W is for Wasabi AtoZChallenge

PUPUS, Hawaiian snacks similar to hors d’oeuvers, tapas, and canapés,

make up the third segment of my A-to-Z Challenge theme.

 

Wasabi is a green paste comparable to horseradish, and just as hot. The thick paste is mixed with a generous helping of shoyu (soy sauce) then used for dipping. Do not attempt to spread the wasabi on raw slices of fish the way you would use tarter sauce. Pick up the slice of fish with your chop sticks, run the fish lightly through the wasabi/shoyu sauce mix, add a paper-thin slice of fresh ginger, and pop it into your mouth. Repeat.

I have a tendency to overdue it and my nose burns until my eyes start to water. Then I have to sit back and wait for the sensation to pass. 

Sashimi is sliced raw fish. One of my favorites is Onion Salmon. The popular Japanese food is a delicacy that takes center stage for everyone’s New Year’s Eve celebration in Hawaii, especially Ahi Sashimi, my all-time favorite when served with wasabi and fresh ginger. 

Can you say “ONO”?

 

U is for UNAGI AtoZChallenge

PUPUS, Hawaiian snacks similar to hors d’oeuvers, tapas, and canapés,

make up the third segment of my A-to-Z Challenge theme. 

Unagi is the Japanese word for freshwater eel. Genki Sushi Restaurant in Honolulu serves sliced unagi over rice topped with a dipping sauce called Tare, a sweetened, thickened soy sauce. 

I am not a fan of eel in any form but do believe in authenticity when writing articles. So I patronized the Genki Sushi at Ala Moana Center and selected a platter of Unagi from the converor belt of ready-made offerings. 

 

 

If you have read my ‘O’ post for AtoZ, you’ll understand when I say that Unagi and Uni (Sea Urchin Roe) are not on my list of Ono foods. 

My second sushi choice for the day was a plate of California Rolls, far better suited to a palate accustomed to fried perch and smoked salmon.

 

 

OCTOPUS POKE IS ONO AtoZChallenge

PUPUS, Hawaiian snacks similar to hors d’oeuvers, tapas, and canapés,

make up the third segment of my A-to-Z Challenge theme.

 ONO is the Hawaiian word for ‘delicious.’ My favorite pupu is poke (po-key), raw fish cut into cubes and seasoned with seaweed and shoyu (soy sauce) or sprinkled with sesame seeds. Any food that tastes great - broke da mouth is the Hawaiian Pidgin expression - is said to be ONO. 

Octopus (Tako) poke can be eaten alone or mixed with tomatoes, Maui onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, sea salt and chili pepper. I admit Ahi poke with seaweed and shoyu is more to my liking, though.

 



  

Ahi Poke





Octopus (Tako) Poke



 

Onion Salmon

 

 

 If you’re not into raw fish, onion-laced tofu poke with green peppers might be more to your liking.

 

Tofu Poke

Sunday brunch at the Oceanarium Restaurant in Waikiki’s Pacific Beach Hotel wouldn’t be complete without platters of Onion Salmon flanked by bowls of capers and cream cheese.
 

Greetings from the Oceanarium