#Pumpkin and Enoki mushroom miso soup

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ナンキントエノキ

南瓜とえのきの味噌汁は、日本の家庭料理の定番です。この味噌汁は、甘くてクリーミーな南瓜と、歯ごたえのあるえのきの組み合わせが魅力です。 南瓜は、味噌汁に自然な甘みとクリーミーな質感を加えます。えのきは、歯ごたえのある食感と、かすかな木の実のような風味を提供します。これらの食材を味噌で味付けすると、風味豊かで心地よい味わいにな��ます。

手抜きイラスト集

[shshcsmtk]

Japanese pegan branch 💕 Chinese cabbage , Japanese parsley, tomatoes salad sprinkle nutritional yeast and mixed seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashew , almonds, walnuts ) enoki- mushroom and spinach omelet sea weed miso soup!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CMx5_Vqr1EV/?igshid=1jy35zarnn3vw

[lesamis]

I decided to get my newly veggie niece greenfeast for christmas after remembering your recommendation! Would you say you prefer one over the other? I'm trying to make it more personal by highlighting specific recipes and trying them myself but there's so many one hardly knows where to start!

ahh that’s wonderful, i hope she’ll like it!! it’s a little unlucky that i’m away from my own copies right now, so these recommendations will be a little vague, but here are a few recipes i remember off the top of my head: 

from spring/summer, the courgette and mixed mushroom pasta dish, the green veggie coconut curry (i give you permission to buy curry paste instead of making it. :D), the pak choi and enoki mushroom miso soup; 

from autumn/winter, the standard veggie stock, the root vegetable & mushroom & gruyère galette, the pasta with a dill and parmesan cream sauce and fried mushrooms, the sweet potato & harissa pastry, the orzo & smoked mozzarella faux risotto dish, the roasted pumpkin & hummus. 

sorry that’s a little sparse right now! if you could still use recommendations a week from now at which point i’ll be reunited with my copies please don’t hesitate to send an ask again; i’m really thrilled you’d want to give the books a try :’)) 

[victoria-bonadonna]

Advance Japanese Cuisine: Kaiseki Meal

In my opinion the kaiseki meal was fabulous, 10/10, and excellent. Our kaiseki meal reflected the season of late autum. It was decorated with fall leaves, pumpkins, and many ingredients were seasonal to fall. We entered the kitchen and prepped until 5 o’clock. The first thing I did was shuck the LARGEST oysters I had ever seen!

Afterwards I prepped out the gohan, and cut everything for the miso soup. Our family meal was the chicken and egg dish over rice and was delicious. During the meal our jobs were to help eachother cook and plate all of the courses, as well as to be the servers to the guests.

Everyone arrived at 6 o’clock. And enjoyed cocktails made with Suntory Whisky.  We got the first course ready which was the sesame “tofu” which was plated in a pumpkin. Next was the clear soup course with the scallop and oyster shinjo and a little neck clam broth. Following was the sashimi course which was plated beautifully with shrimps and seabream and chu toro. Following was a crab claw chawan-mushi. (Chawan- mushi is a savory egg custard dish normally served in a tea cup.) the next course was the yakimono which contained grilled black cod, which was with shishito, a beef wagyu nigiri, sweet black beans in a tofu dressing, a chrysanthemum daikon, and a whisky syrup sweet potato. The gohan course (which was mine and my partner David’s) followed. We prepared the rice with the taro, octopus, and squash with the salmon roe and yuzu. We also made a white miso soup containing tofu, enoki mushroom, wakame, and scallions. Accompanying the rice and miso were pickles of a rice bran chayote and baby turnip, as well as a napa cabbage quick pickle. After the gohan was dessert. The dessert was a plum wine jelly served over a yuzu and plum granite, and a sweet red bean soup. This was served with matcha (matcha is a strong green tea that is traditionally served at the kaiseki meal).

After the meal we all said our “thank yous” to our many sponsors that attended that night. I was very happy that everyone could make it and that everyone was able to enjoy the meal.

[duncanbarker-blog]

It’s easy to be vegetarian in Kyoto. As Japan’s ancient capital, it has a long tradition of shojin ryori or Zen Buddhist temple cuisine, which is entirely vegan and includes multiple small dishes using seasonal ingredients.

