At 'Donan Fushimi,' located in Fushimi, Nagoya, you can savor the seasonal bounty of Hokkaido to your heart's content.

In a tranquil space that offers an escape from the city's hustle and bustle, we await your visit with seasonal seafood and a carefully curated selection of fine drinks. The bounty of the sea, which changes its character with each season, offers an exceptional experience unique to Donan Fushimi. In this article, we will focus on our seasonal menu, where new discoveries await with every visit. We'll delve into its allure and how to best enjoy it, ensuring your next visit is even more rewarding.

What Seasonal Hokkaido Bounties Await You at Donan Fushimi?

Donan Fushimi is beloved by many as an izakaya in both Nishiki and Fushimi, Nagoya.

First-time guests and those planning a return visit might be wondering, What seasonal ingredients are available now? or What are the recommended dishes and best ways to enjoy the flavors of each season?

It's true that the flavor and richness of seafood change dramatically with the seasons. When you visit Donan Fushimi, we want you to experience the very best of what the season has to offer. In this section, we'll help you visualize the shifting tastes of Hokkaido and how you can best savor them right here.

• You're unsure which seasonal ingredients to choose.
• You want to learn about special, limited-time seasonal menus.
• You'd like recommendations on which dishes to eat during each season.

We'll answer these questions and provide detailed information in the following sections to help you enjoy your time at Donan Fushimi even more.

Spring in Full Bloom! Savoring the Ocean's Spring Harvest at Donan Fushimi

Spring is a season that breathes new life. The ocean's bounty, too, releases the umami stored up during winter, revealing a fresh new appeal. At Donan Fushimi, we offer a rich menu featuring the succulent seafood unique to this season.

Delicate Ocean Treasures that Herald Spring

Seafood from Hokkaido's spring seas is characterized by its firm flesh and delicate sweetness. For instance, the Sakura-dai (cherry sea bream) features beautifully colored meat and an elegant flavor. Enjoy its subtle umami as sashimi or lightly seared to enhance its aroma. Shellfish, which also reach their peak in spring, are not to be missed. Clams, scallops, and whelk whet the appetite with their rich ocean fragrance and unique textures. Preparing them steamed in sake (sakamushi) or grilled with butter maximizes their natural flavors.

• Whole Sakura-dai Sashimi: Savor the stunning presentation and the rich umami of its firm meat.
• Sake-Steamed Spring Shellfish: A deeply savory dish with an enticing aroma of the sea.
• Sautéed Asparagus and Scallops: A vibrant dish, rich in color, combining the best of spring vegetables and seafood.

These dishes pair wonderfully with light, fruity sake or a crisp white wine with mineral notes. Our staff will be happy to recommend the perfect drink to suit your tastes, so please don't hesitate to ask.

Summer Is Here! Refreshing Seasonal Flavors at Our Nishiki Seafood Izakaya

Refreshing, fresh seafood that makes you forget the summer heat takes center stage at Donan Fushimi in the summer. A variety of visually cooling dishes adorn the table, perfect for banquets in Nishiki.

The Cool Colors of the Summer Sea's Bounty

When you think of summer in Hokkaido, uni (sea urchin) and squid are essentials. The melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of uni is best enjoyed luxuriously in gunkan-maki or over a bowl of rice. The live, translucent squid sashimi is exceptional for its firm texture and delicate sweetness. For times when the summer heat dulls your appetite, we offer creative and refreshing dishes like carpaccio and seasoned salads.

• Live Squid Sashimi: A quintessential summer delicacy, served at peak freshness.
• Seasonal Uni Donburi: A luxurious rice bowl where rich, sweet flavors of sea urchin fill your palate.
• Marinated Summer Vegetables and Seafood: A treat for both the eyes and the taste buds with its refreshing tartness and vibrant colors.

Enjoy the bounty of the summer sea with a chilled, dry sake or a refreshing sparkling wine. We also offer a great selection of large platters perfect for sharing at banquets in Nishiki.

Full of Autumn Flavors! Donan Fushimi's Seasonal Best, Perfect for Nishiki Banquets

Autumn is a season when both the sea and mountains yield a rich harvest. At Donan Fushimi, we welcome you with dishes that generously incorporate the deep flavors of autumn, such as fatty fish and aromatic mushrooms. As a Nagoya Nishiki izakaya, we offer autumn delicacies that will lavishly adorn any banquet table.

The Harvest of Autumn: Appetite-Whettering Masterpieces

The quintessential tastes of autumn are sanma (Pacific saury) and salmon. Fatty, in-season sanma is best enjoyed simply grilled with salt. The rich umami that bursts from the plump flesh is the very essence of autumn in Japan. As the new rice harvest arrives, we also recommend our salmon and ikura oyako-don (parent-child rice bowl) or grilled salmon belly. Add fragrant matsutake mushrooms in an earthenware pot soup (dobin-mushi) or seasoned mixed rice (takikomi-gohan) to complete a luxurious autumn feast.

