October 17, 2004
Brunswick Yaki
Bought ourselves a little 2001 Daewoo Nubira yesterday. Don't know much about the Korean cars, but they make good kimchi, so they have to make a good car.
On the subject of kimchi, have been craving 2 foods that we used to get in Japan all the time (ironically not even Japanese) - kimchi and gyoza. I had to get some, so dragged a few friends kicking and screaming to Iku, an izakaya in Brunswick.
Verrrrry tasty feed - gyoza (advertised proudly as "vegetable" which pleased George and Zeljko very much, being staunch vegos, until we discovered they actually had pork in them - nothing like the complete Japanese experience, ne?), kimchi, yakitori, eggplant and mushroom kushiyaki, okonomiyaki (with the dreaded bonito topping - ugh), inarizushi, all washed down with Japanese beer and sake (and a touch of umeshu for Kinki).
Ah, fucking natsukashii an' all.
Afterwards we went for a tipple at George and Zel's local, "The Green Room" - very Melbourne, very Brunswick. Brunswick rocks. Anyone want to sell us a house there?
Hope George isn't also Jewish. Zeljko doesn't sound typically Jewish.
I guess culinary faux pases are easy to make nowadays.
did you mean to write the heading as "brunwick" or did you leave out the "s" by mistake ?
*the high priestess of spelling and irrelevant questions*
Gomen ne - have fixed...
MMM...umeshu!
A mate told me about a place in Newtown that serves umeshu only with its sunday night DJs....must go investigate.
Transport at Fed Square sells umeshu, so does that little Japanese-themed bar in Getrude st near Yeltza (forgotten the name of it). But you can also buy the Umeshu of your choice at several of the Asian grocers in Box Hill.
Iku was my favourite restaurant before we moved to Japan, just a short stagger from home. Glad you enjoyed it!
Top-shelf advice there, Tanishi. Wish Box Hill wasn't such a blooming hike from here, but one can always stock up, can't one?
Do you mean Ume Nomiya? Haven't been there yet, but it's so on the list.
Thanks!
Ume Nomiya, that's the one, although it's about as Japanese as me :P
okay now I am stalking you...here is another useless tidbit. This is the best gyoza recipe if you want to make it at home (choooooo oishii!). Substitute green stuff for pork if you want vegie versions.
http://synapse.cs.byu.edu/fun.php?R.Gyozay
Good link, the gyosa! However, "ole-number-one" shakes her head when I ask "do we want a great gyosa recipe". Apparently she prefers to buy them ready in the basement of Kaufhof/Frankfurt .
Nothing, I repeat, Nothing, beats a homemade gyoza. Omigod - give me one NOW!!! Top shelf recipe, Sharon. I've been looking half-heartedly at the local supermarket for the wrappers, but to no avail. Where can I get me hands on these puppies?
Usually every Asian grocer will have them in the fridge section next to the tofu - I think they are usually even labelled "Gyoza wrappers". Round stacks in plastic, usually in packs of a gazillion for $2 or so. There was a big Asian Grocer in Russell St (near Lonsdale St) so I imagine they would have them there too. We brought back from Japan the gyoza shapers (like a clam that you put the wrapper, the gyoza filling and then press close) but I have seen them for sale here too. But handmade is fun too.