Get to know your Japanese cuisine!
What is ramen?
Ramen is a traditional Japanese noodle soup dish served with various sides. This popular dish was brought to Japan in the middle of the 19th century from China. The noodles in this hearty dish are freshly made in our restaurants and we also boil the chicken and pork broth for the soup by following our Head Chef Daigo Takagi’s traditional family recipes. To provide the basic broth with a more specific taste nuance, we mix it with blue mussel or miso broth or any other broth typical to Japanese cuisine, also made by our chefs on-site. With vegetarians in mind, Tokumaru offers two ramen soups based on vegetable broth.
What is gyoza?
Invented in China around 150 AD, gyoza are dumplings traditionally filled with minced meat and vegetables. The dumplings made their way to Japan in the 17th century and became really popular at the beginning of the Shōwa period in the first half of the 20th century. Now, Tokumaru has brought the beloved gyoza for Finland to enjoy as well. Our gyoza are handmade and grilled on a special griddle. Our menu features dumplings with various exciting fillings – enjoy them all!
What is don?
Don is a Japanese bowl dish with rice on the bottom layer, topped with fish, meat and vegetables prepared in various ways, or other ingredients of choice. Don or donburi is a relatively new dish in Japan, which appeared at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Putting several ingredients together in one bowl was contrary to the traditional eating habits of the Japanese, so the don was not accepted right away. Today, this hearty dish comes in more than 50 varieties, with a wide choice available at Tokumaru as well.
What is edamame?
Edamame is a type of soybean picked young and green. It is an excellent vegetarian staple that is easy to digest and a great source of quality protein. This beautiful green bean is also packed with good fibres and minerals. At Tokumaru, we offer edamame steamed in salted water. A spicy version is also available!
What makes a great soy sauce?
In Tokumaru’s kitchen, we only use the Shibanuma soy sauce which has been produced in Japan through 18 generations or 320 years already. This exceptional sauce was developed in 1688 by Shozaemon Shibanuma. The nice, rich and nuanced taste and aroma of the soy sauce come from the high-quality ingredients originating from the Ibaraki Prefecture and are the result of preserving the sauce in special wooden barrels. The Shibanuma soy sauce is considered one of the best in Japan.
What is karaage?
Karaage, or fried chicken, is a beloved food in Japan. It is a dish most welcome any time: at lunch served with rice, in a children’s lunchbox for school or in a bar to nibble on with beer or sake. The Karaage chicken is available in all Tokumaru restaurants in slightly different forms. Definitely worth trying!
What is sushi?
In Asia, fish used to be fermented and preserved with the aid of salted rice. During the Muromachi period running from the 14th through the 16th century, people started keeping the rice and eating it with the fish. This combination turned into a separate dish known today as sushi. Here at Tokumaru, we have a wide selection of sushi for both fish and meat lovers as well as for those preferring vegetarian dishes.
What is onigiri?
Onigiri is a triangle-shaped Japanese rice dish wrapped in a strip of seaweed, eaten for a quick bite or a light meal – like we have our sandwiches. Tokumaru’s Head Chef Daigo remembers well how his mother used to pack him onigiri for school lunches. The Japanese poet Murasaki Shikibu describes, in her 11th century diary already, the rice balls peopled loved having at picnics. Actually, a dish similar to onigiri originates from an even earlier period – the Nara period. Before chopsticks became prevalent, rice was formed into balls to make it easier to eat with hands. Salted fish, seaweed or plums were used as filling to preserve the rice longer. Onigiri with various fillings are available at the Tokumaru restaurant at the T1 shopping centre and our takeaway at the Solaris Centre. Have you already tried them?