• Salt-Grilled Fatty Sanma: The fragrant skin and juicy meat are simply irresistible.
• Salmon and Ikura Oyako-don: A perfect harmony of sweet new-harvest rice and the pop of salmon roe.
• Matsutake and Seafood Dobin-mushi: An elegant dish with a rich aroma that stimulates the appetite.

Autumn flavors pair well with hiyaoroshi, an aromatic autumn sake, or a slightly aged junmai sake. Our serene atmosphere is perfect for intimate conversations or for banquets in Nishiki.

The Best of Winter! Heartwarming Seafood Dishes from Our Fushimi Izakaya

In the cold winter, one craves rich-tasting seafood dishes that warm both body and soul. At Donan Fushimi, we prepare comforting, warm dishes using luxurious ingredients nurtured in the harsh winter seas, like fatty fish, seasonal crab, and oysters, to warm you from the inside out.

The Heartwarming Bounty of the Winter Sea

Hokkaido's winter sea is a true treasure trove of flavors. Crabs like snow crab and horsehair crab are exceptional for their sweetness and rich umami. Enjoy them boiled, or experience different flavors in a hot pot (nabe) or grilled. Plump oysters can be savored raw, capturing the essence of the ocean, or cooked—as fried oysters or in a hot pot—to concentrate their savory taste. Cod, the king of winter seafood, has firm yet delicately deep-flavored flesh, which we serve in hot pots or as kombu-jime (cured with kelp).

• Luxurious Crab Hot Pot: A broth packed with umami to warm you body and soul.
• Specially Selected Raw Oysters: Savor the rich milk of the sea with a squeeze of lemon.
• Cod Milt Tempura: An exquisite dish with a creamy flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Fully enjoy the bounty of the winter sea with warm drinks like hot sake, shochu, or a full-bodied red wine. As a Fushimi izakaya, we welcome you with heartfelt hospitality, aiming to provide comfort and vitality.

A Practical Guide to Experiencing Hokkaido's Flavors All Year Round at Donan Fushimi

While we have introduced the charms of each season, Donan Fushimi makes various efforts throughout the year to deliver the best of Hokkaido's flavors to our customers. Here are some practical tips to make your time at Donan Fushimi even more meaningful.

What to Know Before You Visit

We constantly pursue the highest freshness and quality, sourcing carefully selected ingredients from all over Hokkaido. Because of this, our recommended menu can change daily depending on the day's catch and the turn of the seasons. We recommend checking our website or social media for the latest information before your visit, or feel free to give us a call. This is especially true if you are hoping to try a specific rare seafood item or a limited-time menu.

Tips for Choosing from the Menu

• Ask for the Chef's Recommendation: When you arrive, just ask our staff, What's best today? We'll give you the perfect suggestion based on the day's freshest arrivals and preparation methods.
• Savor the Season with a Course Meal: If you're undecided, our course meals, which feature a balanced selection of seasonal ingredients, are an excellent choice. Enjoy the full spectrum of seasonal flavors from appetizer to main course and dessert. They are also perfect for banquets in Nishiki or special dinners.
• Enjoy Freely with À La Carte: If you have a preference for certain ingredients or are dining in a small group, choosing a few dishes that catch your eye from the à la carte menu is a great option. It's also ideal for those who want to try a little bit of everything.

Pairing with Drinks

At Donan Fushimi, we offer a wide range of beverages, including shochu and wine, with a focus on sake that pairs well with Hokkaido seafood. We invite you to try pairings that further enhance the flavors of your meal.

• For Sashimi, a Crisp, Dry Sake: It refreshes the palate without overpowering the natural taste of the fish.
• For Grilled Dishes, an Aromatic Shochu: The richness of the fish and the fragrance of the shochu create a deep, satisfying flavor.
• For Western-Style Dishes, a White Wine: The umami of the seafood and the acidity of the wine create a perfect harmony.

We also have seasonal sakes and rare labels you can only find here, so please ask our staff.

We Recommend Making a Reservation

Donan Fushimi can get particularly busy on weekends, holidays, and during peak seasons like the year-end and New Year holidays. To ensure smooth seating, we recommend making a reservation by phone in advance. We also accept requests for private rooms and consultations for large banquets in Nishiki, so please feel free to inquire.

Create Your Own Hokkaido Culinary Experience at Donan Fushimi

Donan Fushimi is a seafood izakaya in Nishiki, bringing the rich bounty of Hokkaido to Fushimi, Nagoya, all year round. The budding life of spring, the coolness of summer, the richness of autumn, and the warmth of winter—with every changing season, the sea offers us new wonders. We spare no effort daily to bring that wonder to your table in the best possible way.

The seasonal menus we've introduced are just a small glimpse of what we offer. We hope you will visit Donan Fushimi in person to experience with all your senses the vibrant seasonal ingredients, the dishes that showcase our chefs' skills, and our warm hospitality. As a Fushimi izakaya, we offer a special, unforgettable dining experience.

The next time you are looking for a place for a meal or a banquet at an izakaya in Nishiki, Nagoya, please consider Donan Fushimi. We sincerely look forward to your visit. Come and fully enjoy the changing seasonal tastes of Donan Fushimi.