My trip to Japan was an active one. On my first night, I didn’t sit very still, other than at a rooftop footbath in Tokyo’s Asakusa district.
It was a wonderful visit. I watched top-level sumo wrestlers, learned the cheering songs (cheering songs) at a match in Yokohama, and cheered on the DeNA BayStars while drinking local beer poured by vendors (servers) carrying heavy, bright yellow barrels on their backs. I went to sample it at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. I took the Shinkansen to Kyoto at a speed of 200 miles per hour. I saw the legendary Iron Maiden in front of an army of screaming Japanese metalheads in Kanagawa. I climbed Mt. Fuji in the early hours of the morning and watched the sunrise from the top at dawn.
Seriously. I did that.
But aside from these wonderful special moments, I found myself marveling at the everyday life of Japanese people. The miraculous efficiency of public transport, the cleanliness of the streets, the warm and friendly people, the small spaces and of course the courtesy of sharing a meal.
But before I wax poetic about the convenience store onigiri that underpinned a good portion of my adventures, let me tell you one thing: Japan eats breakfast better than we do.
Most of you will balk, but instead of bacon and pancakes, I’ll have mackerel and rice, or crumbled miso-grilled salmon with pickled vegetables and a mug of earthy hot tea.
That’s why when I heard that Gyukatsu Rose had added breakfast to their simple and reasonable Japanese menu, I had to go there. fast.
“Fish makes breakfast light and high in protein,” says chef and owner Sean “Sunny” Nguyen. “This will give you all the nutrients and keep you light on your feet all day long.”
Soup (deep-fried tofu adds a bit of protein), barley rice, pickled vegetables, silken cold tofu with sesame dressing, and crunchy curry-topped potato croquettes are all beautifully packaged together with the star miso-grilled salmon. A selection of teas will whet your appetite. The total comes to $28 per person. If you want to feel a little “American,” feel free to pick up Lineage coffee at the counter.
The specialty for dinner and brunch is the beef cutlet. Since opening, they’ve also added tuna cutlet (tuna version), but they focus on doing one thing very well. Breakfast is no exception.
“The way we do it is definitely an homage to Japan. In general, in Japan you have people who specialize in one cuisine and try to execute it in the best way possible, rather than having an extensive menu where everything may be delicious but not the best.”
The market traffic cycle revealed breakfast.
“We open the market primarily from late afternoon until early evening, including after the market closes. We have a very strong weekend presence at East End Market. There aren’t many places in Central Florida that serve Japanese breakfast.”
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Michelin-starred Cadence occasionally offers its own versions, but the approachable Gyukatsu Rose menu, currently available every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, is “for the average everyday diner,” Nguyen says.
Reservations for seating at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. can be made through Resy through the restaurant’s website. It’s been about a month since the service started, and it’s always full. Make it now and power up for a fun-filled weekend in Orlando.
Gaikatsu Rose: Located in East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando. beef cutlet rose.com
Black Coffee Cafe Negro Bistro
Nestled in Winter Park, the former home of Winter Park Fish Company has been transformed into a brunch haven. Even if you’re focused on being “delicious” with a $19 egg white omelet (guilty if charged), you can also bring along a friend who’s likely to go for the Black Coffee Smash Burger with Fries ($22) and enjoy a bite before keeping up with your nutrition plan in earnest.
The best part?Eating lightly means you can “afford” the calories in a mimosa. Lavender is a house specialty here, but lemon (just lemon juice, no sugar, great) was my favorite of the breakfast drinks.
Black Coffee Cafe Negro Bistro: 761 N. Orange Ave. in Winter Park, 321-444-6001; bccnb.com
sourdough bread house
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that this Casselberry Carb Castle was named Best Breakfast Critic at this year’s Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards. If you haven’t yet, this is your second chance. I think it’s one of the most overlooked stores in town. Perfect for both American and Turkish breakfasts, you’ll also enjoy a wonderful round sourdough bread that can also be used as a pillow.
These beautiful boules freeze very well, so you can enjoy toasted slices on their own in the comfort of your own home, with eggs for breakfast or for a soup lunch. Maybe it’s just a whisper of jam. Or dip them in seasoned olive oil. There are no bad ideas.
Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel
Enjoy your sourdough breadhouse breakfast in the comfort of your own home. (Amy Drew Thompson/Orlando Sentinel)
My in-house pick is the biggest Turkish spread with the addition of menemen (a gorgeous scrambled egg with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and oregano). Hummus, avocado, cheese, honey, jams, dips… Paired with strong Turkish tea, any day is a heavenly start.
But so do many other plates. There’s nothing wrong with sourdough with labneh, hummus, avocado, and smoked salmon, but if you want some good old American pancakes and bacon, this is the place to go.
Just go. And get that bread. And thank me later.
Sourdough Breadhouse: 5761 SUS Highway 1792 in Casselberry, 407-636-5204; sourdoughbreadhouse.com
bagel king
They are the rulers of the Orlando region for a reason beyond the name they give themselves.
There are more bagel options than ever in the city these days, but Bagel King was a pioneer in this field, offering boiled and baked solid bagels for discerning palates.
It’s obvious to take home a paper bag to spread your own, but if you want to sit down and let someone else do the work, you could do worse than eat a fresh bagel topped with your favorite schmear (I’m a chive person) and a berry or Novalox with romaine, tomato, onion, and capers.
Yes, there are options other than bagels. There are also biscuits, gravy, and chicken fried steak. I would still like a bagel on the side.
Because it seems like a bad idea to skip the bagels at a place called Bagel King.
That being said, I have my eye on that Jewish-Cuban sandwich for my next lunch stop.
Bagel King: 1455 Semoran Blvd. Casselberry, 407-657-6266; Bagel King Net
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, and for more foodie fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
