Fukushima Restaurants (part 1)

We thought some of our friends and family who follow this blog would enjoy this somewhat lighter topic.  We’d like to share some of our favorite Fukushima restaurants that we frequent on a regular basis!  Over the next several weeks we’ll feature a different restaurant with each new post.

**Note:  This won’t be a “Top Ten” list; the restaurants will be in no particular order (such as “least favorite” to “most favorite” or something like that).  To be completely honest, Haidee and I are creatures of habit and probably haven’t even been to ten restaurants here in Fukushima. . . we stick to our favorites! 

Introducing our first featured restaurant . . . (drum roll please) . . .

元気寿司 (Genki Sushi)

If you live in Japan (or just come for a short visit), you have to take advantage of the most amazing invention in food service here in Japan:  the conveyor belt sushi bar.  回転すし (kaiten sushi) is the Japanese name for this style of sushi restaurant.  I can’t believe that this has not yet caught on in the United States.  The sushi chefs stand behind the counter (in the middle of the room) preparing sushi and placing it (served on top of tiny plates) on a conveyor belt that runs past every booth or counter where customers are seated.  All you have to do is reach out and grab it – and the sushi is yours!  (for the low, low price of one to three dollars a plate, depending on the variety of sushi)  If you don’t see what you want, you simply shout out:  “すみません!” to which the chef replies, “はい! お客様!” Then you give the chef your order and he will prepare it for you on the spot.  Sometimes, even if what I do want is cruising around the room on the conveyor belt I’ll order directly from the chef – to ensure I get a very fresh cut of sushi.  And, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to shout out “すみません!” and be addressed by the chef as the “most honorable guest.”

a view of the sushi atop little plates, cruising around the restaurant on a conveyor belt

Our students laugh at us, because they say that Genki Sushi is pretty cheap food (not as good as some of the more refined sushi places in town), but to be honest, I can’t taste the difference.  I just know that I can eat my fill of raw fish – made on the spot – served with wasabi and pickled ginger, for less than $10 (the same meal in the States would cost $40-50 easily).  Haidee and I have tried out many different sushi restaurants, but we always return to Genki Sushi.  It’s about a five minute walk from church, and the sushi chefs there know us pretty well (they have even started to offer me my favorite cuts of sushi before I order them).

Haidee reaching out for her first 'catch' of the day.

If you'd like to, you can check out the Genki Sushi website here.  There are even a few restaurants in the USA!  However, you'll have to come visit us in Japan if you want the full experience.  Here is a small list of my most frequently ordered foods (by the way, most of these are NOT found at the American restaurants):

青さ汁 (blue seaweed and miso soup)

サーモン (otherwise known as "salmon")

いくら (salmon eggs: known better in English as caviar) served with cucumber.

This sushi is made with salted fermented rice. . . and it's SOOO good!

光三枚 (Hikari San Mai - 3 shiny fish (from L to R):  Gizzard Shad, Mackerel, Anchovy)

納豆 (Natto - fermented soybeans) served with まぐろ(tuna).

Eric with a satisfied grin, after consuming 10 plates of sushi.

The waitress bows honorably to Haidee upon receiving the payment.

Check out featured Restaurant Number 2!

(NOTE - To explain the hats and winter jackets:  No, we didn't just go through a cold weather snap here in Fukushima.  These pictures were taken back in February when it was quite chilly outside.)