Although VTL lanes to Japan are still yet to be firmed up, let your taste buds travel to Aomori, Akita, Miyagi and Iwate which are part of the Tōhoku region from now till 9 May 2022! Known for its breath-taking mountains, lakes and hot springs, enjoy 7 new seasonal speciality food items on Ichiban Boshi’s new menu.
A signature dish in Miyagi, the Salmon & Ikura Harakomeshi ($16.90) sees delicious Japanese short grain rice being served atop a bed of salmon and ikura that gives a briny and salty taste of the sea. The dish also comes with shredded egg, salted kelp and yuzu zest on seasoned rice for a wonderfully balanced and flavourful meal.
The Gyutan with Green Chilli Miso ($16.90) is another specialty from Miyagi where the gyutan, or beef tongue, is a very popular beef cut. Super tender beef tongue is paired with asparagus for an added crunch and is a famous local delicacy of Tōhoku. The spicy-salty interplay of the miso sauce with green chilli is a bit on the saltier side but goes well with a bowl of rice but would do better with an additional side of vegetables.
Travel next to Aomori for the Senbei Jiru ($14.90) a country style dish also known as “rice cracker soup”. A traditional dashi broth base is paired with chicken, shimeji mushroom and cabbage that is light and nutritious. Reminiscent of the old school wafer roses, hard and crispy rice crackers are served alongside the soup as well. When soaked in the delicious broth, the crackers develop a chewy, spongy texture that gives a different mouthfeel to the whole dish.
A hotplate specialty that we would recommend when you visit is the Hotate Miso Tamago Kaiyaki ($16.90) which features premium scallops imported from Hokkaido. Other than the plump seafood, shimeji mushrooms are served with scrambled egg on the hot plate. The dish is well balanced by the miso paste but can be on the heavier side for those who prefer lighter dishes.
With the rainy weather nowadays, hotpot is a go-to meal for the family. Savour a taste of Akita’s cuisine with the authentic Kiritanpo Nabe ($15.90) that is filled to the brim with fresh ingredients. Highlights include Japanese pounded rice sticks, chicken, chicken meat ball, shimeji mushrooms, tofu puffs and vegetables. Boiled and cooked in a yuzu dashi broth, the tangy-umami note will keep you coming back for another bite.
With so much good food to choose from, the one must share dish we recommend is the Morioka Reimen ($13.90). Known as one of the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka”, this dish is usually served during summer to help cool one down.
Thick and chewy chilled noodles are served in a sweet vinegar soy sauce with a refreshing slice of watermelon, cucumber, kimchi, tomato and egg with black pepper beef and garlic chilli oil.
For those who can’t take beef, opt for the Morioka Jyajya Men ($11.90) instead which features al dente Japanese noodles with miso minced pork, egg, cucumber and tomato, all soused in a light dashi soy sauce. Mix well before enjoying!
These new items are available on Ichiban Boshi’s menu till 9 May 2022 so head on down to one of their outlets to try them out or visit https://www.ichibanboshi.com.sg to order home some of their other dishes today!
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