Yesterday was my friend Richard's 23rd birthday. In celebration, 30+ of his friends gathered on a tatami mat for dinner. Being half Japanese, I never ever look forward to showy, over-priced, faux Japanese food..... Hibachi. Nakato, to be exact, is where we ended up.
It's my avid opionion that Hibachi grills serve no other purpose than to entertain people who have not experienced Japanese cuisine. Americanized hibachi typically entails chicken, shrimp, onions, broccoli, zucchini.... salt. pepper. soy sauce, all cooked in front of you by a man named Juan, BLAH!
I have to say, though, it's a genius business tactic. I envy Rocky Aoki, who is responsible for bringing this style of cooking from Japan....I mean, why else would they be allowed to charge so much for chicken fried rice, and zuchini splashed with a little Kikkoman, unless the guests were distracted, entranced by fancy knife work, and shrimp tails being flipped into chef's hats? People who dine at hibachi grills are begging to be ripped off; they pay for two things: razzle and dazzle. As for me? Take me to Japan, and show me how its supposed to be, and how it's supposed to taste.
Despite the disappointing food and the diminishing pride in my culture, we had such a great time. The company was unrivaled. It was all laughter and chaos, old stories and new memories, and questions like..... does he have to put his shoes back on to use the restroom? Plus, I was graced with the poetic presence of my brilliant, beautiful, amorous, boyfriend (he knows who he is.... he's my only reader, and I am his lol). We shared green tea ice cream, miso soup, and ginger salad, all of it, sub-par. But I think, a little less sub-par simply because we shared it.
I hate that people receive this kind of food as "Japanese food". They have not even an inkling of what it really is (as if I do). I guess once you've had the best- Hashiguchi Jr... refer to Blog #5- nothing else cuts it, even if the guy cooking your food can make an Onion Volcano.
