Sashimi & Sushi Sets

Sashimi Plate at Uzu (‘10/02/25)

Service: excellent, easy-going and very friendly
Facilities: great washroom, great cleanliness overall
Prices: very reasonable, good value.
Strong points: Very fresh local ingredients especially organic vegetables extensively used.

Just had our regular visit, the Missus and I last night at Uzu, the talk of the town (on TV nest Sunday!) as far as Izakayas arec ocncerned in this city.

Apart of supremely extravagant vegatables and meat, one can expect the best quality sashimi there, too. And most of it local!

From right to left:
-Isaki/Chicken Grunt (what a name!), both as sashimi and seared sashimi/aburi sashimi (Suruga Bay).
-Kihada Magura/Albacore Tuna
-Madako/True Octopus
-Grated fresh wasabi from up the Abe River, Shizuoka City.
-Benimasu/Salmon Trout from Fijnomya City.

A real treat!

UZU
Shizuoka City, Otowa-cho, 3-18
Tel.: 054-249-6262
Business hours: 17:00=23:00
Closed on Mondays and first Tuesday
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
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Sashimi Mini Plate at Tomii (’10/01/09)

This is the second part of my “Quick fix” last night at Tomii.
I posted this article separately as it will also go to my sushi blog page and Sushi Nomads Website.

All the fish served on this “min sashimi plate” are seasonal (as always at Tomii).

Left top: “Honmaguro Akami”, or lean part of bluefin tuna backed with various sprout vegetables.
Right top: “Hirame” or sole on a leaf of shiso/perilla.
Left bottom: “Tai”, or seabream. In thei case “Madai”, or true seabream.
Right bottom: “Aori Ika”, or bigfin reef squid.
The wasabi is naturally freshly grated wasabi from Shizuoka!

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
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Shizuoka Sashimi: Kinmedai/Splendid Alfonsino

We had this fish yesterday at Uzu Izakaya in Shizuoka City as our second sashimi plate: Kinmedai/金目鯛.

Kinmedai/金目鯛 in Japanese means “Golden Eyes Seabream”.
It is a fish genus common all over the world, but with varying quality level.

This kinmedai was caught off the Izu Peninsula in the Western part of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Izu Peninsula is considered one of the best areas for that particular fish (it has different names in other regions!).

It was served cut in small rectangular pieces with a deep indent in the middle where you can insert the freshly grated wasabi (from along the Abe River in Shizuoka City) for better chopsticks manipulation and utmost appreciation.
The flesh is so tender it almost melts inside your mouth. The taste is sublime for a fish which is not considered as expensive here. (which shows you can enjoy sashimi and sushi at very reasonable prices! Jibe for people spending fortunes in Tokyo and abroad! LOL).
Generally speking fish is readily available and reasonble for all budgets in our Prefecture.

I feel like a lucky b…..d!

UZU
Shizuoka City, Otowa-cho, 3-18
Tel.: 054-249-6262
Business hours: 17:00=23:00
Closed on Mondays and first Tuesday
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese, but have a look at the pics!)
Sashimi Plate at Tomii (’09/12/04)
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I suppose I do not need to introduce Tomii again as it is my favourite Japanese restaurant in the whole of Shizuoka Prefecture!
To make a long story short, I paid them a visit last night on my way back from university before going home.

I was not that hungry, so I just ordered “o-tsukuri/sashimi plate”.

From left to right:
Yellow carrot, Suzuki/black bass, various sprouts, Kyoto ninjin/Kyoto re carrot, Aka Ika/red squid, shiso/perilla flowers and beni shigure daikon/red daikon variety.

For a clsoer view of the fresh vegetables!

From left to right:
Kan buri/Winter yelowtail on shiso/perilla leaf, Uni/seaurchin under a slice beni daikon/red daikon and bachImaguro/tuna variety.
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Sashimi Plate at Tomii (’09/07/31)

Visited Tomii last night for the first time in three weeks. It was about time I sampled one of their sashimi plates!

No fussing needed, will just explain:

Top: Amaebi/sweet shrimps

Center: Hirame/Sole. Kanpachi/Amberjack, Toro/Tuna fatty part

Bottom: Akami/Tuna lean part, Hirame engawa/Sole “verandah” (actually this is the border flesh that is usually thrown away abroad!), Aka Ika/Red squid, Sanma/Mackerle pik-Saury

Notice the shiso/perilla flowers!