Eating in a temple is a highlight of a visit to the city, but there are many other vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto, both modern and traditional. There is also an increasing number of traditional restaurants that specialise in one dish, like ramen or gyoza, that now provide meat-free options.

As I emphasise in our guide to surviving as a vegetarian in Japan, planning is key. You will likely struggle if you wander into a random restaurant as dashi (fish broth) is used in many dishes. It’s best to use the Happy Cow app to find veggie-friendly meals nearby.

We recently spent a month in the city tracking down the best vegetarian food in Kyoto from casual ramen joints to sophisticated multi-course meals. Most of the vegetarian restaurants serve set lunches which include an array of seasonal dishes for a healthy, balanced, delicious, and affordable meal.

Many of these restaurants are small, family-run places and were sometimes closed when we expected them to be open. It’s worth checking their Facebook pages before you visit for any unexpected closures (you may have to use Google Translate). It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. Google Maps is the easiest way to find your way around (see the map below).

I’ve included current prices but they are subject to change. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 106 yen and 1 GBP = 129 yen. Note that most restaurants don’t accept credit cards. 7-Eleven is the best place to withdraw cash with international cards for free.

You might also be interested in my vegetarian Tokyo and vegetarian Osaka guides.

Vegetarian Kyoto Map

Kyoto Vegetarian Restaurants

All these restaurants and cafes are entirely vegetarian (some are vegan), so you can safely choose anything from the menu.

1) Shigetsu (TOP PICK)

The best place to try Zen Buddhist cuisine or shojin ryori in Kyoto is at Shigetsu inside Tenryu-ji temple. It’s located in the Arashiyama neighbourhood in the western hills and you can combine lunch with a day visiting the temples, bamboo forest, and other attractions in this lovely area.

You dine on the floor in a large tatami mat room with no tables or chairs and views of the temple’s garden (apparently you can request a chair). For a while we had the huge empty space to ourselves.

We ordered the cheapest lunch set and were served multiple small dishes on a red lacquer tray. We couldn’t identify much of what we were eating, but that’s part of the culinary adventure and is the closest vegetarians can come to kaiseki (Japanese fine dining).

We later learned that the mysterious jelly-like cubes were konnyaku, known in English as Devil’s Tongue, which is made from the root of the tuberous plant konjac.

Other dishes included goma dofu (sesame tofu), yuba (sheets of soy milk skin), nasu dengaku (eggplant grilled with miso), nama-fu (raw wheat gluten), pickles, mushroom and cucumber salad in a sesame sauce, and pumpkin soup.

The food ranged from exquisite to odd and we loved the opportunity to try random things knowing that it was all meat-free, something we don’t often get to do.

It’s best to make a reservation on their website at least three days in advance, but you might be able to get the basic set if you just turn up.

Cost: 3300 yen, 5500 yen or 8000 yen for lunch set including rice, soup and five, six, or seven side dishes. You must also pay the 500 yen temple entrance fee. Details: Inside Tenryu-ji temple, Arashiyama. Open from 11 am – 2 pm every day. Website: Shigetsu website. 

2) Hobodo Cafe (TOP PICK)

This cute vegan cafe has a relaxed, vintage vibe with mismatched furniture and shelves of books. It’s in a quiet, off-the-beaten-track residential neighbourhood, but it’s only a 15-minute walk from Gion.

The friendly couple who run Hobodo Cafe speak some English and provide an English menu. You have the choice of curry, the set lunch, or a takeaway bento box.

We had the excellent value set lunch and it was one of our favourites in Kyoto. It includes rice, miso soup, and seven side dishes—ours included delicious dumplings and various vegetables.

Cost: 1000 yen for lunch set. Details: 東大路西入 正往寺町452 仁王門アパート1F. Open from 11 am – 5.30 pm (3 pm on Tuesday). Closed Wednesday and Thursday. They may run out of food later in the day. Check Facebook for special closures. Website: Hobodo Cafe Facebook Page. 

3) Little Heaven

Vegan sushi at Little Heaven

For high-end, creative vegan cuisine, head to Little Heaven. They make a modern version of shojin ryori—there are many courses of beautifully presented, seasonal dishes but some westernised dishes are mixed with the traditional Japanese.

