Kukai's Guide to Japanese Cuisine
When Nida and I went shard hunting, he told me that he knew nothing about Japanese food. This... is sorta-kinda a problem. Therefore! Not only for Nida, but also for everyone, I'm going to create a guide of what to eat and not eat according to Haven's Japanese cuisine. Since none of us can really leave the town, I'm not going to talk about stuff you can only get in Japan. If you like what you see, let me know, and I'll make more of these "guides!"
We're also going to cover Japanese cooks - so if you know someone that we should absolutely avoid at all costs - be sure to tell me and I'll add it to the list.
A Glossary for the Newbies:
Sushi: According to Wikipedia, "cooked vinegared rice that is commonly topped with other ingredients, such as fish or other seafood, or put into rolls." When you think about Japanese cuisine, this is probably what you think of. (The rolls to the left are sushi.)
Sashimi: Thinly sliced raw seafood (ie, crabs, lobster, etc.) served by itself.
Nigiri (Nigiri-zushi): This is raw fish over vingared rice.
Ramen: It's basically cooked noodles. How they're cooked, though, depends on the person making it!
Mochi: Rice cakes, basically.
Miso: Fermented soybean paste. (You probably taste it all the time in miso soup!)
Bento: It's what we call our lunch boxes. One part rice, one part veggie, and one part protein, it's a pretty healthy lunch too!
(Am I missing something? Let me know and I'll add it.)
THE LIST[Everything in this guide is rated out of five stars (one is equal to "oh god this is so horrible" and five is equal to "best place I've ever been to!").]
Hoshizen: ★★★ (+ 1/2 ★)
Hoshizen is a newish restaurant that specializes in traditional Japanese-style ramen and other noodle dishes. The service was pretty great, but as for the food? You're probably better off ordering their appetizers. The ramen isn't as great as they say it is.
Osaka: ★★★★
Come because the place looks weird, stay for the amazing sushi and bento-style lunches! This place says it's been around for 25 years, and it's so obvious why. The owners are super awesome and friendly (turns out my other self knew them - go figure), the food is great... do I need to give you a reason to come? Because it just IS an epic place.
Be one with the Force and go, go, go!
Isshin: ★★
... Go because the decor looks fancy, leave as quickly as you can because the food tastes blander than a piece of cardboard. No, seriously: the people are nice, but that poor cook! He's definitely spice-challenged. Even the salad tasted like garbage.
Izakaya Market: ★★★ (+ 1/2 ★)
Not a traditional "restaurant," persay, but there's a simple sushi bar off to one side. I went with my older brother the other day: it was pretty good! Nothing fancy - and definitely none of this Americanized "California roll" nonsense - but it still hits the spot.
(I'd visit the Market for their selection of good food, though! It's very much your typical Asian food market with stuff you can't ever find at the supermarket.)
Shihna Souma: ★★★★★
Nothing beats home cooking! My mom makes the best sushi, even when she's mad at me because fake-me loooooves skipping school. (No, seriously: I almost got detention just for trying to go to the bathroom because "MR SOUMA ARE YOU TRYING TO CUT CLASS AGAIN?") If you're ever by my house, let me know, because Mom'll be sure to make something great!
So what'd you think? Was this a good enough guide? Let me know, because I'll definitely make more in the future.