What did I drink with that?
Hakuin Masamune Yamahai by Takashima Shuzo in Numazu City, a sake getting national recognition these days!
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Sashimi Plate at Tomii (’09/07/01)

(Courtesy of Melinda Joe)

Last week, Wednesday, I had the occasion to sample a plate of sashimi at my favourite Japanese Restaurant, Tomii, in Shizuoka City after accompanying Melinda Joe at Aoshima Brewery in Fujieda City during her Japan Times interview.

Can you recognize any of the sashimi?

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

Waiting for your answers! LOL
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Sashimi Plate at Tomii (’09/06/22)

Just came from a “quick fix” at Tomii as I was too hungry to continue work! (I’m back at the office right now!)

Just ordered “o-tsukuri/Sashimi plate” as the calories are non-existent (the Missus is preparing dinner!).

FRom top clockwise:
-Madai/Japanese Snapper species
-Aburi Tachiuo/lightly grilled Scabbard Fish
Note the shiso/perilla flowers in between!
-Hata/Grouper
-Murasaki Uni/Violet Sea Urchi from Aomori Prefecture
-Hamo/Pike Conger Eel, lightly boiled
-Aka Ika-Kensaki Ika/Red cuttlefis-Squid
In the middle:
-Mebachi-maguro/ig-eyed Tuna Akami/lean part

I honestly wisjh you were all here!
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7 US$ Sashimi Plate!

The Missus welcomed me back home last night with her “triumphant smile”. By this, I knew she had made a good bargain at one of the nearby supermarkets.
Good, I will be able to humor her more easily, I thought (sly macho reaction,…)
Anyway, she had noticed a good sashimi set being sold for 1,000 yen (about 11 US$) at Coop Supermarket but could not decide whether to buy it or not (it was about 5:00 p.m.) and proceeded forward. But her feminine (sorry!) instincts called her back as this was just the time when bargains start at this good (and very reasonable) big supermarket chain. The price had gone down to 600 yen (about 7 US$)!

(from right to left: “Tai/Seabream”, “Shake or sake/Salmon” and “Kanpachi/Amberjack)

I don’t have to tell you with what relish she grabbed it!
She had the sashimi already seved on a plate on the dining room table for me to admire. I decided to take a pic, but she said that the dsiplay was not good enough for a pic!
I waited for her to go back to the kitchen and took my mobile phone out to take a few pics in a hurry!
The pics are of poor quality, I must admit, but I hope it will give some ideas to my friends!

(from right to left: “Tonbo maguro/Tuna Variety, “Ika/Squid” and “Mebachi maguro/Big-eyed tuna”)

All seafood, except for the salmon are apparently from Shizuoka Prefecture. No wonder it is so cheap (even in Japan)
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First sashimi Set of the Year (2009) at Tomii!

Yesterday evening, being hungry late at work, I just took a “break” and went for a (slightly extravagant!) quick fix at my favourite Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka City.

Apat of the usual appetizer, I was served th following “O-Tsukuri/Sashimi set” (See above picture, from left to right, top first):

-“Buri/Japanese Amberjack” on a cushion of fresh sprouts
-“Hon-maguro no Akami/Bluefin tuna lean part” with “Shiso no Hana/Perilla Flowers”
-“Inada/young Japanese Amberjack”. The difference with Buri is that the flesh is still white. On a “Shiso no Happa/Perilla Leaf” and a radish slice
-“Madai/True Snapper-Seabream”
-“Amaebi/Sweet Shrimp)
-“Uni/Sea Urchin)
-Freshly grated “Wasabi/Green Japanese Horseradish”
-“Kou-Ika/wide-bodied cuttlefish variety

Heavens!

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
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Sashimi at Tomii: The Epitome of Excellency!

Many people have been asking me: “How can you afford that?”
Well, I don’t smoke and I don’t drive, either. I can imagine what some people in the Northern part of the US might tell me… and I don’t care!
All that “saved” money goes into good food, good drink, good travel and improved relations with my (better, ok for this time!) half! And nothing for those “poor” doctors out there!

