Thursday, September 26, 2024

How to Make Refreshing Bitter Melon and Wakame Salad

 

       In Japan, bitter melon, which is called goya (ゴーヤ) in Japanese, is in season during the summer. When I was little, my parents and grandparents grew many kinds of summer vegetables in the field. That’s why I often ate bitter melon in the summer. As a child, I didn’t enjoy bitter melon due to its bitter taste. However, as I grew older, I developed a fondness for its unique flavor. Now, I can confidently say that bitter melon is my favorite vegetable.


       My all-time favorite bitter melon recipe is goya champuru, a stir-fried bitter melon dish with egg. However, I discovered a new bitter melon recipe on YouTube last month. After watching the video, I decided to try it, and it turned out to be delicious. Today, I’m going to share with you how to make a refreshing bitter melon and wakame salad.  

 

How to Make Refreshing Bitter Melon and Wakame Salad

 

Ingredients (8 Servings)

2 Tablespoons of Dried Wakame Seaweed

1 Goya, Bitter Melon (Thinly Sliced)

1 Myoga (Optional)

2 Tablespoons of Minced Ginger

3 Tablespoons of Ponzu

2 Tablespoons of Sesame Seed Oil

Japanese Bitter Melon, Goya (ゴーヤ)

       There are different varieties of bitter melon, including Japanese and Chinese types. I usually buy Chinese bitter melon, which is widely available in most Asian grocery stores.

Chinese Bitter Melon

 

 

1. Soak dried wakame seaweed in water for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing it to expand 6 to 10 times its original size.






2.Bring water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the bitter melon and cook for 15 seconds.




 

3. Rinse the bitter melon under running water to cool them.

 

 

4. Squeeze the bitter melon with your hands to remove excess water.

 

 

 

 

5. Squeeze the wakame seaweed with your hands to remove excess water as well. Put the wakame seaweed, bitter melon, myoga, and ginger in a container.

 

 

 

 

6. Add ponzu and sesame oil. Stir to combine.

 

 

 

7. Serve and enjoy!


 

 

 

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Thursday, September 19, 2024

Top 3 Seafood Restaurants to Visit Around Hakata

      My husband and I are planning to stay in Hakata, Fukuoka for our next trip to Japan. Since Fukuoka is our hometown, we’re excited to visit and indulge in its popular local foods. Fukuoka is renowned for its rich culinary culture, offering a variety of delicious dishes such as tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko, and fresh seafood1. I’ve already created a list of restaurants we want to try, and we’re looking forward to savoring the unique flavors that Fukuoka has to offer.


The List of Foods I Want to Enjoy in Fukuoka

・Tempura

・Udon Noodles with Burdock Root Tempura

・Fresh Seafood

 

     Today, my article will be all about fresh seafood restaurants.

 

 

 

Fresh Seafood (海鮮)

       Hakata is famous for its fresh seafood due to its proximity to the rich fishing grounds of the Genkai Sea and its vibrant fish markets, like Nagahama Fish Market, which ensure a daily supply of fresh catches. The area is home to numerous top-notch seafood restaurants. Today, I’ll introduce you to three must-visit spots.





1. Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに)


     Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに) specializes in seafood dishes, particularly horse mackerel (鯵, アジ). They are renowned for their deep-fried horse mackerel (アジフライ), using live, sashimi-grade fish fried fresh at the restaurant. I would love to try their Aji Aji Tsukushi Teishoku (アジ鯵尽くし定食), a combo meal featuring both fresh sashimi and fried horse mackerel. The restaurant is located a 20-minute walk from JR Hakata Station.

 

Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに)
1 Chome-6-13 Haruyoshi
Chuo Ward, Fukuoka

 

Open: 

Monday: 5:30 pm through 12 am

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11 am through 3 pm and 5:30 through 12 am

Friday and Saturday:  11 am through 3 pm and 5:30 through 1 am

Sunday: 11 am through 3 pm and 5 pm through 11 pm


This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog:  https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400103/40066002/

 


       In this YouTube video, you can see freshly deep-fried horse mackerel and sashimi being prepared at Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに).



2. Hakata Makanaiya (博多まかない屋)

       At Hakata Makanaiya (博多まかない屋), you can enjoy very fresh seafood, including live squid sashimi, at reasonable prices. I’m looking forward to trying their sashimi teishoku (刺身盛り合わせ定食), a fresh sashimi combo. The restaurant is a 12-minute walk from JR Hakata Station

 

Hakata Makanaiya (博多まかない屋)
2 Chome-15-3 Sumiyoshi
Hakata Ward, Fukuoka

 

Open: 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 5 pm to 10 pm 


Hakata Makanaiya Offical Website:  https://makanaiyahakata.owst.jp/en/

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog:  https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400101/40020313/


       They used to be open for lunch, but now they only operate in the evenings. However, they still offer a fantastic combo menu for dinner.



3. Shokudo Mitsu (食堂光)

     Shokudo Mitsu (食堂光) is located in Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba (柳橋連合市場), a famous food market in Fukuoka. Operated by Nakanishi Sengyoten (仲西鮮魚店), a local fishmonger, this seafood restaurant ensures customers enjoy the freshest fish dishes. However, its popularity with tourists means you should expect a long wait. The restaurant is a 20-minute walk from JR Hakata Station.

 

Shokudo Mitsu (食堂光)
Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba
1-6-1 Haruyoshi,
Chuo Ward, Fukuoka

 

Open:  

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10 am through 2 pm and 5:30 through 9 pm

Wednesday and Holiday: 10 am through 2 pm

 

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog:   https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400103/40062132/


     This YouTube video inspired me to try their fresh kaisen bowl.



