kuroda
This is a yakiniku restaurant that opened in April this year (2023) on the 4th floor of the Tennoji Mio Plaza building directly above JR Tennoji Station. This is my second visit. It was a hot day outside and I was feeling exhausted from the heat, so I decided to have something cool and refreshing nearby. I came here for some cold noodles. The newly renovated interior has 45 seats, including table seats and counter seats facing the wall. It is bright and clean, targeting women with its new look. The lunch menu includes various yakiniku lunches (starting from 1,190 yen) with rice, miso soup, salad, and kimchi, as well as the original yakiniku set meal (990 yen) created by Daido-Mon, who invented the yakiniku set meal. Additionally, Korean dishes such as "Pure Tofu Chige Set" (1,280 yen), "Stone Pot Bibimbap Set" (1,080 yen), and "Cold Noodle Set" (1,280 yen) are also available. I was tempted by the variety of options, but I stuck to my original plan and ordered the "Cold Noodle Set." The restaurant uses QR codes for ordering via smartphone, but since it was early in the day and not crowded, I was able to place my order verbally. The Cold Noodle Set arrived promptly. It consisted of cold noodles in a ceramic bowl, roast beef salad, and two side dishes, with vinegar on the side. The side dishes included soybean sprouts and komatsuna namul, as well as carrot and daikon pickles. The roast beef salad was elegantly prepared with diced beets. The cold noodles were served in a clear soup with translucent noodles, kimchi, steamed pork, cucumber, daikon, and half a boiled egg, topped with shredded red chili pepper. When I took a sip of the soup, the refreshing coldness hit my parched throat, followed by a subtle umami flavor. The right amount of saltiness made it refreshing and satisfying for my sweaty body. The chewy texture of the noodles added to the enjoyment, although it made my jaw tired. The steamed pork had a rich meaty flavor, and the sweet and sour vegetables were a nice touch. Sometimes watermelon is served with the cold noodles during this season, but I prefer it without. Watermelon tends to overpower the overall flavor of the dish. Adding vinegar halfway through enhanced the refreshing taste and balanced the flavors. I finished every last drop and felt refreshed. Thanks to this meal, I was able to cool down and relax on this hot and humid day.