Salmon Sashimi Rice Bowl (w/Poached Egg & Furikake)

by Tokyo Terrace on March 7, 2010

It is interesting to think about the minor changes one experiences while living in a different country. The major changes are inevitably going to stand out immediately and will be noticed without much effort. Changes like going from being part of the majority (blond-haired, green-eyed individuals are not rare in Minnesota) to being part of the minority, for example. Or going to the grocery store and having no clue what the check-out lady is saying to you because, um, it’s in a different language.

Yes, living in another country brings with it a large number of huge changes. There are the more subtle, quiet changes that peak out from around every little corner, waiting to be noticed. The slow, steady reliance on sign language as a way to understand that check out lady at the grocery store. Or the way you begin to notice the difference in sound between a restaurant that uses silverware rather than the ever-present chopsticks. The clanking of metal on the plates becomes a welcome, unexpected reminder of “home”.

One of the many small changes in our life since moving to Japan has obviously been our eating habits. We are blessed to be surrounded by amazing seafood- something vastly different from our lives in the landlocked states of the Midwest. Our rice cooker has become a staple in the kitchen. What could be easier than pressing a button and a short while later having perfectly made Japanese sticky rice? With our current state of chaos- OK, chaos might be too strong. Let’s try that again- we are blessed with work. Therefore, our rice cooker has been getting a good work out lately. Meals like this rice bowl topped with salmon sashimi, a poached egg, radish sprouts and a sprinkling of furikake have replaced our grilled cheese and tomato soup (which used to be our go-to meal when our schedules began to fill up.)

I love how the hot rice gently heats the salmon and the flavor of the creamy egg yolk brings each component of the bowl together (and yes, I am a little obsessed with poached eggs in case you were wondering.) And the furikake adds a great flavor- slightly salty, nutty, and in this case a little spicy, furikake adds a beautiful contrast. Comforting and simple. This dish is great for creativity, too. Instead of the salmon, you could use chicken, sauteed shrimp, or another protein. Or, skip the meat and stick to veggies and the egg. I really like adding a couple slices of avocado to my rice bowl as well.

With so many big changes to absorb each and every day, I am thankful for the small changes that quickly become a part of our daily lives. Sometimes a steaming bowl of sticky rice topped with fresh, simple ingredients is all it takes to bring a moment of peace in a whirlwind kind of week.

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  • http://www.sense-serendipity.com Divina

    This is my kind of rice bowl. Simple but hearty and filling. I love poached eggs on top of anything. I am actually salivating now.

  • http://starchymarie.blogspot.com Marie

    Yum. What a simple yet still indulgent quick meal; poached eggs are glorious but I never make them at home. I did just become the owner of some ramekins though, so hopefully that may jumpstart the need to poach!

  • wendy

    simple and yummy. nice!

  • http://tanglednoodle.blogspot.com Tangled Noodle

    I’ve been on a poached egg kick, too! I never realized how easy they are to make and cook so perfectly (I loooove runny yolk). This rice bowl is simply delicious-looking and something that I can make here in MN (although I may have to settle for a smoked fish – not sure if I can get sashimi-grade raw that I’m comfortable with!)

    Your words are a gentle reminder that such small changes are keys to maneuvering through the big changes in your life.

  • tokyoterrace

    @Divina, @Marie and @Wendy Glad you appreciate the simplicity of this meal. It’s nice to have a meal like this one tucked away for times when spending hours over the stove just isn’t realistic.

    @TangledNoodle Smoked fish would be a great twist on this dish! Great idea- and definitely a safer bet in MN. There’s a great place up near Two Harbors that sells delicious smoked fish. My family travels there once a year (or used to anyway) and we’d always have the smoked salmon and some cheese and crackers. Good times!

  • http://www.freshnewengland.blogspot.com El

    It sounds like your having an amazing experience. Way to go with this dish. Beautiful!

  • http://www.twitter.com/eatdrinklove amy

    This just looks and sounds (tastes) amazing. I wish I could make some…Also kinda reminds me of Chirashi but not. *drool*

  • http://ivorypomegranate.com Kirstin

    This looks so good! A poached egg makes pretty much every meal better. And I can definitely relate to your experiences, I lived in Jordan for a while and grocery shopping was definitely a task that was best completed with gestures.

  • http://leesharai.blogspot.com elicia

    Ahh. That sounds so good right now. I’m going to take my Midwest self to the market this weekend to pick up some salmon and bust out the furikake. Thanks for blogging and keeping me busy in the kitchen.

