Category: Blog

Salmon is not only delicious, but it’s also one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Wild-caught salmon is packed with lots of vitamins and minerals and contains an exceptionally high omega-3 content.

Here are a few ways eating salmon benefits your health.

Boosts immunity – The combination of omega-3’s, selenium, and vitamins A and D help improve immunity both short and long-term. Eating at least two servings a week can help lessen the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

Enhances brain function – Regularly eating salmon can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, protect fetal health during pregnancy, and decrease memory problems that happens with old age.

Benefits heart health – Salmon contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, which when eaten, help improve serum cholesterol. Also, salmon is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that balances blood pressure and helps keep your heart healthy.

Keeps bones strong – The polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D help to improve bone health, reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

Helps lower inflammation – Eating fish protects your cells from DNA damage, plus, the vitamin D helps to prevent autoimmune disease.

Aids in weight control – In addition to increasing your metabolic rate, salmon keeps you feeling fuller longer and prevents you from wanting to snack all the time. That’s because it’s a high-protein, low-calorie food.

Whether you prefer your salmon sashimi style, in sushi rolls, or cooked over the teppanyaki grill, Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse wants to give you the ultimate Japanese dining experience. Located on International Drive, come and see why we’re the premier choice for Japanese cuisine! To reserve your table, call us at 407-352-1607 or book your table online through our website.

The national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom – or Sakura, represents a time of renewal and optimism. The pops of pink mark the ending of winter and signify the beginning of spring. Due to their quick blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolize the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism.

Cherry blossoms’ magnificent but brief lifespan, falling a couple of weeks after full bloom, reminds people that similar to the delicate white-pink flowers a human’s life is also short and beautiful.

Additionally, fallen cherry blossom petals represent the souls of Japanese samurais with a noble character, who were known not to fear death, and who were killed while sacrificing their lives for the emperor.

There are many more significant meanings of the cherry blossom, and the Japanese reflect on them every year during a custom called hanami. The word hanami means “flower viewing.” During a celebration that’s more than a thousand years old, people gather to eat, drink, and celebrate with a picnic-style party underneath the cherry blossoms.

The word sakura is still widely associated with musical lyrics, poems, literature, clothing, and restaurants.

If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese dining experience in Orlando, join us at Shōgun Sakura Sushi located in the Rosen Inn on International Drive. Just like the cherry blossom’s beauty awakens many senses, Sakura’s selection of the finest Orlando sushi will excite you. To reserve your table, please call 407-352-1607 or book a table online through our website.

For thousands of years, individuals in Asian cultures have been eating seaweed, and with good reason. Seaweed contains antioxidants, vitamins, calcium, and minerals, many of which are not found in land-grown vegetables. However, one of the best-known benefits of seaweed is that it’s an outstanding source of iodine, a nutrient lacking in almost every other food. Consuming adequate levels of iodine is essential for maintaining a healthy thyroid. An underactive thyroid caused by iodine deficiency can lead to fatigue, depression, and difficulty losing weight. Eating just one gram of brown seaweed will give you five to 50 times the recommended daily intake, with red and green varieties yielding slightly less.

Beyond basic nutritional benefits, seaweed has also been known to regulate estrogen and estradiol levels, control PMS, and help prevent inflammation –  which can lead to numerous health problems like arthritis, celiac disease, and asthma.

Eating Seaweed

In Japanese restaurants, you typically eat seaweed that’s incorporated into a small kaiso salad, miso soup, or sushi roll. But if you’d like to eat seaweed at home, you can do it in several ways. Add kombu (brown kelp) into soups. Use arame in a variety of dishes including baked goods. Seaweeds that are sold as flakes or granules can be used as a salt substitute. For a great gluten-free alternative, try kelp noodles, which are low in calories, high in calcium, and do not require any cooking before eating. Love fried chips, but want a healthier option? Dulse is a softer, chewy-textured seaweed that’s commonly dried and eaten as a snack.

Mixed with the right ingredients, seaweed can be exceptionally flavorful, while at the same time provide you with a number of health benefits.

For delicious kaiso salads, freshly prepared sushi rolls, authentic nigiri, and sashimi – dine with us at Shōgun Sakura Sushi located at the Rosen Inn. For reservations, book your table online or call us at 407-352-1607.

