August 2023

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[Dashimaki Donburi]

Indulge in the flavorful world of dashi-infused, tender, and piping hot dashimaki. Dashimaki is a familiar Japanese dish, a type of traditional rolled omelette made using dashi, a broth crafted from fish and kelp. The process involves skillfully rolling thin layers of egg to create a moist texture and to savor the essence of dashi. Especially cherished in the Kansai region, dashimaki holds a special place both in home kitchens and on restaurant menus. Its distinctive flavor profile is embraced by people across the board.

When you place this delightful dashimaki atop a bed of rice, it's hard to resist reaching for your chopsticks. While dashimaki on its own is delightful, true happiness arises when you add toppings like grated daikon radish and kujo green onions, drizzle your preferred soy sauce, and savor the combination with a bed of white rice. Longing for the dashimaki found in restaurants, I've been refining my technique and mastering the Nakamura Douki tamagoyaki pan, putting it in daily practice. My current favorite recipe involves blending three large eggs thoroughly, incorporating 6 tablespoons of dashi broth. Followed by 1 tablespoon each of sake and mirin, a teaspoon of light soy sauce, and a pinch of salt.

With these proportions, I recommend using Nakamura Douki's Tamagoyaki Pan L. This copper tamagoyaki pan is the flagship product of Nakamura Douki, a workshop in Tokyo's historic district that has been crafting pots and pans for four generations. It's a copper pan beloved by top-class traditional Japanese restaurants and sushi chefs nationwide. When using it, start by generously applying oil to season it. Once you pour in the egg mixture, adjust the heat to high or medium based on the distance between the flame and the pan. Initially, rather than rolling the egg, concentrate on forming a core, and from the second or third time, focus on rolling. Use a quick wrist snap and chopsticks to flip, but using a spatula or cooking spoon works well too. Thoroughly season with oil, and calmly roll without haste—this, I believe, is the key to success.

To achieve a perfectly finished dashimaki, the right tools are paramount. For blending seasoning and eggs, I suggest Sori Yanagi's Stainless Steel Bowl 16cm. Kiya's Sushimaki is invaluable for shaping the dashimaki. Serve it in Seiryugama's Donburi. Though it might look adorably small, its height allows for a generous portion of rice and a serving of dashimaki, creating a delectable dashimaki donburi. I invite you to savor it while it's still piping hot!

Nakamura Douki's Tamagoyaki Pan L
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nakamuradouki/tamagoyaki.html
Sori Yanagi's Stainless Steel Bowl 16cm
https://www.shokunin.com/en/yanagisori/bowl.html
Kiya's Sushimaki
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kiya/sushimaki.html
Seiryugama's Donburi
https://www.shokunin.com/en/seiryu/donburi.html

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[Choosing How to Get to Otaru]

As someone who lives in Sapporo city, I find myself pondering how to get to Otaru city, where the showroom is located. It's a small pleasure to contemplate the journey. Nevertheless, being without a car, I'm left with only two options: train or bus. However, this isn't just a simple binary choice. Sure, I might be exaggerating a bit, but practical concerns like time and money are undoubtedly factors. Plus, the experience varies depending on the mode of transportation. So, in this piece, I'd like to share the charms I perceive in each option. For those who might visit Otaru for tourist attractions like the Otaru Canal, and perhaps stay in Sapporo city, this might serve as a helpful guide in choosing transportation.

First, let's consider the train option. Imagine starting from Sapporo Station (commonly referred to as "Satsueki" by locals) and passing through JR's ticket gate. The fare between Sapporo and Otaru is 750 yen, taking roughly 30 minutes if you opt for the "Rapid Airport" express train, or just under an hour for a local train. While the Rapid Airport is quite convenient, it can be quite crowded. So, when time is on your side, taking a leisurely ride on a local train is also recommended. Trains offer both long bench seats and flip-over seats. Apparently, personal preference plays a role in which is better, and I've heard of discussions on train seat preferences. For me, sitting on a flip-over seat triggers memories of my childhood when I brought snacks onboard and embarked on little journeys, leaving me with an excited yet subdued feeling. The Hakodate Main Line between Sapporo and Otaru runs along the coastline, especially around Zenibako Station to just before Otaru Chikko Station. The view of the Sea of Japan advancing toward you from just outside your window is breathtaking. Gazing at the changing face of the sea, influenced by the season and weather, as the train gently rocks, it's as if my mind becomes empty. Upon arriving safely at Otaru Station, a charming station building registered as a tangible cultural property by the government welcomes you. This June 28th marks the 120th anniversary of Otaru Station's opening, and the station building in use was actually the third one built in 1934.

