As a food blog writer, I often read other food blogs to see what people are talking about.
Or arguing about.
Food stirs up some mighty strong opinions, such as which style of pizza is best or whether or not white chefs should be appropriating other cultures on their menus.
Back in 2016, British chef Jamie Oliver was practically banned from Spain after adding chorizo to paella.
Like I said, some strong opinions.
Then there’s the subject of “fusion food” that blends different cultures together, like Indo Chinese food.
I sometimes see people arguing about the merits of fusion foods, and if it’s an “unholy alliance.” (Some would argue the “Calfornia roll” is one such example of fusion experimentation gone wrong.)
I think, for the most part, it’s fun seeing chefs experiment as long as it’s done out of respect and seeing which flavours can work together.
One of my favourite places that goes light on the fusion is Japarrito in Burnaby. Located up on Burnaby Mountain, this small restaurant takes Japanese rolls and puts a twist on them.
A big twist.
When I say big, I mean that they take different ingredients and roll them up into a giant burrito shape that is a full meal in one slab.
The ingredients are mostly Japanese staples (fresh seafood, tempura flakes, tamago) blended with such things as guacamole.
My go-to Japarrito is the Ichiban Dance, that includes guac, inari, cucumber, dried shallots, wakame and eel – all bathed in a yummy unagi aioli.
And you eat it like a burrito by peeling away the wrapping as you go.
Japarrito is a big hit with the students up on the mountain who live in UniverCity and go to SFU.
I always feel like an old man when I am in there ordering.
Wait a minute, I am an old man.
DISCLAIMER: I have not been compensated by the restaurant in question for writing about it. They don’t even know I am writing about them.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
