Category: Blog

Sushi is available in a variety of styles and flavors. But it’s surprisingly easy to pair any roll with your favorite alcoholic drinks for a balanced and flavorful meal.

Here are the top five drinks you should consider ordering the next time you’re out for sushi.

Top 5 Sushi Pairing Drinks

1. Japanese Beer

   Instead of going with a dark and heavy beer, choose a light brand like Sapporo. This iconic Japanese beer pairs well with any roll and won’t overpower the sushi’s flavor.

2. Sake

   Sake is a tasty, fermented rice beverage. While sushi isn’t traditionally paired with sake, it’s still a flavorful combo. Try a dry variety, such as Hakkaisan’s Tokubetsu Junmai.

3. Prosecco

   Prosecco is a bubbly white wine that isn’t too sweet. It contrasts nicely with the rich flavors of sushi. La Marca is a signature prosecco with a light, fruity flavor. It goes with any type of sushi.

4. Pinot Grigio

   For a more floral flavor, try a pinot grigio. This Italian wine is more robust than other white wines. Ecco Domani’s crisp citrus flavor pairs especially well with fish, including sushi.

5. Riesling

   Riesling is a flavorful wine that pairs well with spicy tuna. Fess Parker’s rieslings are favorites among foodies. This brand has a great aroma and goes well with most dishes.

BONUS: Cocktails – Prefer a mixed drink with your sushi? Acidic cocktails, such as a sherry cobbler or salted paloma, will bring out the sweetness of your roll. Margaritas or dirty martinis also complement the umami flavor of sushi.

Enjoy Sushi at Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse

Grab sushi and your favorite drink at Sakura Sushi, part of Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse.

Located in Rosen Inn on International Drive, Shōgun is Orlando’s premier teppanyaki restaurant. We received Open Table 2020 Diners’ Choice Awards for being “Kid Friendly” and “Great for Groups.”

Make a reservation online through OpenTable or call us at 407-352-1607.

Although you may not immediately create sushi to the same standard as an experienced sushi chef, making sushi at home has some serious perks.

First, it’s a great way to save money. When you make sushi at home, you don’t have to be a high roller to have more sushi in front of you than you could possibly eat. Quickly you’ll find out how far a few ingredients go. Secondly, preparing sushi at home makes for a fun date or night-in-with-the-kids activity.

So, if you’re sold on breaking out your chopsticks for a sushi night at home, we’re here to give you the rundown on how you can make some of our yummiest rolls right in your kitchen.

Making Sushi at Home

This is the fun and most daunting part: knowing what you’ll need.

You see, there are things you need such as tools and basic ingredients to make sushi. But the best part is that you can totally get creative with the fillings and toppings. For your first roll ever, maybe keep it simple. Why not try to make a California roll?

We promise, making homemade sushi gets easier with practice.

Sushi Making Materials

Here’s what you need to get rolling:

• Bamboo sushi mat
• Plastic wrap
• Sushi rice
• Rice vinegar
• Nori seaweed sheets
• Salt
• Sugar
• Your choice of protein:
  • Salmon, tuna, crab sticks also known as “Krab” (all raw options should be sushi grade)
  • Tempura shrimp or tempura chicken
  • Or any of your other favorite staples

This is where you can get as creative or basic as you’d like. Need some inspiration? Read through the menu at Sakura Sushi. Still need a few ideas? We got you.

Here are suggestions for fillings:

• Cucumber
• Avocado
• Green Onion
• Jalapenos
• Mango
• Carrots

Good toppings and the right sauces makes everything taste great.

Why not try:

• Seaweed salad
• Tempura flakes
• Masago
• Krab salad
• Avocado
• Mango
• Soy sauce
• Spicy mayo
• Sriracha
• Eel sauce

Pro tip: Most of these items can be found in your grocery store

Get Cooking with These Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and cook the rice

One cup of rice makes about 3 rolls of sushi.
Wash your rice until the water running off is clear. Let the rice soak in water for 30 minutes, then drain. If you are in a hurry, then you can skip the soaking step. Add your drained rice to a pot to be cooked on the stovetop. Add about 20% more water than rice to the pot. For 1 cup of rice, you will need about 1.2 cups of water. Cook on high, stirring every few minutes until the water boils. Then lower the heat, cover the pot and cook for 6-8 more minutes.

