Brazilian Temakerias

 

While researching local Japanese restaurants I stumbled upon the Brazilian temakerias. In the late 20th century there was a large number of Japanese who immigrated to Brazil for farm work. They brought along there cuisine which merged with the local Brazilian food.  Temakerias serve traditional Japanese temaki, or hand rolls, with local ingredients like fruit, salmon and cream cheese. There are also several Brazilian sauces used in the rolls to given them a unique flavor. They are notably larger then Japanese temaki rolls and ment to be eaten by hand.  By the 1990's they became a popular fast food item in Brazil. If you visit a temakeria you will be trying Brazilian fusion not American fusion.

Here are some local (central NJ) Brazilian Temakerias:

Brazilian Temakeria: Located at 94 Monroe St, Newark, NJ 07105, and 33 Patterson St, Newark, NJ 07105.

Spicy Brazil Sushi: Located at 118 Pacific St, Newark, NJ.

Kingu Sushi: Located at 378 Market St, Newark, NJ. 

Kingu Sushi: Located at 599 Chestnut St, Union, NJ. 

Ramen Vending Machine

 While at the APA hotel in Woodbridge NJ, I spotted the yo-kai express machine. A vending machine for ramen soup. Unfortunately it was out of service. It is supposed to make a hot bowl of ramen in 90 seconds.  The cost is $10-15 per bowl.  I'm close enough that I'll stop by again to see if I can write a proper review. Also note per their website this is the only one located in NJ.

Restaurant- Aoi Japanese Restaurant

 We tried Aoi Japanese Restaurant in Woodbridge NJ. On their website they claim to serve washoku cuisine and specialize in shojin, which is strictly vegetarian. We decided to avoid the sushi all together so we could explore the washoku cuisine. 

For appetizers we had edemame and tatsuta age, which is fried chicken. The edemame delivered on presentation and taste, it was seasoned only with salt.  The tatsuta chicken also focused on the meat with out over seasoning. The coating was light and airy, reminiscent of tempura. 

I had the Sukiyaki Pot which was soup with beef, noodles, onion, scallions, 2 types of mushroom, tofu and served with a slightly cooked egg on top. The soup was surprisingly sweet and unlike any Japanese soup I've tasted before.  

                  

The thinly sliced beef was great quality and tasted amazing. The ingredients were all fresh and flavorful. I was given a wooden box on the side to add some additional seasoning.  The waitress said to be careful cause the seasoning was Hot 🔥. 

After I had eaten half the soup, I began to experiment with my spice box.  It made the soup taste much better and wasn't too spicy.  I added more and thoroughly enjoyed my soup. 

My brother tried the curry rice, which came with a small miso soup. There were two potatoe croquets and onions, broccoli, red pepper on the side. The curry contained a mix of mystery vegetables. My brother said the miso soup was above average and his food tasted great with out being too spicy .

Lastly we had matcha ice cream for dessert. The waitress informed us it was topped with fresh red bean paste. Another great tasting dish made from fresh ingredients. 

While we throughly enjoyed our meal, I'm not sure I experienced true washoku or shojin. First of all any meat, sea food, onion is not shojin. It would help if they clearly label these items on the menu.  From my research washoku should be served in a series of small dishes. I wasn't even given the side of rice with my soup. I think our plates should have looked more like this. They should also include which ingredient are local and where they were sourced from. With that being said, keep an open mind while dinning here.  You will receive a great quality Japanese meal, but don't look for washoku or shojin.

Restaurant- Aoi Japanese Restaurant

 Again I find myself writing about Aoi Japanese Restaurant before my actual visit.  I'm researching and preparing for my eventual visit. What you ask would cause me to post two articles about a restaurant I haven't visited yet? SAKE 🌸 

I'm actually impressed by their Sake menu. Originally this blog was supposed to feature both ramen & sake, but I had to pull back due to my health issues. I see 10+ types of sake listed. I'm researching because I'm going to narrow it down to two drinks.  It will be expensive but worth it.

Sake: An alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, water, koji mold, and yeast.  It's typically 15% alcohol. It can be served cold, room temperature or hot depending. 

Shochu: An alcoholic beverage made from ingredients like rice, barley, or sweet potatoes. It's similar to beer and typically 25% to 35% alcohol.

Nigori: Cloudy, unfiltered Japanese sake that retains much of the rice sediment, giving it a milky appearance and a creamy, sweet flavor. It typically tastes like coconut or milk.  It's often referred to as crazy milk. This is best served cold.

