gaijin, helsinki.
we had a lovely time exploring helsinki for the first leg of our scandinavian adventure. james’s birthday is always toward the beginning of our trips, and this year was no different. given the time of year, time of pandemic and the fact that it was a sunday, i was a little worried about getting an appropriate dinner reservation since it felt like most places were closed sundays-tuesdays. we lucked out with gaijin, who was offering a sunday tasting menu at the time. it didn’t hurt that they also had a great selection of japanese whiskies.
herushinki: hendrick’s gin, cucumber juice, mint, lime, ginger; japanese whisky, don’t remember which!
green shell mussel, wasabi soy, radish, seaweed caviar.
truffle seasoned beef tartare, picked daikon, mustard seeds.
seared scallop, shizo mayonnaise, edamame beans, sake beurre blanc.
the menu incorporates ingredients and flavors from japanese, korean and chinese cuisines, but did so without feeling gimmicky. the local seafood was particularly delightful (a non-PEI mussel? consider me very interested!) and the meal progressed nicely from light and refreshing to warm and comforting.
fried fish of the day, black garlic puree, xo dressing, crispy garlic.
japanese rice, furikake.
iberico pork neck hot pot with kimchi broth, pickled cucumber, kimchi mayonnaise.
white chocolate ganache, hazelnut yuzu ice cream, raspberries.
when we left the restaurant it was snowing! good thing our bellies were warm and full of delicious food.
Bulevardi 6, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
