I took my daughter to the excellent expo on modern cultural things Japanese – HyperJapan 2014. A number of stalls purveying delicious Japanese street food were available. Visitors were given wonderful opportunities to experience sake, takoyaki, sushi, gyoza, dango among many more irresistible items. One particular first-time experience treat for me was to sample sparkling sake. This turned out to a most refreshing aperitif to rival many high quality western sparkling wines.
I did not miss out on taking part in the HyperJapan sushi awards nominations. Five nominees each with their artisan sushi to try and vote for. Each one was as delicious as they were innovative. My personal favourite was Roka’s Seabed Shipwreck. The ingenious aspic jelly wrap complimented the array of flavours beautifully while the sushi itself retained much of its Japanese identity. Needless to say this prompted numerous calls from my daughter to eat at their amazing restaurant in Charlotte street, London. The Wagyu Crispy Cube was heavenly. The wonderful ingredients were a great hit with us. The winner was Eduardo Aguiar of Chisou in Knightsbridge. Excellent sushi it was and well deserved.