koichian

How pretty is this sushi?

Apparently it is the oshizushi (pressed type) then the pieces are cut into half then arranged in these bento boxes.

They were cute, pretty to look at and tasty.

Koichian
Hankyu Department Store, B1
Umeda, Osaka
Open when Hankyu is.
Hours: 10:00-20:00

kyuurei coffee

It seems we've nose dived into summer here.

I've been making kyuurei coffee in the afternoons.

Kyuurei Coffee (literally quickly cooled coffee) is the Japanese style of iced coffee or what I think is called flash brewed coffee in the States.

I really enjoy cold brew (mizudashi) types but this method apparently protects the coffee from oxidizing.

Just heat the water to the appropriate temperature, fill your glass with ice and brew your coffee right over the ice.

As the hot coffee hits the ice it is quickly cooled.

I think I will be drinking my coffee this way and cold brew style this summer.

sunday

Sunday we went to meet MIL and BIL at Hikone.

We got there early, so Satoshi had an egg sandwich and I had a caramel banana cake at Micro Lady Coffee Stand.

The baked items and sandwich were made by Mashita, a pop up shop.

It was my first time trying an espresso tonic.

Strong shot of espresso, tonic water & some citrusy syrup.

Different but delicious.

We met MIL and BIL in front of Gennai, and then had unagi for lunch.

Satoshi teased me because I previously checked out their menu and knew what I wanted to order before hand...

I ordered this umaki (grilled eel is enveloped in a fluffy rolled omelette) and shared with everyone...so good!

I also had their mini unagi donburi.

The skin of the unagi is cooked until crisp. Delicious!

We then went to visit the grave of MIL's family and then reconnected with MIL's cousin's son's wife (distant relative).

The birth home of MIL's grandfather was turned into a city historic site so we weren't able to see inside the home.

Apparently it is 250 years or so old though...amazing!

The city recently refurbished the roof...bummer we hadn't reconnected with this distant relative sooner, the home was accessible up until 3 years ago.

Still, it was nice to make a connection and spend some time with MIL and BIL.

saturday

Saturday I went to check out Kissa Sunshine. Kissa in Japanese means coffee shop.

On Tabelog, the reviewers mentioned that the place is usual filled with "salarymen" (business men) during the week which equals smoking...which equals "blah".

So, I went to check them out on Saturday...well, the hot cakes while delicious, there were people still smoking...I'm glad I checked this place out though, but won't be back because of the smoking.

To end on a happy note, I had this refreshing mango sparkling tea at All Day Coffee on Saturday too.

What made it even more delicious were the bits of fresh mango in the tea!

It is blazing hot, we even had to put the a/c on already and it is only May...summer is gonna be brutal.

salmon takuan rice

The weather has gone from cool to broiling hot!

Over the weekend, the temps were said to be July/August levels...gah!

Anyway, I wanted to share this easy recipe.

We stumbled upon this combination when we bought a couple of musubi from a sozai (pre-made food) shop.

For 1 cup of cooked rice mix in 30 grams of flaked salmon (I used a bottled type) and 30 grams of thinly sliced takuan.

Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Serve in chawan (rice bowl) or make into musubi.

NOTES: For this version, I don't wrap the musubi in nori.

We just eat as is.

So delicious, we love the sweet crunch from the takuan and salty from the salmon.

I've already made this twice and it is quickly becoming a favorite of ours.

Hydrate everyone, summer is here!

on the lanai

I planted the seeds we received from our last visit to Kurokawa Dahlia Park.

Hopefully these dahlia will actually get big enough to flower and not dry up like last year.

cuties

I recently came across these teeny oranges called "cuties" imported from the US.

Apparently there are two varieties, Murcott & Clementines.

This one is Murcott.

They are easy to peel and quite sweet too.

Plus, I like their name.

Have a nice weekend.