Sushi Plus). If ever I live in Japan, American food would be quickly abandoned in favour of my adopted country. One can only dream.

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11.05.15
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Can Victoria’s Foo(d) Compare to Vancouver’s Ramen Scene?

FooRamen1Foo Ramen Bar
762 Broughton St.
Victoria, BC
(778) 432-4366

J: When it comes to ramen I’m obsessed. I can eat ramen anytime of the day. When Foo decided to open up a ramen shop, I was excited. It is the next step in their evolution and I wanted to be a part of it. Yet it took me over a year to finally bring myself to their door. There are very few places that serve ramen in the greater Victoria area, Zin Sushi and Noodle, Sushi Plus and Kuma Noodle off the top of my head. And of those only Kuma is the place I return to over and over again. For this review Ed and I were in need for a quick refueling before we were to see comedy legend Billy Connolly grace the stage for what may be the final time.

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