I enjoy Japanese food. The freshness of the flavors, the authenticity of the ingredients, and the exotic preparations just make my mouth water every time I think of it. To think that it’s very healthy too! I actually started my Japanese food obsession a few years ago, when I was trying to lose weight but still wanting to enjoy delicious food. A friend of mine told me to go Japanese, because it seems that Japanese women do not get fat! And it worked like a miracle! I was able to enjoy really great tasting food and also shed inches off my waist. It was a great deal, I tell you!
The thing is, I am a proud resident of San Francisco, where the best seafood can easily be had for anyone. But then, that also makes me a bit of a snob when it comes to Japanese cuisine. Japanese cuisine is all about fresh ingredients, with a lot of seafood dishes, and I have a keen sense of detecting whether a restaurant serves good Japanese fare or if I’m just wasting time and a lot of money. Well, some places that serve Japanese food just do not cut it in terms of authenticity, freshness of ingredients, and the overall dining experience.
It’s a good thing I found this place called Hana Zen Restaurant in Pier 39. Whether you would like to have a scenic dinner at the water front or a memorable romantic dinner, this place does a great job in providing a great Japanese dining experience. They also have a Union Square restaurant, which I have been to a couple of times for casual dining and I have to say both branches did not disappoint.
So, for those who would love to venture into the exotic world of Japanese cuisine, here are some things you need to try!
Yakitori (available in Hana Zen’s Union Square store only)
Not only does Middle Eastern cuisine have a monopoly of the meats being skewered and served in succulent goodness. Japanese cuisine also has that in the form of yakitori, where slices of meat are skewered and broiled like a barbecue. What makes Hana Zen’s yakitori special is the smoky yet flavourful taste of the meats. The marinating is perfection, and the ultimate trick: the special charcoal used. Its’ really no wonder Hana Zen Union Square customers can’t get enough of this meaty treat that’s juicy and tasty but well-cooked, too.
Sushi
Of course, any Japanese dining experience will be incomplete without having a taste of these rolls that should just melt on your mouth. So what makes good sushi? It is a balance between the nigiri pieces (the pieces of raw fish, maguro [tuna] and hirame [halibut] are my preferences) and the rice. The nigiri needs to be fresh, with the perfect symmetry of saltiness and sea-taste richness, while the rice has to be soft but not too sticky and warm. Good thing Hana Zen has perfected this!
Sake
Who would want to miss this distinctly Japanese liquor that goes really well with Japanese dishes? The great thing about Hana Zen is that they have infused sake into modern cocktails, giving everyone a chance to taste a heady combination of something old and something new. You can’t afford to miss sake-infused cocktails in Hana Zen.
So whether it’s a night with the girls or an intimate dinner by the bay, these Japanese treats are waiting for you at Hana Zen. I bet you’ll enjoy it like I do.
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