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Thursday, September 12, 2024

Hakata’s Udon Gems: Two Must-Try Udon Restaurants in Hakata, Fukuoka

      My husband and I are planning to stay in Hakata, Fukuoka for our next trip to Japan. Since Fukuoka is our hometown, we’re excited to visit and indulge in its popular local foods. Fukuoka is renowned for its rich culinary culture, offering a variety of delicious dishes such as tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko, and fresh seafood1. I’ve already created a list of restaurants we want to try, and we’re looking forward to savoring the unique flavors that Fukuoka has to offer.


The List of Foods I Want to Enjoy in Fukuoka

・Tempura

・Udon Noodles with Burdock Root Tempura

・Fresh Seafood

 

     Today, my article will be all about udon noodle restaurants.

 

 

Udon Noodles (うどん)

        When you think of famous noodles in Hakata, Hakata tonkotsu ramen probably comes to mind first. However, some locals suggest that when you visit Fukuoka, you should try udon noodles instead. Interestingly, udon is believed to have originated in Hakata, Fukuoka. The unique feature of udon noodles in Fukuoka is their incredible tenderness. Some restaurants even serve noodles with large pieces of burdock root tempura, known as gobo ten (ごぼう天) in Japanese. Today, I’ll introduce you to two of the most renowned udon restaurants in Hakata.

 

 

 

1. Daichi No Udon (大地のうどん)


       Daichi No Udon (大地のうどん) is famous for its thin, translucent noodles, attracting both tourists and locals alike. They have eight branches, one of which is conveniently located just a three-minute walk from JR Hakata Station.


Daichi No Udon (大地のうどん)
2nd Basement Floor Asahi Building
2-1-1 Hakata Ekimae
Hakata Ward, Fukuoka

Open: 10:30 am to 4 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm


Daichi No Udon Official Website:  https://daichinoudon.com/

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400101/40035066/

 

Udon Noodles with Simmered Beef and Burdock Root Tempura (肉ごぼう天うどん)

       I’m really looking forward to trying their udon noodles, especially with the massive burdock root tempura.
 

 

 

 2. Hagakure Udon (葉隠れうどん)

       Hagakure Udon (葉隠れうどん) is renowned for its handcrafted, flat, and tender udon noodles. This popular restaurant has earned top ratings on Tabelog (食べログ), a well-known Japanese restaurant review site. Additionally, it has been featured in the prestigious Michelin Guide, which is globally recognized for its star-based restaurant rankings. Conveniently located close to JR Hakata Station, it’s just a 12-minute walk from the station.


Hagakure Udon (葉隠れうどん)
2-3-32 Hakataekiminami
Hakata Ward, Fukuoka

Open: 11 am through 3 pm and 5 pm through 9 pm

 

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400101/40004342/

 


       Watch this YouTube video to see how udon noodles are crafted and served at Hagakure Udon. I would love to try their udon noodles with shrimp kakiage tempura (えびかき揚げうどん).




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Thursday, September 5, 2024

A Tempura Lover’s Guide to Hakata: Two Must-Try Restaurants in Fukuoka, Japan

     My husband and I are planning to stay in Hakata, Fukuoka for our next trip to Japan. Since Fukuoka is our hometown, we’re excited to visit and indulge in its popular local foods. Fukuoka is renowned for its rich culinary culture, offering a variety of delicious dishes such as tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko, and fresh seafood1. I’ve already created a list of restaurants we want to try, and we’re looking forward to savoring the unique flavors that Fukuoka has to offer.


The List of Foods I Want to Enjoy in Fukuoka

・Tempura

・Udon Noodles with Burdock Root Tempura

・Fresh Seafood

 

     Today, my article will be all about tempura restaurants.

 

Tempura (天ぷら, てんぷら, 天婦羅)

Tempura
      Did you know that tempura is a favorite dish among both tourists and locals in Hakata? Fukuoka city is home to many tempura restaurants. A unique aspect of these specialty restaurants is their serving style—they bring out a few pieces of freshly fried tempura at a time, ensuring you enjoy them hot and fresh. I’ll introduce you to two of the most well-known restaurants.

1.  Tempura Hirao (天ぷら ひらお)


      Tempura Hirao offers their special salted squid, known as ika shiokara (いか塩辛) in Japanese, for free with the meal. There are many branches, and I am planning to visit the Tempura Hirao Main Store, which is located very close to Fukuoka Airport.

Tempura Hirao Main Store (天ぷら ひらお 本店)
2 Chome-4-1 Higashihirao
Hakata Ward, Fukuoka
Open: 10:30 am through 9:30 pm

Tempura Hirao Official Website https://www.hirao-foods.net/

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400107/40000033/


      After watching this YouTube video, I feel like I have to visit this restaurant.


 

2.  Hakata Tempura Takao (博多天ぷら たかお)

      At Hakata Tempura Takao, you can savor their special Kombu Mentaiko (昆布明太子), spicy cod roe with kelp, and pickled vegetables, all included with your meal at no extra cost. They also offer Black Oolong Tea for free. There are several branches of Hakata Tempura Takao, one of which can be found in Canal City Hakata, a vast shopping and entertainment complex in Fukuoka city.

 

Hakta Tempura Takao
4th Floor Canal City Hakata
1-2-1 Sumiyoshi
Hakata Ward, Fukuoka Japan
Open: 11 am through 10 pm

Hakata Tempura Takao Offical Website:  https://tempura-takao.jp/

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400101/40019565/

 


        After watching this YouTube video, I thought the mentai kombu at Hakata Tempura Takao looked incredibly delicious.

 

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