ZUTTO NZ | Forever More, New Zealand

Discovering a Hidden Japanese Gem in Christchurch: Authentic Taste at KINJI Japanese Restaurant Cover Image

25 Aug 2024

Discovering a Hidden Japanese Gem in Christchurch: Authentic Taste at KINJI Japanese Restaurant

Kia Ora!If you’re in Christchurch and craving authentic Japanese cuisine, I’ve found the perfect spot for you. Nestled in the heart of the city, this hidden gem serves up some of the freshest sashimi I’ve tasted in New Zealand. The fish is incredibly fresh with generous slices, and the soy sauce? Absolutely delicious, complementing the sashimi perfectly.But what truly sets this restaurant apart is the rare offering of sukiyaki, a Japanese dish that’s hard to find here. Sukiyaki is a traditional hot pot dish where thin slices of beef are simmered in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. It’s typically served with vegetables, tofu, and noodles. To top it off, you can finish your meal by adding udon to the savory broth - a treat I couldn’t resist. I ended up ordering an extra serving because it was just too good to stop.And what’s a Japanese meal without some sake? They serve it in overflowing masu cups, filled right to the brim, making it almost impossible to resist another round.For dessert, the creamy and smooth creme brulee is a must. It’s reminiscent of Japanese-style pudding, which is quite difficult to find here, making it a real treat for anyone who misses the authentic flavors of home.If you can’t make a trip back to Japan anytime soon, this restaurant might just be your culinary savior.For more details and to check out their menu, visit their website at Kinji Restaurant.

Mayumi

Homemade Sushi with New Zealand Seafood, Japanese Style! Cover Image

11 Jul 2024

# Sushi # Sashimi # Salmon # Homemade

Homemade Sushi with New Zealand Seafood, Japanese Style!

This post continues from my previous blog where I explored the best online seafood delivery in New Zealand.This time, three Japanese women living in New Zealand, including myself, made sushi and sashimi using the fish we ordered online. Whenever we gather, the conversation inevitably turns to our longing for sushi, so we decided to make our own using fish from Sanford and Sons. We tasted and compared Salmon, Gurnard, Kahawai, Tarakihi, Trevally, and Snapper - all eaten raw!Preparation: "Shio-shime" 塩締めSachi handled all the preparation, cooking, and presentation. First, she sprinkled salt on the fish upon delivery to draw out excess moisture and odor, then lightly rinsed and dried them with kitchen paper. This process is called "shio-shime" in Japan. The salted fish became firmer and more flavorful as the excess moisture was removed, along with some of the fishy smell.Now, let's rank the six types of fish we tasted! This time, Sachi, Ayaka, and me joined the tasting. Also the soy sauce is from Japan mart and it is good.Let's Tasting!Sachi expertly transformed each fish into thin, delicate slices, ready for us to taste as sashimi and sushi: Salmon, Gurnard, Kahawai, Tarakihi, Trevally, and Snapper.Salmon: The Star of the ShowSpecifically, we tried the Big Glory Bay King Salmon. This famous New Zealand King Salmon was unanimously our top pick. There was a time when I thought the best fish could only be found in Japan, but I must say, New Zealand's King Salmon stands out! Whether as sashimi, nigiri, rolls, or poke bowls, New Zealand salmon was delicious in every form.Snapper: A Close ContenderCommonly found in fish and chips, snapper is similar to red sea bream in Japan. We found it delightful, with a slightly sweet aftertaste. Me who loves yellowtail, ranked snapper second.Kahawai: The Surprise FavoriteKahawai, similar to Japanese sea bass, was Ayaka's second choice due to her fondness for amberjack. It also made the top three for the rest of us.Trevally: The Japanese DelightKnown as shima-aji in Japan, trevally was Sachi's second favorite, following salmon. Its texture and flavor made it a strong contender.Tarakihi: The Unexpected ResultTarakihi, another member of the sea bream family, had a delicate sweetness and was pleasant as sashimi. However, it ranked fifth for all of us. It seemed too bland for sashimi or nigiri, although it was tasty as a ginger-marinated poke bowl.Gurnard: The Tough OneGurnard, similar to Japanese gurnard, had a chewy texture and was challenging to bite through, earning it the last place. It seems better suited for grilling, stewing, or as a meunière.Sachi's Special Salmon and Avocado RollsTo top it off, Sachi made salmon and avocado maki rolls. Delicious and absolutely the best.Final ThoughtsHow did the raw fish fare? Honestly, the salmon was overwhelmingly the best, so delicious that we couldn't stop eating despite being full. We're already thinking about what fish to order next time, in addition to salmon.Stay tuned for more Japanese delights in New Zealand!Note: Consuming raw fish is at your own risk.

Mayumi

Raw Fish Feast: NZ Online Seafood Delivery (with a Japanese perspective!) Cover Image

10 Jul 2024

# Sushi # Sashimi # Raw fish # Online # Seafood

Raw Fish Feast: NZ Online Seafood Delivery (with a Japanese perspective!)

Kia Ora, Seafood lovers!Do you often find yourself craving a delightful seafood feast but struggling to find fresh, high-quality options? Well, fret no more, for I'm here to unveil the hidden gems of the NZ online seafood delivery world.Exploring NZ's Finest Online Seafood DelightsHaving ventured into the world of online seafood delivery, I've had the pleasure of sampling offerings from various vendors. Here are three of my top contenders, each with its unique strengths:1. High Country Salmon: Salmon NirvanaFor salmon aficionados, High Country Salmon reigns supreme. Their salmon is consistently the freshest and most flavorful I've encountered, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. To be honest with you, I love New Zealand salmon more than Japanese one. Pros:Unparalleled salmon qualityThick, juicy cutsOccasionally offers caviarCons:Limited selection (only salmon)Frequent stockoutsHigher pricesRestricted delivery days and additional fees2.Sanford and Sons: A Haven for White Fish LoversSanford and Sons is a haven for white fish enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of options at reasonable prices. Their "CATCH OF THE DAY" feature is a must-try, ensuring you receive the freshest catch of the day.Pros:Extensive range of white fishAffordable pricesFresh "CATCH OF THE DAY" optionCons:Packaging has shifted from sturdy containers to eco-friendly paper bags (while commendable for sustainability, it raises concerns about maintaining freshness)3. Salt Water Seafood: A Treasure Trove of Seafood DelightsSalt Water Seafood is a treasure trove of seafood delights, catering to a diverse range of cravings. Their extensive selection includes not only fish but also crustaceans, mollusks, and even specialty items like Hokkaido scallops.Pros:Vast array of seafood optionsUnique offerings like Hokkaido scallopsCons:Inconsistent fish quality (salmon can be slightly fishy)Uni not suitable for raw consumptionEmbrace the Seafood ExtravaganzaSo, there you have it, folks! A curated guide to NZ's finest online seafood delivery options. Whether you're craving fresh white fish, succulent salmon, or an array of seafood delights, there's a vendor out there to satisfy your cravings.Embrace the seafood extravaganza and savor the bounty of flavors that NZ's oceans have to offer!Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I'll share my experience of preparing sashimi and sushi with the seafood I ordered from these shops! As a Japanese woman living in New Zealand, I'll be comparing and contrasting the flavors and textures of these dishes.Note: Consuming raw fish is at your own risk.

Mayumi