Alex Porter, contributing writer
Yummy teriyaki. photo by Erik Bender
Many people love the exotic foods of other countries, the tastes and smells of places we could only dream of visiting. There are our Middle Eastern foods, of tangy flavors, spices that seem like they engulf your lungs in pure spicy delight. We have our multiple Spanish restaurants, with the zesty sauces and sizzling piping hot cuisines.
One popular franchise of restaurants in both Benton county and Linn County are Japanese restaurants. There are approximately four Japanese restaurants in Albany and four in Corvallis. In Albany, Oregon, one of the most talked about Japanese restaurants is one called, “Love Love Teriyaki.“
Right when you walk into the restaurant you can already smell the steaming white rice, and the smell of soy sauce and the tangy teriyaki sauce. Every once in a while you hear the ding of bell signaling a fresh plate is ready.
Robert Southern, a resident of Corvallis, enjoys eating at Love Love not only for the setting but for the food.
“I just love to hang out here, it’s always usually quiet, nothing to hectic or overzealous,” said Southern while waiting for her spicy teriyaki chicken, “it’s just a nice place to come and sit and talk with the greatest food on the planet.”
It’s almost like one of those cliché cartoons where you see the smell and your nose follows then the rest of your body floats toward the source.
“The only problem I have with the place is that I live in Corvallis and have to wait till I get to school in Albany in order to have it,” said Southern.
The environment of the place is completely calm and serene. There’s not a lot of chaos and people, soft music playing in the background, framed pictures of Japanese scenery and symbols are lined up along the wall create a familiar feel of Japan might feel like.
The food is portioned so well that no matter what someone may order, they always leave nice and full. The menu has an assortment of dishes ranging from Orange chicken which includes rice and love salad and teriyaki chicken to vegetarian dishes.
The prices for most dishes of any sort range from $7-$8. Considering the portions they give, the prices are a pretty good deal.
Nathan Chan, an employer at Love Love teriyaki has been working at the restaurant for about 6 months.
“I think our food has a very unique taste about it,” said Chan, “I wouldn’t say that it tastes exactly like regular Japanese food, because in Japan their cuisine is a little more crazy and unexpected.”
