よっしーJP
I was able to eat here after a long time because I had work nearby. The main store of this place is located in Chuo-ku, Nishi Tonden Street (South 4th Street), but it seems like it is now under different management compared to before (it had a fire about 15 years ago). I still have stamp cards from 2007 and 2010, so it has been a long time since I last visited, even though I'm not sure if they are from the main store or the Sun Plaza location. Regardless, the taste of the soup is something I remember vividly. The soup here has a clear and refined broth, much like the ones at Es in Chuo-ku or Punch (which has closed down). The soup comes in 3 types of ingredients (chicken, pork, vegetable) and 4 types of broth (standard, original, 2002, Thai curry). I was curious about the 2002 broth, which turned out to be a collaboration menu featured on the popular show "Onigiri Atatamemasu ka". I chose the chicken and original soup with a large portion of rice. The soup, with a brown color and watercress, had a transparent and mellow taste. The kombu and bonito (I think) flavors were complemented by the subtle acidity of the tomato. It was a refreshing and flavorful soup that I never got tired of. The spiciness is added separately, with the red one being cayenne-based and the green one being pickled pepper-based. The red one adds a sharp spiciness, while the green one adds a flavorful spiciness with aroma. Adjusting the spiciness level can be tricky as it can numb the tongue, but it definitely adds depth to the soup's flavor. The combination of Japanese-style broth with ethnic aroma and spiciness makes it irresistible. The vegetables like okra, pumpkin, lotus root, and carrot were perfectly cooked and paired well with the soup. The deep-fried boiled egg was exceptional, hot and enhancing the egg's flavor. The chicken was tender, juicy, and flavorful without any blandness or odor. The multigrain rice had a firm texture that complemented the delicate soup well. Overall, the meticulous cooking, perfect balance of heat and salt, and healthy aspect have kept this place in business for years. It was a dish that showcased a delicate balance of flavors. I didn't see the main store mentioned on the shop card, so I wonder if it's under different management. I'll have to try the main store's soup curry to compare. Thank you for the meal!