Kushikatsu
Kushikatsu is a style of food from the Konsi area of Japan (Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Kyoto, Suita). In a few respects it is like going to a sushi bar, the food itself is an art form of flavors and textures. There are also different levels of taste and quality, from sticks you can buy at the local market, stands on the train platform to high quality restaurants.
Kushikatsu is a style of food from the Konsi area of Japan (Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Kyoto, Suita). In a few respects it is like going to a sushi bar, the food itself is an art form of flavors and textures. There are also different levels of taste and quality, from sticks you can buy at the local market, stands on the train platform to high quality restaurants.
The master and his helpers prepare the sticks at the counter at Koten's restaurant in Suita. The owner and master at Koten develops the menu daily based on fresh ingredients, the menu itself is a mystery until it is unveiled as you eat. The full menu is 25 sticks, but at any point in the meal you can call "STOP" and then you only need to take anything that is currently in the fryer. The restaurant bills you in groups of five sticks with the full course being about $35.
This style of eating is also renowned for drinking good Sake (rice wine), Shochu (Japanese vodka) and Chuhi (a mixed drink of Shochu and different juices). When going out it's always good to remember to take the train, bus or taxi, while Japan is very reasonable about drinking and has no rules about drinking in public as it is part of the culture, they do have new laws when it comes to drinking and driving.
On the table is a bowl of fresh veggies to snack on while waiting as each stick is prepared, next to that is our dipping tray ( Tonkotsu, Ponzu, Seasoned Salt, ketchup and hot mustard ).
The master and his helpers prepare the sticks at the counter at Koten's restaurant in Suita. The owner and master at Koten develops the menu daily based on fresh ingredients, the menu itself is a mystery until it is unveiled as you eat. The full menu is 25 sticks, but at any point in the meal you can call "STOP" and then you only need to take anything that is currently in the fryer. The restaurant bills you in groups of five sticks with the full course being about $35.
This style of eating is also renowned for drinking good Sake (rice wine), Shochu (Japanese vodka) and Chuhi (a mixed drink of Shochu and different juices). When going out it's always good to remember to take the train, bus or taxi, while Japan is very reasonable about drinking and has no rules about drinking in public as it is part of the culture, they do have new laws when it comes to drinking and driving.
On the table is a bowl of fresh veggies to snack on while waiting as each stick is prepared, next to that is our dipping tray ( Tonkotsu, Ponzu, Seasoned Salt, ketchup and hot mustard ).
| 1 - Shrimp wrapped with shiso (Japanese Basil) leaves. (Picture Above) | ||
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<-- 2 - Beef with a slight curry flavor | |
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| 3 - Stuffed Shiitaki Mushroom --> | ||
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<-- 4 - Kaki (Oyster) | |
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| 5 - Asparagus --> | ||
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<-- 6 - Broccoli with cheese and bacon | |
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| 7 - Tainoko (Red Snapper Row) --> | ||
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<-- 8 - Ginnam (Ginko Nut) | |
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| 9 - Gyutan (Beef tongue stew with carrot) --> | ||
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<-- 10 - Komochikonbu (Cod Row on kelp) | |
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| 11 - Tai (Red Snapper with Ponzu sauce) --> | ||
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<-- 12 - Mentaiko (Spicy Cod Row wrapped with chicken and Shiso leaves) --> |  |
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<-- 13 - Tamatto with Egg Salad | |
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| 14 - Tofu with chopped Veggies --> | ||
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<-- 15 - Kisu (White fish with green onion and parsley mayo sauce) | |
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<-- 16 - Tamanegi (Onion with Beef and Curry) --> |  |
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<-- 17 - Satoimo (Tarro potato) | |
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| 18 - Uzura (Quail Eggs) --> | ||
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<-- 19 - Maguro (Stewed Tuna) | |
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| 20 - Mochi (Sticky Rice Cake) with Tarako (Cod Row) and Seaweed --> | ||
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<-- 21 - Renkon with Ebi (Lotus Root with Shrimp in the holes) | |
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| 22 - Buta (Pork) --> | ||
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<-- 23 - Cheese with Broccoli bits | |
| 24 - Satsuma Imo (Japanese Sweet Potato) (No Image) | ||
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<-- 25 - Frozen Banana coated with a brown sugar and cinnamon cake then breaded and deep fried and topped with whip cream --> |  |