コロタン
Located about a 2-minute walk from Ningyocho Station A4 exit, this is a branch of "Kiteretsu" which has been visited 15 times since its opening in January 2018. Although the lunch price increased during the consumption tax hike in October 2019 (from 1000 yen to 1200 yen), I have started revisiting the restaurant as lunch prices over 1000 yen have become more common. The atmosphere here is more stylish compared to the main branch located a little further away, making it more convenient in terms of location. In terms of taste, there isn't a significant difference between the two, so I find myself visiting this branch more frequently due to its proximity to my office. Inside the restaurant, there is a kitchen and counter seats on the left side, with tables set around the walls. The lunch menu is similar to the main branch, offering 3-4 daily set meals with assorted sashimi, but the main branch's popular menu item "Taimeshi" is not available here. Instead, the specialty at this branch is the "Kaisen Bakudan Don" which comes with negitoro, octopus, squid, yam, cucumber, and plenty of bonito flakes on top, served with seaweed and wasabi on the side. After enjoying half of it with soy sauce, add the marinated bonito from a separate dish, and finish it by pouring dashi to eat it like ochazuke. All this for 1000 yen is a great deal. If you opt for a large serving of rice (free of charge), you will be satisfied with the portion size as well. Since it's not available every day, if it's on the menu, consider yourself lucky and order the "Kaisen Bakudan Don!" Other dishes I have recently tried include fried red sea bream with sashimi, simmered red sea bream with sashimi, and grilled mackerel with garlic and sashimi, all of which were delicious. The fried red sea bream was firm and thick, providing a satisfying bite, while the lightly seasoned simmered red sea bream was filled with mountain vegetables and bean sprouts, making it a healthy meal option. The classic menu items like grilled salmon belly with sashimi, and grilled mackerel with yuzu and pepper with sashimi also never disappoint. Overall, if you're looking for a delicious fish-based lunch around Ningyocho Station, this restaurant is a very convenient and reliable choice.