Japanese Food & Restaurant Expo 2012: An Otaku’s Journey
Honestly for my first time going to an event like this, I’m rather nervous. For the past four years I’ve been to several anime conventions, but this has absolutely nothing to do with anime, which makes it even more nerve wreaking I’ve always heard of expos like this, like the Food & Wine Festival by Food Network (which is my next goal). The one good thing I have going for me with The Japanese Food & Restaurant Expo 2012 is that it’s all about Japanese food.
The second I walked into the Expo, I felt slightly overwhelmed. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to take pictures of the demos or if I should pick up some of the samplings. As I walked around I took in all the sights, senses and soon flavor. I tried things I’ve never tried before and found that I liked it. The way that different products were prepared with different ingredients made such a huge difference. I had raw eel tossed in a wasabi sauce. I was surprised that I liked it and that the wasabi wasn’t a much of a “punch” as I’d expect. I really enjoyed the Sushi Sauces demo. For example, the Toro which was prepared with a careful selection of different sauces by chef Osan Weng. It felt like an explosion of soft and sweet flavors in my mouth. I never knew there were other sauce combinations besides the typical ones you come across at a restaurant.
They also had many kinds of sake and other alcoholic drinks. I tried a mild Japanese rum that was made with Plum. I was able to taste the rum but the plum gave it a more mild, if not sweet taste. Every staff member at each booth I came across was so professional and helpful. Like one man at a booth who took the time to explain his product and explain how to use the Bonito Flakes to make Dashi broth. Another young man explained with passion the high quality sake his booth was selling. I had organic sake and an unfiltered sake. The unfiltered sake was pretty strong. I got to try several different types of tofu and had a green tea with ground brown rice… smelled like a nori sheet but had an interesting deep taste. The sauce for the Japanese fried chicken was amazing as well as the sesame seed sauce.
As I saw the different demos, I was in awe as I picked up on ideas for my next cooking panel. Seeing the chef slice through the tuna or how some individuals talked passionately about their products got me excited in wanting to try them and even to grow in my cooking skills. My passion in wanting to learn the proper way in making sushi grew as I watched the sushi demo. All around, I had the most amazing experience. I’m so happy i had the opportunity to come.
Photos below were taken and owned by “Tsuki.”
