NCEC1965
After watching my horse's disappointing performance (finishing 5th) at the Monbetsu Racecourse, I decided to stay in Tomakomai for the first time in over 30 years. My betting experience, including my horse's race, ended in a six consecutive losses that day. To justify this quick trip, I needed a memorable meal.
I tried to go to an izakaya recommended by my accommodation, but it was fully booked. Wandering around aimlessly, I noticed an intriguing sign: “Genghis Khan, shoulder loin.” I felt a pull towards it because of the careful attention they seemed to give. When I went up to the second floor, I found only a counter. Instead of the usual Genghis Khan grill, they used a lava plate. This was interesting and probably a good choice.
I ordered their specialty shoulder loin, vegetables, and sous-vide meat. The hot lava plate conveyed heat excellently, preventing any stickiness, and it brought back memories of using thick iron plates while camping—it was a great grilling experience. The shoulder loin was incredibly lean, showcasing the ultimate texture of red meat. It was bursting with lamb flavor, enjoyed with either salt or wasabi soy sauce. I also added some grated garlic.
Unlike regular Genghis Khan, the vegetables didn’t soak up the meat juices; instead, they retained their own distinct flavors. Grilling enoki mushrooms until they were nicely done revealed how delicious they could be—a new discovery for me. I wanted to order more shoulder loin but was also curious about the limited edition lamb bacon. When I mentioned it to the owner, he suggested, “Let’s do a combo plate.” What great service!
The bacon was out of this world. When grilled crispy, the flavor was incredibly concentrated—better than pork by far. Alongside beer, shochu, and a bottle of wine (3,800 yen), my total bill came to slightly over 10,000 yen. While this is on the higher end for Tomakomai, considering the quality, it's more than reasonable. They even had wines priced over 20,000 yen, likely targeting affluent customers attending the Nidom Classic.
Overall, I found it to be a wonderful experience. The food was very delicious. Thank you for the meal! It truly felt like a special occasion. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I would love to visit again if I find myself in Tomakomai.