A Dining Dojo Fight: Wasabi Ginger Ale

Can Dining Dojo handle Shizuoka's Kimura Drink's Wasabi Ginger Ale?

Recently, I was in Shizuoka Prefecture to see the leaves change color.  For lunch, I was a seafood market.  At the market, they had many local products.  Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for eel, green tea, and wasabi.  When I was browsing through the different products, I noticed they had Wasabi Ginger Ale.  I never heard of Wasabi Ginger Ale.  I love wasabi and ginger ale.  So, I decided to buy it.

How did I do against the Wasabi Ginger Ale.  Watch the video and you will find out.

The Wasabi Ginger Ale taste exactly like regular Canada Dry or Wilkinson's Ginger Ale.  It did have a hint of wasabi to it, but when drinking it, you hardly even notice.  However, be forewarned in that you should drink the Wasabi Ginger Ale cold because if you leave it out to become warm, it almost become intolerable to drink.  It becomes spicier overtime which was interesting to see.  If you are in Shizuoka, you should give it a try.  Would I drink it again? Yes but not on a regular basis due to the fact that I believe that this is only available in Shizuoka.

Here are some pics of the bottle and the beverage.

Dining Dojo Drinks: Mountain Dew White Out

Are you a fan of Mountain Dew and are disappointed by the limited selectivity of Mountain Dew beverages in Japan?  Mountain Dew's variety of flavors can be found everywhere in America.  However in Japan, finding regular Mountain Dew is becoming more common and it is, also, quite rare if you find another flavor of Mountain Dew like grape or White Out.

When I was in Osaka, I was walking past a vending machine, and it had the Mountain Dew White Out.  I was quite surprised.  Also, I noticed that it was only 100 yen for a 500ml pet bottle.  I decided to buy it and do a review for Dining Dojo.

If you like Mountain Dew, then you will find the White Out tolerable but not great.  Regular Mountain Dew has a unique flavor profile to it, and the White Out tries to copy but fails.  You will get the Mountain Dew flavor but it leave also a chalky aftertaste in your mouth.  Of the Mountain Dew flavors that I tried in the past, White Out is at the bottom of the list.  Would I drink it if there was the end of the world? Yes!  Would it be something that I would get again on a regular or even a semi-regular basis? No!

Here is the video review of the Mountain Dew White Out.

Here are some pics of the bottle and the beverage.

Dining Dojo Drinks: Pepsi Energy Cola.

Are you willing to give yourself to the Dark Side?  Pepsi just released a special Star Wars edition of their Energy Cola.  Think regular Pepsi mixed an energy drink, and you get the picture.  Pepsi added royal jelly and ginseng to their namesake drink.  If you are fan a Pepsi, this drink will surprise you in its taste.  When I smelled and tasted it, it smelled like a energy drink mixed with cola.  This drink is not for everyone.  However if you are Star Wars collector, then maybe you should be drink for the can only.  For 200 yen for a 200ml can, I suggest that you buy a Monster or a Rockstar for the same the price.  Would I pick this product again? No!  If it was a zombie apocalypse, I would drink it.

Here is the video review of the Pepsi Energy Shot.

 

Here are some pics of the can and beverage.

A Dining Dojo Fight: Amsterdam Brewery's Maximator

Earlier this year, I was in France for a vacation.  At a convenient store, I was looking for something for drink.  That is how I came across Amsterdam's Maximator.  The Maximator is clocked in at 11.6% ABV.  Also, the beer was quite cheap for only 2 euros for a 500 ml can.  I never heard of Maximator or Amsterdam Brewery.  So, I decided to pick it up and do a review of it for Dining Dojo.  I brought the can back with me to Japan.  One day when I was at home, I decided to review the Maximator.

Can Dining Dojo handle the max intense flavor and high alcoholic content of Amsterdam Brewery's Maximator?

Here is the video and judge for yourself.

The Maximator definitely lives up to its name.  You definitely smell and taste the alcohol in this beer.  This beer reminds of happoshu, a low malt but high alcohol beer in Japan.  Do not let this beer go warm.  Its almost impossible to drink.  Please note that beer is mostly found in Europe and Africa.

Here some more pics of the Maximator.

For more information on the Maximator and Amsterdam Brewery, visit http://www.amsterdambeers.com

Dining Dojo Daily

The new edition of the Dining Dojo is out at http://paper.li/DiningDojo/1354545705#

Dining Dojo Drinks: Suntory's Caramel Brown

Dining Dojo just tried and reviewed Suntory's new winter release, Caramel Brown.  Caramel Brown is a beer that combines European caramel, bitter North American hops, and barley.  Caramel Brown is classified as a happoshu (発泡酒), a low-malt beer. 