Now, let's consider the bus option. Begin by heading to the bus terminal within Sapporo Station, located in a corner, and board the "Express Otaru" bus at stop number 1. The fare for the Express Otaru between Sapporo and Otaru is 680 yen, taking about an hour. It might take a bit longer compared to the Rapid Airport train, but you get to relax in your seat and save a bit of money. Additionally, in winter, train services are often disrupted by snow, so the bus seems relatively more reliable. There are several stops around the station area besides the bus terminal itself, which can be convenient when returning from Otaru and finding yourself with bags full of shopping! If you opt for the bus, I recommend sitting on the right side when traveling to Otaru and on the left when traveling to Sapporo. This way, you can enjoy the scenery to the fullest. The bus follows the Sasson Expressway. The bus goes through slightly elevated areas along the mountainside, allowing you to gaze down at the towns of Sapporo and Otaru. Personally, I often take the bus when returning to Sapporo. I love the transition of views from the picturesque port town of Otaru with houses standing tall against the slope of the mountain, to glimpses of the Ishikari Bay seen from the mountains, and finally the receding coastline, ultimately transforming into the vast, flat cityscape of Sapporo filled with buildings.

So, what mode of transportation will you choose for your journey to Otaru? For me, there are days when time constraints make Rapid Airport the only choice. There have also been times when I unknowingly fell asleep and suddenly found myself at my destination, missing out on the scenery. Regardless, I look forward to continuing to enjoy this choice between two options. May your trip to Otaru be a wonderful time. And if you happen to visit Otaru, please do drop by our showroom as well.

Otaru Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/otaru.html

References
https://otaru.gr.jp/tourist/otaruekikaigyou120eventnyujyoukenhanbai
https://otaru.gr.jp/project/otarujishin-202203-otaruekicloseup

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[Mayonnaise and Ketchup]

In enhancing the palette of dishes, condiments play a pivotal role. This time, we delve into the history of two iconic condiments: mayonnaise and ketchup.

Mayonnaise is believed to be traced back to a sauce consumed in Mahón, Menorca, now under Spanish rule. This sauce, made from eggs, oil, and lemon juice, is thought to be its origin. In the mid-18th century, the French brought it to Paris, where the Mahón sauce (salsa de mahonesa) evolved into "mahonnaise" in French and "mayonnaise" in English, gradually gaining popularity.

In Japan, the journey of mayonnaise began in 1925 with the introduction of "Kewpie Mayonnaise." At that time, Japan faced nutritional deficiencies and was embracing a more Westernized lifestyle. Toichiro Nakashima, the founder, developed a product based on the mayonnaise he encountered during his studies in America. The brand adopted the popular American character "Kewpie" and was christened to resonate with universal affection. While globally, mayonnaise using whole eggs became the norm, Kewpie Mayonnaise enhanced its nutritional value using egg yolks, crafted flavors appealing to Japanese taste, and soon graced dining tables across the nation.

On the other hand, the origins of ketchup date back hundreds of years to a condiment named "ke-tsiap," used in southern China. This sauce, created through fermenting fish and salt, similar to fish sauce or fish paste, found its way from Asia to Europe during the 17th century, propelled by burgeoning East-West trade. In Europe, ketchup transformed significantly, expanding beyond seafood to include not only oysters and lobster but also mushrooms, fruits, and various ingredients.

Upon reaching America, ketchup underwent a significant change as tomato ketchup emerged for the first time. The tomatoes available then were notably acidic and struggled in popularity. European settlers in America transformed them into ketchup by adding sugar, salt, vinegar, and spices, resulting in homemade tomato ketchup in many households. Eventually, mass production in factories became the norm, with America emerging as the world's largest consumer of tomato ketchup.

In Japan, during the Meiji era, the introduction of ketchup from America established tomato ketchup as the prevalent notion of ketchup. Domestic production started, and as Western cuisine gained traction, the demand for ketchup surged, giving rise to Japanese Western-style dishes like chicken rice and spaghetti napolitan.

Thus, mayonnaise and ketchup, both of which were eaten in different regions, spread to the rest of the world by chance or necessity, and through changes and developments in those regions, a variety of food cultures that are indispensable today have been fostered.

Sori Yanagi's Stainless Steel Bowl 23cm
https://www.shokunin.com/en/yanagisori/bowl.html
Sori Yanagi's Whisk
https://www.shokunin.com/en/yanagisori/awadate.html
Rikucho Ogasawara's Onigiri Iron Plate
https://www.shokunin.com/en/rikucho/onigiri.html

References
https://www.mayonnaise.org/origin.html
https://www.kewpie.co.jp/mayonnaise/history/
https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/マヨネーズ
https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ケチャップ