Table - Post Mealtime

This is what our table looked like after we had finished eating at the Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. We must have eaten a lot, because the server had already taken some plates away!

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine Server

This is a picture of the server at Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. She was so nice, and explained the menu when we needed help. To her left is John Esaki. Below him is Yoko Nishimura. To her right is Elizabeth Ishida.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Jorge Nakamoto

This is a picture of Jorge Nakamoto (center), owner of Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. He is a Japanese Peruvian, and came to the United States about 20 years ago. Here, he holds up his new menu, to be released in the near future. On his right is Yoko Nishimura. On his left is Elizabeth Ishida.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Picarones

This food item resembles a doughnut, yet it is not a doughnut. This round pastry is made from squash, pumpkin and sweet potato, mushed together and then deep fried. It is then drizzled in a sweet syrup base. Without the syrup, it would have tasted a bit bitter, for there was anise in the picarones.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

TuTan

This is a dish called Tutan, because it's more than wonton (one-ton). :)
It was delicious, a wonton crust filled with crab meat and cheese.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Nikkei Sampler

This is a picture of the Nikkei Sampler at the Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. It was brought to our table as a complimentary appetizer. The left one is called Ceviche Nikkei, and was fish in citrus juice, topped with a hot sauce. The middle one is Causa Nikkei. It is a sweet potato topped with pureed tuna, avacado sauce, seaweed and tomato garnish. The right one is Pulpo al Olivo. It is octopus covered in an olive sauce. The appetizers tasted great, and they looked great too!

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Pescado al Aho

This dish was listed on the menu under the "Chinese Style" entrees. The dish is primarily fried fish.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

John Esaki and Contigo Peru

The server at the Wakatay Restuarant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine suggested a special meal for John Esaki. It was a dish that was not yet on the mainstream menu. That special dish was Contigo Peru. It was a seafood dish topped with two prawns, as well as both a Japanese flag and a Peruvian flag.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Pescado a lo Macho

This seafood dish is called Pescado a lo Macho. It consists of various types of seafood in a spicy sauce. The person who ordered it said it was very delicious. However, since it was such a large portion, she was unable to finish it all!

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Mariscos Saltado

This dish is called Mariscos Saltado. It is shrimp, squid, tomatoes, onions and french fries stir-fried together. It also came with rice.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Lomo Saltado

This is Lomo Saltado, a traditional Peruvian dish. It includes beef, tomatos, onions, and french fries, all stir-fried in a soy sauce base. It was amazing.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

White Rice

This is a scoop of Japanese rice served to me at the Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. The presentation looked very clean and modern.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Peruvian-Okinawa Soba

This is a picture of the Peruvian-Okinawa Soba served at the Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. The owner of the restaurant told us that this dish is ordered often in Peru when it is cold. It was really delicious.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Cheese and Milk Potatoes Appetizer

This creamy, cheesy appetizer was served at the Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. The small potatoes were drizzled in a sauce made of cheese and milk.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Ceviche Mixto

This Peruvian Nikkei fused ceviche appetizer was served at the Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. It was beautifully presented, and included squid, fish and octopus amongst juices, red onions and corn nuts. The item on the left is giant corn, and items on the right are giant sweet potatoes.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Maracuya Sampler

This is a picture of five samples of maracuya, a fruit juice drink served at Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. The maracuya fruit resembles a passion fruit. The group I was with thought it was interesting that the writing on the shot glasses was in Korean. This was a truly multiethnic establishment. The drink was very sweet, and oh so delicious.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Drinks at Wakatay

This is a picture of three different beverages served at Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine. The drink on the left is cold green tea. The middle drink is called chicha morada, and is made from purple corn, and is native to Peru. The drink on the right in Inka Kola. The can of Inka Kola is the right of the glass. Interesting fact: Inka Kola is bottled by the Coca Cola Company.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Wakatay Menu

This is the front page of the menu at Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine.

Transcript
"Welcome to:
Wakatay
Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine
1630 Redondo Beach Blvd. #9
Gardena, CA. 90247
Tel. - (310) 329-6033

We proudly present a variety of dishes mainly inspired on Peruvian dishes adding a bit of our oriental ancestors' mystical taste with a European touch of finesse. Making our dishes capable to satisfy your demands thanks to our experiences Chef who after many years of what able to blend all the specially selected ingredients perfectly.
The Wakatay word has been taken from the name of the native Peruvian Black Mint called 'Huacatay' which has been used for many centuries by the Peruvians to spice up the natural flavors of different meats and vegetables."

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Bread, Butter and Hot Dipping Sauce

This is a picture of a complimentary bread basket at Wakatay Restaurant-Pervian Nikkei Cuisine in Gardena. The bread arrived with individual butter packets and special Peruvian Nikkei hot dipping sauce.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, I went to Wakatay Restaurant-Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine with my co-workers from the Japanese American National Museum. The fusion of the foods and flavors made for some very unique and delicious entrees. Wakatay Restaurant is located at the Pacific Square, 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA, 90247.

Photo by Vicky Murakami-Tsuda

Lucuma Ice Cream (Lucuma ice cream)

Lucuma ice cream

Bowl of lucuma ice cream from Wakatay Restaurant - Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine.

Lucuma is a fruit native to Peru. The waitress described it as a cross between a peach and an avocado. It has a large pit like an avocado. She said that it reminded her of her hometown of Lima, Peru.

The ice cream had a mild, but interesting taste and texture. It's apparently very popular in many parts of the world.

Here are some links to information about lucuma that I found online:

- www.peruvianpeppers.com/lucuma.htm

- www.lucuma.com/lucumafruit.asp

- www.nap.edu/books/030904264X/html/263.html

Wakatay Restaurant
Peruvian Nikkei Cuisine
1630 W Redondo Beach Blvd #9
Gardena, CA 90247
310.329.6033

Wakatay is at the Pacific Square shopping center. It's in the corner near the Mikawaya.