Kusakabe

2024-02-18

Today we went to Kusakabe for dinner, so here are the pics! It’s a Michelin starred sushi restaurant in San Francisco, with a focus on Kyoto-style kaiseki.

But before that let me repost the picture of the otoro piece just because it looks nice.

Otoro.

FIGURE 1 Otoro.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2500
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

1 Appetizers

Chawanmushi with trout roe. Trout roe is slightly smaller and much firmer than the typical ikura.

FIGURE 2 Chawanmushi with trout roe. Trout roe is slightly smaller and much firmer than the typical ikura.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2500
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

1.1 Otsumami

Otsumami is nine kinds of seasonal Japanese appetizers.

Clockwise from right: Tamagoyaki with ikura on top and cod roe inside, spring roll with unagi and avocado, and a roll with shrimp on top.

FIGURE 3 Clockwise from right: Tamagoyaki with ikura on top and cod roe inside, spring roll with unagi and avocado, and a roll with shrimp on top.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/56 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Aji sashimi over some sour vinegar stuff.

FIGURE 4 Aji sashimi over some sour vinegar stuff.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/38 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Spinach and shimeji mushrooms in dashi.

FIGURE 5 Spinach and shimeji mushrooms in dashi.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/56 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Soft-shelled shrimp.

FIGURE 6 Soft-shelled shrimp.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/45 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Hon maguro, or lean bluefin tuna sashimi.

FIGURE 7 Hon maguro, or lean bluefin tuna sashimi.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/45 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

2 Sushi course one

Zuke chu-toro, or medium fatty tuna that has been marinated in soy sauce. One end of it is seared. Very flavourful and delicious.

FIGURE 8 Zuke chu-toro, or medium fatty tuna that has been marinated in soy sauce. One end of it is seared. Very flavourful and delicious.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2500
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Hirame, or flounder, with kombu on top. Great jellylike texture.

FIGURE 9 Hirame, or flounder, with kombu on top. Great jellylike texture.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 1600
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Katsuo, or skipjack tuna. Very smoky flavor.

FIGURE 10 Katsuo, or skipjack tuna. Very smoky flavor.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2000
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Shima aji, or horse mackerel. Wonderful complex taste.

FIGURE 11 Shima aji, or horse mackerel. Wonderful complex taste.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2000
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

3 Soup course

Savoury dashi broth with a deep fried kinmedai, a shiratama, and wakame.

FIGURE 12 Savoury dashi broth with a deep fried kinmedai, a shiratama, and wakame.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/28 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

4 Sushi course two

Hotate, or scallop, topped with uni. Both are slightly sweet so it's like jelly topped with ice cream.

FIGURE 13 Hotate, or scallop, topped with uni. Both are slightly sweet so it’s like jelly topped with ice cream.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 1250
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Some kind of baby tai with egg yolk powder. Sorry I forgot the name of the fish exactly, but it was very tender.

FIGURE 14 Some kind of baby tai with egg yolk powder. Sorry I forgot the name of the fish exactly, but it was very tender.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2000
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Sakuramasu, or cherry blossom trout, topped with a slice of cherry leaf that imparts a floral scent. It's a seasonal fish only available in spring. The texture is quite different from salmon and other types of trout; it feels more velvety while not completely fatty like some kinds of salmon.

FIGURE 15 Sakuramasu, or cherry blossom trout, topped with a slice of cherry leaf that imparts a floral scent. It’s a seasonal fish only available in spring. The texture is quite different from salmon and other types of trout; it feels more velvety while not completely fatty like some kinds of salmon.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2000
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Kyoto-style saba oshi sushi. The chef made sure to point out that the seaweed (nori) is extremely fancy.

FIGURE 16 Kyoto-style saba oshi sushi. The chef made sure to point out that the seaweed (nori) is extremely fancy.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/50 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

5 A5 wagyu sukiyaki

With a soft boiled jidori egg and stuff. Excellent but a bit too sweet I think.

FIGURE 17 With a soft boiled jidori egg and stuff. Excellent but a bit too sweet I think.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2500
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

6 Sushi course three

Otoro. Well otoro is always delicious but this is also on the upper end of the otoros I have eaten.

FIGURE 18 Otoro. Well otoro is always delicious but this is also on the upper end of the otoros I have eaten.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/4.0
Shutter
1/50 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Two kinds of uni. The bottom one is the same as the one from the scallop one but the top one is apparently fancier. Both from Hokkaido. Makes you wonder why Hokkaido uni is so much more delicious.

FIGURE 19 Two kinds of uni. The bottom one is the same as the one from the scallop one but the top one is apparently fancier. Both from Hokkaido. Makes you wonder why Hokkaido uni is so much more delicious.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/4.0
Shutter
1/42 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Negitoro temaki. I really enjoy negitoro temakis and this one also stands out with how delicious it is. However it's very hard to take a photo of it.

FIGURE 20 Negitoro temaki. I really enjoy negitoro temakis and this one also stands out with how delicious it is. However it’s very hard to take a photo of it.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/58 s
ISO
ISO 3200
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download
Unagi from Japan, never frozen, and grilled over binchotan. Very amazing and the spicy stuff they put on top is quite unique.

FIGURE 21 Unagi from Japan, never frozen, and grilled over binchotan. Very amazing and the spicy stuff they put on top is quite unique.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 2500
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download

7 Dessert

Uji matcha ice cream with rice crackers.

FIGURE 22 Uji matcha ice cream with rice crackers.

EXIF data
Camera
FUJIFILM GFX100S
Lens
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO A018
Aperture
f/2.8
Shutter
1/70 s
ISO
ISO 1600
Software
Digital Camera GFX100S Ver2.11
Date
Download