We were seated in a private room on a western-style table and chairs overlooking a small garden. Highlights of our meal included yuba cooked in various ways, an impressive plate of sushi (replicating eel, tuna, and scallops), and an incredibly creamy matcha tofu cheesecake. There were so many beautiful touches like vegetables shaped like butterflies.

It’s in the Arashiyama area but a few train stops from the main area. You need to book at least three days in advance, but a few weeks is better. You can email little-heaven@heaven.zaq.jp.

Cost: 5000 yen for set menu plus 8% tax and 5% service. Details: Sagano hirakichou 8–29 Ukyou-ku. Open from 1 pm – 7 pm. Irregular opening days. Website: Little Heaven website. 

4) Padma

This Kyoto vegetarian restaurant has eclectic decor, large windows overlooking the Kamo river, and a small range of vegan products for sale.

At lunch there are two set meals and a curry plate. I got the most expensive Peaceful lunch set which included rice, soup, and lots of small dishes. It included a few soy meat dishes (deep fried and in curry) which I don’t usually like, but it was well prepared and the vegetables balanced it out.

Simon enjoyed the curry which was a generous amount of food but less variety than the lunch set.

Cost: 1000 yen for curry, 1200 yen – 1500 yen for lunch set. Details: 2nd floor of Ebisu building (the door is to the left of Lawsons), Shimozutsumi-cho, 82. Open from 12 pm – 7 pm (lunch until 3 pm). Closed Thursday. Website: Padma website. 

5) Veg Out

Obanzai set lunch at Veg Out

Veg Out has a great location with views of the Kamo River.

The vegan menu includes Buddha bowls and paninis but our favourite dish was the obanzai lunch set which includes rice, soup, salad, and a mix of Japanese and international dishes.

The raw mint chocolate cheesecake and kombucha were also delicious and they have a small bulk buy section including granola.

Cost: 1500 yen for obanzai lunch set. Other dishes from 1000 yen. Details: 1F, 44 Inari-cho, Shimogyo-ku. Open from 8 am – 8 pm (lunch from noon – 3 pm). Closed Mondays and some irregular days (check Facebook). Website: Veg Out website and Facebook page. 

6) Cafe Waka at Otera House ( 和香)

Cafe Waka offers delicious vegetarian Buddhist set lunches. The location is a little off-the-beaten-track (we were the only tourists there), but it’s only a 15-minute walk across the river from Gion.

Our set lunch included tea, rice, miso soup, pickles, deep-fried soy meatballs, leafy greens with tofu, cold silken tofu in miso sauce, and vegetables in mayonnaise. It’s great value and you can also get an even cheaper lunch box to take away.

I believe most, if not all, dishes are vegan but it’s best to check.

Cost: 1000 yen for lunch set and 600 yen for takeaway lunch box. Details: 397–9 Shinkaichō, Shimogyō-ku. Open from 11.30 am – 3 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Website: Otera House website and Happy Cow listing.  

7) Vegans Cafe and Restaurant

BBQ tofu rice bowl at Vegans Cafe

This Kyoto vegan cafe is just a 15-minute walk from one of the city’s top attractions, the Fushimi Inari shrine.

The most popular dish is the charcoal-grilled deep-fried tofu rice bowl where the vegan chef applies his BBQ skills as a former roast meat restaurant owner. It’s seriously good (get the large unless you aren’t very hungry). The soy milk miso ramen is huge and is packed full of veggies and tofu.

They also sell some vegan products and fresh vegetables.

Cost: 1080 yen for large BBQ tofu rice bowl. Details: Fushimi-ku Fukakusa Nishi Uramachi 4-chome 88. Open from 11.30 am – 4.30 pm (until 8.30 pm on Saturday). Closed Wednesday. Website: Vegans Cafe Facebook page. 

8) Yoshuji

Yoshuji is a vegetarian restaurant in the village of Kurama in the mountains north of Kyoto. One of our favourite things to do in Kyoto is take the train to Kibune and hike through the forest to Kurama where you can visit the beautiful Kurama-dera temple and finish with lunch at Yoshuji.

The restaurant is in a cosy Japanese farmhouse with an irori (fire pit) in the centre. You can order a bowl of noodles or shojin ryori set lunches.