I’ve been a regular customer at Tomii in Shizuoka City for many, many, many reasons. But the one I value most is that everyone at this great Japanese restaurant are willing to talk about, explain and extoll the virtues of their craft. Craft, I said? It is probably nearer to artistry as Melinda, Etsuko and Tim will vouch for me!

Anyway, to write a story short, I just popped at Tomii this evening (yes, I’m writing this just after I came back to “work”), and asked for a sashimi plate (well, this is not the way to ask it: You should say: “O-tsukuri, kudasai!”). I did not need to tell them what to serve me. I wouldn’t even have dared!
On the other hand, they didn’t mind explaining no less than three times to make sure that the old geezer got his stuff right!

From right to left:
“Kiiro Ninjin”?Yellow Carrot (sashimi is not all about fish, vegetables are rapidly becoming an essential part of the picture!), “Beni Daikon”/Red (“rouge”) Daikon, “Wasabina/not wasabi, but a leaf vegetable with a similar taste!”, “Hirame/Sole”, “Hime Daikon/Princess Daikon”, “Shiso no Hana/Perilla Flowers (edible as Rowena will agree!) on top of “Toro/Tuna Fatty Part) and “Bakudai No Ki no Mi/Impossible to translate”, only that it is an edible part from a tree (sorry, I was not attentive enough!)!

From right to left:
“Uni/Sea Urchin Roe” (in front) with freshly grated “Wasabi/Japanese Horseradish” (let me tell for the umpteenth time that wasabi was first grown in Shizuoka City in the 17th Century and that Shizuoka Prefecture still produces 80% of the world total!), “Ishidai/Ishidai Snapper” just behind, the green daikon is called “Uguisu Daikon/Nightingale Daikon”, “Amaebi/Sweet Shrimp”, and “kanpachi/Japanese Amberjack” just behind!

From right to left:
“Kuroi Daikon/Black Daikon”, “Aori Ika/Aori Cuttlefish”, “Akami/Lean Tuna” on a “Shiso no happa/perilla leaf”. To back it up a mixture of seasonal sprouts: “Kushinsai + Soba no Mi (Buckwheat) + Cress (from Shizuoka like most of them) + Kawaire Daikon + Cabbage + Broccoli” (about time you call a local farmer for explanations!)!

Small servings they might look, but I challenge anyone to find better quality!
Now, for people who really want to know it, you will have to fork out at least three times as much in Tokyo, and as far the US and Europe are concerned, you might as well start riding a bicycle like I do!

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
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Tomii (Nov. ’08)

Here is an example when sashimi is served not only for its taste, but also for its artistic presentation at Tomii Japanese Cusine Restrant in Shizuoka City:
The dish is of lacquered wood.

Top left: kanpachi/Amberjack on a bed of fine leafy vegetables and topped with shiso/perilla flowers (all edible).

Top centre: Uni/Sea Urchin (Murasaki/Violet variety).

Top right: Isaki/A snapper variety behing a fine slice of red radish.

Centre left: Hon Maguro/”Trie” tuna (it acyually melts inside the mouth!)

Bottom left: Aka Ika/”Red” cuttle-fish

Bottom centre: Hirame/Sole in front of a fine slice of red radish

Bottom right: beside freshly grated wasabi, Sakura Ebi/Cherry Blossom Shrimp (only caught in Yui, Shizuoka Prefecture. It will be very difficult to get them fresh in Tokyo!) on a shiso/perilla leaf

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
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Guest House Kazeyoubi sashimi Set

Guest House kazeyoubi in fact is private pension ith real hotsprings private bath and openair bath fed with water coming from the nearby Ooumuro Yama, an extinct volcano situated near Ito City in Izu Peninsula.

The Guest House is a bit out the ordinary as it is conceived and decorated as a Spanish House with Sapnish food as its main course for dinner!

We had ordered the sashimi plate on the Internet as an optional dish to an already great meal!:

-From top clockwise (see above picture):
Aji no sashimi/Saurel Sashimi
Amaebi/Sweet Shrimps
Aji no tataki/Saurel cut in small pieces
Katsuo/Bonito with freshly grated ginger
Inada/Young Japanese amberjack (buri)
Maguro/Tuna

-Centre:
Ika somen/Cuttle-fish served in long thin strips

Notice all the shiso leaves!

