北海道のふづき
Had dinner at the Central branch of "King" restaurant! Although King's main branch is located in Minamihiragishi, this was my first time visiting this branch. I heard that it is popular and often has long lines, so I was relieved that reservations were available! The restaurant was quite spacious, with about 90% of the tables filled, indicating its popularity. I decided to try the special menu item only available at the Central branch, the "Beef Curry (¥1400)", with a spice level of "5" which is the highest free level, and I used a coupon from Tabelog to get free mushroom topping on more than half of the rice. I also considered the monthly special menu item, the Chashu Ramen (¥1300), but I thought, let's see how their ramen is first, and it turned out to be a good choice as it was featured on a TV program a few days after my visit! The wait for the soup curry was less than 5 minutes, which was surprising, and when it arrived, the amount of soup made the ingredients sink, making it look like there were only green peppers and cabbage (haha). However, there were plenty of ingredients, including beef, quail eggs, carrots, potatoes, and the free mushrooms. The soup had a complex flavor profile with a hint of Japanese-style dashi from kombu and bonito flakes, sweetness from pork bones, creaminess, and a smooth texture, which was complemented by the burst of spices that came afterward. The soup also had a light flavor, indicating the use of chicken bones, which I confirmed later. The gentle sweetness, light flavor, and tingling spiciness that followed were a unique experience. I barely broke a sweat and didn't need to gulp down water until I finished the meal, so maybe I could have gone for a spicier level? But I think adding more spice might have masked the umami flavors. The rice was cooked with turmeric, giving it a firm texture that didn't dilute the soup. The beef was so tender that it almost fell apart with just a few millimeters of pressure, releasing the sweetness of the meat juices and the flavor of the soup. The thickness of the beef was just right, making it irresistible! The deep-fried vegetables were also delicious! One thing that stood out was the use of potatoes with the skin on. It added a unique texture, with a slightly crispy and sweet outer layer protecting the firm and slightly fluffy inner part, creating a stewed sensation. The mushrooms had a chewy texture that was interesting. The rest of the ingredients were tasty as well, but I won't go into detail as it would be endless! The staff's service was excellent, and even the person at the cashier engaged in conversation, leaving a positive impression. If I had skipped the chain restaurants near Sapporo Station, I might have been able to visit many famous soup curry shops! I would love to try the limited items at the Gateway branch or the main branch. Thank you for the meal.