We chose the cheapest set which came with rice, miso soup, pickles, enoki mushrooms, goma dofu (chilled sesame tofu), mashed tofu with wild greens, mashed yam with seaweed, and konnyaku served like sashimi with a dark miso sauce.

Yoshuji is halfway up the stairs leading to Kurama-dera on the right hand side (or left as you come down as we did after hiking from Kibune). There is an English menu outside.

Cost: Noodles from 1200 yen and sets from 2100 yen – 3000 yen. Details: 1074–2 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyō-ku. Open from 10 am – 6 pm. Closed Tuesday. Website: Yoshuji website. 

Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Kyoto

Some of the best vegetarian food in Kyoto isn’t found in vegetarian restaurants. The restaurants below serve meat and fish, but they also cater for vegetarians (and often vegans).

They are good options for dinner as most of the vegetarian restaurants only open for lunch. You can try classic Japanese dishes like ramen, gyoza, and okonomiyaki in a typical setting.

9) Mimikou for Udon (TOP PICK)

Vegetarian Curry Udon with tempura at Mimikou

On our latest visit to Kyoto, Mimikou is the place we ate the most. This traditional udon (wheat flour noodle) restaurant is located near Yasaka Shrine and is popular with tourists. 

Two pages of the English menu are dedicated to vegetarian dishes including ramen and curry donburi (rice bowls), but best of all is the curry udon.

Our favourite dish was the kitsune (fried tofu) curry udon with vegetable tempura, which is fantastic comfort food. You can choose your type of udon (we liked the regular noodles which are quite thick), spice level (medium was ideal for us), and any extra toppings.

The vegetarian menu is vegan except for the option to add egg. They confirm that they do not use dashi in the soup.

It can be messy so use the paper bib the staff bring you!

Cost: Kitsune curry udon is 885 yen (1123 yen with tempura). Details: 528–6 Gionmachi Minamigawa. Open from 11.30 am – 8.30 pm. Closed Tuesday. Website: Mimikou Happy Cow listing. 

10) Omen Kodai-ji for Udon

Vegan udon set at Omen Kodai-ji

While we prefer the udon at Mimikou, you can try a different type of vegan udon at Omen Kodai-ji, which is conveniently located in the heart of the Higashiyama sightseeing area.

They offer a vegan version of their set which includes thick udon noodles, vegetables, sesame seeds, tempura, and dashi-free soup. You add your own vegetables and noodles to the soup.

Cost: 1800 yen for the vegan udon set. Details: 362–2 Masuyachō, Higashiyama-ku. Open from 11 am – 9 pm (but I think it closes between lunch and dinner and reopens at 6 pm). Closed Thursday. There’s also a branch near Ginkaku-ji temple. Website: Omen website. 

11) ChaoChao for Gyoza (TOP PICK)

This gyoza bar is a fun place for a drink and a quick, inexpensive meal. The staff are friendly and speak some English.

The Shijo-Kawaramachi branch of Gyoza ChaoChao has a vegetarian menu in English with five types of vegetarian gyoza plus side dishes like bean sprout salad. Vegan options are marked on the menu but are much more limited (only the yuba gyoza and a chocolate and banana dessert gyoza).

All the gyoza we tried were delicious including mashed potato, yuba, mushroom risotto with cheese, and shibazuke (soy pulp and pickles).

Cost: 1500 yen for a set including two gyoza, one side, and a drink. 430 yen for one portion of gyoza. Details: Shijo-Kawaramachi branch at  河原町通四条下ル順風町312–1. Open from 11.30 am – 3 pm and 5 pm – 11 pm (all day on weekends). Website: Gyoza ChaoChao Happy Cow listing. 

12) Chabuton for Ramen

Chabuton is a ramen chain that offers vegan ramen and gyoza. We first went here in Osaka and it became our favourite place to eat near Kyoto Station (it’s on the 6th floor of the Yodobashi camera store).

When you arrive, order and pay at the vending machine. The machine is in Japanese but if you look at the English menu you can compare the items you need—the vegan ramen and gyoza are marked as green on the menu.

Once you have the ticket give it to the staff and tell them you want the vegetable gyoza (the meat gyoza shares the same button).

