Akakiko

If you frequent this blog and my other blog, you probably know who Kuya O is. If not, let me introduce him again. Kuya O was a highschool senior when I was a freshman, he was the head of the whole school, so to speak, he holds the position of Student Council Chairman. He was also the editor of our school paper to which I submitted my earliest articles as an aspiring writer. :) Mostly about school events that we had actually. We never met personally in highschool but I know his name, he was that famous. :)

Fastforward to 13 years, I learned that he is in Japan finishing his doctorate degree. He is also working at Osaka University as a researcher. Some time last year he messaged me to let me know that he is coming over for a research program...so came he did, I fetch him from the Vienna international airport and literally burdened him with his own baggage....lol. It doesn't matter that we never talked back when we were in the same school, we chatted like we know each other from our childhood days. The kids and I enjoyed being with him, strolling around the city and eating out during his 2-month stay.

If there is one thing I admire about Kuya O, it is his nonchalant attitude about things. For one, he sipped his ramen soup at the restaurant we dined in as a real Japanese would...The locals were looking, of course, but he just went ahead and finished his bowl. It's not only about food, there are a lot of things too that he is nonchalant about but I won't elaborate much.

Left: Miso Ramen bowl (Kuya O's bowl) - Miso soup bowl with Ramen noodles, spring onions, carrots, red and green paprika and soy sprouts. 

Right: Tofu Itame bowl (my bowl) - Soup bowl with fried tofu cubes, paprika, soy bean sprouts and carrots. Served with rice. 

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Akakiko is one of the many Japanese fastfood restaurants in Vienna. It's not exactly my favorite when it comes to Japanese dishes, it just happened that we were near the place that particular Thursday morning. (Kuya O arrived a day earlier). He took me here after he got his allowance from the bank. lol. That branch was at the middle of the city and frequented by tourists. He said the prices are much lower compared to what he usually had in Japan...I bet so since the freshest ingredients for ramen and other seafood of the finest sushi grade is the best there!

A must for pinoys: rice...

My tofu bowl was served real hot, it was good but a bit on the bland side, thanks to the soy sauce and other condiments provided. It was such a huge serving that I only ate half of it. One good thing about it is I am able to take home leftovers. The friendly Filipina server gave it to me in a plastic container at the same time asking us: "Hindi po kayo taga-dito ano?" (You're not from here, right?) Obviously referring to Kuya O sipping his bowl.

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this photo courtesy of Akakiko

Akakiko - Easy Japanese Dining

                Singerstrasse 4

              1010 Vienna

Phone: 057 333 140
http://www.akakiko.at/

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Mochi mochi! (read like moshi mosh!)

(I already ate some when I took this shot, lol-can't resist!)

I was so ecstatic receiving this "pasalubong" from Senpai (sort of) from Japan. Kuya O came to Vienna to do some research and I am really ecstatic to have someone like him. I can't remember when was the last time I had an intelligent conversant around. ;) Before coming to Vienna he asked me what I want for pasalubong and I can't really tell him what since I have a lot in my head...I asked for Naruto Kamaboko which is not that easy to bring because it should be frozen...he anyway brought me some!!! (Awesome!) Along with it he brought this big mochi package....yaaay! (I would have loved the Hoshi No Ojisama/Little Prince but asked too late, lol.)

I found a new colorful subject for food photography! :) These treats are as yummy as they look! I love the green tea flavor best! Mochi is Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. The rectangular version reminds me of tikoy which is also a favorite! (Coincidentally, I remember them now that it's the Chinese NY.)

 

Orange and Pistachio

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 Macha/Green tea

Sakura and Kuri (Cherry and Chestnut)

Ohagi,similar to mochi and are covered with sweet beans, sesame, or so on. The name, ohagi, came from autumn flower, hagi (bush clover).The most popular ohagi topping is anko (sweet azuki beans) as anko is often used in Japanese sweets. Another popular topping is sesame. Black sesame seeds are used for ohagi topping. Also, soybean flour called kinako is used for the topping. Azuki beans, sesame seeds, and kinako flour are all nutritious, so ohagi can be good sweets for you.

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Looking at these photos again make me wanna eat everything in the box...but happiness is sometimes sweeter with a bit of patience...so yeah, I'll wait until tomorrow hihi.

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Ikura sushi

Salmon roe (ikura) for sushi is prepared by soaking them in soy sauce and Japanese rice wine (sake). The process helps in removing the strong fishy flavor and makes the texture of the roe smoother and lighter. Each individual roe remains swollen, lightens up in color, and the texture becomes more enjoyable to the palate.

If you think that the taste of the roe is too overpowering, just add quail eggs and cucumber slices to neutralize the flavor.

Since the salmon roe are immersed in soy sauce, one does not need to add more later on.  A little wasabi enhances the sweet flavors from the richness of the roe.

