北海道のふづき
After work! Heading to "Shin" for some food! I had marked this place in Chitose as one of the few places where you can eat beef tongue, but it seems that due to the current situation, many shops in the evening and night start their business hours later or have temporary closures. The location of the restaurant is near the drinking district, so many surrounding shops are also affected, including "Bi○ Shokudo." It was a bit of a struggle to visit the restaurant. It must have been tough for the shops, but in the world, there is a movement towards coexistence, so we need to take proper measures. Before opening hours, there was already a decent line forming. There seemed to be regular customers as well, engaging in conversation with the owner. I ordered the "Beef Tongue Grilled Set Meal with Small Rice (¥1400)" and "Beef Tongue Stew Small (¥300)." The set meal includes 4 pieces of grilled beef tongue, barley rice, and oxtail soup. I had the impression that beef tongue takes a long time to cook, but the one plate was ready in about 5 minutes, which surprised me a little. Upon researching, I found out that it takes about 1 and a half minutes to cook beef tongue, so it seems they got it right here. It has been since last year in Sendai that I had beef tongue, and that place was so crowded that I didn't know. Even with 4 pieces, the slices are quite thick, but my photography skills are not good, so it might be hard to see. The surface is seasoned with salt, with a slight crispy texture. As you bite into it, a dynamic texture and a burst of flavor are released! It's not easy to cut with chopsticks, so it's not exactly tender, but the moderate texture and the more you chew, the more you can taste the flavor, which might be the essence of beef tongue. There is plenty of pickled vegetables provided, which is convenient for refreshing your mouth! The oxtail soup was a first for me, but it had a diced texture similar to braised pork, with a tender texture different from beef tongue. Perhaps the flavor of the meat is passed into the soup, as you can taste the saltiness and the flavor of the meat itself, making it delicious! It's a complex flavor, so is it rich? I thought so, but the aftertaste is refreshing, and the warmth of the soup penetrates the body. I would like to drink this every day in the cold winter... The stew has a soy sauce or red wine-like flavor, a bit on the salty side, but it's super delicious! The diced beef tongue melts instantly in your mouth, and in addition to the seasonings mentioned earlier, there is also a sweetness from the meat's fat, and the taste of the vegetables!! This applies to beef tongue as well, but it goes well with rice! The beef tongue grilled for a chewy texture, and the beef tongue stew for a tender texture, allowing you to enjoy different textures, which is great! The barley rice is about the same amount as a regular serving at a set meal restaurant, so the small portion doesn't matter (laughs). I wonder how much the large portion is then? It became a luxurious dinner, but I'll consider it a present to myself for working hard! I hope that the shops with evening hours and the bustling streets will regain their vitality! Thank you for the meal.