Let the rice cool for about 15 minutes before moving onto the next step.

Step 2: Season the sushi rice

After the rice cools down, add about 2.5 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 0.5 tablespoons of salt, and 0.5 tablespoons of sugar and stir in.

Step 3: Prepare your fillings

Slice your choice of protein and fillings into matchstick-size pieces. If being used as a topping, prepare as desired.

Step 4: Get rolling

Pro Tip: Cover your bamboo mat in plastic wrap to prevent messes and sticking.

Lay the nori sheet on the mat and press a thin layer of rice evenly onto the sheet. The rice should stick to the sheet. Set protein and fillings in the center of the rice-covered sheet. Then use the bamboo mat to roll up your sushi in a spiral fashion.

Step 5: Cut your sushi, add toppings, and enjoy!

Pro Tip: use a clean, sharp knife when slicing your roll.

Between cuts, you should wipe your sharp knife clean. Slice up your roll into 6-8 even pieces. Then add your choice of toppings and sauces. Last, plate your roll and admire your sushi craving right before you dive in.

Even if your finished meal isn’t as perfect as a sushi made in a restaurant, be proud of the fact you created this masterpiece at a fraction of the cost.

Sushi Field Research

Sometimes the best way to learn how to make sushi is by watching the masters and tasting their creations.

Yes, the sushi-making process is fun and rewarding but also time-intensive. When you’re hungry and don’t have time to learn at home, “researching” at a restaurant is an excellent choice. Especially if you didn’t quite nail the recipe or if you’re still craving high-quality sushi after you’re done rolling at home. Sakura Sushi is your best bet, and it has the best seating for students. Sit right at the bar where you can watch the masters work their skills and talents. Now the pressure is off from you as a student in training. All that there is for you to do is select your favorite expertly prepared roll from our diverse Sakura Sushi menu at Shogun Japanese Steakhouse.

Sakura Sushi Nails It Every Time

Let’s face it, if making restaurant-quality sushi at home was perfectly simple, you wouldn’t catch most of us spending our money on sushi boats and extravagant sashimi spreads.

True sushi fanatics know that a lot more goes into an exceptional roll than plain fish and rice. To better serve you and meet those expectations, the Sakura sushi chefs at Shogun Japanese Steakhouse have spent years learning how to season their rice and prepare fish to cut the perfect sushi roll. In fact, Sakura Sushi knows how to create a dining experience enjoyable for guests of all ages.

Located at the Rosen Inn on International Drive, we’re Orlando’s premiere sushi restaurant.

Learn more about the art of making sushi by dining at Sakura Sushi by using the OpenTable online system or by calling Shogun Japanese Steakhouse at 407-352-1607.

Shogun Japanese Steakhouse is proud to be a 2021 partner and excited to introduce our Magical Dining menu available August 27–October 17, 2021.

Shogun’s Menu for Magical Dining

Shogun Japanese Steakhouse is offering a variety of prix-fixe options for each course to create a unique dining experience. Our 2021 Magical Dining menu features three tasty appetizers, entrée, and dessert selections to choose from.

• Appetizers

  The first appetizer option is edamame with harumaki, which are vegetable spring rolls. The other two are fantastic sushi options: the shrimp crunch or the lemon drop sushi roll.

• Entrées

  We are proud to offer several entrée options as well. The Empress is filet mignon and shrimp, while The Teppan is filet mignon and teriyaki chicken. Our third option for Magical Dining is The Kaisen, which is shrimp, salmon, and scallops. All entrée options come with vegetables and hibachi-style rice with soup and house salad.

• Dessert

  Be sure to leave room for dessert. This year, we are offering New York Cheesecake, ice cream in various flavors, or Shogun’s famous Chocolate Decadence Cake.

