California Spot Prawns



National Shrimp Day!
May 10th
For most people, the difference between prawns and shrimp are too close to distinguish between them. Shrimp have small side flaps that overlap on the first through third abdominal segments and prawns have first and second anterior segments that are closely the same size. They're pretty much the same...

See What Jay Eats...


Santa Barbara Spot Prawn


Those of us who live on the West Coast are fortunate to have spot prawns right in our backyard, they're shipped all over the world. They have a very sweet flavor, hence why the Japanese call them "amaebi" or sweet shrimp.


Amaebi (sweet shrimp) sushi
Fortunate that one was a female so I got a roe sushi too
Sushi Dragon


Tempura Shrimp Heads
Everything gets used
Sushi Dragon - Sun Valley


A lot of these spot prawns are caught from Santa Barbara down to San Diego, but the West Coast is a great breeding area for them. They're kept alive in cooled oxygenated tanks and most are sold alive. Once they die, an enzyme spreads through the body and the meat becomes mushy. Others are frozen and shipped to be enjoyed all over the world.

If you have the opportunity to try California spot prawns, it will have a sweet flavor to it and worth the extra cost. I really like them sautéed in a pan with some olive oil, a dash of garlic, lemon juice, and salt.

California has some of the best spot prawns in the world. Ten years ago when I was in Japan, they told me that they had the world's best amaebi and wanted to serve it to me. I laughed when I found out they were from Santa Barbara.

So, regardless if you have shrimp fried, boiled, grilled, served with cocktail sauce, or in a stir fry, Happy National Shrimp Day!
8069 Vineland Avenue
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 768-4507
Closed on Sundays



Photos by Jay Terauchi
Jay Eats
©Jay Terauchi

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sticking to What You Do Best...

Last week, I was invited to celebrate National Hamburger Day at The Counter in Studio City. I had been to The Counter before, but today was special and met a fellow tweeter who was a first timer. The menu is easy to follow and you actually build your own burger, well at least on paper. First you select the protein, then the cheese, other various toppings, a side sauce, and last is the type of bun you want. If you’re having a hard time deciding, don’t worry, they have signature burgers and sandwiches to choose from. Too many choices make me crazy sometimes. I get so confused when I see other restaurants trying to be everything to everyone. The food at these restaurants are usually horrible and thus end up closing. Would you be surprised if the pizza at a seafood restaurant wasn’t good? Doesn’t make sense to me. Attention Restaurant Owners: Pick something and do it really really well. In-n-Out hasn’t added anything to their menu in years and they’re still in business and GROWING! Being i...
Read more

Coco Bread Sandwich with Jerk Chicken

Image
Who Doesn't Like Jerk Chicken??? OK, I'm Sure There Are Some, A Few, One, Maybe Two... This is Maybe My  Favorite  Sandwich! At least the one I think about when wanting  a great 'Sandwich'  comes to mind. Chef Yonette serves this sandwich as an every so often special at her restaurant, Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel, CA. The sandwich consists of Jerk Chicken and a Slaw for texture and balance on a house-made Coco Bread, a buttery soft circular flat bread (aka "Butter Flap" in Guyana) Like most awesome sandwiches, it's the bread that makes it great. As I pick-up my sandwich on Sandwich Saturday. Whenever I pick up pastries or patties from Caribbean Gourmet, it's very hard to make it home. Smelling the Jerk Chicken... See What Jay Eats... Yup, I caved and it didn't make it home... Follow Caribbean Gourmet's IG account and Stories for the next Jerk Chicken Sandwich Special Saturday. @caribbeangourmet On sandwich day, be sure to be there at Noon,...
Read more

Hidden Little Tokyo: Cheap Eats

Image
I usually take the Metro Gold Line to Downtown Los Angeles.  Traffic is usually bad and then I have no idea where to park.  Although some of my friends who know I'm downtown a lot, think I know where all the places to park, this is why I take the Metro.  As I was heading into town on this trip, overheard 2 guys talking about only having $5 and wanting to get something to eat. I know there are places in Little Tokyo where you can get something to eat in the $5 range, here's what I've found: See What Jay Eats... Half California Roll and Half Spicy Tuna Roll (includes miso soup) $3.95 Little Tokyo Sushi This is a grab and go kiosk inside the Little Tokyo Market Place.  They have a variety of sushi combinations ranging in price from a $2.50 hand roll to $12+. Little Tokyo Sushi at the Little Tokyo Market Place (former Mitsuwa Marketplace) 333 S. Alameda St #100 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 617-0343 Niku (Beef) Udon...
Read more