Kanawa Floating Oyster Boat – Hiroshima, Japan.
‘I’m on a boat!’ I exclaim to my travelling partner’s embarrassment and to bewildered kimono-clad waitresses in our tatami matted room which is empty of patrons except for just us two. We’d just spent the morning in reverent contemplation at the Peace Memorial Park, just a few minutes away from Hiroshima’s most famous restaurant of 140 years specialises in oysters.
It’s 1:30 pm on a weekday and we are greeted with assurance that they’ve not yet closed for their lunch time service. As we’re seated by the window in the traditional dining room with horigotatsu tables and decorated by kakejiku paintings, a sense of calm serenity envelops me as we watch the ebb and flow of the river and the patter of rain plays a soothing melody on the glass. The thing to order here is the oyster set menu and it’s a bonus that we travelled during oyster season. We order Set Menu #2.
Here Comes The Food
Oysters appetizer: The oysters from Kanawa are raised in deep, cold waters of the uninhabited Seto Inland Sea. The result is that the flesh is firm and sweet and relatively small in size oysters. The appetizer is compromised of three flavoursome oysters that have a citric tang to them. They are firm in texture and go well with the kernels of pine nut and slithers of enoki. This dish was refreshingly simple and made us look forward to the dishes to come.
A riverbank nabe is set aside on the table, which is left to cook throughout the meal and wafts rich miso aromas when I lift the lid to take a peek inside: a rich stew simmering away with oysters, cabbage, shitaki and udon.
Fried Oysters: With a squeeze of lemon, the flavour is heightened and one can only appreciate the oysters in quiet awe, ‘where have you been in my life?’
Oysters wrapped in Bacon: Such a combination caused me to do a double take, ‘two equally delectable ingredients together?’ I questioned. But Kanawa made a believer out of me that you can never have too much of a good thing. The distinctive flavour of the bacon hits your tongue first and then the oyster inside seemingly comes alive in flavour and you struggle at odds whether to cry with delight or sigh with climactic release.
Marinated Oysters: By now I’m in oyster heaven and the dishes keep coming. Marinated oysters in mirin and a hint of seasoning sit on a bed of vinaigrette salad.
The sweet flavour of the mirin has been sealed by the crispy exterior of the oyster and on the inside the flesh is creamy and white.
Baked Whole Oysters: I effortless pry the shells of the oysters to reveal two outrageously enormous sized oysters. The briney flavour is not even noticeable (something which I seemingly can’t palate without discomfort) as I’m taken to a new height of oyster dining that leaves Sydney’s quality in its wake.
Oyster Nabe with Vegetables in Sweet Miso Broth: The Nabe that has been teasing us with its alluring smell is finally served.
The miso has infused its intricate flavour into the vegetables and oysters. It is a warming dish, perfect for the Japan winter that I especially like because of its comfort.
Oyster rice with Seasonal Vegetables: A simple way to end a memorable meal, rice is cooked with oysters such that the flavour permeates throughout and is then served with thin strips of fried egg, green onions and Kanawa’s oysters. I can’t help but to finish all the rice in respect of this enjoyable experience that Kanawa has provided for us (not to mention the rice was super tasty).
Seasonal Fruit: Honey dew – yum!
Whilst there may be another barge that is moored directly across the Motoyasu river, I think Kanawa was the better choice as it was the place I found to be reviewed more. If you are travelling during oyster season (early winter) in Japan and find yourself in Hiroshima, put down Kanawa in your travel itinerary as an option for lunch when you visit the Peace Park as it is within walking distance.
As we exit guilty that they’ve gone past closing hours for our patronage, the rain has started to pick up and we’re handed two umbrellas that we’re grateful for – Now that’s service.
Kakifune Kanawa
Heiwa-Ohashi East end, 3 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima 730-0051
Phone: 082-241-7416
Hours: Mon～Sat. 11:00～14:00(L.O.) 17:00～21:00(L.O.)
Sun.・Holidays 11:00～14:00(L.O.) 17:00～20:30(L.O.)
Closed: Closed Sun. Apr.-Sept., 1st and 3rd Sun. Oct.-Mar.
English menu available Simplified Chinese menu available
Website: www.kanawa.co.jp
Bonus pics from this particular day:
Atomic Dome
All-In-One
Cranes folded by Sadako
Autumn
February 1st, 2010 at 8:57 am
Wow, an oyster restaurant.. fantastic! Beautiful photos too, of Hiroshima.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:23 am
dude oysters galore! bacon wrapped oysters sounds interesting mmm bacon
February 1st, 2010 at 10:21 am
Oyster-riffic! What an interesting restaurant; thanks for the fab review.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Amazing photos!
February 1st, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Beautiful and haunting photos of Hiroshima and an amazing oyster banquet. Love the look of the oysters wrapped in bacon!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:43 am
I love oysters – I’d definitely go here if I were to visit Japan! I’m drooling at the thought of eating several courses with oysters as the star!
February 10th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Oh my? I would travel to Japan for that experience alone
February 11th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
As an oyster freak, this place would be heaven!
February 14th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Thanks for the comments! Next post relating to Japan will be Miyajima Island