飛んだ決まった
In November 2018, I heard that even the sushi restaurants in Otaru are facing challenges. Some of the long-established restaurants along Sushi Street are only open for lunch or dinner, or operate by reservation only. It's unclear if this is due to the earthquake's impact, but it's a bit worrying. However, in a hidden alley near the canal, there is a sushi restaurant called "Ori Sushi" where I have enjoyed their "Deco Sushi" several times. This time, I visited in search of a special piece of sushi, which is a gunkan topped with botan shrimp head and sea urchin. I learned about this special from a regular customer at a sushi restaurant I visited on a business trip. They named it the "〇田 Special" after the customer's last name, and it may seem like a regular gunkan sushi with botan shrimp head and sea urchin, but when you taste it, it creates an exquisite flavor in your mouth. "Ori Sushi" offers this special almost year-round, so be sure to try it! But that's not the only reason I came here. My family and I enjoyed a tempura assortment, chawanmushi, tuna, tekka maki, ikura, and snow crab. The tempura shrimp was particularly popular for its plump texture and rich flavor. As for me, I ordered saury sashimi, tachipon, tempura tachipon, and ankimo as a sake pairing, all seasonal specialties. The saury sashimi had a melt-in-your-mouth fatty texture that was incredibly delicious. The tachipon may not have reached its peak richness yet, but it was still enjoyable. The homemade ankimo was a bit too salty and firm for my taste. The shishamo nigiri was excellent, with a moist texture and just the right amount of fat. The shrimp was also tasty, although the high prices due to the low catch this year made me hesitant. The sushi rice here is a blend of red vinegar and white vinegar, which adds a unique touch. Now that I know I can enjoy a special piece here, I will definitely come back when I crave it again. ♫