りりか姉さん
Located just a minute's walk from Oimachi Station, where department stores and electronics buildings line the bustling streets, is "Soba Kappo Yamazaki Oimachi Main Store," a restaurant with a calm private room perfect for catching up with high school friends. Despite being located in an old building, the traditional Noren curtain greeted us as we descended in the elevator, and I was grateful for my friend's keen eye in choosing this place (apparently, my friend is from Niigata, which is how they knew about it). The newly opened restaurant boasts a modern Japanese interior with a bright atmosphere based on white wood. We arrived just after 6 pm and were surprised to find the place quite busy. The restaurant quickly filled up with customers coming in one after another, and before we knew it, it was fully booked. As we enjoyed our meal, we began to understand the secret behind its success. Today was hot, so I opted for the Extra Cold option. It was so cold that even the glass felt chilly in the photos. My friend went for a Highball, which seemed fitting. Cheers! The appetizer was a slightly tangy Nanban dish. Crispy and easy to eat, the appetizer sets the tone for the restaurant's flavors and sets expectations high. I chose the homemade Yam Potato Kimchi, and it was a sight to behold. The presentation, with chrysanthemum flowers scattered on top, was stunning, and the taste was equally impressive. The assorted sashimi platter for 650 yen per person was a steal. With options like Tai, Maguro, Kanpachi, and Hamachi, each slice was thick and allowed us to enjoy the sweetness of the fish. I tried Tai sashimi for the first time and was impressed by the size of the shrimp. The A3 Wagyu Tataki was incredibly delicious. Though not very juicy due to its thinness, the meat had a rich flavor that was truly delightful. We enjoyed a bottle of Kubota Senju sake, which was a crowd-pleaser with its smooth taste. Unbeknownst to me, my friend had ordered the fried tofu. It had mochi inside and a gentle, nostalgic taste that reminded me of something my grandmother would make. I chose the Tonoage with green onions and natto, a Niigata specialty. It was like a sandwich, making it easy to eat. The combination of soy sauce, tofu, and green onions was perfect, and despite its generous portion, the dish was light and easy to eat. Finally, the awaited Hegisoba. As a "Soba Kappo" restaurant, the must-try dish is the Hegisoba. The green color comes from the use of Funori seaweed in the dough, originating from the Uonuma region of Niigata Prefecture. The beauty of the soba served on the Hegi almost made it too beautiful to eat. Oh, and even though it's not on the menu, as a soba enthusiast, I timidly asked for a soba-yu shochu mix, and they made it for me. Soba shochu is truly the perfect way to end a soba meal.