When it comes to steaks, the best cuts you can get come from the Longissimus dorsi and the Psoas major. Commonly referred to as filet mignon or tenderloin, the Psoas major is a pair of shorter muscles that run below the steer’s spine and are the most tender pieces of meat on the steer. The Longissimus dorsi, which make up New York strips, run from the neck to the hip of the steer and is the second-most tender muscle.

If you’re unsure as to which cut you should select next time you’re in the mood for steak, check out the differences of two of the most popular cuts of beef, which you can conveniently choose from at Shōgun Japanese Restaurant.

New York strips are fine-grained in texture with medium fat content and are relatively tender with a bit of chew. They have good marbling, a robust beefy flavor and, because there are no large pockets of fat, they are easy to trim, cook, and eat. These flavorful, large hunks of meat are a favorite of Japanese steakhouses.

Filet mignon is a small, compact melt-in-your-mouth tender piece of steak. The meat is very fine-grained in texture as well as low in fat, which makes it both buttery and mild in flavor compared to other cuts of meat. If you prefer a softer, thick cut of beef, filet mignon is a perfect choice.

Regardless if you favor New York strip or filet mignon, the teppanyaki chefs at The Shōgun Japanese Restaurant will cook it to perfection right in front of you. We strive to ensure you and your guests receive a complete dining experience comprised of skill, taste, and entertainment. For reservations, please call 407-352-1607 or book a table online.

Have you ever had the reoccurring issue where you sit down for dinner intending to have dessert afterward only to become so stuffed that you can’t imagine having one more bite of your meal, much less a dessert?

If you have, you’re not alone! Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to ensure you satisfy your sweet tooth at every meal.

Skip the appetizer – While this may be hard to do, especially when you feel like you’re already starving, just think – it will be worth it in the end. If you insist on having an appetizer, opt for having one that isn’t too heavy such as edamame or a kaiso salad.

Order smaller meal portions – In the United States, we love to get a whole lot of food for as little money as possible, so the temptation to order big can be hard to resist. However, when you can, opt for a smaller sized meal to leave more room in your belly, allowing you to satisfy your sweet tooth craving later on.

Bag your meal to go – When you place your order, ask the server to plate half of your food and then bag the other half to go. By doing this, you will still eat enough food to feel satisfied but won’t have the temptation to stuff yourself with everything sitting in front of you. If you worry doing this will still leave you hungry, don’t forget you still have dessert to look forward to.

Eat dessert first – This last way is our personal favorite! No one says you have to wait until after your meal to have dessert (except mom). So go ahead and order that ice cream or cake (or both) first; we won’t tell.

Now that you’ve read some helpful tips on how to save stomach space for your favorite sweets, you should be able to enjoy eating delicious sushi or teppanyaki with plenty of room leftover for dessert.

Whether you’re craving sweet and creamy ice cream, rich chocolate decadence cake, or a classic New York cheesecake, our desserts will leave you smiling. Conveniently located on International Drive in Orlando, we’re the perfect place to visit when looking for the best Japanese food in Central Florida. To reserve your table contact the Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse by calling 407-352-1607 or book a table online through our website.

Have you ever noticed similar ingredients that are listed on a menu and wondered what the differences were? For instance, soft shell crab, crab, and krab are all commonly seen ingredients used in many Japanese signature sushi rolls. To help you become more knowledgeable next time you order at Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse, we explain the dissimilarities of one of the tastiest crustaceans used in Japanese cuisine and its widely popular counterpart.

The Difference between Soft Shell and Hard Shell Crabs 

Soft shell crabs are not a different species of crab, but in fact, begin as regular hard shell crabs. These crabs, usually blue hard shell, are referred to as soft shell due to the molting process they go through. When crabs mature and get too big for their shell, they shed their current one to make room for a bigger, new one. In order to do this, the crab uses the water to swell its body, causing its shell to bust, and then carefully climbs out. Once the crab’s shell is off, the soft inner shell is exposed until a new shell forms and hardens a few days later.