The ramen comes quickly and is packed with vegetables including avocado, okra, tomato, and radish. You can jazz it up with condiments like chilli that are provided on the table. The gyoza are delicious too.

Cost: 750 yen for ramen and 320 yen for gyoza. Details: 6th floor of Yodobashi on Karasuma dori near Kyoto Station. Open from 11 am – 11 pm. Website: Chabuton Happy Cow listing. 

13) Tokkyu Ramen for Ramen

This basic ramen joint near Yasaka shrine has no English sign so look for the red lantern and hand-written sign saying vegetarian and vegan ramen.

They offer one vegan ramen made with a creamy sesame miso broth topped with bean sprouts, cabbage, green onions, bamboo shoots, and sesame seeds. We prefer Chabuton, but this location is convenient when sightseeing in Gion.

Cost: 850 yen for vegan ramen. Details: 30–4 Bishamonchō, Higashiyama-ku. Open from 11.30 am – midnight. Closed Wednesday. Website: Tokkyu Ramen Happy Cow listing. 

14) Tosuiro for Tofu

Kyoto is famous for its tofu and there are a number of restaurants that specialise in it, but they usually use dashi.

The Gion branch of Tosuiro offers a vegan set menu if you book at least a day in advance (three days if you email). It’s not cheap but it is an unusual experience and the setting is traditional in a 130-year-old merchant house.

You’ll experience tofu in all its forms including goma dofu (sesame tofu), yuba (soy milk skin), yudofu (a simmering pot of tofu and greens), and grilled miso-glazed dengaku tofu. We did get a little tofued out but are glad we tried it.

Cost: 6237 yen (including tax and service) for Rokuhara vegan set. Details: 38–1, Bisyamonten-Cho. Open from 11.30 am – 3 pm and 5 pm – 10 pm. Closed Tuesday. Website: Tosuiro website. 

15) Teppan Tavern Tenamonya for Okonomiyaki

Hokkaido okonomiyaki and yasaka soba

Teppan Tavern Tenamonya is not the place to go if you are offended by meat being cooked next to you, but it’s a good choice if you are travelling with a meat eater who wants to try the famous wagyu beef.

It’s a small izakaya (pub) with counter seating and a grill in front of you to keep the food hot. Most of the guests are foreigners these days as it’s close to Yasaka shrine, is ranked highly on Tripadvisor, has an English menu, and is run by a friendly couple. It’s so popular that booking at least two days in advance (further in high season) is essential (I emailed).

Despite the meat focus, they offer a number of tasty vegetarian dishes including okonomiyaki (the Hokkaido version was good), yasaka soba (fried noodles with vegetables), and fried potato with cheese.

Cost: 950 yen for Hokkaido vegetarian okonomiyaki. Details: B1F, 537–2 Gionmachi Minamigawa. Open from 5 pm – 11 pm. Closed Thursdays. Website: Teppan Tavern Tenamonya website. 

16) CoCo Icibanya for Japanese Curry

Vegetarian menu at CoCo Ichibanya

Looking for the nearest CoCo Ichibanya is one of the easiest ways to find a vegetarian meal in Japan. Most branches of this Japanese curry chain have a separate vegetarian menu—look for signs on the window or for the green menu at the tables. The regular English menu is helpful to explain the ordering process.

You choose your fillings (we usually get vegetables and eggplant), spice level (3 is pretty spicy), and size of rice portion. It’s tasty, filling, inexpensive, and quick.

We went to CoCo Ichibanya Keihan Shichijo but there are many branches. I check the Google Maps reviews to see if anyone mentions the vegetarian menu.

Cost for a Main Dish: Vegetarian curries from 654 yen to 911 yen. Details: Various branches. Open from 11 am – midnight (some branches 11 pm or 1 am). Website: CoCo Ichibanya website.

International Vegetarian Food in Kyoto

On short trips to Japan we usually stick to Japanese food as it’s so good, but as we were there for over two months on our last trip, we did fancy something different occasionally.

Here are our favourite international restaurants for vegetarian food in Kyoto.

Pettirosso – This friendly izakaya is run by an Italian guy and his Japanese wife who cooks up delicious Italian/Japanese fusion. They do serve fish but have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options clearly marked on the menu. The 1500 yen dinner set is good value. It’s only open in the evenings from 5 pm and booking is a good idea.