Magical Dining for a Great Cause

Now in its sixteenth year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is a collaboration among restaurants from all over Orange County, Florida to help support local charities by offering diners a three-course, prix-fixe dinner for just $37 per person. During Magical Dining, $1 from every meal will benefit two local nonprofits that serve the greater Orlando area. This year’s charitable organizations include:

• Pathlight HOME

  For 29 years, Pathlight HOME has provided low-income and homeless individuals in Central Florida with affordable housing, employment resources, and a free culinary training program. More than 7,000 people have been helped by Pathlight HOME since its founding, and the organization currently houses 700 individuals in two converted motels.

• IDignity

  Since its founding in 2008, IDignity has helped more than 24,000 disadvantaged people in the Central Florida area obtain a valid form of ID to access education, employment, housing, health care, and more.

Plan a Magical Evening at Shogun

Shogun Japanese Steakhouse is Orlando’s premiere hibachi restaurant. Located on International Drive at the Rosen Inn, we provide excellent food and a light atmosphere. Having won several awards in the Open Table 2020 Diners’ Choice awards, Shogun is dedicated to providing the best hibachi possible for guests of all ages. To book a table, use the OpenTable online system or call Shogun Japanese Steakhouse at 407-352-1607.

Because China and Japan each have such diverse histories rooted in age-old traditions, the food that comes from these regions isn’t only unique in flavor, but also preparation and presentation.

Let’s take a look at the key differences between Chinese and Japanese food so you can decide which to enjoy at your next meal.

Minimal or Maximal?

Chinese dishes are known for packing a lot of flavors. A range of spices, seeds, and sauces add heat, crunch, and tang to vegetables, meats, and grains. But if you prefer a simpler, more delicate taste, you might want to turn to Japanese-style food.

Japanese cuisine leans into the principles of minimalism. Preparing dishes with few added ingredients, spices, and garnishes, Japanese chefs aim to elevate the natural flavors already present in proteins, grains, and produce. That’s why this style of cooking is preferred by patrons with sensitive stomachs and picky taste buds.

A Few or an Assortment?

Patrons who keep coming back to Chinese food generally appreciate the same types of entrées. That’s because Chinese dishes tend to stick to a handful of star proteins such as:

• Beef
• Pork
• Duck
• Chicken

Other restaurant goers lean towards Japanese cuisine because it offers a more diverse array of dining options. For example, Japanese entrée options often feature proteins including:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Lobster
• Calamari
• Shrimp
• Salmon
• Tofu

Prepared Fresh or Fried?

One of the main areas in which Chinese and Japanese cuisine diverge is the cooking process.

Frying foods in thick batter, grease, and oil gives Chinese dishes a heavy dose of flavor, crunch, and heartiness. However, it can leave some eaters feeling overly full, weighed down, and even tired.

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, however, freshness is essential. In fact, patrons can enjoy food at its absolute prime thanks to Japanese sushi — a culinary delicacy prepared with raw fish and vegetables. Furthermore, when cooking foods, Japanese chefs tend to grill or pan-sear ingredients rather than fry them, which leads to lighter meals and plenty of room for dessert.

Which One Is Right for You?

Maybe Japanese cuisine is right for you … this time around.

If so, get an authentic taste and have a genuine hibachi experience at Shogun Japanese Steakhouse. Or, if you’d rather take a full course of traditional Japanese cuisine to go, order from our takeout menu. Our teppanyaki chefs prepare each dish with fresh, crisp, and ripe ingredients, so you’re always guaranteed a healthy meal. To order your meal, call us today at 407-352-1607.

After compiling thousands of patrons’ feedback and recommendations, OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice awarded Shogun Japanese Steakhouse in Orlando with two Diners’ Choice awards.

What Are OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards?

Registered users of the OpenTable app can find and make reservations to local restaurants and provide honest feedback after a meal. The restaurants that OpenTable diners enjoyed the most received Diners’ Choice awards. OpenTable then recognizes award-winning locations by featuring them on prestigious Diners’ Choice lists.