When you first taste the Caramel Brown, you can definitely tell that it is not your typical beer.  Caramel Brown has a strong alcoholic taste.  Suntory claims that you can smell the caramel in the beverage.  When I smelled it for my review, I couldn't find the caramel flavor.  The smell of the alcohol definitely overpowered the sweetness of caramel in this beverage which is a shame. 

This is a cheap beverage.  A 350ml can typically runs for 148 yen, while, a 500ml can runs for 198 yen.  Would I buy the Caramel Brown again?  Probably not.

Here is my review of Suntory's Caramel Brown

Here are some pics of the beverage.

 

For more information on the Caramel Brown, go to http://www.suntory.co.jp/beer/caramel

Dining Dojo Drinks: Energy Shot

Dining Dojo Drinks Presents Energy Shot.  Energy Shot is a relative new beverage to the alcohol market in Japan.  It has the taste of Red Bull or any general energy drink flavor mixed with alcohol.  If you like energy drinks like Red Bull and you are looking to get a little buzzed from it, then Energy Shot is for you.  Energy Shot runs for 198 yen.  It is only available at Seijo Ishii Supermarkets, a nation wide chain of supermarkets in Japan.  

Here is the video review of Energy Shot

 Here are some pics of the can and drink.

For more information on Seiji Ishii, visit www.seijoishii.co.jp

Dining Dojo Daily

The new edition of the Dining Dojo Daily is out at http://paper.li/DiningDojo/1354545705#

The new Triple D: Dining Dojo Daily is out today.

The Triple D: Dining Dojo Daily

Maison Kayser: Great French Bakery in Nagoya

     Do you have cravings for fresh baked French bread?  Sick of tired of eating bland Japanese shokupan? Maison Kayser is the answer for you.  Maison Kayser is a national chain of French bakeries across Japan specializing in fresh baked French bread, pastries, sandwiches, and quiches.  

    Nagoya has two branches of Maison Kayser.  One is located on the second basement floor of the JR Takashimaya department store.  The other store is located near Imaike station on the Higashiyama line. The Imaike branch location, also, has a cafe in which you can have lunch.  They have monthly special pastries.  In October, they had yuzu bread and gorgonzola and walnut bread.

The front of Maison Kayser in Imaike

Check out the video that I made featuring Maison Kayser.

                            Some pictures showcasing the various breads and pastries that they have for sale.

      Some pictures of a lunch that I bought at Masion Kayser.

     A Chicken Basil Focaccia Sandwich

             Slice French Baguette for only 300 yen.

         Yuzu bread (ゆずパン）a rye bread filled with pieces with yuzu.

Some other pictures taken at Maison Kayser.

You can also check out the Maison Kayser website at  http://www.maisonkayser.co.jp

A Mountain of Unique Food at Kissa Mountain

    When approaching Kissa Mountain near Yagoto Nisseki, you feel that you are going on a little vacation.  You do not where you are going to, but you know willing to to take the journey.  Kissa Mountain is a hidden gem in Nagoya in that you will not find another restaurant in the city with its unique menu.  Kissa Mountain may seem like a normal coffee shop at first glance, but you should not be fooled by its name.  

     Would you like to try a pancake stuffed with a hamburger, cheese, and onions topped with a red hot chili sauce?  How about a lemon squash drink called "Nagoya cola"?  Then, you have came to right place.  Interesting flavor combinations are found throughout Mountain's extensive menu ranging from sweet flavored pasta dishes to a spicy mango snow cone.  If you are looking for a culinary adventure, then you should check out "Mountain" and leave your expectations at the front door.

                                            The front of Kissa Mountain

If you see this sign from the road, then you know you are in the right place.

The Maestro: two pancakes stuffed with a hamburger, onions, and cheese topped with wicked hot chili paste.  Not for the faint hearted.

A video that I took of the Nagoya Cola and Maestro.

I finished the entire Maestro.  It was quite hot, but the heat got more intense over time.

The Nagoya Cola: a squash type drink.

The Mexican Seafood Pilaf: very tasty but the spiciness will definitely surprise you.

The Mayan Pyramid: ice cream surrounded by pancakes and a slice of apple pie

Banana Juice Milk

                          A gigantic version of Nagoya's ogura toast: bread topped with anko red bean paste

The menu at Mountain

Some shots taken of the restaurant's interior

For more information on Kissa Mountain: please visit http://park7.wakwak.com/~nymidi/mountain/