Que Pasa – Surprisingly delicious burritos with vegetarian and vegan options. It’s run by Japanese guys who lived in California so they know what they’re doing.

Ain Soph – This popular vegan restaurant isn’t our favourite, but if you’re craving a veggie burger they are pretty good.

Kyoto Beer Lab – Cool brewpub on our favourite canal street. You can get a tasting flight of beers with vegan snacks like soy meat red wine stew, edamame, and vegetable sticks with dip. Not the best for a filling meal, though.

Pizzeria Da Naghino – Authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.

E-Fish – Western-style cafe with big windows overlooking the river. We liked the French toast and smoothies.

Vegetarian Cooking Class in Kyoto

Taking a cooking class is the best way to learn more about Japanese cuisine and familiarise yourself with the unusual ingredients like yuba (soy milk skin tofu) that are often found in vegetarian Japanese cuisine.

We took a private class in the home of Emi Hirayama of Uzuki Cooking who is happy to cater to vegetarians. Read about our Kyoto cooking class experience. 

Next time, I’d like to take this vegan ramen cooking class on Airbnb Experiences which has fantastic reviews. It’s in Ibaraki which is 20 minutes from JR Kyoto station by train. 

Other Japan Vegetarian Guides

Vegetarian Survival Guide to Japan

The Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo

The Best Osaka Vegetarian Restaurants

2 Week Japan Itinerary

I hope you enjoy eating your way around Kyoto as a vegetarian as much as we did! There are many more vegetarian restaurants that we didn’t have time to try. Leave a comment below if you have any more recommendations.

[travelonlinetips-blog]

New Post has been published on https://travelonlinetips.com/12-of-queenslands-best-restaurants-that-will-blow-your-mind/

12 of Queensland's best restaurants that will blow your mind

There are good restaurants, and then there are the restaurants worth flying for.

Ones that make you dream of certain dishes for years to come. Ones with a three-month waiting list for a Saturday night booking. And the ones under the helm of Australia’s most exciting and innovate chefs.

If you’re a bona fide foodie on a mission to try all of the best restaurants in Queensland and all they have to offer, this list is for you.

The Fish House, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast

There’s a good reason why we’ve espoused the virtues of The Fish House before. And the twice-daily delivery of fresh fish, enviable Burleigh Heads location, and sophisticated wine list are just a few of the reasons why it was again awarded a chefs hat in the 2019 Australian Good Food Guide.

For the best chance of menu sampling, order the Chef’s Selection ($110 per person), which may see you slurping live dry opened Sydney Rock Oysters, supping simple lemony fish soup, spooning prawn bisque risotto and signing off with Patagonian Toothfish.

Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast

Named as one of the best dining experiences in the country by The Australian Financial Review‘s 2018 Top 100 Restaurant awards, Rick Shores is so close to the water it’s literally lapped by the waves.

But with a culinary team drawn from the kitchens of some of Australia’s top South-East Asian restaurants (Spirit House, LONgTIME, Longrain), the food here almost outshines the view.

Take your time with the menu and enjoy inventive bar snacks like ‘Ricks’ fried bug roll, with gem lettuce and sriracha, through to fried shrimp wonton with smoked ham broth and pork floss.

Urbane, Brisbane

Crowned as one of the Top 100 restaurants in Australia by both Gourmet Traveller and Gault&Millau’s 2018 awards, chic dining darling Urbane has long been one of Brisbane‘s best-kept secrets.

It’s an interesting formula for success: open only three nights per week, a vegan chef, and degustation-only menu. But, oh how it works.

The five or seven-course omnivore or herbivore menus take diners on a journey from the interesting (yellow peach and lobster consommé) to the intriguing (poached fennel on brioche with nori and miso butter) with ingredients changing depending on seasonal availability.

Gauge, South Brisbane

Well before the accolades – including this year’s chefs hat in the Australian Good Food Guide – we knew Gauge was something special.

Though it looks more cafe than fine dining establishment, the food being lovingly plated up at the sister venue of Teneriffe’s hip Sourced Grocer and South Brisbane bar Maker is nothing but five star.