Junmai: Sake made with only four basic ingredients: rice, water, yeast, and koji. Translates to "pure rice." No distilled brewers alcohol is added. It tastes like rice and is more acidic then other sake. It can be served warm or cold depending.

Anime - Killer of Killers

 

Predator: Killer of Killers is a Hulu original animated film released in June 2025. It's part of the Predator film franchise.  It follows 3 main fighters a viking raider, a ninja in feudal Japan, and a World War II pilot who are hunted by a Predator.  Later we see all 3 brought to a Predator occupied planet to participate in a final battle. 

The film original feels like 3 separate films.  Infact we are learning the characters back stories, before they find themselves together in captivity.  By definition anime can be considered any animation originated in Japan, done in a style that would mimic Japanese animation or having Japanese subject matter.  While this film was produced in the United States, it would be considered anime due to the inclusion of Kenji's story. 

Kenji and his brother Kiyoshi, sons of a warlord,  grow up training together. They are ordered to duel to determine their father's successor. Kenji refuses to fight, but Kiyoshi attacks and defeats him. Kiyoshi takes his place along side his father while Kenji flees and lives in exile as a ninja. Years later Kenji will return to confront his brother, unfortunately this coincidences with him being hunted by a Predator. 

The film incorporates stunning fight scenes.  The animation only enhances what can be done. After a while you forget your not watching a live action movie.  The story is well written and leads into a possible sequel at the end. 

Restaurant - Aoi Japanese Restaurant

 Normally I don't write about a restaurant without dinning there first. I am making a huge exception for Aoi because while reviewing the menu I noticed they serve Washoku, a traditional Japanese cuisine that is registered with UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They are known for designating world heritage sites, both cultural and natural that are must see tourist destinations. Washoku stands for harmony and food in Japanese. A simple explanation would be these 4 basic principles:

Balance – A mix of flavors, textures, and nutrients

Seasonality – Using fresh, local ingredients based on the seasons

Presentation – Arranging food beautifully with care

Simplicity – Natural flavors without excessive seasoning

Aoi dives a little deeper by specializing in Shojin cuisine. This is strict vegetarian cooking which originated from Zen Buddhist monasteries. They do not use seafood to season their broths and avoids any ingredients that can overstimulate the senses and disrupt meditation. Strong spices and vegetables like onions and garlic are avoided. They are not strictly vegetarian, the menu offers lots of meat dishes as well. 

What stood out the most while reviewing the menu was the Aoi Omakase Experience.  This is only offered once a week on Saturday and reminds me of an exclusive NYC restaurant.  The seating is at 5pm in a separate room and requires a reservation.  The experience costs $180 per person. Is the cost worth it to try the UNESCO designated cuisine? I have been known to splurge when writing for my blog.  Most restaurants I visit have been with my brother, so that would be $360 for both of us.  Find out after the jump (next article) if I went with the Omaskase Experience. 

Aoi Japanese restaurant and bar is located in the Apa Hotel in Woodbridge NJ.

Restaurant - Poke House

 We tried Poke House in Cranford NJ. Which sells both poke and ramen.  Poke is a Hawaiian dish consisting of sliced cubed fish tossed in sauce and served over plain steamed rice.  Poke means “to slice or cut” in Hawaiian. While it's not Japanese there is some influence from Japanese immigrants with soy sauce and a desire for premium grade tuna. 

I ordered the shrimp ramen which came with a choice of ramen or udon noodles, shrimp, soft boiled brown egg, bamboo, fish Cake, and scallion. The soup had lots of shrimp, more then 6 pieces.  It was served hot but not too warm that it would burn like most restaurants.  You could tell the ingredients were fresh.  Overall this was a good bowl of soup but nothing made it stand out and the table was missing ramen seasoning. 

I'm looking forward to returning to try the poke. I did like the simple design of the restaurant and that you can order from the large kiosk.  The staff was great and gave us fresh orange slices at the end. 

Kit Kat Tasting

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Flavor: Gooey Caramel 

Country: Australia

Comments: Soft, gooey caramel layer in the top layer of the Kit Kat bar. Tastes like a Werthers Original.  The chocolate tastes a little bit better than a regular Kit Kat. Again this is an Australian bar made from 100% certified sustainable cocoa, supplied through the Nestle Cocoa Plan.