Soft-shelled crabs have a delicate texture and are rich in flavor, making them a tasty treat. Enjoy our Godzilla roll made with soft shell crab, tuna, shrimp, Sriracha, sesame seeds, smelt roe, and eel sauce. Or, try our Spider roll, which includes smelt roe, lettuce, sesame seeds, and eel sauce.

Relish in the mildly sweet flavor of a hard shell crab in our Yagura roll, mixed with salmon, avocado, eel, sesame seeds, and eel sauce. Another option is our Sunrise roll made with crab, salmon, avocado, tuna, sesame seeds, and eel sauce.

What is Krab and Why is it so Popular?

Krab, also known as imitation crab, is surimi, a whitefish such as Pollock that is mashed up into a thick paste before being colored and flavored to resemble the leg meat of either snow crab or Japanese spider crab.

Because using crab meat can be costly, Japanese manufacturers and chefs in the 1970s sought after a less expensive alternative. Krab was introduced in the United States in the early 1980s and became a hit with restaurants, who began incorporating it into their sushi dishes. Over three decades later, krab is still popular because of the benefits it offers like being easily made, readily available, cost-efficient, and having a longer shelf life than real crab.

A lot of people actually prefer eating krab over other specific kinds of seafood because it doesn’t have a “fishy” smell to it and they like the taste. Also, those who have shellfish allergies and can’t eat crabs, have the ability to eat something similar.

If you’re looking to try krab in your next sushi roll, order our Rainbow roll, made with kanikama (krab), cucumber, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, eel, avocado, sesame seeds, spicy mayo, and wasabi mayo.

No matter what your preference is – crab or krab, our sushi chefs look forward to preparing you your favorite sushi, nigiri, and sashimi at the Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse, the newest dining outlet in the Rosen Inn. Enjoy the daily activities Orlando has to offer and then wind down and dig into some delightfully, tasty Japanese food.

To reserve your table today, call 407-352-1607 or book your table online through our website.

With so many dining options to choose from in Orlando, it can be difficult to decide where to go for your date night. A Japanese restaurant is a great choice for its delicious menu items and signature cocktails in an atmosphere that’s anything but ordinary.

To help make your dining decision easier, here are some of the top reasons guests continue to choose Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse for their night out.

Incredible Food

Indulge in freshly prepared dinners consisting of beef, shrimp, chicken, salmon, and lobster. Don’t eat meat? We have vegetarian menu options as well.

Full Bar

No matter what your drink of choice is, our full bar provides a variety of options to satisfy your thirst. Try Rosen Hotels & Resorts specialty beer, the Alligator Drool, a medium-bodied American pale-ale, or the Shogun Ginger-Rita made with Cuervo silver tequila, ginger beer, with splashes of agave nectar and lime juice. We also have many non-alcoholic drinks available.

Entertainment

Teppanyaki grilling adds an extra fun factor to your meal. Watch as our teppanyaki chefs manipulate the the flat-iron grill to entertain you while they prepare your food.

Amazing Ambiance

If you’re looking for the perfect place to have an exciting yet romantic date night, dine with us at the Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse located inside the Rosen Inn. With the incredible cuisine, friendly staff, and charming atmosphere our restaurant provides, we know you’ll have an unforgettable night. For reservations, please call 407-352-1607 or book a table online.

If you’re a seafood and steak lover, The Emperor gives you the best of both worlds on one plate by including our perfectly cooked lobster tail with the “king of steaks,” the filet mignon. It’s truly an amazing surf ‘n’ turf experience.

Surf ‘n’ turf became a popular dish across the U.S. when restaurants in the early 1960s started combining lobster tails with beef, putting it on their menus as a “special dinner.” Fast forward to 2018, and you’ll still see this dish incorporated into some of the most well-known restaurants in the world, including Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse, Orlando’s very own favorite Japanese restaurant.

Cooked to perfection by our teppanyaki chefs on a large iron plate, The Emperor’s tender melt-in-your-mouth pieces of filet mignon and succulent lobster meat will leave you completely satisfied. Our surf ‘n’ turf dish is served with teppanyaki vegetables, fried rice, soup, and salad with ginger dressing.

Book your table now at Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse and experience one of our most popular menu items for yourself. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, have an intimate date, or just enjoy some fantastic Japanese cuisine with friends and family, we want to help make your dining experience a memorable one.

