Flavors
of Asia
|
|
Miyoko Omori remembers her childhood New Year's (Oshogatsu) festivities in Japan as a time for family celebrations. "The women cooked enough food for the holiday," she recalls, "so that after midnight December 31, they had plenty of food for the next three days without cooking." Salted fish, rice cakes, soups, sauces, nuts and fruit provided the basis for New Year's dining along with a variety of other special dishes. "Soba (buckwheat) noodles served with a dipping sauce is the first meal of the New Year," she said. Along with mochi (rice cakes) the foods symbolize long life and abundance. Schools, businesses and government offices in Japan usually close January 1 through 3 so that families can come together to celebrate and attend religious ceremonies. Today Miyoko, owner and founder of Sakura Japanese Restaurant in Saint Paul, continues some of these traditions for her customers. "We will be open New Year's Eve for dinner," she said, "closed on New Year's day and then back to our regular schedule. And, for the first week of the New Year we will give diners free mochi and ozoni." About to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sakura, Miyoko, sees a growing interest in Japanese food and a trend toward sushi. "Sushi now accounts for 60 - 70% of our orders," she said. Part of the new interest comes from the recent sushi sections in many food markets. "People try the sushi at home and then come to us to taste more," noted Miyoko. Often after tasting the outstanding sushi at Sakura diners no longer take it home from the supermarket, but enjoy it freshly made at the restaurant by Sakura's sushi chef who has been in the business since he was 17 years old. "Once people become more familiar with sushi, then they are ready to try sashimi," noted Miyoko. She encourages diners to order their favorite foods, but to try one new dish each time they come in. "We try to help people become more familiar with Japanese food and soon they become regulars." Located at 350 St. Peter, Sakura will be near many New Year's Eve activities in downtown St. Paul. For more information or reservations, call 651-224-0185. Origami at 30 North 1st Street in Minneapolis next to the new Federal Reserve building is also closed on January 1, but will be open New Year's Eve for dinner offering a wide assortment of sushi, sashimi and traditional dishes. They do not take reservations. For information call 612- 333-8430. Across the river at Riverplace, Kikugawa will be offering a special New Year's Eve menu until 11:00 p.m. They are also closed New Year's Day. For information call 612-378-3006. Fuji-Ya at 2640 Lyndale Avenue South in Minneapolis is open New Year's Eve for dinner. Call 612-871-4055 for information and reservations.
|
All rights reserved.