Which Diners’ Choice Awards Did Shogun Win?  

There are over 52,000 restaurants in OpenTable’s eatery directory, but patrons specifically rave about the quality dining at Shogun.

Thanks to the positive feedback from so many Shogun visitors, the steakhouse proudly wears an OpenTable Diners’ Choice badge. In fact, Shogun took home two 2020 awards: one for being “Good for Groups” and one for being “Kid Friendly.”

Whether you’ve got a party to feed or a picky patron to please, you can count on Shogun to serve up an exciting, appetizing, and entertaining culinary experience.

Over the years, diners have kept coming back to Shogun for its delicious food and unique entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. Now, they have even more reasons to return.

Our Tables Are Open Ready to Serve

Shogun is currently open Thursdays through Sundays for in-house dining from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Stop in and enjoy a drink in our lounge from 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., or order your favorite sushi rolls to go through Uber Eats (last orders placed by 9:30 p.m.)

Reserve Your OpenTable at Shogun

Of course, you don’t have to be an OpenTable diner to enjoy a full-service, full-entertainment experience at Shogun. However, Shogun has partnered with OpenTable so you can easily set your reservation online, earn points while you eat, and rack up all kinds of rewards. To book a table, use the OpenTable online system or call Shogun Japanese Steakhouse at 407-352-1607.

Shogun Japanese Steak house serves traditional Japanese appetizers, signature and classic sushi rolls, and flavor-packed entrees. Complement your meal with a number of exciting cocktails, Japanese wine flavors, and imported beer options.

When you think of Japan, there are a few things that probably come to mind first — a white flag and red circle, colorful cherry blossoms in full bloom, or perhaps a plate topped with the most iconic dish in the nation: sushi. Because sushi is a cherished Japanese token, the chefs who prepare it are held to some of the highest standards in the culinary world. Let’s take a look at what it’s really like working as a sushi chef.

Training and Tradition  

Training to become a sushi chef is unlike training for most other culinary roles because of the specific dedication to tradition and precision. From chopping vegetables to plating the final product, sushi chefs spend years — even decades — mastering every step of the process. In fact, most chefs either train in restaurants, study culinary arts in school or learn through an apprenticeship before they ever start working in a Japanese establishment.

Applying the Principles

Once a chef has graduated from line cook or sous chef to sushi chef, they continue developing their skills and applying what they learned in training on a daily basis. Keeping food safety, taste, and texture at the forefront of the sushi experience, sushi chefs must also pay attention to every ingredient inside the roll. Additionally, sushi chefs must have exceptional knife skills and culinary acumen to know exactly which part of each type of fish to cut, which direction to move the blade, and how thin to slice them.

Putting It All Together

While the nature of preparing sushi requires extreme focus, a steady hand, and careful assembly, sushi chefs put in just as many steps as any other culinary professional in the kitchen. Because some rolls require cooked fish or fried vegetables, sushi chefs juggle cooking, cutting, rolling, and plating — which means they are constantly on their feet. And because the kitchen structure for sushi chefs is different than most others, these chefs can often directly interact with patrons right from the sushi bar, providing expert culinary knowledge and recommending specific sushi items.

Classic and Signature Sushi at Shogun

At Shogun Japanese Steakhouse, we take sushi seriously. If you’re hungry for the taste of authentic Japanese sushi rolls prepared by our in-house sushi chefs, order from traditional and signature selections on our Sakura Sushi menu. Stop in for sushi or order your favorite rolls through Uber Eats.

Octopus and Calamari live in saltwater from the tropics to temperate zones. Like clams and oysters, octopus and calamari are mollusks (invertebrate sea creatures), classified as cephalopods, meaning “head-footed.” The ”arms,“ are connected to their heads, while the rest of the body is in front of the head.

