This Week @ PacSet: Who's Hungry?
ON TAP THIS WEEK:
This week is your last chance to join Spring Special! It’s confirmed to go and there are two onsens on it, not to mention more “viewing of flowers” than you can shake a potted plant at. It’s got all the cherry blossoms from our old Sun and Sakura trip, except this one actually sold well. You should come look at pretty trees with us.
We’re also gearing up for Taste of Japan North to return to our schedules this May! This will be our third time running this one, and the third edition of the journey definitely has the most “built out” itinerary of the bunch. Because all the food is included (and because a lot of that food is fancy), the cost of this one is a little steep. However, we can guarantee that the cost will be worth it because of the menu we’ve planned for you. In that spirit, today we’d like to give you all a peek at just a few of the meals we’ve got planned for you in a segment we like to call…
DELICIOUS THINGS TO PUT IN YOUR FACE*
(*on this year’s Taste of Japan North trip)
Sushi
What is it? You know this one! It’s the tasty things (usually fish) on top of vinegar-ed rice. We love these things. You love these things.
Where? Niigata, on the sea of Japan. This spot was featured on last year’s Taste of Japan Nihonkai, but we didn’t have the sushi last time around. This time, we will!
Why should I put it in my face? The sushi we’ll be having is at a place called Pier Bandai, a combo of a fish market and a collection of local restaurants tucked onto a pier for the sea. As such, the fish here is remarkably fresh and delicious. We’ll be lining up for this one, but I promise you it’ll be well worth it.
Oyakodon
What is it? Literally “parent and child bowl,” because it’s chicken and egg (don’t think too hard about it, ok?).
Where? Kakunodate, Akita – one of our favorite stopovers on the journey across Akita due to its historical “bukeyashiki” area and how ridiculously gorgeous it is.
Why should I put it in my face? The Oyakodon here comes with a salty-sweet dashi sauce that seeps into the rice, making it extra delicious. The chicken comes from the northern Akita village of Hinai, which produces some of the country’s best jidori chicken. They actually have a festival where locals perform the chicken dance, and while that sounds silly, this chicken is worthy of dancing. It’s amazing.
Wanko Soba
What is it? Soba noodles that don’t stop coming. I mean it, the soba will not stop. There are ladies who will stand over you sending noodles into your bowl like their lives depend on it. Do not be afraid. The noodles are good.
Where? Morioka, the capital of Iwate, where this dish is so popular that all the mascot characters are cute little bowls of noodles.
Why should I put it in my face? Should you endeavor to battle Wanko Soba, you will be treated to serving after serving of small bowls of noodles. The extras on the side are pretty wonderful too; fresh mushrooms, pickles, and more. Also, you can stop eating the noodles when you are done. It’s okay to have restraint, unless you are one of those competitive types that has to finish the most bowls. In that case, well, buckle up.
AOMORI INGREDIENTS, ITALIAN FOOD
What is it? This is Culaccino, one of our favorite restaurants in Aomori. The owner’s father is a fisherman, but his son decided to go into western cuisine – and we get to enjoy the results!
Where? Aomori City, where we’ll also be having an unreasonable number of things made with apples. This is a good thing.
Why should I put it in my face? The combination of Italian flavors and local ingredients creates something you won’t soon forget. Everything is remarkably fresh and seasonal; seriously, we’ve been here four times and I’ve only had one of the dishes more than once. There will be surf, there will be turf, and there will be tears of joy because yeah, it’s that good.
Morning Market Scallops
What is it? tasty chewy ocean scaaaaallops ♪
tasty chewy ocean scaaaaallops ♪
tasty chewy ocean scaaaaallops ♪
Grilled up on the half-shell - SCALLOP POWER ♪
Where? Hakodate’s Morning Market, aka the best fish market in Japan. Yeah, I said it.
Why should I put it in my face? The Tsugaru Strait between Hokkaido and Honshu produces a ton of amazing seafood – most notably crab – but if you want a quick bite, you can’t go wrong with a scallop, boiled/grilled in its own shell with a little soy sauce and butter. If you’re not usually into shellfish, this is the place to give it a go.
Ice Cream
What is it? Dessert. I scream, you scream, and I’m not sure why we are all screaming when we could be eating dessert instead. Seriously, stop screaming. It’s a lot.
Where? Near Lake Toya in Hokkaido. We’re staying in a hot spring resort here, but we’re taking a break from relaxing to make and eat ice cream because that really captures the whole “feeling decadent” vibe a trip like this is going for.
Why should I put it in my face? Dairy products in Hokkaido are legendary, and the folks at Lake Hill Farm create some of the island’s most beloved gelato and ice cream flavors. It’s hard to explain what makes the dairy here so good, but I promise you this: to come here and not get to enjoy this stuff would be a crime.
Ramen
What is it? Sapporo Ramen. In other words, the place where some of the world’s best ramen originated. Fresh noodles, amazing broth, dreams.
Where? …Sapporo. We assume that’s obvious, but the “where” question is part of the theme, so I’m sticking with it.
Why should I put it in my face? From the locally grown corn to the broth lovingly crafted over hours and hours of work, there are so many places to go and ways to enjoy Sapporo Ramen that you might want to use your free day to come back and have another bowl or two (or three) of this stuff. It’s that good.
ON SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK:
Some schedule changes and some other announcements. Stay tuned…
