Sakura Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms as they bloom in the late spring. These blossoms only last a week or so and large crowds can be found eating and drinking under the trees both day and night. Traditional Japanese foods such as
dango and fried chicken are eaten, along with sake and beer and tea. The hanami tradition has been celebrated in Japan for centuries as a contemplative, peaceful activity, but for many people is now an excuse to have an early summer picnic.
hana yori dango or "dumplings rather than flowers" is a Japanese saying which reflects the attitude of people that are more interested in the food and drinks accompanying a hanami party than actually viewing the flowers themselves.
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| hana yori dango means "dumplings rather than flowers" |
At
High Park in Toronto there are over 100 sakura trees that were donated by the ambassador of Japan in 1959 and the hanami tradition has been growing steadily in recent years. In May some friends and I decided to join the celebration and threw our own hanami party.
Besides sake and beer, I brought some maki rolls and Japanese buns filled with BBQ pork, curried beef, tuna, and other savoury fillings from the Japanese bakery Furama Cake and Dessert Garden on Spadina in Chinatown, as well as assorted kim chi, seaweed, and Japanese potato chips at P.A.T Korean market on Bloor. Joel had caught a steel head trout on the weekend and home-smoked it to make a smoked trout, cream cheese avocado roll. Way to go Joel!
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| Joel's Smoked Steel head Trout Avocado and Cream Cheese Maki |
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| Assorted Kim Chi and Seaweed Pickles |
I also bought some cherry brandy to make a special cocktail for the occasion. It's simple and delicious
Sakura Cocktail
1 part cherry brandy
4 parts sake
top with club soda
ice
serve in a wine glass with a cherry garnish
