Nanban to Celebrate Grand Opening on September 10th

Continues the Party Through Saturday with $1 Taiyaki

The restaurant brings to Portland a renegade approach to Japanese comfort food

Nanban’s Taiyaki, photo by Sweet Visuals

PORTLAND, Ore. (September 8, 2020) – Nanban is bringing to Portland a renegade approach to Japanese comfort food on Thursday, September 10. The grand opening celebration will feature $1 Taiyaki desserts Thursday, September 10 through Saturday, September 12th, 4-10 pm. Nanban’s non-traditional take on Taiyaki features a toasted fish-shaped puff pastry with a choice of seasonal fillings, currently lemon curd, chocolate toffee, and apple, locally sourced from Kiyokawa Family Orchards.

Located in the former Noraneko space, Nanban will serve a variety of non-traditional takes on Japanese comfort food. Inspiration for Nanban came from Chef/Owner David Edwards’ frequent travels to Japan while working as a mechanical engineer. While exploring and trying local dishes on work trips, Edwards continually thought of how he would use his own Le Cordon Bleu training and experience in the kitchens of Toro Bravo and Urban Farmer to recreate flavors, textures, and add his own renegade take to the fare. Edward’s renegade approach can be found in the Agedashi Daikon. A dish normally served with crispy tofu in a dashi broth, instead features fried daikon root served atop a creamy cashew dashi sauce.

Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki with miso mushroom, photo by Sweet Visuals

The menu also features Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake layered with cabbage, beansprouts, and yakisoba noodles, topped with a choice of pork belly, calamari, or vegan miso mushrooms. Edwards grew to love the dish on his trips to Japan but found it difficult to find Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki stateside.

Nanban’s Chicken Karaage technique draws inspiration from the Japanese factory that Edwards worked at where lunch ladies cranked out hundreds of meals daily with the best karaage he had ever tasted. The chicken is marinated in a blend of sweet, salty, alcohol, and aromatic elements then dredged in 100% potato starch and twice fried. Served with Kewpie mayo and lemon, the dish offers a tender, juicy, yet crunchy bite. The Chicken Nanban Sandwich levels the dish up with black vinegar, umeboshi slaw, and tartar. Vegans and non-meat eaters can similarly dig in to the restaurant’s Jackfruit Karaage and Jackfruit Karaage Sandwich with creamy miso dressing and slaw.

Pastry chef Kimberley Supple will bring her flair for beautiful and whimsical desserts. First with Nanban’s handmade sweet-filled Taiyakis and housemade miso ice cream, and then soon-to-come French pastries and cakes inspired by the pastry cases found in many Japanese supermarkets.

Nanban the name comes from Japan’s own culinary evolution. The word has its origins in the Chinese language as Nánmán referring to the people of South Asia or Southeast Asia then, in approximately 1540, the term was applied to Portuguese traders who landed in Nagasaki. Pre-1540 all influence in Japan came from the emperor who was seated in Kyoto. When the Portuguese landed, they introduced the Japanese to global ingredients and cooking techniques such as tempura coming from the Portuguese frying techniques. According to legend, when the Emperor heard of this new and strange food he exclaimed “what is this Nanban food?!” In approximately 1640 Japan closed its borders for the next century and all foreign food was referred to as Nanban.

Nanban offers a renegade approach to Japanese comfort food. Inspired by Chef/Owner David Edwards’ travels to Japan as a mechanical engineer, the food is Edwards’ own reimagining of local Japanese dishes. From Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, Agedashi Daikon, Pork-Katsu Sandwiches, and twice-fried Chicken Karaage Sandwiches, to puff pastry Taiyaki with fresh made seasonal fillings and miso ice cream, the restaurant offers a variety of non-traditional treats. The restaurant is open for takeout and delivery only, Wednesday-Saturday, 4 pm-10 pm. Customers can order ahead at https://www.toasttab.com/nanban/v3. Located under Portland’s Hawthorne Bridge at 1430 SE Water Ave #103 Portland, OR 97214. Phone: (971) 302-7919 Website: https://www.nanbanpdx.com/ Instagram:@Nanbanpdx Facebook:

Continues the Party Through Saturday with $1 Taiyaki

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