Japanese Food and the Rule of Five

Five is a very important number in our Bellevue Japanese restaurant.  After all, Japan’s relationship with this number is a long-standing one, heavy with tradition.  It comes through in art, in architecture, and especially in the food.  So, the next time you take a meal at Flo, consider how the following are being expressed in your dining experience:

  • A Meal Should Please the Five Senses: A meal needs to do more than just smell good and taste good.  It should also please the eye with good presentation.  The feel of your utensils and dishes should please your tactile sense.  The ambiance of your dining venue should satisfy your hearing.
  • A Meal Should Represent the Five Colors: In Japan, the five elemental colors are red, green, yellow, white, and black.  Chefs try to include all five in a single meal, which serves to achieve a balance of nutritional benefits as well.
  • A Meal Should Include All Five Tastes: In addition to bitter, sour, salt, and sweet, Japan rounds off their list of five taste sensations with umami, which translates roughly to “savory”.
  • A Meal Should Include All Five Preparations: Japan counts five different ways food can be prepared, these being fried, simmered, steamed, roasted/grilled, and raw.
  • A Diner Should Reflect on the Five Attitudes: Buddhist tradition asks of its followers to reflect on five important points when they dine:
    • I reflect on the labor that went into bringing this food to me.
    • I reflect on my shortcomings, and on whether or not I am worthy of this meal.
    • Allow that my mind is free of prejudices and greed.
    • I accept this food to help me maintain good health.
    • I accept this food to help me continue my search for enlightenment.

Japan’s Favorite Sushi

When you’re looking for an authentic Japanese sushi experience, it can pay to know what kind of sushi the Japanese themselves favor. If you’d like to eat like the Japanese do when you visit our Bellevue Japanese restaurant, try out a few of Japan’s favorites off of our nigiri menu.

Asahi surveyed a selection of eight hundred thirty people above the age of twenty from all across Japan, asking them what their favorite kind of sushi was. The top three proved to be chutoro (medium-fatty tuna) with 15.3%, sake (salmon) at 9%, and maguro akami (red tuna) at 8.8 percent. These were followed by the likes of uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), hamachi (yellowtail), ika (squid), and others. You can find all of these at Flo Restaurant, so come and get a taste of Japan’s favorite sushi for yourself!

Sake: Japan’s Famous Rice Wine

Do you need an appropriate liquor to complement your Japanese meal? Flo’s Bellevue Japanese restaurant and Sake Bar is pleased to provide you with a full menu of Japan’s famous rice wine, sake. This is the country’s official national drink, and the legendary “drink of the gods”, which has taken a powerful foothold both domestically and abroad.

Sake is a non-carbonated, milky-white alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice grains. It comes in many different incarnations, though the most typical sake contains about eighteen percent alcohol and has a sweet taste that goes well with a wide variety of Japanese meals. Diners often enjoy the wine either chilled or warmed, and sometimes even drink it at room temperature.

No matter what your sake preference might be, come on down to Flo’s Sake Bar in Bellevue for your next fix of the drink of the gods today! We offer sake cocktails, sake tasters, and other high quality choices.

What is Edamame?

While waiting for your meal at Flo’s Japanese Restaurant in Bellevue, why not order up some edamame to snack on? These boiled soybeans are a common appetizer in many Japanese establishments, popular not only for their taste but for their nutritional value as well.

What makes edamame special is that it is a “complete protein”. This means that it features all nine of the essential amino acids. Edamame is the only vegetable that can boast this property, which explains why soy based products are a popular vegetarian alternative to meats. A half cup of edamame gives you over eleven grams of protein, not to mention a healthy dose of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and some B vitamins.

Edamame is boiled while it is still in its shell, and frequently mixed with salt for flavor. Diners pop the bean out of its shell with their teeth and discard the inedible husk in the provided bowl. Try it out for yourself at Flo Japanese Restaurant and Sake Bar.

What is Omakase?

Chef’s Omakase

Omakase is more than just a meal – it’s a culinary journey. If you’re an adventurous eater who wants to try new flavors and explore different types of sushi, then omakase is definitely something you should try. Not only will you get to taste the freshest and highest-quality ingredients, but you’ll also get a chance to learn about the history and culture behind each dish.

It’s important to note that omakase can be expensive, so it’s best to go in with a budget in mind. However, the experience is worth the price tag, especially if you’re a sushi enthusiast or looking to impress a date or business client. Keep in mind that omakase can take a while, usually ranging from 60-90 minutes, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Omakase is an incredible culinary experience that allows you to trust the chef and let them take you on a journey through the world of sushi. Whether you’re a seasoned sushi eater or a first-timer, omakase is definitely something to consider if you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable dining experience.