The type of empire burning
When it comes to imperial roasting, you will find that imperial roasting actually has many regional differences. From the classic Kansai style and Hiroshima style to some little-known local types, it is worth a try.
Kansai Yufeng Shao Hao
Kansai Imperial Burning, also known as Osaka Burning, is very common all over Japan. The method of making this royal barbecue is to put chopped cabbage and meat into the salty batter, stir and mix, and pour it into an oiled iron plate for frying. There is also a Kansai-style version called Modern Burn. In addition to the cabbage and meat just mentioned, noodles will be added to the batter. After baking, it will be stained with the royal baking sauce based on Worcester sauce, which is sweet and rich. In addition, Japanese mayonnaise, seaweed powder and bonito slices will be added.
Guangfeng Road and Shao Hao
Although the ingredients used in Hiroshima are similar to those in Kansai, the cooking process is quite different. Hiroshima does not mix all ingredients together, but adds ingredients layer by layer, from bottom to top, pancakes, cabbage, meat, seafood, poached eggs, buckwheat noodles or oolong noodles. Although the layers and stacking order of ingredients used in Hiroshima Storm Shao Hao vary from chef to chef, its biggest feature is the use of ingredients with completely different tastes and flavors, such as fresh bean sprouts, bacon and fried noodles. Hiroshima style baking with fried noodles and oolong noodles is more complicated than the standard Kanto style, so if you want to taste several flavors, I suggest you discuss with your peers to choose different flavors and share them together.
Different types of empire burning in different regions
[Text burning]
Wen Shao is a kind of salty pancake, which is said to have originated in Yuedao District, Tokyo, and is popular all over kanto region. Although Wen Zi Shao is similar to Kansai Royal Shao Hao, the ingredients used are not only chopped, but also diluted batter, which tastes tender, smooth and sticky after cooking. Personally, I think, first of all, the appearance of this dish makes me a little discouraged. Even my Japanese friends told me that if you didn't grow up eating this dish, its taste would be a great challenge. This type of pancake is eaten directly from the iron plate with a small shovel like a spoon. The trick to enjoy this dish is to spread a thin layer of paste on the iron plate before eating, which will scorch the bottom and produce a crisp taste.
[Roll, roll, royal, burn and knock, knock, burn]
These two kinds of imperial roasting are usually rolled on disposable chopsticks or other bamboo sticks, which is convenient for walking and eating. They are famous street snacks in Japan, especially in Sendai and Yamagata Prefecture. The names and ingredients of these street foods usually vary from region to region, so it is more worth paying attention to the local food of dining cars and mobile vendors.
[local royal barbecue]
My personal favorite royal barbecue is made with the most delicious local ingredients. Champion roast originated in Champion City, Hiroshima, where local rice was used instead of noodles, and orange vinegar sauce (soy sauce seasoned with citrus) was used instead of thick royal roast sauce. Compared with the classic royal roast, it tastes fresher and more refreshing. Japanese-style oyster roasting is another Hiroshima-style oyster roasting after transformation, which also includes local oysters wrapped in a lot of noodles and fried. The Japanese market is not only a well-known oyster producing area, but also Miyajima, which is recognized as a world heritage by UNESCO. Don't forget to try this dish when you go sightseeing. You can taste two kinds of food at the same time!
How to order a delicious barbecue?
There are many ways to cook imperial roast that suits your taste, but if this is your first time to taste imperial roast in Japan, you will think like me: "Tell me what's the best!" " It's good. If I don't know what to choose, my suggestion is to choose the classic Kansai pork and egg roast, or Hiroshima pork and egg roast with soba noodles. After all, these two flavors are considered to be the most standard.
Of course, not everyone will eat pork and eggs, so if you don't like the taste, you can easily try customization or other different choices. However, it should be noted that no matter why you don't eat seafood, you must remember that most of the royal baked batter is seasoned with stock, and it is basically extracted from bonito. Now some restaurants offer vegetarian batter. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, you'd better confirm them in advance.
How to enjoy imperial meals?
"Fishing well" in Fishing for Shao Hao not only means that you can use your favorite ingredients at will, but also have a variety of choices when eating. Next, I will introduce some common choices you need to make when eating imperial roast in Japan. I suggest you don't need to be overly nervous. After all, the Royal Barbecue is a diet food, so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to consult the clerk and relax.
Should a chef cook or cook by himself?
When you go to the Royal Grill, the first important decision you need to make is whether to cook it yourself or let the chef cook it for you. In Kansai-style restaurant, the cooking steps are relatively simple. Generally, you will be served with batter bowls and ingredients, so that you can make your own royal barbecue on the iron plate. DIY is a very interesting experience, but if you haven't eaten imperial roast before, I suggest you ask a chef to make one for you first, so that you can know the taste and appearance of imperial roast. If the waiter brings the ingredients and batter to the table, but you are not sure what to do, please ask the waiter to help you!
Should I sit on the railing or at the table?
Another decision you need to make is whether you want to sit on the bar next to the iron plate or at the table. If you are going with a group of friends, or want to relax a little, you'd better choose a dining table. However, if possible, I strongly suggest that while you are in Japan, you'd better sit in a bar and enjoy the chef's cooking gestures. If you go alone, the bar is a very good choice. You can also chat with chefs or other diners and practice Japanese in a pleasant and interesting way. However, special iron plates are usually attached to the dining table. Even if the chef cooks for you on the main iron plate, you will keep the iron plate on the dining table royal and crispy until the meal is over.
Should I use chopsticks or a shovel?
Even these days, I wonder whether to eat with chopsticks or directly use a small shovel (metal flat shovel, which can be made, cut and baked). It is said that eating the royal barbecue with a shovel originated when the royal barbecue was sold as a street snack, and it became popular in shops because there was no need to provide extra plates and chopsticks. Now some people think that eating imperial roast directly with a shovel is a more authentic way to eat, especially in Hiroshima-style restaurants. Having said that, most branches still provide chopsticks and plates.