ハムちゃん55
Opened on May 23, 2024, this restaurant has transformed the site of the former "BUDDHA BAR 280" into a place where you can enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The menu features casual kappo-style dishes crafted by a chef who has experience as the head chef at a Japanese restaurant. The dishes provide a comforting, homey feel, as if you've returned to your family home.
The appetizers for the day included:
- Kinpira gobo (stir-fried burdock root)
- Nasu no nibitashi (braised eggplant)
- Daikon and atsuage (deep-fried tofu) stew
Each dish had a gentle flavor, creating a soothing atmosphere right from the start. The tempura featured seasonal ingredients like sweet corn and mozuku seaweed, while the ayu (sweetfish) grilled over charcoal was perfectly cooked, leaving a strong impression. The rice dish, "tori hijiki kamameshi" (chicken and hijiki rice), was cooked at the table, taking about 30 minutes. You enjoy it first as it is, and for the second serving, you add dashi broth for a comforting ochazuke (rice soup).
One dish that particularly impressed me was the "tori kimo shiro shoyu zuke" (chicken liver marinated in white soy sauce). The rich, creamy texture of the chicken liver was absolutely delicious.
The ambiance was also incredibly relaxing, with a nostalgic playlist featuring 80s hits from artists like Shizuka Kudo, Akina Nakamori, Iyo Matsumoto, Wink, and The Checkers. It was the perfect soundtrack for the evening!
The warm hospitality from the hostess, dressed in traditional attire, and the attentive staff made the experience even more enjoyable. Though young, the staff were professional and impressive.
The restaurant has a stylish interior, with the first floor offering both table and counter seating, as well as a standing counter. The second floor features tatami seating with foot wells, providing a relaxed space. There's also a terrace where you can enjoy drinks outdoors.
The food is great, the atmosphere is lovely, and the hospitality is top-notch. If you're looking for a place to relax and unwind, this is definitely the spot.
─── **MENU (all prices include tax)** ───
- Appetizer: ¥600
- Tempura of Hokkaido corn: ¥250
- Tempura of mozuku seaweed: ¥400
- Grilled ayu: ¥1,250
- Tori hijiki kamameshi: ¥1,200
- Tori kimo shiro shoyu zuke: ¥500
- Sanma nanban-zuke (mackerel pike in sweet vinegar sauce): ¥600