  • http://ems-premature-eblogulation.blogspot.com/ Mhe-Lhanee Benito

    yumm!! I just had a tempura bento box and sushis for dinner yesterday. But i think I need another bowl of that!! Congratulations for making the Top 9….

  • http://thelacquerspoon.blogspot.com the lacquer spoon

    Ooh, healthy fast food. Lovely :)

  • http://alittlebitofchristo.blogspot.com doggybloggy

    I love poached eggs and this combination looks so, so, so perfect!

  • http://foodandstyle.wordpress.com/ viviane bauquet farre / food & style

    This is just stunning! I do indeed love the simplicity of the ingredients… Yet you can tell that’s a bowl packed with flavor. Wonderful post, as always!

  • http://themunchies.posterous.com Brucey1

    Love this post – love the writing, love the pics, love the sentiment, love the food!

  • http://www.youtube.com/linnlar Linn @ Swedish Home Cooking

    omg, that looks super delicious. I wanna go back to Tokyo! Ohh what I love the food there.

  • http://jenncuisine.com Jenn

    What a great post – while the culture change is not nearly as different as you experience moving to Japan, we are definitely adjusting to living in a new country in some unexpected ways – love the sashimi bowl, it looks great!

  • http://www.debishawcross.com Debi(TableTalk)

    Adding the avocado has my vote too—wow- I am really impressed with this simple, elegant dish. We are addicted to furikake here at our house (even our girls).

  • http://thewhitesintokyo.wordpress.com/ Mr. Terrace

    I can attest to the awesomeness of this dish because Mrs. Terrace and I put it together for dinner last night during a rare snowstorm in Tokyo. The snow is all gone now (by morning), but this dish was a perfect way to cap off the day. Something about a Tokyo Terrace poached egg with rice, King Salmon sashimi, and the little hints of wasabi and nori inside the furikake was…stupendous? Magnificent? How about…delicious. Way to go hun.

  • http://www.lafujimama.com Fuji Mama

    Mmmmmm, I really miss the accessibility of good fish! I was in L.A. over the weekend and went to Mitsuwa, a Japanese chain that has several stores in Southern California. I was very “homesick” walking around the store! I’m with you on so many points—don’t know what I would do now without my rice cooker. We eat so much rice that it always has fresh rice in it now. And poached eggs? Yes please! Love the combination here—yum!

  • http://aromasysabores-heidileon.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-vacation.html heidileon

    I agree with you Rachael, one thing the Monges, just as the Whites, have changed since we moved to live to Asia is our eating habits. And I must admit that these days our habits; thanks to the Chinese and Asian influence are healthier.

    I cannot live any longer without my daily intake of green tea, warm water, noodles or dumplings and of course my *rice meal*.

    This dish looks just like what to me these days means a perfect comfort food. You can be sure I will add this dish to the Monges repertoire.

  • http://www.bitemekitchen.com Rose

    I love poached eggs AND furikake with a crazy passion!

  • http://www.bananaviews.com BananaViews

    Ah, comfort food at it’s best. I love eggs, rice and salmon. What could go wrong? Delicious.

  • http://www.tinyskillet.blogspot.com Lyndsey

    This looks so good, comfort food for sure. My rice cooker just gave out, I have had it for years and it finally gave out. Now I’m searching for another one. I don’t think they make the kind I had anymore. I hate when you get used to something(Ok I know it’s not that big of deal). When I lived in Hawaii was when I got used to eating sticky rice and carried that back to the mainland with me. My daughter always liked sticky rice, I think because that’s the way she’s always had it. I was watching her last night warm up a bowl of rice and sprinkle some furikake on it, I laughed to myself wondering how many other kids would do that living here in Florida? She said it reminds her of sushi!

    I think avacado would be great with it too! I am really enjoying your blog!

  • http://www.sensiblecooking.org chandani

    Hey Rachael,
    discovered you blog through foodbuzz. You have very interesting recipes. The recipes are unique and with fresh and healthy ingredients. Will be trying them out and will let you know how it goes.

  • http://lemonsandanchovies.wordpress.com/ Jean

    I wasn't introduced to furikake until I was in college. Since then, I've religiously kept it in stock. It goes so well with eggs–at least it's how my friend taught me to eat it. Your pictures are gorgeous!

  • Pingback: Summer Roasted Beet Salad — Tokyo Terrace :: An American Foodie in Tokyo()

  • Refa Triana

    Wow It’s Great
    And that look good :)

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