This type of sushi is a bit easier to prepare than the others since you make the shape like a battle ship :D not the usual round form.

Click here for recipe.

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"An egg is always an adventure; the next one may be different."
Oscar Wilde

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Unagi no Kabayaki

(Unagi no Kabayaki - Barbecued Eel)

Two weeks ago I got lost in the city for 3 consecutive days...I don't clearly recall where I was headed the first time lol...The 3rd time was when I was going to the University (19th district) and while inside the University to inquire about translation studies.  The second time was when I was looking for a certain Japanese foodshop (1st district) to buy sizzling plates.

I have been in that shop only once, found it by accident then and I promised myself that I'd definitely be back...I did after 2 years and going about lost in the streets for an hour. Also, I wasn't able to buy the sizzling plates since they were out of stock...I came home with some of the usual Japanese loot I need like mayonnaise, beni-shouga, wakame, nori, miso paste and tonkatsu sauce. Some rarity that can't be bought in the Asian store near our place would be Kamaboko slices, Pocky chocosticks, frozen Unagi  no kabayaki and a cute hello kitty bentou box. The little girl was surely happy when I gave it to her along with a pair of hoshi.

Well, I immediately thawed the eel so we can have it for dinner. I only need to cook rice and make some kabayaki sauce. For the recipe I followed this one here . The sauce is just like that of teriyaki only with less sugar. Given the circumstances, I would love to grill glazed eel  too but as I've always complained, where we are is far from where the fishes are so I'd just be thankful to that Japanese shop. I would go back as often as I can even if I get lost in the way...

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Ginza Running Sushi

Ich nahm eine Prüfung gestern (für einen deutschen Kurs). Heute ging ich zurück um meine Resultate zu erhalten. Auf meinem weg nach Heim stoppte (?) ich am Praterstern, nahm einige Fotos und ein Paket an der Post gebracht. Da die Praterstern Station (erneuert und 2006 geöffnet) ziemlich neu ist, gibt es viele neuen Einrichtungen und Restaurants die mann besuchen könnte, von dem ist die Ginza Running Sushi ein muss.

Sie bieten asiatisches Buffet, running Sushi und auch Fondue an. Ich habe nicht die zwei Angebote der Gaststätte probiert, weil ich in einer Hast war, um nach Hause zu gehen und die Kinder abzuholen. Es ist auch eine Möglichkeit das Essen zum Mitnehmen, die ich wirklich billig finde. Mann erhielt ein Behälter und eine andere Hälfte für nur 4,80euros (6.45$) zum anfüllen des Essens ihrer Wahl. Ich füllte ein mit Tempura Garnelen und andere frittierte Meeresfrüchte, das andere mit Bulgogi. (Tempura für die Kinder und Bulgogi für Hubby.)

Ich nahm auch eine Packung Kalifornia-maki mit 6 Stücken makis (gefüllt mit Avocado, Kani/Krabfleisch) bedeckt mit Lachsscheiben und Sesamsamen.

Die Dienerin lächelte, als sie mir die Packung übergab...wie sie sagt das ich habe etwas sehr gut gewählt. Der maki war wirklich gut und frisch, aber masago (Kaviar) ist auch sehr gut mit ihn.

Zunächst war dieser Mini-box mit 3 verschiedenen Sushis, Lachs, Thunfisch und Butterfisch mit 3 futo makis dazu. Ich brauche nicht zu sagen, das Foto spreche für sich. Ich gab einem Freund diese Box, aber ich habe nicht von ihr noch gehört wie sie schmeckt.

Ich zahlte weniger als 14euros für alles… für ein wirklich geschmackvolles Mittagessen… zwar eine nette Erfahrung, außer dem Kassierer, der manchmal am Telefon als Kunden warten, sie spricht auch sehr Laut mit ihren Kollegen. :D

Sowieso würde ich bald zurückkommen, die running Sushi und Fondue zu kosten. Ich bringe die Kinder auch mit!

Ginza Running Sushi, Coming Fondue
Praterstern, 1020 Wien

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Unagi Nigiri

When I started foodblogging, there were a very few blogs that I hop to. Four of them were Japanese and of course there's Oggi's awesome food blog. Two of the Jap foodblogs are still on the run and I'd drop by once in a while to see what's new. Obachan's kitchen and balcony, now called Still Clumsy with Chopsticks, still has the awesome photos I enjoy everytime I swing by. Her latest post is mango jelly made from mango juice which I had in a cook book I stacked somewhere...hihi. It seems she is away on a trip so I'll wait for her next tempting post for the moment. Nobu's Japanese Oishi Food features a lot of dishes with a quick description of what the food is about, a bit of Japanese to English translation of words, which I really enjoy too.

