Anzu revisited
Although we try to be objective, numerous factors always manage to skew our view in one way or another. Surely there are objective facts, like the restaurant is small or the fries are spicy, but generally the taste can be affected by the conversation of a nearby dining couple, the window seats looking out to a blazing sun, an unusual day at work, or sometimes just the unwillingness to compliment. The mood makes the food. My mood wasn’t particularly bad last time I was at Anzu, but it was particularly good this time I was there, as we were seated in this half-hidden corner. The bamboo curtain half obscured the view, the brown and green room was half sedative. The oksusu cha was half surprising, but fully pleasant.
We didn’t expect to be seated in such nice seclusion, nor did we anticipate an appetizer. But now that it came, two small cubes of fried tofu with honey,we seemed to recall that last time they also gave us something small for taste opening – a couple of gyozas it was. The tofu beats the gyoza. A thin crunchy crust contrasts yet complements the soft-almost-to-creamy inside, same with the bean blandness and the honey sweetness. Tofu can really do wonders sometimes.
For the main course, Anzu offers some good deals with combinations, such as a bento-box meal – like what we ordered last time – or the sushi-udon pair which we got today. The sushi comes in a full roll (6 pieces), with thinly sliced ginger and wasabi for kicks. But really, you don’t need kicks with California rolls, the nori’s salty streaks and avocado’s buttery dollop suffice. I also believe that what we have here was real crab meat, not surimi, because it wasn’t rubbery. It was good.
The sansai udon was also a delight. Thick wheat noodle in vegetable broth, it tastes far more interesting than it sounds. The stock is so pure and yet so relishing, with a profound taste of shungiku (Garland chrysanthemum, or rau tần ô). There was also an unsolved mystery: the pickled “bean sprouts” (translucent strands at the left corner). They look like bean sprouts, but only from a distance: close circumspection revealed rectangular cuts. They also taste starchy like some kind of root. I incline to say turnip, as such texture is midway between the porous crunch of jicama and the granulous dense of potato. Whatever it was, it had a great companion – some kind of pickled radish in ruby color. It was like a sour candy, all different tangy levels sang a song in unison, the song is called “The Best Pickle I’ve ever Had”.
Yes, this visit was full of cute little surprises. What can I say, subjective factors aside, some restaurants are like a bunch of grapes, you wouldn’t stop eating the bunch just because the first grape you picked out happens to be a bit sour. Anzu at Berkeley is such a place, and this time, the grape was perfect.
Dinner for two (free appetizer, 1 California roll, 1 udon, 1 tonkatsu): $15.04
Anzu Japanese Cuisine at Berkeley
2433 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 843-9236
P.S. Anzu also has an excellent salad dressing made of peanut sauce, mayonnaise, and a bit of seasoning. The salad comes with the entree, no extra fee.
Update: the “bean sprouts” are actually kohlrabi (German turnip, or su hào). Thanks to my mom who knows every ingredient upon hearing the description of the texture!
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
1Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with approximately all important infos. I would like to peer extra posts like this .
2Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
3I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
4I’m impressed, I have to say. Really hardly ever do I encounter a weblog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve got hit the nail on the head. Your thought is excellent; the problem is one thing that not enough people are talking intelligently about. I’m very completely satisfied that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for one thing relating to this.
5I am glad to be a visitor of this perfect site! , regards for this rare information! .
6This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
7Great weblog here! Additionally your site loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link for your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
8great issues altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you suggest about your put up that you made a few days in the past? Any positive?
9I genuinely enjoy examining on this website, it has got wonderful articles. “One should die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly.” by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.
10I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming also. In fact your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.
11You have remarked very interesting points! ps nice internet site.
12Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to swap methods with others, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
13Hello. Great job. I did not anticipate this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
14Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.
15he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks
16Generally I do not learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.
17I used to be more than happy to seek out this net-site.I wanted to thanks on your time for this glorious learn!! I definitely enjoying every little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.
18Hey There. I found your blog the use of msn. This is a really smartly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn more of your helpful info. Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.
19Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
20My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
21Thanks for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
22Great amazing issues here. I’m very glad to see your post. Thank you so much and i am having a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
23Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It actually used to be a leisure account it. Glance complex to more introduced agreeable from you! However, how could we keep in touch?
24I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog audience have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?
25I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site :).
26Hello, you used to write magnificent, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
27Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was looking for!
28Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, let alone the content!
29Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to find any individual with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that is needed on the net, somebody with a little bit originality. useful job for bringing something new to the internet!
30Some really nice and useful info on this internet site, likewise I conceive the design holds good features.
31