Onigiri - Japanese rice balls

What could be more Japanese than onigiri! The more laid back cousin of sushi maki, they're usually filled with ume (pickled plums), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), okaka (bonito flakes), tarako (salty cod roe), tuna mayo, and kombu (pickles). Sold in most convenience stores in Japan (and here a Bamboo too!) these tasty rice balls are a favorite snack among the Japanese community because they're easy to make and also very healthy.

Makes about 8 onigiris

Ingredients

•  cooked Japanese rice (I use Nishiki)
•  umeboshi (Japanese picklked plums)
•  mentaiko (spicy cod roe)
•  nori (seaweed)
•  salt

Cooking Directions

1. A couple of tricks to make good Japanese rice; soak your rice for a few minutes and massage a little until the water turns milky white. This removes some of the starch. Do it 2 or 3 times until the water is almost clear. Follow instructions and measurements listed on packaging. When you add your rice, give it a quick stir, put the lid on and leave it alone! I use a timer each time I make rice, this way I don't have to worry about under or over cooking it, and it always turns out perfect.
2. When the rice is cooked, put it in a bowl and let cool. Grab a wooden spoon and gently fold over the rice (do not stir, you want to keep it fluffy!) while adding some salt (until you get your own perfect level of saltiness). Now let's make our onigiris!
3. Grab a small handful of rice, shape it into a triangle (or ball) and make a dent in the middle. It's good to have a bowl of water nearby so you can wet your fingers (it helps with shaping the rice). Add filling of your choice. Wrap a strip of nori (a wider strip will make it much easier to eat) around the rice and you're done! It's that easy!

NOTE: You can keep onigiri by wrapping it in cling film and refrigerate overnight. Zapping it in the microwave for about 30 seconds the next will day make the rice balls nice and soft again.

Dish of the week: Tonpei Yaki

Tonpei yaki is a very popular Japanese dish served in izakayas and family restaurants. Loved by kids and adults (and tourists!) it's a must try for those who aren't ready to dive into chicken bones and firefly squid just yet, but still want to try classic Japanese flavors.

What is tonpei yaki?

It's an omelet filled with shredded cabbage and sliced pork, served with a sweet and savory tonkatsu sauce, mayo and bonito flakes. For those of you who are familiar with okonomiyaki (commonly known as Japanese pizza), tonpei yaki is very similar to that.

Why should I order tonpei yaki? 

To try flavors that are distinctively Japanese but not too complicated. Tonpei yaki is very easy to appreciate and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The shredded cabbage makes it high in antioxidants, while the eggs are a great source of protein and vitamin D.

A glass of barley tea to help you get some zzzs

Feeling stressed out? Can't sleep well? Then grab a glass of barley tea, sit back and let it take effect. Not only is barley tea naturally caffeine free, it also contains melatonin, which helps relaxation and adjusts your sleep-wake pattern, and tryptophan, which aids in sleeping. You can drink it hot or cold and making it is as simple as throwing a large tea bag into a pitcher of water. 

Barley tea is extremely popular in Japan (called mugicha - mugi for barley and cha for tea), mostly drank throughout the summer it's incredibly refreshing and perfect to have on a hot summer night as the wind chimes gently sing in the breeze. 

Mugicha is sold in most Japanese and Chinese super markets. If you like oolong tea, chances are you will also like barley tea. Its taste is very similar with a toasted nutty flavor added to it. Oolong can taste strong and bitter, while mugicha is much milder and easier to drink.

The brewing process is very easy:

Fill a pitcher with water (hot or cold), drop the tea bag and brew for about an hour. You can leave the bag in and refill the pitcher with water until the color becomes too light. This way, you get the most out of one tea bag!

Mugicha is also very healthy as it contains antioxidants to protect against heart disease. It also helps maintain a healthy prostate and is very effective in fighting streptococci and bronchitis.

Look for the red lanterns to find us!

