nao-sann
There were several banners with "Gout Hot Pot" written on them, located just 30 seconds away from Shiodome Exit of Shinbashi Station. According to the restaurant's website, they use a variety of high-quality ingredients such as miso from Soma Yamabun and Yamagata-ya, ankimo directly from Harikama Fishing Port, oysters from Ishinomaki, fresh cod and cod milt, tofu from Shinbashi Komatsuya Shoten, spring onions from Aizu, and carefully selected seasonal vegetables. Intrigued by this, I invited a friend to dine with me. We were seated at the counter and upon looking at the drink menu, we were pleasantly surprised to find that they offered all-you-can-drink sake for a very reasonable price - 1480 yen for 6 types, 1780 yen for 12 types, and 1980 yen for 26 types, featuring renowned brands. We started with Mansui for our drinks without even ordering beer. The service of pouring sake from a 1.8-liter bottle into a large tasting cup was delightful. The sashimi platter included bluefin tuna, red sea bream, salmon, horse mackerel, and broiled Spanish mackerel, each with three pieces, providing a generous portion that was fresh and delicious. As we progressed to Kido and then Kuzuryu for our second and third rounds, the Gout Hot Pot we were eagerly anticipating was prepared and lit up for us. While waiting for the pot to boil, we snacked on smashed cucumbers and ginkgo nuts, and soon the ingredients were cooked to perfection. The ankimo melted into the miso broth, creating a flavorful soup. The oysters were plump, the cod milt was smooth, and the cod was tender and incredibly tasty. Although we were recommended to have porridge as a finale, we opted for grilled nodoguro instead as we avoid carbs at night. The small nodoguro, when grilled whole, allowed us to savor the richness of its fat, making it delicious. We paired it with Yukinobijin for our fourth sake, concluding a satisfying meal.