How Asian American-Owned Restaurants Are Reviving Sacramento’s Historic Japantown | Eater SF

"Behind a long grill fueled by super-hot binchotan charcoal, chefs Craig Takehara and Tokiko Sawada run an izakaya-style restaurant that foregrounds yakitori and Japanese grilling traditions rather than sushi: cooks carefully flip skewers of negima (tender chicken thigh), nankotsu (knee cartilage) glazed in tare, and plum-colored dates wrapped in mochi; the menu also includes sashimi, chubby onigiri triangles, small plates like fried tofu and shrimp tempura, and rice dishes such as pork katsu don. Opened in 2016 in Sacramento’s post-WWII Japantown area, Binchoyaki earned positive critical attention — Takehara was named a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: California — and the chefs add a Californian touch by sourcing organic rice from a farm 30 minutes north and featuring seasonal specials like persimmon kimchi, fried corn ribs, and grilled peppers." - Lauren Saria