Guest House Kazeyoubi
〒413-0235 Ito City, Oomuro Kougen, 7-210　
TEL 0557-51-2935
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
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MATSU TO KAZE: SASHIMI SET

Matsu to Kaze (“The Pine and the Wind”) was opened about three years ago and its popularity has never abated.
Fresh produce and good service are the main (evident) reasons.
If you ever visit this izakaya in Shizuoka City, do make sure to order their sashimi set of the day! You just can’t go wrong with theirfresh offerings mixing local produce with that of faraway prefectures!

The plate my good friend Patrick and I ordered featured (see picture above from left to right):
Kanpachi/Yellowtail
Tennen Honmaguro/Wild tuna
Nama yuuba/Tofu sheets
Suwagani/Suwa Crab
Kanpachi/Yellowtail (again)
Tachiuo/Scabbard Fish (under the shiso flowers9
Koushin daikon/A red (inside only) daikon variety

Matsu to Kaze
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Hitoyado-cho, 1-4
Tel.: 054-2512004
Business hours:17:30～24:00
Closed on Mondays

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SHIZUOKA SUPEMARKET SASHIMI

Last Sunday, as I had to “cook” that evening before the Missus came back from work, I ventured in Shizutetsu Store Supermarket in front of Ichiritsu High School.
Frankly speaking, I did not have a clue about I could concoct for my better-worse (sorry, Rowena!). That until I noticed ridiculously cheap seafood on display. Actually October is a great for lots of fish which come in plenty.

Here is what I bought on impulse:

“Maguro Sashimi/Tuna sashimi” for 480 yen. Allison, can you believe it?

“Ika Somen/Thinly cut fresh cuttle-fish2 for 217 yen

“Sakura Ebi/Cherry Blossom Shrimp” for 268 yen. These shrimps are exclusively caught of Yui shore in Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Katsuo Sashimi/Bonito Sashimi” for 480 yen from Shizuoka Prefecture, of course. Enormous portion!

“Myoga” and “Shiso” for 246 yen

Grand total: 1641 yen/less than US $ 16.50, enough for 4 persons (we managed to eat the whole, though!)
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SASHIMI SETS: YASAITEI

Last night I was invited by the owners of Odakkui, Katayurimo and Hana Oto Izakayas to share a very special bottle of sake.

This sake, a superlative Daiginjo, had been brewed back in 1997 by Okada Brewery which eventually ceased operations in 2006. In spite of its old age (for a sake) it had preserved in perfect condition all the time at very cold temperature by a collector cum liquor shop, Matsunagaya in Shizuoka City.
For the connoiseurs, this Daiginjyo is called Okinabeneten, brewed by Okada Brewery in Fujieda City. Rice: Yamada Nishiki milled down to an extravagant 35%. The yeast was a Shizuoka NEW-5 Yeast. Dryness is only +7~+9 and acidity a very low 1.0~1.3. The drawing process was “Fune shibori/tank press”. Alcohol was standard 15~16 degrees.
A great sake, so pleasant to drink with a dry elegant entry, short tail and a complex and rich aroma and taste. Tended to show different facets with food, alternatively turning drier and sweeter. An incredibly extravagant sake to drink with food. We drank it both chilled and heated.

Now, what did we eat with such a nectar?
First of all, sashimi of course. Not one kind, but two!
First seafood sashimi as shown on pic above:
(From top clockwise) Fresh Shirasu/baby sardines, Akami/lean tuna, Madai/red snapper, Hotategai/scallops, Katsuo/bonito. In the centre is boiled Tako/octopus. The whole was provided with wasabi (real one!), grated ginger, myoga cut into very fine strips and chopped thin leeks.

Yasai sashimi/vegetables sashimi, the specialty of the house. Great juicy and cruchy cucumber, daikon, red radishes, celery (Shizuoka Prefecture produces half of all celery in Japan!), myoga and sweet red pimento. You probably noticed the big shiso leaf concealing chopped sweet onions. A treat for vegetarians (and vegans!)!

Great food for a great sake!

Yasaitei
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-Cho, 1-6-2 Green Heights Wamon 1-C
Tel.: 054-2543277
Business haours: 17:30~22:00
Closed on Sundays
Reservations highly recommended
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SASHIMI SET: WAGA

Waga is your typical new wave izakaya. Opened a little more than two years ago by the very young at hearｔ (a fan of the Beatles,Queen and Led Zeppelin among others) Shuhei Ichikawa it seems very popular as I managed to enter it only at the third try and this somewhat late at night. In any case if you plan to patronize the place before 9:00 p.m., you had better reserve in advance!

