misspepper
There is a Japanese restaurant located in Nishi-Nakasu on the first floor of a building that houses several dining establishments. One day, while browsing Instagram, I saw an announcement that they would begin lunch service from August 16th. I immediately tried to call but couldn’t get through, so I later found out that I could make an online reservation and secured a spot. Since this area is more active at night, the streets are relatively quiet during the day. The restaurant is on the first floor. Inside, there are counter seats and private rooms, all with a calm atmosphere characteristic of Nishi-Nakasu. Friendly female staff welcomed me with smiles.
The lunch is priced at 2,000 yen (tax included; cards accepted) and allows you to choose a main dish. As a service, I was given their signature dish, "Kurohō Tofu," which was delicious and had a pleasant cool texture, reminiscent of black sesame tofu.
I ordered the "Daily Omazai Set," which includes three kinds of seasonal side dishes, a main dish, salad, rice, miso soup, and pickles. This set also comes with dessert and coffee. The choices for the main dish were "Delicious Hamburger," "Sweet and Sour Chicken Nanban," or "Vegetable Tempura," and I opted for the hamburger. Today, I managed to avoid a reprimand from the chicken association!
The hamburger is slightly smaller in size but there are two of them, so the volume is sufficient. The fried egg on top is a nice nostalgic touch for my generation! The hamburger is juicy, tender, and pairs well with the Japanese-style sauce.
The three seasonal side dishes were all comforting and flavorful:
1. Chicken Nikujaga - Instead of the traditional beef, this one uses chicken with a slightly sweet flavor, and the potatoes are tender.
2. Tamagoyaki - This sweet-style omelet is to my liking.
3. Fried Eggplant in Dashi - Another beloved dish of mine.
The salad featured fresh, crunchy vegetables with a tasty dressing. The miso soup with Aosa seaweed was rich in flavor and quite enjoyable. You can choose between "white rice" or "multigrain rice," but for Japanese cuisine, white rice is the way to go. It was glossy and delicious.
The set also included pickles, plus dessert and iced coffee, which was a pleasant surprise since it wasn’t listed on the menu online. The dessert featured a creamy cheesecake and grapes; the cheesecake was delightfully creamy. Afterward, sipping the iced coffee was a comforting end to the meal.
I was curious about what the lunch menu would include, but I found that it offered a solid collection of essential Japanese dishes that I enjoyed thoroughly. Since the restaurant is more upscale in the evening, it’s wonderful to be able to enjoy the same quality at a more affordable price during lunch. Both the hamburger and side dishes were delicious; nothing feels quite as comforting as enjoying Japanese cuisine. The welcoming service was another highlight, and I was able to chat with the staff at the counter, making for a very enjoyable lunch. I will definitely visit again!