北のもみたろう
I have a vague memory of living within walking distance of Tsukishima in Tokyo a long time ago, but I didn't eat much monjayaki because it was too close. However, one day I stumbled upon a monjayaki restaurant and finally decided to visit. There is parking available for a few cars in front of the restaurant. The interior is not particularly clean, but it is spacious with a few counter seats, table seats, and a raised seating area. A friendly couple greeted me and guided me on how to eat for a solo diner like me, while providing a toy box for families with children. There didn't seem to be any background music, just the sizzling sound of cooking and the couple's instructions on how to cook. I ordered the "Mix Monja (892 yen)" and the "Yakisoba (787 yen)" from the menu. The yakisoba arrived first, with a spatula underneath to prevent it from overcooking. The yakisoba, with various ingredients and thin noodles, was delicious and well-balanced in flavor. The ingredients included pork, shimeji mushrooms, cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, small shrimp, squid, onions, seaweed, red pickled ginger, and tempura flakes. After finishing the yakisoba, the wife suddenly took away the chopsticks, saying "You don't need these anymore!" Then, the monjayaki lesson began, with instructions on how to cook it, crush the ingredients, adjust the heat, and spread it out. The wife also taught me how to eat it with seasonings like pepper, mayonnaise, and chili oil. It was a fun experience, although I ended up having the wife cook most of it for me. Finally, I enjoyed the crispy monjayaki senbei and finished the meal. Monjayaki is a relatively light dish, so it was a good follow-up to the yakisoba. Some customers may find the cooking instructions a bit challenging, but once you get the hang of it, it's an enjoyable experience to eat while scraping off the crispy edges. Overall, it was a unique and fun dining experience. Thank you for the meal.