The staff in their late 20’s (30’s?) are a smiling hard-working bunch, but nonetheless extremely welcoming and attentive.

Now the first indication of a good izakaya, and especially in Shizuoka Prefeture, is its sashimi offering. If you ask for “moriawase/plate”, you will get a good idea of the establishment.
Now, the “Katsuo Tataki/Bonito slightly cooked”, “Kanpachi/Yellowtail” and “Maguro/Tuna” were simply of the higher level that would put a few vaunted Tokyo places at shame, but at very kind prices!

Waga
420-0839 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Takajo Machi, 2-1-20, Kuroyanagi Bldg., 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-271-7121
Opening hours: 17:30~23:30 (Monday to Thursday), 17:30~26:00 (Friday, Saturday and day before any National Holiday).
Closed on Sundays and National Holidays.
Set menus and parties possible.
Reservations recommended.
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SASHIMI SET: UKIDONO

From top left clockwise:
Thin slices of Isaki/a variety of grouper typical of Suruga Bay intersped with thin slices of lemon, Akami/Lean tuna, Suzuki/Seabass, Hirame/Sole, Chutoro/semi-fat tuna and Hirame Konbu Jime/Sole marinated in seaweed.

Ukido
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi, 11-1, Fugetsuro
Tel.: 054-2520131
Business hours: 11:30~15:00; 17:00~22:00 (until 21:00 on Sundays)
Closed on Mondays
Credit Cards OK
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SUSHI SET: FUTABA ZUSHI

Yesterday, on our way to The Taproom in Numazu City, Lojol and I decided to try some of the sushi this city is celebrated for. After some soul-searching we opted for a traditional Sushi Restaurant with a long history, namely Futaba Zushi.
As we had no intention to interview the owners and staff of the place we settled at a table instead of the counter and asked for one of the sushi sets as pictured above:

We were served:
– Akami/Lean part of Toro, Hirame/Sole, Toro/Fatty part of Tuna, and Ika/Cuttlefish
-Anago/Conger Eel, Ebi/Boiled Prawn, Tamago/Japanese Omelette
-Tekka Maki/Tuna, Kappa maki/Cucumber Roll
Very fresh, tasty and reasonable!

We decided to order a few more individual sushi from the menu as we were still hungry and did not wish to drink on an empty stomach.
We chose:
-Aji/Pike Mackerel-Saurel, Torigai/Surf Clam
-Kohada/Small Sardine and Uni/Urchin
Succulent!
And very kind service!

I definitely have to visit the place and write a full posting!

Futaba Zushi
Numazu City, Senbonminato Machi, 121-8
Tel.: 0555-9620885
Business hours: 11:00~20:00
Closed on Tuesdays
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SASHIMI SET: SHIBATA

For once, I did not foot the bill (although I tried hard) as I was invited by Mr. Sakurai, an old friend of mine and the sire of a favourite student of mine. Therefore I must admit I do not have a clue to how much the bill amounted to, although the place is fairly reasonable.
Shibata was opened 20 years ago and has already gone through a total renewal in 2003.
It is extremely popular and busy. Reservations are a must on week-ends!

The enormous sashimi plate (for three persons) could have been enough with adequate drinks:
Sazae/Turbo shells in its shell and inides in a small plate. Maguro Chutoro/Tuna Fatty part (right). Awabi/Abalone (small on left). Bottom right, raw Sakuraebi/Sakura Shrimps from Yui Cho and Shirasu/Sardine Whiting from Mochimune. Centre, Uni/Sea Urchin in a cup. Centre left, Shime saba/pickled Mackerel. Bottom left, Aori Ika/Aori Squid and Suzuki/Seabass.

Shibata
420-0034 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 2-5-8
Tel.: 054-251-2405
Business hours: 17:00~23:00
Closed on Sundays

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SASHIMI SET: NODAYA

Nodaya in Shizuoka City is renown as an “odenya” (oden are all kinds of food slowly cooked in broth), but they serve sashimi that would grace any good Japanese restaurant tables!

