Ochazuke - one of Japan’s must-try comfort foods
When it comes to enjoying tea, what comes into the mind of many would be to drink it with some sweets or snacks. However, for Japanese people, tea can also be eaten with rice. Though it may sound strange at first, this is one quintessential traditional dish in Japanese cuisine.
1. What is Ochazuke?
Ochazuke (茶漬け), also known as tea over rice, got its name from how it is eaten: steeping (漬け tsuke) rice along with an assortment of savory ingredients in tea (茶 - cha).
Ochazuke is often eaten when there is not much time to cook. This comfort food is perfect for cold days when you are feeling too lazy to cook anything sophisticated.
Hot rice and tea are the only two ingredients needed to make Ochazuke. It can also be served with other ingredients such as meat, fish, salted apricots, abalone, scallops, etc. to make the dish more appetizing and flavorful.
2. Some types of Ochazuke
Tai-chazuke
This is seabream Ochazuke, in which the basic ingredients are: rice, tea, seaweed, and seabream - the star of the dish.
Shake-chazuke
As can be inferred from the name itself, this Ochazuke dish is eaten with salmon and seaweed.
Tarako Ochazuke
You should try eating Ochazuke with fish roe once. On a hot bowl of rice, add green tea, and caviar, and top it up with some thinly sliced green onion. You definitely will not be disappointed.
3. Where to enjoy Ochazuke in Tokyo
Komeraku
Address: 5F, Ace Kudan Building, 2-2-1 Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-5312-8852
Komeraku offers a wide variety of Ochazuke with harmonious combinations of rice, tea, and various toppings. The store always pays special care to the broth, rice, and other components of the dish.
Ochazuke Senmonten Da Yo Ne
Address: 1F, Shimizu Building, 4-12-4 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-5770-5563
Da Yo Ne stands out from other stores with its creative menu, You can choose to eat Ochazuke with grilled pork, egg yolk, grilled wagyu beef, etc.
Miyabana Dashi
Address: B1F, Toà Hanzomonkaiwa, 1-6-16, Kojimachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-6261-5893
Ochazuke here is made using special and high-quality ingredients that is sure to captivate the tastebuds of its customers. It also uses a delicious dashi broth made from natural ingredients.
What do you think about Ochazuke? Those who are interested in trying can refer to this article before actually trying the dish!
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