Sabadell is not in fashion, ok, but it's worth it for Two reasons:
1. Its textile heritage, its chimneys and a Manchester-style industrial character.
2. Kote. Japanese and fantastic restaurant that only a few lucky people know about.
Nami Fukunaga she is 38 years old and was responsible for opening it in 2014. her specialty is the Yakisoba and Okonomiyaki: a street food, especially in the area of Osaka , where the Fukunaga family is from.
“My father has restaurants in Japan of two different typologies: Ramen and Okonomiyaki. Having worked at his premises, I had experience in those fields”, he introduces himself in impeccable Spanish.
Kote, Sabadell.
And here comes the magic. “We did not find Yakisoba noodles that convinced us, so we don't doubt it and we brought the machine from Japan to make our own own. And of course, the Okonomiyaki are also homemade and we cook them every day”, she boasts.
Nami admits that the most difficult thing about landing in Spain was find the balance of the culinary customs of there with those of here. “We want them to know our dishes and how it is the traditional cuisine we eat in Japan, but always adapting without imposing” , she sentences her with a whole declaration of intent.
In this respect and homage to our culture, in her menu we can find some Yakisoba with sausage and onion, those who call yakisobadell (Yakiso+Sabadell); and ones Yakisoba with chicken and alioli, those who call yakisobaluna (Yakiso+Catalonia).
Other surprises on the menu? The battered olives, the avocado croquettes or the wonderful desserts prepared with love by Nami herself. And it is not easy to achieve this feat abroad, with another language and so many other customs. For this reason, Nami admires all the people who offer her specialty with her passion, be it a popular restaurant or a food truck of street cooking.
"Equally, those who fight outside their comfort zone, because it is very complicated give with the same raw material than in the country of origin”, she maintains, alluding that even the different properties of water influence the final result of a recipe.
Kote, Sabadell.
“For me cooking is like a great journey, it allows us to transport ourselves mentally, evoke moments, imagine what it would be like to live in another country, enjoy a few hours in another destination. And, the most beautiful: share those feelings with other people”, holds the Japanese in a romantic tone. She does it remembering her first trip, which was to Taiwan, together with her parents and her brother. Everything, under the music that plays in the background, which is what she listens to when cooking.
KOTE FANS
The cartoonist of Captain Tsubasa Y Oliver and Benji, Takahashi Youichi; or the singer Naotaro Moriyama. Both cases confirm that Kote is the gastronomic choice when the Japanese are looking for a good Japanese restaurant in our country.
Ibai Llanos and his friend Barbe , who, although they are not Japanese, of eating well they know a while.
Osaka.
At this point, it is unavoidable to ask Nami for her recommendations from Osaka. She notes:
-A MUSEUM: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, located in Tennōji Park, it focuses on Japanese and East Asian art.
-TO WALK AND HAVE A COFFEE: Kitahama neighborhood (Moto Coffee, North Shore…).
-A STORE: Biotop Osaka, multi-brand store where you can find special editions from firms such as Saye, Converse, Maison Margiela... as well as gourmet products, accessories and interior design.
-A WATCHER: Harukas, At 300 meters tall, it is the tallest skyscraper in Japan.
-A MARKET: Kuromon Market, the most popular and lively market in Osaka.