Understanding Japanese Food at Kenji Tei

This month, we are continuing our learning and appreciation of Japanese food with the help of Kenji Tei. Here’s a quick tour of their menu and what you can expect when you dine at any one of their branches. Of course, we are also learning along the way and brushing up on our knowledge of Japanese food and terms. 

First, let's start with the small plates. Appetizers come in both cold and hot, so whatever mood you’re in, they have something for you. If the weather outside seems a bit gloomy, then Miso Soup would be a great choice. However, if you want something fresh or you’re planning to go down the seafood route, then a Wakame Salad will set the tone perfectly. Wakame is an edible seaweed that can be served cold, like in a salad, or it can also be used in soups. It’s quite low in calories, which means it’s not very filling and makes it a great appetizer. If seaweed is not your thing, they also have a Kani Salad made up of greens and a sesame-soy dressing. Kani means crab in English; however, when you see this on a menu, it usually refers to imitation crab. It is often used in rolls and other Japanese dishes like sashimi and such. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, there are other options you can choose from. They have Agedashi Tofu, Potato Salad, and a common favorite, Edamame. The word ‘Agedashi’ refers to something deep-fried and served with a broth. Think slightly crispy tofu cubes with a soft center placed in a dish with a savory broth. It can sometimes be topped with ginger, green onions, or grated daikon. 

Now, let’s move on to the rolls and sushi. They have quite a few rolls to choose from, all quite simple and common choices, which are all pretty much universally loved. They have, of course, probably one of the most common options, which is the California Roll. Another popular option is the Spicy Salmon and Crunchy Kani. You’ll often see the word ‘maki’ in this section; don’t be alarmed, it literally translates to ‘roll’ or ‘to wrap up’. If you want something simple, they have a Tekka Maki, which is a tuna sushi roll. Tekka refers to the lean part of the tuna. It has a firm texture and is quite red in color.  If you want to get a little bit of everything, or maybe you are eating alone, then you can also order sushi per piece. You can mix and match with the different types of sushi available. There’s the classic tuna, salmon, and ebi, but they also have other choices such as Shime Saba, which is mackerel, Unagi, which is eel, Uni, which is sea urchin, and Ika, which is squid. They also have a non-seafood option with Tamago, which is a rolled egg.

They also have Sushi Dons. They are sushi rice dishes topped with fish. They have a Spicy Magurodon, a Mixed Pokedon with both salmon and tuna, and an Aburi Salmondon that consists of torched salmon. Aburi is a technique used in Japanese cuisine. It is slightly torching seafood without fully cooking it. It adds extra flavor, but still keeps the inner part raw, allowing you to taste the best of both. The smoky outer layer with a raw middle makes for a delicious contrast. Again, if you want a little bit of everything on a bed of rice, try out the Chirashi. The word ‘chirashi’ means scattered sushi. If you see these on a menu, just think of assorted seafood placed on top of rice. It’s good value for money, and you get to taste a piece of everything. Although it is simple, it is definitely satisfying. You also won’t get bored with just one flavor since there are only a couple of pieces of each type of seafood. Every bite is something different. 

If you want the fresh seafood without the rice, then you can always go with the sashimi. They have a few variations of tuna and salmon, as well as uni. The Spicy Salmon comes with tempura flakes and a side salad and is a bestseller for a reason. Another must-try is the Salmon Toro Sashimi. It is rich in flavor and tender in texture since it is made with salmon belly. ‘Toro’ translates to ‘melt,’ and it refers to that melt-in-your-mouth feeling when eating something like salmon belly. The fatty portion is often buttery and oily in a wonderful way. 

Now that we’ve covered all that. Let us move on to some of the mains and noodles that they have. Sometimes, we aren’t in the mood for seafood, and that’s definitely not a problem here. They have plenty of options that include chicken, beef, and pork.

They have the crowd favorite Tonkatsu, which comes with a sesame sauce. They have a Crispy Chicken Teriyaki that is also loved by many and is one of their bestsellers. The crispy chicken with the teriyaki glaze is a wonderful combination. For beef, they have the Saikoro Beef Teppan, which includes mushrooms and French beans. They also have Sukiyaki, Sizzling Beef Teppan, and Mabo Tofu. They also have Curry Rice options as well as other Donburi options such as Katsudon, Oyakodon, and Gyudon, just to name a few. 

When the weather calls for soup, you really can’t go wrong with some Ramen. They have many choices for this section with a variation in ingredients. The Chashu Miso comes with pork, leeks, spinach, egg, and nori, while the Miso Butter Corn is made with pork, corn, spinach, leeks, nori, and butter. They also have some simpler options like the Shio, Wakame, and Spicy Negi. All options come with a comforting, rich broth that will surely hit the spot. They also have a couple of cold noodle options with a Hiyashi Chuka made with crabstick, cucumber, egg, and pork, as well as the Hiyashi Special that includes assorted seafood. 

If you are looking for something satisfying, quick, and straightforward, then look no further than Kenji Tei. They have quite a few branches to choose from, whether you live in the northern or southern part of the metro. You can trust that the quality of the seafood is great, and whether eating alone or with friends, there’s always something for everyone.