トム
Welcome! This is a Chinese restaurant located near the old-established Parle Mondeur in the Asahigaoka area of Chuo Ward, Sapporo. When I was walking, I saw a sign on the door, but my eyesight is not good, so I couldn't see it clearly. I thought they might be closed. Oh, there's another door. "Welcome!" A very energetic and friendly owner greeted me from behind the counter. The cooking sounds were overshadowed by his lively voice. I decided that this was a good place. As I walked further in, I noticed that the tables were nicely set with clean cloths and drinks, giving off a homely vibe that you wouldn't expect from a Chinese restaurant. The owner was very humble and took care of his restaurant. He runs the place with a stylish lady, creating a sommelier-like atmosphere. Looking at the menu, the top item was the "most popular dish!!" It didn't seem like my cup of tea. The owner is originally from Obihiro and grew up in Yokohama Chinatown. He decided to open a restaurant in Hokkaido. I ordered a cola as my set drink to stimulate my appetite. The family left, and the elderly ladies were engaged in a lively conversation. The background music was the cooking sounds from the kitchen. The cooking time seemed quite long. Finally, the owner brought out the Sichuan mapo tofu set in a ceramic-coated pot. The salad and the rice were served in futuristic-looking dishes. The rice was cooked slightly hard but still tasty. The mapo tofu had a bright color, but I couldn't smell the Sichuan pepper. It had a good miso aroma and a spicy steam that took a while to settle down. It was finally at a temperature where I could eat it. It was delicious! The spiciness seemed to disappear due to the heat, but then the flavor of the sauce hit me. The tofu was silky and well-prepared, and the minced meat had a rich flavor from the "mochi pork." The soup, cooked in a clay pot, gradually thickened and became rich and flavorful. The mapo tofu was served on top of rice, which helped to balance the spiciness. Occasionally adding some shredded chili peppers added a nice touch. When it cooled down, the saltiness became stronger, making it even more enjoyable. I finished with a salad dressed in a sour sauce, possibly a grated ponzu vinegar. This home-cooked style of food, reminiscent of Yokohama Chinatown, is likely to be enjoyed by children as well. The most authentic flavors are always the best, and trying to change the taste may lead to a fight with the chef. The evening menu also seems reasonably priced for the area, making it a comfortable place to dine. I fell in love with the decanter sangria, maybe because the stylish lady had a hand in it. That's all for now. Thank you for the meal!