#eatPERU
Okay, so for today's lunch we are eating at a place called Taiken and they specialize
in Nikkei food.
Now this is something that I hadn't heard of until I came to Peru but apparently Peru
has the second largest Japanese population in all of South America.
And that has really influenced the cuisine.
So Nikkei is the combination of Peruvian and Japanese culinary inspiration.
So yeah, we're going to be trying some Japanese Peruvian food today.
So what is making this experience a little more authentic is that we're sitting here
on the floor kind of traditional Japanese style.
Yeah.
And we came to the restaurant at just the right time.
It is like three thirty.
I think this place is closing at four o'clock so we were the last people to get in.
We are the only guests and they even turned on the water fountain for us earlier.
So it sounded quite peaceful.
Yeah.
Okay, so first up we are going to try the Yakitori which is basically a skewer.
And this one has chicken.
And I see a bit of spice there.
Spicy chili powder.
So I'm going to dip it in.
Gracias.
This is really good.
The food just keeps rolling in.
It has a like a sweet glaze.
So what makes this Nikkei?
Well, I'm not entirely sure but if I had to guess I would say maybe some of the ingredients
they've put on here.
Like this one has a red pepper and this appears to be asparagus.
I don't think that is something you would normally find in Japanese cuisine.
So maybe that is the Peruvian influence peaking through because you do eat a lot of asparagus
and peppers here in Peru.
Mmmmm.
Okay, so this right here is Pejerrey tempura.
Tempura time.
And this is basically the local catch.
Which makes it.
And this sauce is really unique because normally when I've had a dipping sauce, like when I'm
having Japanese food, it is typically cold.
And this is piping hot.
You can actually see the steam coming off of it.
Whoops!
Butter fingers over here.
Alright, we're going to attempt to save this here.
Mmmm.
Wow.
You know whenever I've had tempura at a Japanese restaurant it has always been vegetables.
This is amazing.
Like this is almost reminds me a little bit sort of like fish and chips except it is a
lot thinner.
Oh, it is just so tasty.
The tempura batter is really really good.
And then the fish is really fresh.
So yeah, typically when I've had tempura too it tends to be something like sweet potato
or other kinds of vegetables but wow does it ever taste delicious in fish form.
In fish form.
So it is basically deep-fried fish in a batter.
Basically, that is what I'm saying.
Let's get a close-up.
Interesting.
Are you going to eat it?
There you go.
Okay, so next up we're going to dig in to the maki rolls.
And this one right here has breaded shrimp and avocado and a little bit of fish on top.
And I'm not entirely sure what the sauce or the powder is.
So maybe dip it in a bit of soy.
Mmmmm.
Oh wow.
Tasty?
That is really nice.
Okay, one second to chew this.
So, when we ordered this one off of the menu we saw that it said acevichado which kind
of sounds like Ceviche and if you try this fish you'll be able to tell that it has been
cured in lime and it just has a very zesty fresh flavor.
You actually don't even need the soy sauce because it is so flavorful on its own.
And I'm still not entirely sure about the green powder but I do like it.
So yeah, that is like a really interesting twist on sushi because you have the ceviche
influence coming through.
So pretty cool.
So the rest of what we're having is pretty much just kind of our favorite types of Japanese
food.
And if I had my own sushi place, my own Japanese restaurant, I would call these Sam rolls because
they have the three ingredients that I love the most: salmon, avocado and cream cheese.
And I know cream cheese is not traditionally Japanese, in any way, but it is just such
a nice addition.
Anytime you put cream cheese and salmon together it is just amazing and then avocado is just
like taking it up a notch.
Magic!
So I can't wait to try these.
Wow!
Are those the happy shakes?
Very very happy shakes.
Those are absolutely delicious.
This just showed up at our table.
And this is probably one of the most beautiful rolls I have ever seen.
Like, just look at that.
Look at that thing of beauty.
Those look amazing.
And this was complimentary service.
I don't know if it is because we ordered so much food or if it is because they saw the
camera.
But anyways.
Or they're just nice people Audrey.
That could be the third option.
Okay, so let me just bite into this.
Mmmmm.
Wow, that is kind of garlic-y.
And they have like a tiny little piece of lime on top so you can definitely taste that.
And it has got a bit of a spicy kick as well.
That is really nice.
What is actually in it?
So she said tuna, right?
Tuna and we see some avocado in there.
We see tuna, avocado.
This must be like a spicy little fish mash.
That is what I'm going to call it.
It looks amazing.
I can't wait to try it.
It also has a bit of chives on top.
Alright, so dig right into this thing of beauty.
We should probably try that sauce.
Oh gosh, here we go.
No not that one.
This one right here.
Mmmmmm.
But how do you like it so far without the sauce?
You know what the first thing that comes to mind is that this tastes a bit like ceviche.
Mmmmm.
He's grunting over there.
Really tasty.
Okay, let's try another one.
Yeah, try the sauce because I forgot to try that.
That looks really spicy.
It almost looks like a sweet chili.
But we'll let you be the judge of that.
You're right, that is what it is.
Sweet chili?
You called it.
Yep.
It's a nice addition.
Okay, so next up I'm trying the salmon sashimi.
And those are some nice slices.
Like that is a pretty thick cut.
I'd say.
It looks so good.
I'm going to dip it into a little bit of soy sauce.
And how is it?
This is my favorite.
Salmon sashimi is the best.
I could just order a plate of the stuff and be happy.
I wouldn't need anything else.
Love it.
You know what, same here.
Alright, so what are your overall impressions of Nikkei cuisine.
It is amazing.
Amaze-balls!
Like, we love Japanese cuisine and we love Peruvian cuisine and then when you have the
two combined together.
Wow, it is pretty special.
I really thought the different rolls that tasted a bit like ceviche were incredibly
unique and something we've never tasted anywhere else in any other kind of Japanese type of
restaurant.
So it was really really cool.
And also the unique tempura as well.
And then to have some of our favorite classic Japanese rolls along with that.
It just made for a pretty exceptional meal to be honest.
So overall, would you say Nikkei food is more Japanese or more Peruvian?
It is kind of in the middle of that spectrum.
I mean, like yeah, obviously you can order your Japanese classics but when you're eating
the ones that taste a bit like ceviche I would say it is more Peruvian.
So thumbs up for Nikkei!
Two.
Yeah.
And price point for that Nikkei meal?
Price point, so that came to a hundred and thirty Soles which is $40 US dollars.
In terms of value that was incredible.
I mean, we had to bring home a whole bunch of it.
We couldn't finish it off.
It was a lot of food.
Yeah, especially with that complimentary set of rolls.
Really really good quality, excellent food, I'd highly recommend this restaurant and to
experience Nikkei food in Lima, Peru.