I found out about a new restaurant from a review by a senior and decided to check it out. It's called "Sushidokoro Inoue" in Chikushino, Fukuoka Prefecture. I arrived right when they opened, or rather I had to call them to open the door since the curtain wasn't out yet. (laughs) I ordered the "Jou nigiri" for 2800 yen. While waiting, I learned that the owner used to work as a chef at the previous restaurant "Sushidokoro Seta" for 15 years. He inherited the shop from the previous owner and only changed the name, so it's pretty much the same. Following the senior's lead, I asked for the sushi to be plated for a photo. The toppings included squid, medium fatty tuna, white fish, scallop, amberjack, shrimp, sea urchin, and conger eel - all high-quality ingredients. The shrimp was so big that it covered the squid. (laughs) The sushi rice was on the smaller side, making it ideal for finishing off a drink. Although the plating looked simple, each piece was delicious. I noticed some ark shell in the display case, so I also ordered ark shell and mirugai. They were both small but tasty. I finished with the miso soup provided. The total bill came to 3790 yen, which was close to what I expected. It might be a bit pricey for frequent visits, but it's perfect for a light finish to a night out.

Today is the end of the fiscal year, marking the end of a year's worth of work. For followers involved in the wholesale and retail industry, it will be a busy day with inventory checks. How about ordering sushi for lunch during such a hectic day? Nigiri sushi can be expensive, so a sushi assortment would be more affordable. A local sushi restaurant closed down, and a new one opened in its place in Nishikino, Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture. I decided to give it a try, even though I only had a small amount of cash on me. I ordered the assorted sushi for around 2000 yen, which was the most I could afford. The small restaurant had a counter with one male customer and a few empty seats. The young owner, in his mid-40s, and his wife were running the place. I asked for the sushi to be served on a plate for better presentation, and they kindly agreed. The assorted sushi included red snapper, tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, 2 inari sushi, and 4 rolled sushi. The sushi was standard, with small bite-sized pieces and a light touch of vinegar. The inari sushi was particularly well-made, different from supermarket versions. The slightly sweet vinegar rice was consistent in all the sushi. The tamagoyaki, shiitake, and dried gourd in the rolled sushi were flavors that children would enjoy. The miso soup with seaweed had a good texture, possibly made with seaweed from Sanriku or Hiro Fishery Port in Fukuoka. The large fish cake slice and flavorful broth suggested that the wife had made it. Overall, despite being a simple lunch, the joy of enjoying vinegar rice at a sushi restaurant was worth it.