Chirashizushi at Samurai Sushi House
Posted on 06/07/2011
Address: 5888 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Perhaps it is because I have never been to Japan. Maybe it's because Japan isn't part of Southeast Asia. Whatever the reason, I haven't blogged Japanese food yet. So this post of Samurai Sushi House on Cambie will be my first. From what I can tell it is a well known and popular sushi joint with a constant stream of hungry patrons beating a path to its door. It also looks to be Japanese-run and of an acceptably high sushi standard. On top of that, they provide what happens to be the best formula for success in any business namely 'offering more in quality and service than they expect to receive in reward'. What I mean is the food here is value for money including free tea.
Tucked between a kosher deli and a Taiwanese bubble tea cafe, Samurai Sushi sits on the east side of Cambie Street. Every time I've been here, the joint is rather full however the turnover rate is high and because most people order takeout, there is always a spare seat at the window or at the sushi kitchen counter.
Chirashi (variety) $10.95
I love to order chirashi sushi when I am in the mood for a something or other Japanese-style on top of rice. In the case of Samurai Sushi's mixed chirashi, there is octopus, salmon, tuna, roe, prawn, surf clam and egg.
Having watched several excellent Japanese samurai films last week, I was inspired to go for sushi as well as do a little research as to the meaning of "donburi" and "chirashi". Donburi, it turns out, means "rice bowl dish." Donburi can mean any topping on top of rice -- in a bowl. Chirashi or Chirashizushi means "scattered sushi". It is interesting to find out how the Japanese named their food with precise terms, describing how the food is arranged and prepared. Scattered, in a bowl -- as compared to rolled, in seaweed.
