I visited this restaurant on the recommendation of an acquaintance, and thanks to that, I was able to enjoy a special 5th-anniversary course for 11,000 yen. It was a special price for sure. I had tried their New Year's dishes before and thought they were wonderful, but this was my first time actually dining in. The selection of drinks was excellent, and they have a keen eye for quality ingredients. The menu was filled with high-end ingredients like red snapper, Sendai beef Chateaubriand, blackthroat sea perch, abalone, spiny lobster, sea urchin, and fucoidan from Kesennuma. The service was also very attentive. Please refer to the photos for more details. In addition to what's shown in the photos, we also enjoyed a variety of drinks. I would be very happy if this restaurant were closer to my home, but unfortunately, it's a bit far.

Utsutsugawa Gozen - 1650 yen The portion size is not very large as seen. The rice is also on the smaller side. The tempura was crispy and delicious, but I found that dipping it in salt was a bit too much, so I preferred the tempura dipping sauce. The sashimi was very tasty, especially the tuna which melted in my mouth. I felt like I got my money's worth with the sashimi. The side dishes were also good, especially the one made with mountain vegetables which had a nice thick texture. Despite the small and compact feel of the meal, the variety of small dishes provided a satisfying experience. This restaurant offers a choice between a large tempura, sashimi, and Goto udon, but this time the sashimi was the highlight for me, so next time I might go for the seafood bowl...

I visited a nearby restaurant and enjoyed a calm atmosphere where I could eat slowly. I ordered the tempura set meal. The tempura was delicious, and the watercress and butterbur sprout ohitashi had a light and refreshing taste. The portion was satisfying and I didn't need a refill, but they offered free rice refills.

This time in the neighborhood lunch exploration series, I visited the kaiseki restaurant "Utsutsu River". I was originally planning to have either the tempura set or the Goto Udon from Nagasaki, but just before ordering, I couldn't resist the memory of how delicious the sashimi was last time. So, I ended up ordering the "Seafood Bowl @ 1,320 yen (tax included)". The main dish was the seafood bowl, accompanied by small side dishes, pickles, and miso soup, all of which were very delicious. I was particularly pleased that the rice was seasoned with vinegar. The portions were on the smaller side, so if you're looking to get really full, this might not be the place for you. But if you enjoy sampling different delicious dishes, then I highly recommend this restaurant. Although I initially found the prices a bit high during my last visit, I have now changed my mind considering the quality of the food. The restaurant offers a calm and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for those who want to enjoy their meal in a relaxed setting.

I visited for lunch on a regular day. The restaurant is located in a back alley lined with old snack bars and eateries, after passing through the Lumiere shopping street that leads from the station. The name of the restaurant, "Utsutsu River," is a place name in the hometown of the owner in Nagasaki Prefecture. It is quite charming that it is written as "Genkawa" and read as "Utsutsugawa." Inside the restaurant, it was a completely different space from the hustle and bustle outside, not very spacious but with a calm atmosphere. I had the "Sashimi Set @ 1,320 yen," and when it was served, it looked delicious. Firstly, the presentation was beautiful. The sashimi was fresh and tasty. The side dishes were also well-prepared. It felt like a high-class traditional Japanese cuisine, which is somewhat rare around here. However, it might be considered a bit pricey for lunch. I thought the portion might be insufficient for men, but it was enough for me. They also serve Goto Udon, typical of Nagasaki, so I would like to try that next time. Thank you for the meal.

The other day, I went for lunch and it was delicious, so I went with a friend for dinner. We ordered various dishes individually, and since we were in a private room, we couldn't see, but the dishes were served quickly and efficiently one after another. The chicken was tender, and the squid was excellent. I forgot to take photos, but the chestnut rice was delicious. I should have ordered more. They said you can take home any leftover rice. Next time, I plan to order extra and take it home. I look forward to going back to enjoy the heartfelt dishes prepared by the owner. It may seem intimidating to enter, but once you step inside, it is a lovely space where you can enjoy delicious food, so please visit.

