Tamago, Sashimi, and maki-sushi at Tani's Kitchen, Daly City USA

Hamachi $3.25 & Tamago Nigiri $2.5

Assorted Sashimi: hamachi, tuna, salmon, octopus $8.95

Negihama $3.25, Spicy Tuna $3.25, & Salmon & Avocado $3.25

Hearing from a friend, Tani's Kitchen is famous for their tamago. Although they use a very common way of making tamago-yaki, the piece is quite tasty and well-balanced: nor too sweet or salty. It is also still very spongy with moisture. (they use 2 layers of cloth and bamboo rolling mat to keep tamago from drying out) Since the sushi shop is fairly small, the wait for this place is inevitably long: around 20-35 minutes.

Umami Burger at Umami, San Francisco USA

Umami Burger: parmesan frico, shiitake mushroom, roasted tomato, caramelized onions, Umami house ketchup

Tonight, I tried the umami burger with medium rare steak. It is quite tasty with the Umami house ketchup, which is rather savory than sour. Overall the burger blends very well with all the veggies, especially the roasetd tomatoes.

Seafood Udon and Nigiri at Kamado Sushi, Berkeley USA

Seafood Udon: clam, mussel, scallop, fish, shrimp

Hamachi (yellowtail), sake (salmon), hon maguro (tuna)

Kamado Sushi is a causal Japanese restaurant located at Northern Berkeley area. I came here towards the end of lunch time, and there was no waiting line. I ordered a seafood udon as well as 5 sets of nigiri: Hamachi (yellowtail), sake (salmon), hon maguro (tuna), hotate (Hokkaido scallop), and tamago. (egg cake)

Hokkaido Scallop Nigiri and Salmon Rice Bowl at Kiku Sushi, Berkeley USA

Nigiri Sushi  握り寿司

Kiku Sushi is a local friendly, neighborhood type of Japanese sushi restaurant. It has a 4 star on Yelp, and I decided to give it a try today. For the salmon rice bowl, the salmon slices are creamy and fresh, but it tastes like it wasn't cured/marinated. (I tried buying a non-cured salmon fillet and it tastes just like that.) Ikura (salmon roe) is flavorful as it was soaked with soy sauce for a short period of time right before serving. Tamago-yaki has an old-egg kind of smell and taste.

*** Seafood Dishes at Saison, San Francisco USA

Sea Urchin over liquid toast

It was a great night at the three-Michelin-starred Saison, enjoying the 18-course meal with many well-known foodies from all over the world. This is my second time at Saison and their amazing dishes still surprised me with wonders. Above are only a few courses that introduce similar Japanese-related dishes.

Tonkotsu Black Garlic Oil Ramen at Kaze, Berkeley USA

Kaze Black Garlic Oil Ramen
Pork Chashu, egg, black mushroom, bean sprout, scallions, dried seaweed

Kaze is a ramen restaurant located on Shattuck, Berkeley. I ordered their special "Kaze Black Garlic Oil Ramen." Broth base is a Tonkotsu creamy broth, ramen noodles are instant noodle. Chashu is good in texture but lacking flavor.

Chicken Teriyaki Bento & Gyūdon at Tamon Tea, Berkeley USA

Chicken Teriyaki Bento (鶏照り焼き弁当): Teriyaki Chicken, Japanese-style Spaghetti, marinated tomatoes and veggies, rice $6-7

Tamon Tea's bento box is differently daily. It is usually out of stock if you visit after lunch time as well. Their marinated eggplants and tomatoes are surprisingly very good despite the ordinary appearance. For the Gyūdon, the thin beef slices are a little bit dry, but the flavor is excellent. It serves with lots of rice and 7-spice chili pepper and black sesame.