Bamboo's gorgeous Japanese lanterns have finally arrived! Decorating the entrance of our restaurant and patio, the akachochin (red lanterns) represent matsuri (celebration) and an invitation to come in for a drink and a bite to eat. Traditionally, Izakaya menu specialties are painted on the lanterns to attract customers - Some are known for their tofu, some for their skewered meats, pig items, and so on. Here at Bamboo, we have a list of sake not to be missed and some outstanding Robata grilled dishes!

Next time you're on Ocean Avenue near the Santa Monica Pier, look for our red lanterns and join us for an evening of fun, exceptionally good food and sake tasting!

Easy chicken katsudon

Packed with sweetness and umami, chicken katsu is a very traditional and popular dish. Easy to prepare, it's the perfect comforting dish to share with your family. 

(4 servings)

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut in half in thickness and in size
• all purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• panko breadcrumbs
• oil for deep-frying
• 1/2 medium size onion, thinly sliced in half moons
• handful fresh basil (or flat leaf parsley)
• 1 cup dashi stock
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp sake
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• cooked Japanese rice

Cooking Directions

1. Dip the chicken pieces in the following order: flour, egg (use one egg) and panko.
2. Heat oil in a large pan to 350 degrees (180c).
3. In another large pan, put the sliced onions, dashi, sugar, sake, soy sauce and mirin, and simmer until onions are tender and translucent (about 5 minutes).
4. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 2 eggs.
5. Fry chicken pieces until golden brown. Add the chicken to the onions, pour the eggs around the chicken, over the onions, and cook for a minute or two. Sprinkle basil or parsley on top, turn the heat off when eggs are cooked through.
6. Serve with rice.

8 Japanese dishes for beginners

Japanese cuisine has a lot of wonderful flavors and textures to offer, and by no means are they all intimidating. A lot of it is simple, delicious and familiar to what you're used to eating.

Here are 8 Bamboo Izakaya dishes sure to seduce even the pickiest of eaters!

For more, check out our menu

#1. Goma chicken salad 

Cabbage, bean sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes and shredded chicken tossed in sesame dressing.

Photo: Benjamin Conley

#2. Gyoza 

Lightly fried pork dumpling with soy chili dipping sauce.

Photo: Benjamin Conley

#3. Tori nanban

Deep fried marinated chicken served with tartare sauce

Photo:Benjamin Conley

#4. Yosenabe (hot pot)

A healthy and savory hot pot of salmon, prawns, clams, tofu in soy, dashi broth.

Photo: Benjamin Conley

#5. Kinoko kami tsutsumi

Assorted Japanese steamed mushrooms, with truffle and ponzu sauce.

Photo: Benjamin Conley

#6. Kushiyaki (or yakitori) 

Assortment of grilled skewered meats, seafood and vegetables. A Japanese classic!

Photo: Benjamin Conley

#7. Kalbi

Sake-soy marinated kalbi ribs (beef short ribs).

Photo: Benjamin Conley

#8. Ebi cream croquettes

Deep fried shrimp croquettes in creamy bechamel sauce, served with a tomato salsa. An absolute must try!!

Photo: Benjamin Conley

Come try our fried cheeseburgers.. Say what?

Bamboo Izakaya's own creation: fried cheeseburger balls with thousand island dressing.

Fried cheeseburgers??

That's correct! Created by our own imaginative chef, Toshio Sakamaki, these little deep-fried explosions of flavor are quickly becoming the talk of the boardwalk, earning a mention in the Zagat, Grubstreet and Huffpost!

Made with ground beef, mashed potatoes and mozarella cheese, they are coated with panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried to perfection! Served with a thousand island dressing for a kick of tangy and sweet, they are crispy on the outside and meltingly tender on the inside. Be careful though as these Japanese meat ball treats can be addictive!

Side effects include extreme happiness, loud MMMM! noises, tummy rubbing, failure to share with others, and re-ordering.