Revisits: Kayaba, and (yet) another visit to Izakaya Sakura

Just some revisits for today......

Kayaba:

***** Kayaba hasss closed

Sometimes just the mention of something can really get me going....... Yesterday, all it took was reading one of the daily posts from one of my favorite food blogs, Our Adventures in Japan. Kat, much like me, is an ex-pat Kama'aina, and is currently on vacation visiting "home" which, of course, would be Hawaii. Obviously I'm glued to each and every one of her posts. So yesterday, what does she post on? Why it just had to be Tonkatsu (albiet a Tonkatsu Sandwich), from Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin. The worst thing was that Kat, who usually includes a few photos from every meal, didn't do that for this meal. With good reason as she was having lunch with a good friend, and I'd do the same. The problem was, that all I could think about was their $36 Tokusen Kurobuta Tonkatsu Teishoku. Sorry to say, there's no Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin in San Diego......but I just had to have some Tonkatsu. So I settled for Kayaba:

  

It did a decent job of "scratching that itch".....it ain't no Ginza Bairin, but was bit a bit cheaper at $8. I think if I'd missed the boat at Kayaba, I'd have even settled for shredded cabbage with tonkatsu sauce......weird, I know, but much like Kathy, I can't resist slathering katsu sauce all over my cabbage. One does need 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day right?

Kayaba
4240 Kearny Mesa Rd Ste 119 - In the Mitsuwa Marketplace
San Diego, CA 92111

 (Yet) Another Visit to Izakaya Sakura:

Yes, you can say it now.......how many posts can one do on Sakura? It's bad enough that Ed, Cathy, and I have all done posts on Sakura. But to make matters worse, we've each done multiple posts. I have however, taken comfort in the fact, that I haven't even come close to the level of obsession with the place as displayed by Dennis in his wonderful food blog, A Radiused Corner. Oh, and in case you missed it, here's his latest post on Sakura. Now that's dedication!

And our recent weather had a nice visit to Sakura written all over it. On this visit, the Missus and I sat in the "smoking section"...... just joking, we sat on one of the tables outside where I've seen guys taking surreptitious puffs of cancer sticks in the past. You can't drink alcohol on these tables, but you can sneak in a few stealth puffs if you need to.

On this visit, the Missus had one dish in mind, while I had several. I started with one of my favorites Maguro Yamakake. Simply cubes of Maguro topped with Yamaimo (mountain yam) which has been grated to give it a gooey texture. Along with a bit of soy and wasabi, I find this a refreshing dish. Though a good FOY (Friend of Yoso) calls it "snot on tuna". (You don't want to know what he says Shiokara smells like) It really has a mild flavor, and is more of an acquired texture than anything else.

I followed that up with the Albacore Tataki, slices of seared Albacore in ponzu sauce, topped with sliced onions and scallions. The meaty Albacore, which sometimes can be on the dry side, does well with the citrusy ponzu, and just as red meat goes well with sweet, acidic onions, the Albacore does the trick.

In need of something rich, I also ordered the Ankimo (steamed monkfish liver), another of my favorite dishes:

 

I realize that it's not the optimal time for Ankimo (which is winter), which is probably why this wasn't the best Ankimo that Kazu has ever created. It was very fishy, with a more wax like mouth feel than the usual pate texture. It was too strong for the Missus, who also loves Ankimo.

When it's hot, I love Zaru Soba (cold soba), and I enjoy the version at Sakura.

 

The Missus was still waiting for Her dish, and wanted a a taste of my soba. I had forgotten how She eats Her Zaru Soba; She ended up dumping the entire ball of wasabi into the tsuyu(the broth), creating a nasal singeing experience for me. I had to keep reminding myself, "real men don't cry in their soba"...... ouch! On the good side, my sinus problems were a thing of the past......

Finally, the Missus' Chirashi arrived, looking mighty good.

 

The Missus attacked this with gusto, and based on Her reaction it sure must've hit the spot.

Of course, I got my share of the Chirashi as well, in the form of the very plump oyster, as well as some of the Ikura and rice:

 

While eating the Chirashi, the Missus thought of the perfect item to top off Her meal......

 

Shishamo of course, which She can eat like french fries.

We left Sakura as we always do after a nice dinner there.....maybe a bit lighter in the wallet, but satisfied.

Izakaya Sakura
3904 Convoy St #121
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[sharon]

Ok, ok. I'm going to Sakura asap! I've seen enough of their good food from you :)

[Kirk]

LOL Sharon! If you think I've posted a lot on Sakura check out Dennis's posts!

