A Delicious Education on Japanese Food at Hana Zen

I have to admit: I do not have that much experience when it comes to Japanese restaurants. I have this perception that establishments that serve Japanese cuisine have a distinct aesthetic and a very formal, ceremonial feel with very clean interiors and no chairs, where diners have to sit on the floor and get food from very low tables. As for the food, I know of rolls, sushi, and teriyaki, all of which I would love to eat. But then, I don’t see why people have to go so exotic and foreign, when there’s good ‘ole steak and potatoes. 

That being said, I couldn’t really imagine how people can enjoy casual dining in a Japanese restaurant. With those elaborate tea ceremonies, I don’t find anything casual about Japanese dining. But when a group of my friends decided they want to have dinner by the bay in the Pier 39 branch of Hana Zen restaurant, I wasn’t left with a choice. Since I’m outnumbered, there’s no other option but to join the gang. I mean, what’s the use of insisting Madonna is still the queen when everybody else is going crazy over Lady Gaga, right?

Anyway, with an open mind and lowered expectations, I braced myself for a different dinner at the water front experience one Friday evening after work. Just getting to the restaurant had me excited though. The view of the bay and the evening breeze had me excited. This is definitely not a run-of-the-mill Friday night out.

Entering the restaurant, one would expect waiters in kimonos and socks, bowing to you or shouting some chant, welcoming you in. Alas, I was pleasantly surprised at the quaint but well-appointed dining area. There were chairs! The tables were tall! I guess I wasn’t really ready for a full-blown authentic Japanese dining experience, so I was relieved upon seeing the interiors of Hana Zen. But then, I still got a feeling I was in a Japanese restaurant, but with a Western twist.

Hana Zen’s strength, aside from its spectacular location, is its menu. For anyone who wants to have a fine education of Japanese cuisine in scenic San Francisco, Hana Zen is a recommended starting point. The offerings are very varied, from those famous rolls, tepanyaki, and yakitori, to tempura, sushi, and noodle dishes. And when the food was served, there’s no question why the restaurant has grown to two locations. Obviously, the flavors can be attributed to an impeccable combination of the chef’s skills and authentic, fresh ingredients.

Oh, don’t get me started on the drinks. Since it was a Friday night, I dared and tried the house specialty, the hochu chu-hi, described in the resaurant’s website as “similar to vodka that you can mix with different flavors to choose from.” I tried, I drank, and I ended up finishing three!

Whether you’re having an intimate romantic dinner at Pier 39 or experiencing a sensory fulfillment in Union Square, Hana Zen surely made me appreciate Japanese food. And yes, that Friday night definitely won’t be the last of my Japanese cuisine education at Hana Zen.

A Rudely Pleasant Education on Japanese Food

I have a confession to make: I hate raw food.

I mean, why eat something that hasn’t undergone the process of cooking? Surely, food is cooked for a variety of reasons; primary among them is for them to become edible. My imagination runs wild with things that may happen when I eat raw food. What if that piece of raw meat suddenly comes to life? After all, it hasn’t been cooked! I have the most disgusting images of raw meat. I think it is slimy and will probably give me indigestion, or worse, food poisoning. I could just think of those gooey chunks of whatever sliding down my throat. It just gives me the chills (the bad ones at that) just thinking about it.

This may be the reason why I never venture into eating at Japanese restaurants. It makes me gag just thinking about the possibility of eating raw food. I have seen a lot of Food network programs, and I have to say, those rolls with seaweed wrap and veggies look nice, but that’s all I can say about them. They look nice, but I wouldn’t dare put one in my mouth, unless I want to imagine those tiny orange eggs moving. Call me finicky, but I definitely won’t say yes to eating, much more having a romantic dinner at a Japanese restaurant, unless my date wants me to feel sick the entire time.

But that was before.

One day, my co-worker told me we will have lunch with a business associate at Hana Zen restaurant at Union Square. I only caught the word ‘Zen,’ so I thought it would be like a relaxing place where we would get relaxing massages while eating organic detox stuff. I went along and stopped dead at my tracks when we stepped in the place. It was a Japanese restaurant! Don’t mistake me; I thought the place was swanky and tastefully decorated, so I wasn’t as anxious as I should have been. Besides, we saw our potential clients right away, so I had to keep my composure instead of going green and gagging.

Sensing my slight discomfort, my partner ordered for me. All the time, I didn’t have any choice but to focus on what our guests were saying while observing the people coming in. All sorts of people were there, from groups into casual dining to men and women in suits (like us) for their power lunches. I kept myself occupied and praying blobs of raw seafood won’t be placed in front of me.

Much to my surprise, I was presented with a sake bomb, apparently, an attempt of our potential business partners to ease the mood. I took a sip of it, and boom! I have to say my initial fears have subsided. I am now wishing my partner just didn’t order anything for me because I could just get through the meeting with this delicious drink.

Alas, the waiter came to our table and placed plate upon plate of food. My heart beat faster and faster as finally, a plate was placed in front of me. The waiter said, “Ramu yaki yakitori.” Two skewers of New Zealand lamb chop cooked using Binchotan charcoal. My mouth watered.

Suffice to say the meeting was successful and I got a fine education on Japanese cuisine. They have cooked food, and my, it was delicious! I also found out Hana Zen had a branch at Pier 39, perfect for a romantic dinner at the water front. I am so glad I got over what I realized was an unreasonable phobia to Japanese food.

My birthday’s next week, and my friends and I are having dinner by the bay at where else – Hana Zen, my new-found culinary wonder!