no529
Arrived around 20:30 on December 4, 2019! I really wanted to go to a seafood izakaya called "Gyokou Chokusou" that was mentioned on "Ima-chan no Jitsu wa!" so I headed there with expectations of sashimi and simmered dishes! The location of the restaurant is a little walk along the Kintetsu Abenobashi. The bright lights outside made it easy to spot the place. Inside, the atmosphere was lively with young and energetic staff, just as I had imagined! I ordered draft sake, Juyondai, Kokuryu, and sake. I had the impression that this kind of place would have a wide range of Niigata sake, but there were actually a lot of Japanese sake options! And to my surprise, they had Juyondai! I immediately ordered it with a smile. The food was delicious, especially the simmered tai fish. The flavor was amazing, and the amount of meat on the head was substantial for one serving. The tempura with mushrooms, green peppers, octopus, and conger eel was perfectly balanced in terms of crispiness and seasoning. The octopus had a burst of flavor with each bite, and the conger eel melted in my mouth. The salad with tofu and dried fish was colorful and tasty. The miso-glazed eggplant was a standout dish with three different types of miso sauce. The eggplant was perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth. The sashimi selection of tuna, salmon, and yellowtail was fresh and delicious. The tuna was particularly impressive with its rich flavor. The salmon had just the right amount of fat, and the yellowtail was also delightful. The miso-glazed eggplant was a unique and delicious dish with three different types of miso sauce. The shrimp with mayonnaise was surprisingly not fishy at all, and even non-shrimp lovers would enjoy it. The only downside was the excessive amount of mayonnaise, which overshadowed the natural sweetness of the shrimp. Overall, every dish showed attention to detail in seasoning, cooking, and presentation, making it an enjoyable dining experience. I'm already planning my next visit to try more sake and seafood dishes!