Besides the sporting events at the Olympics, I like seeing the cultural side of the host city. Earlier in the week, I saw a blip about Vancouver’s Japadog, a very popular hot dog street cart with a Japanese twist.
Basically it’s a hot dog in a bun, but topped with Japanese condiments for a whole new fusion taste adventure. The “Japa Style Menu” includes some of the interesting items below. And they’re available in veggie style too.
- Terimayo – Beef hot dog with teriyaki sauce, seaweed (nori), fried onion, Japanese mayo
- Oroshi – Bratwurst with grated daikon radish, green onion, special soy sauce
- Okonomi – Kurobuta (pork) sausage with fried cabbage, Japanese mayo, bonito flakes, special Okonomiyaki sauce
Seeing as I’m not going to be in Vancouver anytime soon, I decided to go DIY. I made the Terimayo as that’s their most popular offering and the one that sounds the best.
I used jumbo sized veggie hot dogs for a better dog to bun fit. I think Japadog grills their hot dogs but I didn’t have a grill available so I just went with the boil in water method.
Took the hot dog out of the water and made a few slits in it. Heated up teriyaki sauce in a saucepan, then rolled the hot dog around until well-coated. Placed the hot dog and whatever sauce left in the pan on a toasted white whole wheat bun. Topped with sautéed onions, wasabi mayo and shredded toasted nori.
It’s actually really good, no wonder locals, tourists and celebrities are lining up to eat at Japadog. The flavors work well together, balancing the salty sweet of the teriyaki sauce with the kick from the creamy wasabi mayo.
Although I’m not a big hot dog eater, I just might have to try other DIY flavor combos. Perhaps a Vietnamese version with spicy mayo, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumbers, cilantro and mint?
Greetings from Vancouver,
Never left a comment before but I love your blog.
The Veggie Terimayo is the only street hotdog I eat. Great minds think alike as the wasabi mayo ends up on my Terimayo too. Although I know some people might think mayo on a hot dog is a strange choice. It makes perfect sense as the mayo is the glue for the nori shreds to stay put especially on a windy day. In case anybody wants to know the veggie dogs offered at any Vancouver hotdog stand is Yves.
Does your parents still give you the lucky money red packages for New Years? My parents does. Frankly, it’s a bit embarrasing as I’m over 30 years old and not likely to get married anytime soon to stop this ritual. I concede to have that extra money is nice. Like in six months when I’m short of cash and think “Hey, I still have some lucky money!”
Whew! The above is much too long as a first comment. Next it won’t be so long. Bye!
This looks great! I’m not much of a hotdog fan either but the wasabi mayo is tempting me to try one.
If I were a hotdog-eater, I’d definitely want to try this. Maybe I’ll eat one just so I CAN try it!
Wasabi mayo on a hot dog? Genius!
Interesting idea, but what I love the most is the name. Japadog! It’s the kind of a word you just keep wanting to repeat over and over again. Pure genius.
FWIW, Danish hot dogs always feature remoulade, a mayo-based sauce.
Is the wasabi mayo just mayo with wasabi added?
i am for sure going to have to give this a try! i just found vegan gluten-free hot dog buns last month and i looooove anything with wasabi, nori, and sauteed onions. mmmmmmm! it looks fantastical!
Nice! I’ve tried a veggie Japa Dog. It was pretty tasty. There’s been a super long line at Japa Dog during the Olympics. Your DIY Japa Dog looks BEAUTIFUL!
Ooh! I’m not really a hotdog fan but these twists are a neat idea… a nice counterpart to Vietnamese banh mi, which I eat all the time here in Philly.
I’m so glad I found your blog! Love the chinese recipes-if I had seen this sooner, I would have asked my mum to make your CNY menu for CNY when the relatives visited! Ah well, there’s always next year :D
Magdelene
Singapore
Now THAT… Is something I’d never think to make, never admit to eating, but still love. Haha, very original take on the classic!
Annalee – Thanks for commenting! I didn’t even bother with the regular mayo, I just used all wasabi mayo. :-) Yup, lucky money sure does come in handy sometimes. Although I’m never sure if I’m suppose to spend it or save it.
Lisa (ShowMeVegan) – I’m thinking the wasabi mayo would be good on other things too.
Andrea – You gotta try it at least once. :-)
Carrie – I second that!
Maija Haavisto – Me too, I’ve been running around saying Japadog! Japadog! Mayo on a hot dog is a great idea in any country.
Grace – Yes, that’s how I made mine – mix up powdered wasabi and water, add to taste to the mayo.
jessy – If you try it, you’ll love it! :-)
Jennifer – Thanks, I’m sure Japadog is winning over new fans during the Olympics.
Claryn – I tried one with spicy mayo, diced cucumbers, mint and teriyaki sauce – kinda like the banh mi and that was pretty good too.
Magdelene – Welcome! Actually any time of the year is a good time for chinese food. :-)
Hannah – I can’t even imagine the thought process that went into creating Japastyle, but it sure is good.
Whoa! I wonder how this came about. I do remember weird hot dog pastries in Japan though!
Okay, since everyone who has ever had one of these says there good, one must try it…right?
It was just yesterday that I told my husband we should have veggie dogs one night, we haven’t had them in years.
Hi, This is in response to Melisser’s comment about the Japadog creation.
Actually, The Japadog owner and creator wanted to start up a Japanese style crepe food truck but the Vancouver food safety regulations are very very strict. ( more about that later). He settled for a hot dog cart adding the Asian twist to distinguished himself from the pact. Vancouverites and visitors have been happy since.
In the old days, we use to have only hot chestnuts carts. When Vancouver was finally allowed to have hot stands, the wieners had to be individually wrapped. Yes, you read that right. Individually wrapped, I told you our regulations were strict. Thankfully that by-law was changed later. Hot dogs being pre-cooked are allowed for street vending. Any other type food is against the rules as they required access to running water or something like that.
Damn another long comment. Really they will be shorter next time.
I’m attending the nyc buddhist food festival at the end of April, and the event I’m going to is hosted by David Chang. One of the vendors will be selling these hot dogs! Except that I don’t eat meat so no hot dogs for me :( But I’ll def. have to make this one to satisfy my craving! (veggie hotdogs are so much tastier anyway)
The Buddhist food festival sounds awesome! Too bad I don’t live in NYC. Maybe they’ll have buddhist food for people to try. :-)