August 31st, 2010
Wasabi, Condiment, Root Vegetable, Green Paste, Sushi Bar, Delaware Beaches, Rehoboth Beach
Real, fresh wasabi on the left vs. what is usually served as wasabi on the right.
Remember last week when I had that sashimi craving? Well, it must be that it happens once a week. The week-end was over and I figured Rehoboth Beach was probably a little slower at the beginning of the week. Remember, summer as we know it, here at the Delaware and Maryland beaches, is coming to an end sooner than expected.
Back to the Cultured Pearl I was last night. They are located on 301 Rehoboth Ave. I do eat other foods but lately I want it. I feel healthy when I eat my sashimi. Not full; just content.
In my opinion the best seat in the house at a Sushi restaurant is the bar or counter. You are sitting just a few feet from the people that will be responsible for feeding you.
By sitting at the bar you can observe the quality of the seafood, the chef’s technique and the preparation of various Sushi meals.
One of the other benefits of sitting at the bar is that you are able to interact with the Sushi chefs. Last night I was again sitting in front of Yasuhiro Sano, Master Sushi Chef at the Cultured Pearl. He is not the only one there, but I have gotten to know him more by sitting on that spot.
My friends tell me that I am the type of person that has never met a stranger. I will say hello to anyone; even establish conversation in the grocery line. I just like to know what make people tick.
Last night I met Sean at the Sushi Bar. He is from Washington, D.C., has a house in Rehoboth and has been visiting the area since his teens. He felt the same way as I did. Loves sitting at the sushi bar.
As our dinners were about to make their entrance he told me that I should order real wasabi. I thought that’s what I have been eating all these years. Hey, that was not it.
Wasabi is sold in the form of a root which must be finely grated before use.
The wasabi that is usually served at a restaurant is a mixture of horseradish, mustard and food coloring. Very little or no wasabi is found in that paste.
In a good restaurant the paste is usually prepared as needed by the customer. Once the paste is prepared, it will lose its flavour within 15 minutes.
I was amazed, the flavor is so different; don’t get me wrong, it is still strong, even a little sweet with no burning aftertaste in one’s mouth.
The cultivation of real wasabi is difficult and expensive, therefore, restaurants will charge about a dollar more if you do request it. Not all restaurants have it, though. The Cultured Pearl does.
I really liked it. It was perfect with my sashimi and I hope that you try it and experience the difference, just like I did.
Thanks for the tip Sean.
Have a great day. Another beautiful one in the Delmarva Peninsula….talk to you later….
Tags: Asian food, Delaware Beaches, Dewey Beach, rehoboth beach, Restaurant, Reviews, The Cultured Pearl, Things to do at the beach, wasabi, wasabi paste, What to do at the beaches
Making sushi at home is so simple and actually very inexpensive. If you can find good seafood, it is actually a lot of fun and you can make all your favorite rolls easily.