[Faine G]

Good god, you're making me lust after monkfish liver more then I thought possible. Your sushi photos are always such a delight. :)

[Dennis]

Hi Kirk, thanks for the mention! I'm still mainly a lunch person there and it's great to see more of their dinner offerings, thanks for sharing (once again). :) I was led to Sakura many years ago by my Japanese coworkers and it was the start of my food photo documenting hobby (not knowing at the time I would end up with my current blog). In fact after googling to learn more, I think it's how I found out about food blogs! Mmm-yoso, Clayfu, Alice Q.. Following the place has been an interesting project for me and I think I've learned a lot about food and business and everything in between. It's a very organic process and the interest to follow it like maybe someone following their favorite sports team? Ups and maybe a few small downs but always a fan. I also wanted to squeeze in a stamp collecting analogy somewhere but this comment is becoming way too long.. ;) But wanted say I'm glad to have started this and happy to be a small contributor to food blogging in SD. Cheers

[Kirk]

Hi Faine - Thanks! Are you back in the states yet? I've been enjoying your posts in Europe.

Hi Dennis - You know, sometimes I'm really glad that you didn't do like a line by line Phuong Trang menu item project.......

[foodhoe]

mmmm, that tonkatsu has me considering whether or not to make the 20 minute walk to muracci's for lunch today... that only leaves 5 min to eat after waiting in line and walking to and fro. I can't get enough of the Sakura posts either - that yamakake is now another craving. that's why I keep coming back

[MrM]

~chuckles~

Your Misses eats Zaru Soba like I do.

I'm not happy unless my nose is running after eating it.

[kat]

thanks for the mention Kirk :) I'm glad you got to have some katsu.

[ed (from yuma)]

Love the post - especially the reminder of some of my favs from Sakura, particularly the chirashi and zaru soba, though I like the zaru soba with tempura. They also do a cold noodle dish with tempura in broth that is good.

Also thanks for the reminder about Dennis's blog. Reading his posts makes me want to spend a few days just sitting in Sakura trying everything.

[Sandy]

Now I wish I had checked Kat's blog before I went to Hawaii. That tonkatsu place sounds pretty good.

I was just at Mitsuwa the other day, and now I'll have to go back to try Kabaya. And I really need to go to Sakura soon; even though it's cooled off here, the chirashi looks so refresing.

[Mr Zhang]

Is there large version of chirashi because looks so sumptuous the large slabs of fresh fish I can eat two.

I don't know why Japanese just dip fish not rice in soy cuz I eat it that way has not much flavor but I just pour a plate of mixed soy wasabi over the entire bowl mmmm

[Girl With Curious Hair]

Well, great. Just as I'm craving sushi and wondering where we'll go for Friday Office Lunch, you post this--which is conveniently close to said office.

[Kirk]

Hi FH - I hope you take care of those cravings!

Hi MrM - Glutton for punishment, are you? ;o)

Hi Kat - I just needed to get some tonkatsu.

Hi Ed - Dennis has taken his obsession with Sakura to levels unheard of!

Hi Sandy - You would pay $36 for Tonkatsu??? You know.... I probably would too!

Hi MrZ - LOL! That would be quite a bit of fish! You may enjoy the Korean version of Chirashi called Hwe Dup Bop, though it doesn't have as much fish, it usually comes in a rather large bowl, along with a ton of greens. I think you'd enjoy the bottle of Cho-Kochujang that's provided.....a sauce made of Kochujanq-Rice Vinegar-Sugar.

Hi GWCH - I'm kinda glad I don't work in walking distance of Sakura..... I'd be there almost everyday.

[Judy Lee]

I need to stop reading your blog at work... that chirashi is making me want to go to lunch :(

[N Buckles]

I am ready to jump on a plane and fly to San Diego just to eat at Sakura.

[Christopher Solomon]

Love the posts (and blog) Kirk. I've had some of the best food of my life in San Diego (been living here for 2 years) because of your blog. :)

Just visited Sakura last night for the first time with my girlfriend. We both loved it. Had the uni pasta, hiyashi chuka (I think), maguro yamakake, and the pickled vegetables. It was all great. What are some other not-to-miss dishes you'd recommend?

And how do you eat the Shishamo? bones, head and all? And we thought about the monkfish liver, but you'd recommend waiting until the winter maybe?

Last question: if we liked Sakura, would Okan be a good new place for us to try?

[Kirk]

Hi Judy - Yes, that chirashi is good stuff.

Hi N Buckles - LOL!

Hi Christopher - You eat the shishamo whole, head, tail, etc, etc, etc.... I like the Buta Kakuni, sishito tempura, karei karaage, even the shiokara. I've had much better ankimo at Sakura before, so you may want to wait. I think Okan is well worth a try, especially if you're not familiar with many of the nimono dishes.

[Didi]

Hey Kirk,

wow. sounds so appetizing. I still haven't gone yet and just watching your reviews. Seems to be just the right place for a bunch of people but not solo.

[Kirk]

Hi Didi - I think you'd do ok solo at Sakura. Many of portions are fairly small, so you wouldn't want a big group of folks.

[janfrederick]

Woooooooo! Depeche Mode cancelled. Guess what our consolation prize is? Wooooooo! :)