Nagayama Sao Paulo, I Love You

I’ve eaten Japanese food all over the world. Including in Japan. But there’s just something about Nagayama in Sao Paulo. It’s my fourth time here, me the person who doesn’t like to keep going back to the same place. But I can’t stop myself here.

This is the “batara,” and it’s not on the menu. I only know about it because my first time here, a nice Brazilian lady clued me in on the secret off-menu items. I took a picture of my batara then and have been using that photo to place my order ever since.

“Why isn’t it on the menu?” I ask tonight.

“Because it’s special,” was the answer.

And then the staff convinced me to have some sake, served cold in a wooden box. And then an “ebiten” (deep-fried shrimp roll) and then the tender belly of some very delicious yellowtail.

Very convincing, these Brazilians. Very.

The Verdict:I might be slightly high on seafood as I write this. GO!