I've long wanted to make the Unagi donburi (Grilled eel on a bowl of rice) or at least an unagi nigiri (eel sushi). When we go eating out, I would look for it in the menu but to no avail. I've also tried my favorite restaurant at the Naschmarkt since I buy tuna and salmon there but they also don't have any. Obachan has a very interesting story about how the Japanese started the custom of eating eel during doyo no ushi no hi (day of the ox in midsummer), to read, please click here. Somewhat related, Nobu stated in a post how nutritious unagi is...he also mentioned how unagi's secret is actually on the sauce served with it being a tasteless fish.

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So I finally succeeded in finding unagi, 2 tram stations away from our place. :) I was supposed to just buy some yakisoba for quick lunch...saw them there, resting at the glass display in front of the chef...I asked him nicely if they're on the menu as nigiri, but he said they are only served on the special "boat" menu. Nice as he was though, he told me he could make some for me (Yoohoo!) for a price of 1,90€  (2.85$ / 114.50Php) each.

Yes, all worth the hunting for...if I'm not cutting down on rice, I'd definitely have this again and again...

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Lachsrollen

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I was out the other day, it's not yet that spring feeling I've been waiting for but this weather is the most comfortable this week. On my way to meeting a friend, I happened to walk by a chinese streetjoint serving noodles, rice and toppings  plus maki and sushi.  And the salmon maki would undoubtedly be my choice!  I forgot if it's called "Happy Noodles" but I'm sure all the customers are always happy with their meal...the rice and noodle servings big enough for two costs roughly 5 euros. This six-set was 4.50, I'm tummy-happy! :D

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The joint is located just above a 2nd district train station, the famous Ringstraße circled by different tram lines. That one at the background is line 2, which I took afterwards.

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Rolled and Seafood theme.

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Eye Candy too!

Last week, the sushi/maki lover in me was so ecstatic about california makis wrapped with salmon and sesame seeds I had from a local joint. Browsing online, I saw this california rolls interestingly wrapped with avocado and tuna. These are signature rolls offered on Yama Sushi Bar and Grill Menu in Mission Viejo, CA.

Unbelievably priced as low as 8.50$ each serving, these maki rolls are made exclusively with Japanese cooking aesthetics in mind. I mean, how presentable should your food be? This presentation certainly adds appeal to the foods served, a real eye candy that definitely satisfies the palate too! Other Japanese dishes are offered; noodles, miso soup, rice or a combination of them (bento).

Yama sushi on the lake, named such is strategically located beside a lake, customers enjoy a wonderful view along with great food. Want to hold a banquet? Contact them now and reserve the place for your special use.

YAMA SUSHI & GRILL
(Best Sushi Orange County)
27782 Vista Del Lago C-22
Mission Viejo, CA

(949) - 716-YAMA (9262)

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Lasang Pinoy Sundays - Rice

Filipinos eat rice at every meal, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As a staple food, most pinoys won't go through the day without rice...This could be the reason why Japanese food is very likeable to us, especially when packed in a bite size maki complete with rice, viand and more!

(Son1 with his california maki)

One afternoon, son1 suddenly bursted out, "Mommy, gusto ko sushi!" (Mommy, I want sushi!). This boy is a little picky with food, but he does have an appetite like mine if he likes whats served. Since I had no fresh fish that time, I decided to bring them to our favorite Japanese restaurant that is very near our place, Kyoto Sunrise.

The restaurant is located at the mall where they could also play and which from time to time has fun gimmicks for kids. We can go there via tram, 2 stops or we can also walk (more or less 20 minutes). We also like the restaurant staff, they at first thought of us as Chinese (especially coz little boy greets them 'ni hao') with a little doubt on me since only the kids have chinita/chinito looks. hehe.

Son2 surprisingly liked the appetizer, instead of daikon (radish), they served toge (bean sprouts) with a sour dressing. And he ate 5 pieces of the california maki from his kuya. =D I would love to eat them too as much as he did, the avocado, mayonaise and shrimp goes well with the taste of treated japanese rice and nori....

Daughter ordered lachs sushi (salmon), hers and my favorite! We could it salmon sushi, or just sashimi for a whole day! Theirs are really fresh, I couldn't resist taking a few even if I ordered a bento.

I asked for the Bulgogi bento, it was served with a cup of rice, an appetizer, 2 sushi, 3 maki, and lychees...the beef strips were tender and tasty, I liked the marinade they use for it.

Since hubby was at work, I ordered yakisoba for takeout...no rice for him...=P

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Kyoto Sunrise

Shopping Center Nord

Ignaz Köck Strasse 1. A-1210

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Lasang Pinoy Sundays is brought to you by Ces!

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Food Friday - Yakisoba

I finally had the courage to make yakisoba at home. Too bad I didn't have much veggies today.

It's Food Friday today, see more here.

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