ねこのこ全国ぐるめ
I've often heard great things about the gourmet options and location of Shin-Marunouchi Building, but it wasn't until now, as I'm about to leave my life in Tokyo, that I truly appreciate it. Since I always stop at Tokyo Station for work trips, it's important to have great places for dinners and meetings. This time, I invited my closest friend in Tokyo to join me. We were seated at the counter where we could watch the kitchen. Right away, we received attentive service reminiscent of a hotel. The experience started on a good note, exceeding my expectations.
"What can I get you to drink?"
"What do you recommend?"
"Japanese sake and wine are popular here. Especially, we have some unique selections of sake, including the owner’s hidden favorites. Today's special is 'Shalaku Junmai Ginjo Sakemirai.'"
"I'd love to try that!" So we toasted and enjoyed the sake. Shalaku Junmai Ginjo Sakemirai has a fresh and refined flavor, which made its charm even more noticeable since it was the first taste of the evening. It heightened our anticipation for the tempura to come.
◉ Salmon Salted Fish
◉ Fine Iwamozuku from Ishikawa Prefecture
I was right to order the Japanese sake as our first drink; it paired perfectly that we paused our conversation to savor it.
◉ Oyster Stew
Decorated with charred maitake mushrooms, this oyster dish is simmered slowly at low temperature, which creates its depth of flavor.
◉ Seaweed Tempura
A creative dish featuring seaweed served with mackerel and soy sauce, topped with egg yolk. The seaweed looks stunning, gracefully shaped like waves and crispy to match perfectly with mackerel.
◉ Kiss Tempura
I’ve loved this white fish since my childhood, so I was delighted to see it on the menu. Wrapped in perilla leaves, the aroma was wonderful.
◉ Shrimp Tempura
I believe that shrimp tempura showcases the restaurant's style. Here, it’s not just crispy but also light and aromatic.
◉ Thick Oita Prefecture Shiitake
These shiitake mushrooms are the best for tempura. I've yet to forget their unique texture and rich flavor.
◉ Grilled Yellowtail Tempura
To balance the meal, we enjoyed some sashimi midway. Lightness is essential at times, and a touch of our special soy sauce was just right.
◉ Shishito Pepper Tempura & Pumpkin Tempura
Vegetables can be prepared so deliciously… I can only give a cliché compliment, but that immediate reaction confirms the dish's excellence.
◉ Duck Breast and Fried Eggplant
Seeing this dish, I felt a tinge of sadness as the course was coming to an end, but the delicious duck and expertly fried eggplant distracted me from that sentiment.
◉ Anago Tempura & Aosa Seaweed with Squid Tempura
This was the last tempura of the course, delicate yet memorable, especially the creative Aosa and squid tempura left a lasting impression.
◉ Yamagobo Roll
I was relieved it wasn’t a rice bowl… the rolled dish was a delightful surprise, with mountain burdock inside, which was a nice touch.
◉ Sudachi Somen
The last dish lightened things up as we began to wrap up, bringing a refreshingly elegant finish to the meal.
◉ Mandarin Yokan
The dessert was absolute perfection. While sorbet is nice, this time of year called for a moist, subtly sweet, and refreshing yokan to conclude our satisfying dinner.
Tempura Iyasaka offers tempura that showcases the seasons and the essence of the ingredients. It seems upscale, but even those unfamiliar with tempura or not true foodies can fully appreciate the deliciousness of this specialized restaurant. I hope more people will enjoy it without feeling pressured!