From right to left:
“Buri/yellowtail”, “Ishidai/Seabream variety”, “Akami/Tuna lean part”, “Hirame/sole” and “Isaki/Grouper variety”.

“Ishidai/Seabream variety”

and “Isaki/Grouper variety” are two typical Shizuoka Suruga Bay fish. Although both fish are fairly common here, they will fetch good prices in Tokyo. Being able to eat them regularly at reasonable price here is certainly a boom!

NODAYA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 16-10
Te.: 054-251-3870
Business hours: 17:00~23:30 (~23:00 on Sundays and National Holidays)
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TIDBITS AT TOMII

Tidbits?
I’m running out of title for this perennial outing!
Alright, let’s make the best out of it!
The above seasonal sashimi set includes (from left to right):
“Katsuo/bonito”, “Uni/sea urchin”, “Torigai/surf clam” under “Hirame/sole”, “Ishidai/seabream variety”, “Aka ika/Red cuttlefish” and “Akami/tuna lean part”.

To help me wait for my next order, I was offered “on the house” a few pieces of succulent “Konbu ko mochi/herring roe pressed on both sides of a seaweed leaf”.

The order in question is a bit of an acquired taste for some, but for a Frenchman!
“Ba sashi/thin slices of raw horsemeat” served with grated ginger, grated garlic and thinly cut leeks.
I actually offered a few pieces to the ladies ogling at my dish!

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays
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SASHIMI SET: KATAYURIMO

Just visited Katayurimo, another new Izakaya in Shizuoka City owned by the young enterprising Yukata Mori:

From top to bottom, left to right:
“Katsuo/bonito” from Shizuoka Prefecture. Soft, tender and juicy!
“Saba/mackerel”. Great freshness, no “fishy” taste whatsoever and plenty of “fat”!
“Houbo/Blue Fin Robin” from Shizuoka Prefecture. A comparatively rare variety in Japan, served in top notch French and Italian restaurants. But sashimi is still best!
“Seguro Iwashi/Seguro sardine”. So fresh and almost sweet. Th e latter morsel was served with orange vinegar from Hamamatsu City instead of the usual shoyu/soy sauce.

KATAYURIMO
420-0034 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwacho, 1-4-2, Harada Bldg. 2F
Tel. & Fax: 054-221-4175
Business hours: 17:~24:00
Closed on Mondays and every second Sunday

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SASHIMI SET: OIKAWA

Oikawa is managed by one of the “oldest hands” in the izakaya world of Shizuoka, namel;y mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto.

Sashimi are seasonal only, and if I were you I would not bother much with the menu and just ask for the chef’s recommendation of the day. You just cannot make a mistake!
Look at the set we were served last week:
“maguro/tuna”, “Hirame/sole”, “Shime saba/pickled mackerel”, “Shirasu/Sardine whiting” (freshly caught in Suruga Bay) and “Yude tako/boiled octopus”, with plenty of locally grown vegetables.

OIKAWA
Shizuoka City, Aoki-Ku, Takajo, 1-11, Sano Bldg
Tel.: 054-272-6551
Business hours: 17:00~23:00
Closed on Sundays and Mondays

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SASHIMI SET: HANA OTO

Shizuoka Prefecture is blessed with some of the best fish in Japan and it shows at local izakaya!
Hana Oto, a favourite izakaya, tucked away on the first floor of one of the oldest buildings in Ryogae Cho, the traditional haunt for Shizuoka City night owls came into being when Yusuke Tozaki got hold of the former yakitori and turned into a great small izakaya, peserving its traditional cachet for the great pleasure of Japanese food and drinks!

Last week I ordered a plate of seasonal sashimi:
Middle left: Mejiro Tuna
Top: “Katsuo/Bonito”
Middle right: Kurodai Seabream
Bottom: raw “Tako/Octopus”

I’m sure Allison would have enjoyed its freshness and true taste!