I went to this restaurant recommended by an acquaintance. It is a bit hard to find as it is located right after passing through Lumiere Shopping Street and turning right into a narrow alley. The restaurant is new and the interior is clean, with a counter seat area and a table seat area that feels like a private room in the back. The name of the restaurant seems to be taken from Genkawa (Utsutsu River) in Nagasaki, and they use Genkawa's pottery for their dishes, which is quite rare and unique. I ordered the lunch set, Tempura Gozen for 1200 yen, which uses Angel Shrimp for the tempura. The shrimp had a texture similar to prawns and was quite delicious. The Shikibu Kusa (which I tried for the first time) in the Ohitashi dish looked like spinach but had a purple-colored broth and a slightly sticky texture, which was a unique experience. Everything seemed carefully prepared, and I could feel the motivation of the young chef. However, the portion size was a bit lacking. There is another popular restaurant of the same kind closer to the station at the same price, so I wish this place would step up their game a bit more. The udon that the customer next to me ordered looked really delicious, so I would like to try that next time.

Tempura with salt is elegant and delicious. Goto Udon has smooth noodles and a light, tasty flavor. The restaurant is very clean and relaxing. The quality of the food is high, so it feels like a good deal. Watching the careful work in front of you while waiting makes you eager to eat. The location of the restaurant may be a bit difficult to find. From Shinkoiwa Station, go through the Lumiere shopping street and at the end of the arcade, there is a narrow road on the right with a signboard. I will visit again.

I visited this shop as a client. I was seated in a private room, which was on the smaller side, but I appreciated the attention to detail and excellent service. The dishes were all well thought out, with a good balance and variety. The tempura made with angel prawns was particularly delicious. For dessert, I tried the Gotou Udon, and when I asked the owner, they confirmed they were from Nagasaki. The name of the restaurant, Utsutsu River, is also a place in Nagasaki. It's nice to support a restaurant from my hometown.

I visited a new restaurant specializing in Japanese sake and Japanese cuisine, recommended by a trustworthy shop owner. The restaurant had only been open for about a month, so the interior was still new and pleasant. Since the restaurant's existence was not widely known yet, I had the place to myself and enjoyed a solo lunch. I ordered the Utsutsugawa lunch set for 1500 yen as a celebration for the opening. The restaurant's name is inspired by Utsutsugawa Town in Nagasaki, the hometown of the owner. The lunch set included three types of sashimi - Kawahagi, Hiramasa, and Bonito sourced from Bungo Suido in Oita and Tsukiji Market. Today's Kawahagi came from Oita. The tempura was fried right in front of me and included five types - green pepper, eggplant, lotus root, shrimp, and sweet potato with seaweed salt. There were also two small side dishes and the rice was surprisingly delicious. The owner even pays attention to the rice, recommending the best and freshest from a rice shop and polishing it before use. The utensils used were also carefully chosen, such as the custom-made Utsutsugawa pottery from Nagasaki, subtly showing love for the hometown. I didn't drink during lunch, but I plan to visit again in the evening for a drink since the restaurant is nearby. The owner is handsome and charming, and I predict that the restaurant will become popular due to the combination of great food and a great host. I am grateful for the luxurious encounter with the restaurant, the owner, and the food!

This restaurant offers a variety of fresh sashimi and seasonal dishes. The grilled fish cooked over charcoal is delicious, and they also serve delicacies like fugu shirako depending on the season. They have a selection of rare whiskies like Ichiro's Malt and different types of sake for you to enjoy.

I visited a rare Japanese restaurant in Shinkoiwa for lunch. The owner had a real chef vibe. I ordered the Utsutsugawa Gozen set meal (sashimi, tempura, small side dishes, rice, miso soup, pickles). The sashimi and tempura were delicious, and the rice and pickles were also tasty. My companion had the tempura bowl, which also came with miso soup, side dishes, and pickles. The rice portion for both dishes was small, and I didn't ask if we could get a refill. We sat at the counter, and even though I didn't take photos because I wasn't sure if it was allowed, I could tell that the chef worked meticulously. I was impressed by how they could cook in such a small kitchen. It seems that professionals don't need a lot of space. We enjoyed the meal very much and I'm thinking of visiting again at night!

The food is technically good, but having more volume would be appreciated.

The fish was frozen!? When eating, it made a crunchy sound and had a chewy texture. I prefer sashimi to be fresh, so it was a bit different from what I expected. It was so frozen that the soy sauce kept bouncing off.

Due to certain circumstances, a young couple from my relatives brought this osechi to my parents' house. There, my homemade osechi, the one from a Kanazawa restaurant, and this one, three types in total, ended up in a big crowd. I naturally left my homemade one aside, and although I assume the one from Kanazawa is more expensive, this one from Utsutsugawa was much, much more delicious.