So, I’ve been jonesing for Japanese food recently and decided to try a place closer to home than my old standby, which is about 45 minutes away vs 10… So, out to Burke Garden restaurant, which specializes in Japanese and Korean food. They’ve been in business for a few years now, which means that a) the health department has not found reason to shut them down, and b) either they’re good or someone is willing to throw money into the abyss to keep them open.
Walked in and I was the only customer. Bummer. Don’t know if it was cause it was a weeknight, or maybe they do more via carryout, or maybe the entire local Korean population eats Greek & Italian at the place a couple doors down. But, hey, not the worst thing in the world to have the entire staff working for you. The tables all have gas “charcoal” roasters built into them – obviously not for the Japanese food, but they do a lot of Korean BBQ there.
First thing – if you go there, do not make the same mistake I did. Do NOT think you can order a starter and a main and be able to finish it, unless you are a linebacker for the Washington Redskins.
Started with a Coke and perused the menu. Korean definitely seems to be the favored cuisine, but there was more than enough Japanese to take care of me. They bring a glass of ice and a can of Coke. Works for me – certainly easier for them to order a case of Coke than to try to keep a fountain machine maintained, and the Coke is never flat.
Ordered the veggie & shrimp tempura for a starter, then the tonkatsu for the main. I noticed something at the bottom of the menu saying that the mains came w/ sides, but didn’t mention what. I figured it would be whatever the chef was in the mood to make and as long as I get my sticky rice, I’m a happy girl.
First came the miso soup. Really, really good. Best I’ve ever had in the states and as good, if not better. than some I had when I was in Japan.
Then the tempura. Perfect. Light and crispy and hadn’t been in the fryer too long. Shrimp, broccoli & carrots. (Tempura carrots are pretty much my fav tempura veggie, right up with sweet potatoes.)
As I got towards finishing that off, they brought out the sides. Oh. My. God. Good sized bowl of sticky rice. Score! Then – eight, yes EIGHT, other sides. Very small sides to be sure (little dishes about 4″ across), but EIGHT of them. The tonkatsu was also HUGE. Enough to feed 3 people, easily. But, it was very good and made me happy.
I had to try something off all the sides, and these were all definitely from the Korean side of the house, but great. There was a wilted spinach with a very spicy vinagrette. Then spicy pickled bok choy, and a spicy pickled crunchy something. Broccoli & fake crab (they made no bones about it being fake) – lightly steamed and had *something* on it, but I couldn’t tell you what it was – it was very light and refreshing. Pickled bean sprouts, pickled onions (see a theme here?), another version of pickled bean sprouts, and then a pickled wilted cabbage. I liked all of them, but really couldn’t manage more than a bite or two of each because there was just too much.
Overall, I was very pleased with my dinner and I’m sure I’ll return again.