HANA OTO

420-0033 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 3-9, Hoshi Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-273-8591
Business hours: 18:00~03:00 (until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
Closed on Mondays
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SASHIMI SET AT TOMII

Was in a bit of a hurry today during my “dinner break”, but was still hungry enough to visit Tomii in Shizuoka City. Chuckeats and Very Good Food are going to wonder what such dinners consist of! LOL.
Tomii, my favourite Japanese cuisine restaurant in this Prefecture, never disappoints you, your being a gastronome or an artist. The only problem is that pictures are no easy task with a mobile phone!
Here is what I was served when I asked for “Sashimi Moriawase/Sashimi Set”:
From left to right:
Aka Ika/Red Squid, Hirame/Sole, Akami/Lean Maguro, Madai/”True” Seabream.
It was served with soy sauce for the fish and miso for the vegetables, which included Take No Ko/Bamboo Shoots from Oshika, Shizuoka City.

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays

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SASHIMI SET AT BU-ICHI

Last night, the missus and I took advantage of the National Holiday to visit our old favourite, Bu-Ichi.
Bu-Ichi is one of the very best when it comes to sashimi as the owner makes a point to include as many varieties from Shizuoka Prefecture as possible.
I’m sure Allison will be especially interested!
The picture above features From to bottom, left to right:

Tennen madai/”true seabream” caught off Yaizu City shore.
Hokkigai (surf clam) & mirugai (“gaper” shellfish)
Konbujime Hirame/Sole marinated in seaweed caught off Yui shore.

Saba/Mackerel
“Mizutako”/A variety of octopus

Aji/Saurel & maguro/tuna
BU ICHI
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 1-6-10, Dai Ni Matsunaga Bldg., 2F
Tel.: 054-2521166
Business hours: 17:30~23:00
Closed on Wednesdays
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SUSHI MILLEFEUILLE

(picture kindly provided by Mika who shared our dinner!)

As Chuck, Trine and Luxeat already know, you do not have to go to an expensive French restaurant to experience great gastronomic ideas.
One of the chefs at Sushi Ko Sushi Restaurant recently came up with his own interpretation of a famed French cake which has quickly gained popularity with all customers:
Sushi Millefeuille.
It consists of one layer of “shari/sushi rice”, one of “akami/lean tuna”, one of thin slices of cucmber, one of sliced avocado, one more layer of “shari”, the whole topped with “tobikko/flying fish roe”.
A couple stems of thin leeks for decoration.
The dressing consisted of mayonnaise mixed with wasabi on ponzu with a little “momijioroshi/grated daikon with chili pepper” on top for taste and effect.
Simple, tasty and reasonable!

Sushi Ko
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae Cho, 2-3-1 (Aoba Koen)
Tel.: 054-2512898
Business hours: 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 on Sundays
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations advised
Credit Cards OK

Homepage (Japanese)

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Cuttlefish Sashimi Set

Not a great picture, I must admit. But I was in hurry and had no time to arrange it on a plate before my wife jumped on it!
This is a Sashimi Set I bought at Parche Supermarket inside Shizuoka JR Station yesterday evening for less than 10 US$.
There was enough for 2~4 people. It includes all the edible parts of one “yari-ika”:
From top to bottom, left to right:
Tail “fins” slightly boiled, slightly grilled main body “cone”, main body “cone” raw.
Cuttlefish strips rolled with seaweed raw, “ika somen”/ main body cone cut in long thin strips raw, tentacles/”geso” raw.

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TOMII Sashimi Set

Had a quick “dinner” at Tomii Restaurant yesterday and asked for a plate of sashimi.
Sashimi sets in Tomii are slightly extravagant but so great!

From left to right:
“Kurodai”, black seabream
“Kampachi”, amberjack
“Aka Ika”, red cuttle fish
“Maguro No Akami”, lean tuna
“Hirame”, sole/ flounder

For the record, I enjoyed the fish with somえ Aoshima-Kikuyoi Brewery (Fujieda City) Tokubetsu Junmai!

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays

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Sashimi Set at Wagocoro

This was a small but absolutely first-class sashimi set I was served at Wagocoro in Shizuoka City:
Maguro/Tuna, Botan Ebi/Botan Prawn and Kampachi/Amberjack!

