よい子
[Osaka City] Sushi and hot pot restaurant in Namba Chuo, on October 19, 2022 (Wednesday). Location is... From Nipponbashi intersection, head west on Sennichimae Street (under the Hanshin Expressway) towards Namba, turn left on the third small alley. Proceed past Hotel Votre Jour, past "Fukutarou" okonomiyaki restaurant, and further south on the left. A 5-minute walk from Metro Nipponbashi Station. An 8-minute walk from Namba Station. Closed on Sundays and holidays. If you wander through 3-4 alleys from the bustling Minami district, you'll find yourself in an area where Showa-era cabarets are still thriving and small individual shops are clustered. This quaint area, known as "Ura Namba," is gaining popularity. Nestled in between is this restaurant, established in 1955 (Showa 30). It has a very traditional appearance with red and white lanterns exuding a nostalgic charm. I actually tried to visit two years ago but couldn't get in due to it being fully booked, so this visit is a second attempt. The first-floor seating consists of only a 10-seat L-shaped counter. There are also about 40 seats on the second floor, including table seats and private rooms. All seats are non-smoking. No background music. The only other customers were two women who were passionately discussing the long queues at the "Sawayaka" hamburger restaurant in Gotemba. I actually came from near there (laughs). Now, let me introduce some of the menu items... [Pressed Sushi] Mackerel Sushi [Sushi] Assorted Nigiri Sushi (Chrysanthemum, Plum, Bamboo), Tekkamaki, Various Hosomaki Rolls [Appetizers] Sashimi, Uni Topping, Chawanmushi, Dashimaki, Agedashi Tofu, Crab Shell Gratin, Tai Bone Steamed, Grilled Tai Head, Simmered Tai, Uzaku, Simmered Board Karaage, Tempura Assortment Nigiri sushi is served as 2 pieces per plate and they will make it to order. In addition to the above, there are also kaiseki courses and hot pot dishes available. The proprietress seems to have a strong personality and pays attention to where plates and chopsticks are placed. She gives off a strong impression, but she may also be a bit particular (^-^) ------------------------------------------------ ■ Nihon Mori (Hot Sake) (¥400) incl. tax When I ordered "Nihon Mori cold sake," the proprietress seemed puzzled, so I understood... and changed it to hot sake. Served in a traditional tokkuri and guinomi. And it's cheap! It perfectly matches the atmosphere of this restaurant. This change was the right decision. ------------------------------------------------ ■ Otoshi (Appetizer) (¥500) A three-item assortment including: ・Smoked Duck... Firm meat with a taste that pairs well with sake. A small portion but a flavor that invites you to drink. ・Scallop Strings... A dish reminiscent of salted fish roe. Yuzu adds a sophisticated fragrance. ・Eggplant Miso... Eggplant cooked in broth with a small amount of red miso on top. ------------------------------------------------ ■ Chawanmushi (¥500) Prepared in an old-fashioned steamer that appears to have been well-used. Contains shrimp, eel, clams, shiitake mushrooms, ginkgo nuts, lily bulbs, Mizuna greens, and red maple fu. Rich in flavor from the broth, it evokes a deep sense of nostalgia for coming back to Kansai. ------------------------------------------------ ■ Tai Bone Steamed (¥1500) A dish called "Kotsu-mushi" where salted sea bream bones are arranged on kelp, steamed with broth. I've heard of it before, but this is my first time actually eating it. The luxurious appearance of the sea bream head with bones on top is like a celebration♪ Tofu, shimeji mushrooms, Mizuna greens are served with a ponzu sauce for a refreshing taste. It feels like a single-serving hot pot dish. The light taste of the sea bream meat and the ponzu sauce are a match made in heaven. The firm tofu reminds me of a hot pot dish. They bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients without relying on strong seasonings. ------------------------------------------------ ■ Mackerel Sushi (Half 10 pieces for ¥1300) Beautifully arranged like a mosaic tile! Mackerel topped with kinome (young leaves of Japanese pepper) and covered with white shavings of kombu, exuding an elegant Kansai-style sophistication. They don't use vinegar, so it's called "saba sushi" at this restaurant. It has a mild and gentle taste without the sharp acidity, with the rice being quite soft. The taste is gentle and the texture is soft. It's a harmony of gentleness. In the center of the rice, there's a cherry blossom-colored denbu made from sea bream, which is a distinctive feature. It's a subtle role, but its presence adds to the experience.