Japanese Restaurants
Posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010
Whether you already have a weakness for California Rolls or want to try something new during a vacation – try considering some of the Japanese restaurants scattered about the United States. Before getting down to the nitty gritty of hot spots for Japanese cuisine, beginners should first know that Japanese food goes beyond the sushi and raw fish typically associated with the culture.
About Japanese Cuisine
Japanese cuisine often blends staple foods (like rice and noodles) with soup and other dishes made with fish, vegetables, meat and tofu. When adding flavor, cooks typically use soy sauce, dashi (soup and cooking stocks), and miso (thick paste used for sauces and spreads). Generally, Japanese dishes are low in fat, but also high in sodium. A standard Japanese meal may have been prepared using a variety of cooking techniques, such as steaming, grilling, using heavy amounts of vinegar, and deep-frying. Sometimes, dishes are served raw (called sashimi).
Japanese cooking embraces the use of beans, rice, seaweed, shellfish, crab, eggs, flour, and mushrooms. A vital component also includes noodles. Popular selections include soba (thin and made with buckwheat flour) and udon (wheat noodles with a thick consistency). Served hot or cold, soy and cooking stocks are often used to add flavor to the noodles.
Common Dishes
It is not uncommon to find the following dishes listed on a Japanese menu:
- Ochazuke: Hot green tea or dashi poured over cooked white rice.
- Onigiri: Balls of rice with a filling (like fish, pickles, seafood, or miso).
- Zosui: Soup containing rice stewed in stock and flavored with miso or soy (often containing egg, meat, seafood, vegetables or mushroom).
- Sushi: Vinegary rice topped or mixed with various fresh ingredients (oftentimes fish or seafood).
- Anpan: Sweet buns filled with red bean paste.
- Tempura: Deep-fried vegetables or seafood in a light, tasty batter.
- Teriyaki: Grilled, broiled, or pan-fried meat, fish, chicken or vegetables with a sweetened soy sauce glaze.
- Nikujaga: Beef and potato stew with sweet soy flavoring.
Whether you’re traveling or ready to explore a new restaurant in your neck of the woods, consider the following highly rated Japanese restaurants – given two thumbs up from diners and travel experts, such as Frommers and Fodor’s.
Bar Charlie (Las Vegas, Nevada) – Try the Japanese tasting menu
Minako Organic Japanese Restaurant (San Francisco, California) – Beautiful and inviting atmosphere
Nick-San (Corridor, Mexico) – Sushi ranks high.
Soto (New York City) – Prepare yourself for inventive dishes.
Sushiko (Chevy Chase, Maryland) – Fresh wasabi is a delight.
Sebo (San Francisco, California) – Highest-quality fish in region
O Ya (Boston, Massachusetts) – Satisfying wine and saki list.
Uchi (Austin, Texas) – Imagine a foie gras sushi with pomegranate.
Roka Akor (Scottsdale, Arizona) – The 11-course prix fixe is a winner.