Located in the Rosen Inn on International Drive, we are open for dinner at 6:00 p.m. daily. For reservations, please contact us by calling 407-352-1607 or make a reservation online.

Have you been wanting to try sushi for the first time but are unsure of where to start? Maybe you’ve attempted to eat sushi once or twice before but aren’t entirely sure you like it. No matter what previous sushi situations you may have encountered, we’ve come up with a few tips to help guide you to ensure you have the best (and most delicious) sushi experience.

1. Try sushi rolls made with cooked meat – If you’re apprehensive at first about eating raw fish, start out by trying rolls that are made with meat that’s either been smoked, grilled, or battered and fried. Some rolls include:

Ebi Ten Roll – Shrimp tempura, cucumbers, sesame seeds, and eel sauce

Philly Roll – Smoked salmon, cucumber, cream cheese, sesame seeds, and wasabi mayo (Read about the history of the Philly roll here.)

Salmon Yaki Roll – Grilled salmon, cucumber, sesame seeds, and eel sauce

Unagi Eel Roll – Grilled eel, cucumber, sesame seeds, and eel sauce

2. Eat rolls that contain familiar ingredients – When looking at your menu choices, select options that have ingredients you know you like eating. While the textures and preparation may be different, if you’ve had the same fish or seafood before and liked it, chances are you won’t notice much of a difference, especially when it’s mixed with vegetables and rice.

3. Start with vegetarian sushi – Whether you are vegetarian or not, there are many great selections to choose from that’ll allow you to enjoy sushi. Kappamaki (Cucumber sushi rolls), Avocado rolls, sweet potato rolls, and sushi rolls made with mushrooms are some of the most popular ones.

4. Try mild items – If you’re not a huge seafood fan, and worry that a roll may taste too fishy, opt for dishes that include milder items. Some great choices for beginners are maguro (tuna), ohyo (Pacific halibut), ika (squid), tai (red snapper), and hotategai (scallop).

5. Let the itamae (chef) guide you – If you want to be a little more adventurous in the beginning, try the omakase (chef’s choice) dining option. The itamae will serve you the freshest ingredients they have on hand at the restaurant that day. There could be a wide variety of options. If you think you won’t like a lot of what is prepared, you may want to leave this type of dining experience for the future.

Everyone is different when it comes to how daring they are when trying new food. Whether you want to start small or dive right in, begin eating sushi at a level that’s most comfortable to you. Another good thing to keep in mind is that not all sushi is the same. At Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse, our itamaes take pride in preparing you the freshest dishes sure to turn you from sushi beginner to sushi expert in no time! To book your dining reservation at the best Orlando Japanese Steakhouse on International Drive, call us today at 407-352-1607.

The word tataki has two meanings when referring to Japanese food. The first meaning is used to describe a piece of beef or fish that is seared on the outside but left raw on the inside.

The style of tataki cooking is thought to have been developed by a 19th-century samurai named Sakamoto Ryoma, who learned how to grill meat from the European foreigners in the city of Nagasaki.

Bonito (skipjack tuna) has always been the preferred fish to use for tataki, but recently ahi tuna and salmon have become more popular choices. The beef that is usually prepared tataki style is either a filet mignon or a sirloin strip.

The art of tataki is achieved by quickly searing the meat over a grill that has high heat, giving crispiness to the skin but leaving the middle rare. When done correctly, the outside of the beef will be brown, while the fish should be white, and both will have a pink or red middle.

Once the fish is flash-grilled, many chefs will submerge it to stop its cooking process. But because immersing the fish can wash away good fat and flavor, other chefs prefer to let the fish cool by fanning it, then thinly slicing it and presenting it to the guest to eat.

The second meaning of tataki comes from the verb tataku, which means to pound or hammer. However, it’s not the actual meat that’s being pounded. Instead, it’s ginger, which is ground or pound into a paste.

To experience the art of tataki yourself, come dine with us at the Shōgun Japanese Steakhouse located in Orlando on International Drive. Our restaurant is a perfect choice, whether you have a large group or a party of two. Book your reservation today by calling 407-352-1607.