Ordering off the dinner menu will have you sampling the daring raw lamb with shiitake and flying fish roe, or keeping things amusingly sweet with cherry sorbet, caramelised cream, nutmeg, and artichoke.

Otto Ristorante, Brisbane

Awarded two chefs hats and Wine List of the Year in the 2019 Australian Good Food Guide, Otto Ristorante is the first Queensland locale for the company behind Sydney’s renowned Quay and Bennelong restaurants. Which means to say that it’s good. Very good.

Overlooking Brisbane‘s Story Bridge, the Southern Italian menu has been designed with the Queensland climate in mind and executes all your favourites: oysters with lemon and black pepper granita, Villani Culatello with balsamic watermelon, and house-made pasta with finesse.

Gerard’s Bistro, Brisbane

Tucked in a lane off Fortitude Valley’s James Street, Gerard’s Bistro has all the right ingredients for a memorable night out.

Named the Top Restaurant in Queensland in The Australian Financial Review‘s 2018 Top 100 Restaurant awards, you’ll find yourself on a culinary journey through the Maghreb and Middle East, with perfectly paired wines taking flavours to the next level.

The generous menu stretches from confit southern squid with roasted bone sauce, hazelnut tarator and grilled enoki mushroom; through to nitro sahlab with carob ice cream, blackberries, blood plum and pistachio.

Stokehouse Q, South Bank, Brisbane

Taking home two chefs hats in the 2019 Australian Good Food Guide, Stokehouse Q is another southerner migrated north, perched pretty on the banks of the Brisbane River at South Bank‘s River Quay precinct.

Inspired by the Mediterranean, the menu here showcases the best in local produce – with miso-glazed barramundi belly, seaweed dashi and Davidson’s plum oil.

Drink in the view and a long, lazy afternoon over the likes of market fish, white soy cucumber, fermented macadamia cream; saltbush & labne dumplings, silken tofu, dried lime XO; leaving room for vanilla semifreddo, rosella sorbet and dark chocolate mousse

The Long Apron, Montville, Sunshine Coast

Hotel restaurants don’t always hit the mark, but The Long Apron at Spicers Clovelly Estate is not your average hotel restaurant.

When the hotel is actually a boutique homestead in the gorgeous Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and the restaurant is the type of place you’d book months in advance for that special occasion lunch or dinner, when the two combine, it’s magical.

Head chef Chris Hagan takes his inspiration from around the world, and being classically trained, he has a skill for clean precise dishes with an excellent balance of flavour and elegant presentation.

Wasabi, Noosa, Sunshine Coast

When you feel like taking a trip to Japan for the evening, but want to feel the tatami under your feet with views of the Noosa River at the same time, Wasabi knows how to deliver on all accounts.

Awarded two chefs hats in the 2019 Australian Good Food Guide, the most outstanding achievement here, however, is the hyper-local sourcing of ingredients. Namely from the restaurant’s own farm where rare Japanese ingredients are grown and composted, and the highlighting of lesser-known local seafood takes place.

Trust us and hand over the reins for the omakase seven or nine-course menu – aka let the chef decide.

Sum Yung Guys, Sunshine Beach, Sunshine Coast

The name sums it up: four mates, a passion for pan-Asian cuisine, all just a stone’s throw from one of the most beautiful beaches on the Sunshine Coast.

The heat since opening Sum Yung Guys in 2017 by local resident (and Masterchef fave) Matt Sinclair and friends doesn’t appear to be slowing down, either: it was named one of the 50 hottest restaurants by The Australian and top 100 restaurants in the country by The Australian Financial Review in 2018.

Here, nothing has been left untouched by creativity, from their funky neon signage and street murals adorning the walls, to their share-style menu featuring zesty delights like Hiramasa kingfish, green scud and laksa; and wok-tossed mussels with lemongrass, ginger and coconut water.

Indulge Cafe, Bundaberg

There’s a simple ethos at Indulge Cafe in Bundaberg: “We know where it came from and how it was made”.

True to form, their undeniably outstanding use of fresh, local produce and giving the growers the kudos they deserve, has won not only our bellies over but a number of well-deserved accolades.

Open for breakfast and lunch, every dish has a story here and the owners of Indulge are more than happy to share.

