New in March 2019

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New This Month


After our recent snowstorm, we’re ready to embrace the warmer weather of spring and the soon to be blooming cherry blossom trees! March is an exciting time, filled with delicious, seasonal fish and a unique Japanese sake. We explore the tradition of bento box lunches in Japan and this weekend, Sunday, March 3, join us at Tom Douglas’ third annual Dumpling Fest. All this and more happening at Shiro’s this month!

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Fresh Catch

Tachiuo (Belt Fish) – Our Tachiuo comes from Fukuoka, Japan and is in season now. By torching the skin lightly, the delicious contrast of the smoky flavor and crunchy texture make for a unique piece of sushi. We serve it with our Nikiri Soy Sauce, or it can also be eaten with a few drops of lemon and salt for a fresh, mild flavor.

Tachiuo (Belt Fish)

Hotaru-Ika (Firefly Squid) – Hotaru-ika, or firefly squid, is a tiny squid that lights up like a firefly. With a unique and strong flavor, we serve it in two ways: as nigiri sushi and as an appetizer. When served as nigiri, we cook the squid in ginger and soy sauce for a rich flavor. As an appetizer, we serve it with sumiso (miso and vinegar) for a lighter, sweet-salty taste. If you’re intrigued to try hotaru-ika, or if it’s one of your favorites, ask our chefs for these unique dishes on your next visit to Shiro’s!

Hotaru-Ika (Firefly Squid)

Seasonal Sake

Soma no Tengu (杣の天狗)
Type: Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu
City: Shiga

Back by popular demand is our limited seasonal sake, Soma no Tengu. With unique aromas of nuts and yogurt, combined with flavors of sweet rice and coconut, this seasonal sake offers an unexpectantly dry consistency with a light texture and sweet flavor. Pair it with fresh oysters, sashimi, or tempura on your next visit.

Featured Menu Item

Tamago

The word “tamago” actually means “egg” in Japanese, or “tamagoyaki,” a Japanese omelet dish. It’s a basic staple in Japan and is eaten several different ways: in the morning for breakfast, as a complementary ingredient in bento boxes, or as sushi. When enjoying sushi, you’ll find tamago served over sushi rice as nigiri. Try tamago the next time you enjoy our chef’s choice omakase or enjoy it a la carte.

Tamago (Egg Omelet)

Japanese Traditions

Bento Box Lunch

In Japan, it’s common that people go out for lunch with colleagues and have fun chatting over food. Eating bento boxes is a very popular choice for lunch during the workday. Bento is a boxed lunch which is usually prepared with ingredients readily available in the fridge. The actual box was originally a wooden container, but now it can be an aluminum or plastic container in all different designs and sizes. Those who bring bento boxes to work get together in a dining room or an empty conference room and eat together. In March during cherry blossom season, people bring their bento boxes outside to eat under the beautiful blooming cherry blossom trees.

Bento Box Lunch

March in Japan

Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Festival)

March 3 is Hinamatsuri, also known as Doll Festival or Girl’s Festival. This day is celebrated in Japan to pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. Families with young daughters mark this day by setting up a display of dolls inside the house and offer rice crackers and other food to the dolls.

The dolls wear costumes of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1185) and are placed on a tiered platform covered with red felt. The practice of displaying these dolls on the third day of the third month on the traditional Japanese calendar began during the Edo period (1603-1867). It started as a way of warding off evil spirits with the dolls acting as a charm, and is still practiced to this day as a symbol of health and good fortune for girls.

Hinamatsuri Dolls

Dumpling Fest

We are honored to be taking part in Tom Douglas’ sold out Dumpling Fest on Sunday, March 3 from 1-3:30 p.m. We will be serving Japanese-style seafood dumplings in soup! The dumplings will have chopped shrimp, scallop, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms served in a delicious bonito-dashi broth. If you’re attending Dumpling Fest, stop by and try our special Japanese dumplings prepared by our talented chef Kaneko!

Community Events

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