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?