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Sashimi set at Bu-Ichi

My friends and I ordered this sashimi set at Bu-Ichi Izakaya, Shizuoka City, on November 12th:

Top: Kohada/small sardine variety
Clockwise: Kochi/Sand borer, Aji/saurel-pike mackerel, Shimesaba/pickled macerel (centre), Katsuo/bonito, Tako/octopus, Ika/cuttlefish

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Sashimi set at Takasagotei

Here is a sashimi set I ordered at Takasagotei Restaurant in Hamamatsu City

Top middle: Aji no Tataki/chopped saurel-pike mackerel
Clockwise: Maguro/Tuna, Katsuo/bonito & Kobashira/chopped sea clam

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Sashimi Set at Tomii

I was served this set of seasonal sashimi last Friday at Tomii Restaurant in Shizuoka City.
Absolutely succulent!

From left to right:
Akami (lean tuna)
Kurodai (“black Grouper”)
Uni (sea urchin)
Aka Ika (red cuttle fish) on a bed on a bed of Tosaka Nori (Tosaka seaweed)
Hirame (Sole)
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Sashimi sets at Tasaku

Last night, braving Typhoon No 4, I visited a traditional izakaya in Shizuoka City called Taisaku where I had the pleasure to taste fish caught in Suruga Bay:

“Sakura Ebi” (Sakura Shrimp) freshly caught off Yuoi City. Extravagant! Served with ponzu.

“Katsuo” (Bonito) with grated ginger and chopped leeks. Served with shoyu

“Aji” (Saurel/Horse mackerel) with grated ginger and shoyu. Delicate!

Taisaku
420-0858 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 1-10 (just behind Shin Shizuoka Center)
Te.: 0542531639
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays

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Just found a couple of fish caught off Shizuoka shores at a great izakaya in Shizuoka City called Kashimaya!

“Isaki” or grouper. Beautiful colour. Firm and sweet.

“Katsuo” or ｂonito. Just melted inside the mouth!

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Here is a sashimi set I ordered at Oboro No Tsuki in Shizuoka City on June 28th.
Not only the fish is first class but the presentation was definitely high grade!

At the back, “katsuo”/bonito. Front left, “aji”/saurel or horsemackerel. Front right, “aka ika”?red cuttlefish

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Co-op Sashimi

The Missus last night came back home (just after me) with a triumphant look.
-“What’s made you look so happy?” I innocently asked (I had a fairly good idea, already).
-“Just get the beer, wine and sake out! And don’t forget the glasses (I know I’m stupid, but still…)! I’ll show what I found!”

A moment later she came up with that tray above covered with all kinds of sashimi.
-“Where did you buy them?
-“At the Co-op Supermarket next door!”
-“How much did you pay for that?”
-“Certainly less than what you pay when you go out eating behind my back (no comments…)! 1,200 yen!”

1,200 yen is less than 10 US$. I had to admit she deserved the praise.

From middle top clockwise:
-Maguro/Tuna sashimi (probably Minamimaguro/Southern Blue Fin Tuna)
-Hotategai/Scallops
-Salmon
-Binnaga/Albacore Tuna
-Ajitsuki Maguro/Minamimaguro thinly sliced and marinated
-Shimaaji/Striped Skipjack
In the middle are amaebi/sweet shrimps

The green leaves are shiso/perilla-beefsteak plant leaves
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Bu-Ichi

Above is the picture of a sashimi set I ordered yesterday (May 20th) at Bu-Ichi Restaurant, a very popular izakaya of above-average level.

The sashimi is:
Front row, left to right: “aji” (saurel), “medai” (seabream), “ika” (squid), “maguro” (tuna)
Back row, left to right: “katsuo” (bonito), “shime saba” (mackerel), “hokkigai” (surf clam), “torigai” (large cockle)

Bu-Ichi
420-0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 1-6-10, Dai 2 Matsunaga Bldg, 2F
Tel.: 054-252116
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations advised
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Tomii

I took this picture at Tomii Restaurant, Shizuoka City, Aoi-Ku, a favourite of mine for their superlative Kyoto-style food, great sake and shochu.

Since I took pity on friends like Barnaby, I will tell you what I was served!

Left, “katsuo” (bonito) with grated with ginger and chopped thun leeks, “ika” (squid) in the middle. Behind ika, “tai” (seabream). Right is “uni” (sea urchin) atop “yuuba” (“tofu skin”).
The greens behind are: left, “shiso” (perilla/steak plant) and right, “wasabi” (Japanes green horseradish leaves).

The green “thing” in front of the “ika” is freshly grated wasabi (that’s for Allison!). the rest is all edible “decoration”!)