Sake Kasu Zanmai: Sujiko (Salmon Roe Sac) Kasuzuke

Sake Kasu Zanmai: Sujiko (Salted Salmon Roe Sac) Kasuzuke 筋子粕漬け Sake Kasu Zanmai: Sujiko (Salmon Roe Sac) Kasuzuke 筋子粕漬け
Kasu Chinmi: Ikura is hard to beat, but salmon roe marinated in sake kasu for about a week beats ikura! This is a rather rare dish in Japan. The first time I recall having it was this January at Kichisen. After one bite, I knew that I had to…
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Sake Kasu Zanmai: Hon Maguro Tuna Cheek Kasuzuke Tataki

Sake Kasu Zanmai: Hon Maguro Tuna Cheek Kasuzuke Tataki 本まぐろほほ粕漬けたたき Sake Kasu Zanmai: Kasuzuke Hon Maguro Cheek Tataki 本まぐろほほ粕漬けたたき
Tataki: Tataki is half well done, half sashimi. I did some tuna cheek tataki. Back in Minnesota, when I was a kid, we used to freeze the cheeks from all the walleye we caught in an entire year to have a single ‘cheek’ dinner. Walleye cheeks aren’t very…
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Setsubun Ehomaki, Mame-maki and Grilled Sardine

Setsubun Dinner and How to Eat Eho Maki 恵方巻き Setsubun Eho-maki, Mame-maki and Grilled Sardine 恵方巻き
Eho is the direction of the god of fortune and happiness and she changes her direction every year. The ehomaki, rolled sushi, with 7 lucky ingredients, is eaten without pause or chatter while facing the auspicious direction of the year. We are hoping for an extra happy and prosperous year,…
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Setsubun Customs: Hiiragi Iwashi (Holly and Sardine Head)

Setsubun Customs: Hiiragi Iwashi (Holly and Sardine Head) 柊鰯 Setsubun Customs: Hiiragi Iwashi (Holly and Sardine Head) 柊鰯
On February 3, Setsubun, the eve of the beginning of spring, it is essential eat maki-zushi, throw beans out your front door, eat sardines, impale a sardine head on holly and place it near your front door to ensure a healthy and prosperous new year. Notice, everything involves food!…
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Whole Ayu Sugatani on Jukkokumai Rice

Midnight Snack: Whole Ayu Sweetfish Sugatani Served on Jukkokumai Rice Midnight Snack: Whole Ayu Sweetfish Sugatani Served on Jukkokumai Rice 鮎姿煮 十穀米
The other day I was up in Shiga Prefecture, just over the East Mountains from Kyoto, on the shores of Lake Biwa and I was given a package of whole sugatani ayu, a trout-like sweetfish from Lake Biwa as a gift.…
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