M・N・ドラッカー
■ On a holiday, Nakasu was deserted with hardly any people around, and naturally most of the shops were closed. Despite this, I decided to visit a restaurant called "Kuroya" that had caught my attention. It is located just a short walk from Nakasu, heading towards Tenjin on the Kokutai Road, right after crossing the Haruyoshi Bridge. The interior of the restaurant has a calm atmosphere with tables and a raised tatami seating area. Despite there being only one group of customers, the ambiance made it enjoyable to have a meal.
■ Looking at the menu, there were various Sukiyaki options featuring Saga beef. I chose to order the special Saga beef course from the menu. Among the choices available, I selected the course that offered the highest quality meat.
■ Starting with the appetizers, a salad was served. It was accompanied by vegetables and eggs to be enjoyed with the meat. Then, the highlight of the meal arrived - four thinly sliced pieces of Saga beef loin. The marbling on the meat indicated its high quality.
■ I chose to enjoy the meat in the Kanto style, similar to Shabu-Shabu. I warmed up the broth in the pot and dipped the meat slices into it. The meat quickly cooked, changing color, and I savored it in my mouth. The meat was incredibly tender, with the fat melting away, leaving a rich flavor in my mouth.
■ The next step was to dip the meat in beaten egg. This method added a mild flavor to the meat, enhancing its taste with the sweetness of the egg yolk. I later found out that the eggs used in this restaurant were known as "Japan's most dedicated eggs," with a rich and vibrant yolk color.
■ I then simmered the vegetables in the broth for a while, including Chinese cabbage, leeks, carrots, and white konjac. Enjoying the meat-infused vegetables was a different kind of delight for my taste buds.
■ As I continued, I finished the remaining meat, feeling fully satisfied with the meal. A lemon sorbet was served as a refreshing dessert, cleansing my palate.
■ The service at the restaurant was excellent, with the staff paying attention to the cooking process and ensuring that the high-quality ingredients were enjoyed to the fullest.
■ Despite the meat portion being just right, leaving me comfortably full, the focus on savoring each bite led to a highly satisfying dining experience. This is definitely a restaurant I would like to visit again.