When you’re getting hungry, you should think about where you are going to go eat. Perhaps you can whip something up in your kitchen, but sometimes you just have to go out. There are a lot of different options out there, such as Mexican food, American food, good ole’ fashioned buffets, and pizza joints. But possibly one of the most favored options is that of the Japanese restaurant. You have a lot of options when you choose to go with this type of cuisine and you will never be disappointed with this choice.
Your first option would be to go with a Japanese restaurant that serves sushi. Sushi was cooked rice historically called shari served with other ingredients. In the West, however, sushi has changed over the years, especially with the introduction of the California roll. Menu names will often vary depending on the location of the restaurant but there have been several variations of California roll sushi. Some examples include the Alaska roll, which has raw salmon layered on the outside or placed inside the roll. There’s also the Seattle roll, which consists of cucumbers, avocados, and raw salmon. The one thing these dishes all have in common is the inclusion of raw meat; this is a staple of sushi. Sometimes, these rolls are made with white or brown rice, which is a throwback to the traditional Japanese cuisine. Within Japan, you can usually find a California roll, but the other types of rolls and sushi are primarily Western cuisine.
Another option you could choose is a Japanese restaurant that serves food in the teriyaki style. This is a style found in Japan and in most parts of the West. In order to achieve the teriyaki taste, foods are grilled or broiled in a soy sauce marinade. The meats most commonly used in Japan are fish such as yellowtail, marlin, or salmon. Squid and hamburger meat can also be found in Japanese teriyaki. In the West, meats tend to be chicken, pork, lamb, or beef. The marinating sauce is made by heating soy sauce and mixing in sake, sugar or honey. After this sauce has been boiled and is the desired consistency, it is poured and brushed over the grilled meat. Sometimes, the sauce is applied before the grilling or broiling of the meat and applied again after the cooking is done. For an extra touch, ginger might be added and the final dish is often garnished with green onions. If you happen to be looking for an eatery in Seattle, try the Seattle Teriyaki. While it does resemble its Japanese cousin, the Seattle Teriyaki has been changed and modified so that it is unique to its location.
When you are searching for that perfect Japanese restaurant, you can also look into the experience. Some Japanese steakhouses provide a full-service hibachi grill. This means they will cook your food right in front of you, usually accompanied by fiery displays and excellent service. Often, this experience is worth more than the food, though the food is generally of the highest caliber. If you’re looking to be entertained before you eat, consider trying one of these.
No matter what style of cuisine you choose, you can’t go wrong with a good Japanese restaurant. And, hey, while you’re at it, go ahead and try both the sushi and the teriyaki. You won’t be disappointed.