Nu Nu, Palm Cove, Tropical North Queensland

If you want to know what Tropical North Queensland tastes like on a plate, make a beeline for chef Nick Holloway’s Nu Nu (you may have seen him on MasterChef in 2015).

Nestled nicely on the paperbark tree-lined esplanade of Palm Cove, with cracking views out over the Coral Sea and Double Island, this is fine dining with its tie not only loosened, but left at the back of the wardrobe.

A four or seven-course tasting menu is available and is perfect for those who can’t possibly choose between cinnamon roast Victorian lamb with caramelised Mungalli yoghurt and pumpkin custard; and wok-fried north Queensland mud crab with chilli tamarind, sweet pork, market greens, jasmine rice and ginger broth. (You understand the dilemma, no?)

What’s your favourite restaurant in Queensland?

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[niuniente]

Yellow Miso Soup! It’s got tofu, pumpkin, daikon radish, watercress, white enoki mushrooms and chive. Super tasty! <3 Much better than black miso.

[helloidols]

Morning Musume ‘17 and their respective soup ingredients for the MM’17 x Marukome: Morning Miso Soup CM. The four MM ‘17 themed soups will be available in Spring 2017. 

Mizuki Fukumura: Tofu Masaki Sato: Okra Haruna Ogata: Shredded kombu Haruna Iikubo: Egg

Erina Ikuta: Spinach Ayumi Ishida: Green spring onion Maria Makino: Fu (Japanese dry baked wheat gluten) Akane Haga: Deep‐fried tofu

Sakura Oda: Wakame (seaweed) Haruka Kudo: Pumpkin Miki Nonaka: Fried eggplant

Reina Yokoyama: Enoki mushroom Kaede Kaga: Minced meat

[steve-explores]

Seattle Food Hack October 2018 Day 5

With just one more day before I conclude this edition of food hack, I started my day with a delicious cup of latte from Seattle Coffee Works which specializes in authentic direct trade coffee, ethically sourced from farmers.

Noon came swiftly and it was time to visit Mae Phim Thai Restaurant located near Pike Place Market, which is a popular place for comfort food from Thailand.

I started my lunch special with a bowl of Tom Kha Kai: a hot and sour soup with coconut milk, chicken, lemongrass, galanga, mushrooms and cilantro.

The main course was the famous Swimming Rama comprising of steam chicken on a bed of spinach topped with peanut sauce, paired with rice, Pad Thai, spring roll, and fried potsticker.

As sleepiness began to set in after lunch, it was a great opportunity to visit the Ghost Alley Espresso to taste its signature drinks made from fresh small batch roasted coffee supplied by Queen Anne Roasters.

The cafe was small and cosy, with friendly staff ready to take your customized drinks order.

I took a quick afternoon break with a warm cup of Salted Nut Latte comprising house made caramel syrup, smoked salts, and hazelnut latte.

After a couple of hours of window shopping, it was time to refuel at Anchorhead Coffee with a delicious cup of Pumpkin Stuff Latte containing delicious spices that reminds you of autumn, perfect with a crispy chewy Quaffle full of fragrant cinnamon.

As it was my last night in Seattle, I had to grab a quick glimpse of the beautiful sunset.

Final stop of the day was a late dinner at my favorite Umi Sake House, complete with a 30-minute wait for a seat by the bar counter.

The dinner began with a plate of House Sashimi comprising of six pieces of thickly sliced fresh yellowtail, salmon, and tuna sashimi.

Next dish was a warm bowl of Asari Miso Soup filled with spinach, manila clams, scallions, and enoki mushroom.

The appetizer was the popular Oyster Shooters containing goosepoint oyster in 7 spice sorbet with sanbai zu which is a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, and mirin.

The main dish was two delicious rolls that came highly recommended by water.

1st sushi roll: Street Fighter - Spicy crab, cucumber and cilantro, topped with 7-spice tuna, garlic ponzu, sesame seeds, jalapeño and shishito peppers.

2nd sushi roll: Spicy Rainbow Roll - Crab-spicy mayo mix, cucumber, avocado and tobiko, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, yellowtail and spicy mayo.

Stay tune for my last entry for October-2018 food hack in Seattle!