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.

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.

Mmmmiso Soup!

Who doesn't like the earthy, savory flavors of a simple miso soup!

Served in every Japanese restaurant as an accompaniment to bento or sushi lunches/dinners, most people are unaware of how easy it is to make a home. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, miso is an ingredient used in many traditional Japanese dishes. You can find white and red miso paste in most Asian supermarkets and a tub of it will cost you about $5.00 (which will last for a very long time!)

To celebrate our love for all things miso, Bamboo Izakaya is sharing a simple and terrific miso soup recipe with you. Ready? Grab your miso paste and let's get started!

Miso Soup with Asari Clams

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 cups dashi broth (or water) 
• 3 1/2 tbsp white miso paste
• 350 grams asari (Manila) clams
• 2 tbps scallions, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp onions, finely chopped

Directions:

1. Using a brush, scrub the clams to get rid of any sand and other impurities. Soak them in salt water for half an hour (to release any extra dirt or sand).
2. Bring dashi broth to a boil then add miso paste and chopped onions. Mix well until miso paste has completely dissolved. Turn the heat down to low (simmer).
3. Add clams and cook for a minute. 
4. Add chopped scallion, turn the heat off and serve.