麺’s倶楽部
As I was looking at the map, I discovered a tonkatsu restaurant near Dai Tadabashi. It seems to be a nostalgic and popular place, but due to its location in Dai Tadabashi, which has a minor feel, there are only 5 reviews and they are not negative. I was intrigued by this long-awaited restaurant and decided to visit it. It is located in "Izumi Nakadori Shoueikai" a little further from the Okinawa Town of Dai Tadabashi. I have passed by a few times, but I have no memory of this place at all. This shopping street also has few eateries. There is the main store of a local Chinese chain, Daiichigen, located here. Additionally, there are two Gaudi-style buildings that were completed during the bubble period, which stand out on the street. It is located in a lonely street. I arrived on a Saturday afternoon, after 1 pm. There is an orange tent. The glass door is open, and the owner seems bored. No other customers. There are counter seats surrounding the kitchen. There are 4 seats on one side facing the road, and 2 seats on the other side. It's a small place. The menu is on a plastic board. Tonkatsu set @580, Chicken katsu set @580, Kushi katsu set @580, Three-color fry set @580, Karaage set @580, Pork curry @550, Chicken curry @550, Beef curry @600, Pork ginger set @580, Beef yakiniku set @580, Hire katsu set @580, Big katsu set @680. Cheap! The tonkatsu set is only @580! Back in my student days, the tonkatsu at Imoya (tonkatsu) in Jinbocho was @500, so it's almost the same. And on another board, there is Katsu curry @800, Ham katsu, Kushi katsu 1 piece @120, Large serving @50. I decided to try the Katsu curry. I ordered the Katsu curry @800 (tax included). It's run by an elderly couple, probably in their 80s. The water was served by the lady owner. There is a lemon in the pot. Such thoughtfulness is nice. The owner coats the pork with batter and fries it. It seems like the curry is cooked to order. The lady owner fries onions in a wok, then adds the homemade roux made in advance with a ladle. It comes on a tray. Katsu curry, miso soup, and a side dish of pickles (pickled radish and pickled ginger) are served. The onions fried later retain a crunchy texture, and the homemade roux contains meat and carrots. It's not spicy, similar to homemade curry. It has a nice thickness. The katsu is cut into 6 pieces and placed on top. The frying is just right, with a crispy coating and tender pork. As I ate, the owner, who seems to enjoy talking, started a conversation. To summarize: - The Katsu curry was added to the menu later. - The curry was taught by their son, who is a chef. - They used to run a butcher shop in this shopping street in the past. - They still source good meat from those connections from the past. The Katsu curry, which was added to the menu later, seems to be priced higher to match the current cost of ingredients.