kokonoe
Visit date: May 26, 2022 (Thursday) around 18:30 on a weekday, I visited the restaurant with my junior. The restaurant was not crowded, so we were able to choose our favorite seats and sat in the tatami area on the left side of the entrance. The cushions had different patterns and were very cute. They served lemon water instead of regular water, which was a nice touch. The way the staff presented it was entertaining. The menu mainly consisted of vegetables with options to add meat or seafood for protein. I was indecisive, but I ordered a pork dish, while my junior ordered tempeh, a fried soybean dish from overseas. We could choose from various types of eggs, and I chose the sakura egg, which was described as having a strong sweetness. For the set menu appetizer, we were served cold cut vegetables with miso or the pink dressing provided on the table. The sweetness of the dishes was surprising, and there were some vegetables I had never tried before. I had raw eggplant for the first time, and it was fluffy. The main dish was served on a hot stone, sizzling with grilled vegetables and meat. It was delicious, although very hot. If you want to enjoy the taste of the vegetables, it might be easier to do so when they are not piping hot. My junior's tempeh dish was not served on a hot stone but came with chicken karaage behind the vegetables, making it a good deal. The tempeh looked like rice crackers but was soft, according to my junior. A whole egg was provided, which we cracked, mixed, and poured over the rice. It was a fresh experience, although the taste was not significantly different from regular egg dishes. After the meal, we were served roasted ginger tea, which was a nice touch. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience, and I look forward to trying tempeh and Nagoya Cochin eggs next time.