ニクショクラブ
On the hillside of Kagurazaka, there is a newly opened yakiniku restaurant located in a charming food district. Since this used to be the place of a popular yakiniku spot, I visited on a weekday afternoon, full of expectations. I was guided to a private room in an elegant setting, similar to a high-end restaurant, where a calm staff member welcomed me. The menu was available on a touch panel, featuring various options, including yakiniku set meals and rice dishes. I ordered the "Red Meat Assortment Lunch" for 2400 yen, plus a drink, and within about five minutes, my meal started arriving in courses.
The red meat assortment included two pieces each of three different cuts, along with rice, salad, and seaweed soup. Although there was no explanation regarding the specific cuts, I suspect they were parts around the loin, typically served as roast beef. The marinated sauce had a strong sweetness, and it was unusually spiced with black pepper, which was a new experience for me. This style of yakiniku appears to be inspired by Kyoto, where the meat is meant to be dipped in a broth. Initially, I enjoyed it as is, and the delightful marbling made for a tender bite filled with flavor, complementing the rice nicely.
Next, I tried dipping the meat into the broth, which gave a sensation similar to a combination of shabu-shabu and sukiyaki, allowing me to savor the flavors of the meat in a refreshing way. Personally, I preferred it without the broth, as it felt more like traditional yakiniku. The salad, rice, and soup were all unlimited refills, which allowed me to eat to my heart's content. Given the atmosphere and price point, I believe there will be various demands for this place, and I'm curious to see if this style of yakiniku will appeal to a wide audience.

