Late Soba

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/4, 1/110 sec, ISO6400
“Soba” Cedar Park, 2019

We had our new year’s soba a bit late this year. Normally we eat it on New Year’s Eve, but since we feasted on temaki instead, we postponed the noodles a bit. But they were still yummy. 😄

BTW, the shrimp were pre-packaged from Costco. Very good! 🍤

Starting 2020

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/75 sec, ISO3200
“Osechi” Cedar Park, 2019

Hello! I started off the new year with a nice 4-mile run around the neighborhood, then got ready to feast on the osechi-ryori, or traditional Japanese new year’s food. I love sitting at the kotatsu, drinking saké, eating osechi, and watching Japanese new years programs. It’s exactly what I want to do, and definitely the right way to kick off 2020.

In the afternoon, I hung up our bird feeder so hopefully we’ll get some feathery visitors coming by soon. I’m ready to add to my life-list of bird sightings! I was so happy to add a few birds while in California. 😊

I hope you had a nice day!

またね~

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/55 sec, ISO3200
“Osechi” Cedar Park, 2019

Last Meal of 2019 – Temaki Sushi

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.5, 1/125 sec, ISO5000
“Temaki Dinner” Cedar Park, 2019

As the year comes to a close, a foodie’s last dinner should have some significance. Well, for us there isn’t any special meaning behind it, but we do want it to be something yummy! So, in her infinite wisdom, Mariko ordered a Temaki set from Uroko and it was awesome! We totally destroyed it. All the fish was delicious, and the sushi rice was perfect. Making sushi at home is a great experience and one I wish we could have more often. What a wonderful way to close out the year!

ごちそうさまでした 2019!

Katsu at Kagura

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
“Katsu Lunch” Gardena, 2019

Mariko and I tried Kagura, a katsu restaurant, for lunch today, and it was delicious! The pork cutlet, chicken, and croquette had a crunchy panko breading and were cooked to perfection… the meat was tender and juicy. Kagura has a couple of locations in Southern California, but we went to the small food-court location inside Tokyo Central market in Gardena. A good lunch option, and should be quicker than the other locations. Give it a try!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
“Katsu Lunch” Gardena, 2019