Characteristics: Cephalopods are physiologically similar to other mollusks, but the main difference is their lack of a shell. An octopus does not have a shell at all, while calamari has a small internal flexible backbone called a pen. When in danger, both use defense mechanisms, such as swimming away quickly, camouflaging themselves, and shooting ink at their predators.

Habitat: Calamari swims in the open ocean waters, either alone or in schools, and uses its eight sucker-lined arms and two specialized tentacles to catch its prey, which consists of various fish and shrimp. Octopus are solitary creatures that live in dens on the seafloor, which trap their prey of bottom-dwelling crustaceans and mollusks, by using its eight arms lined with suckers.

How Do Octopus and Calamari Differ in Taste and Cooking?

Octopus is commonly confused with calamari, though both are surprisingly different in taste (when served raw) and cooking methods. Many people think calamari dishes are made from octopus, when in fact calamari is actually made from a type of squid. This confusion could be due to similar tastes when the octopus is prepared.

• Octopus

  Octopus has a light taste that some compare to chicken or even pork. A low-calorie protein, both nutritious and filling, the octopus is full of vitamins and is low in fat and high in iron. Octopus can be prepared by blanching it in boiling water and then baking it, as well as boiling, grilling, or poaching. Because octopus evolves in taste depending on what ingredients are used when cooking, many prefer to eat it raw.

• Calamari

  Calamari can be a bit tougher than an octopus but the meat has a smoother texture, and when cooked right is tender and firm. The meat of calamari easily soaks up butter and sauces and can be prepared in a number of ways, such as braising, boiling, searing, and grilling. The key to getting a tender texture as opposed to a chewy one is by cooking the calamari hot and fast or low and slow. Cooking at temperatures in between will leave you with unpleasantly tough

Experience the Taste of Japan

Discover the deliciousness of both by ordering octopus nigiri or sashimi as an appetizer, and then calamari as an entrée served with teppanyaki vegetables, fried rice, soup, and house salad with ginger dressing. For one of the most unique dining experiences in Orlando, join us at Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse by calling 407-352-1607 to reserve your table.

Made from fermented rice grains, sake is an adult beverage with unique serving styles and social traditions. Because there are so many ways to enjoy it, first timers sometimes find this international drink a little intimidating. That’s why we’ve put together a quick beginner’s guide to help you get acquainted.

Serving Temperature

While you might find sake served at a range of specific temperatures, the two you’ll most commonly find on a menu include:

• Atsukan — Sake served hot is widely known at “Atsukan.” This steamy way to enjoy sake is perfect for those who prefer a rich, earthy aroma and stronger sake taste.
• Reishu — Sake chilled to a cold temperature is commonly referred to as “Reishu.” A cool glass is a preferred choice for patrons who like a hint of subtle sake undertones.

Hotter temperatures often lend higher flavor density, while chilling sake brings out its quieter tastes. Choose a serving temperature depending on which kind you want highlighted in your beverage.

Filtered vs. Unfiltered

Sake ranges in flavors, color, and even cloudiness. The more transparent sake options are typically “filtered,” or pressed, which means the original sake has been poured through a fine strainer and ran again through paper filters. This process refines the sake opacity and taste. While white, cloudy sake is also pressed, it isn’t double-filtered to completely polish the fermented rice grains. By retaining the color and full rice flavor, “unfiltered” sake retains a higher potency.

Order Sake at Shogun

At Shogun Japanese Steakhouse, we have an array of sake selections for you to sample, including:

• Gekkeikan — This eight oz. glass, served hot and steamy, is aromatic, deep, and full of rich flavor.
• Shirayuki — Also known as White Snow, this 10 oz. serving of ice-cold sake is the perfect light and airy option.
• Shochikubai — Served chilled, our unfiltered sake option retains tiny rice solids which creates the cloud-white color for an undiluted taste.

Whether you’re looking to try your very first sip, a new range of serving temperatures, or an unfiltered variety, our adult beverage menu has all the alternatives you could want. We also offer specialty cocktails, signature drinks, and a range of wines for patrons with different preferred tastes. To order take out, visit our website or call us at 407-352-1607.