北海道のふづき
For lunch, I went to "Spice & Mill." It's almost my 20th visit to a curry restaurant selected as one of the top 100 curry shops in Hokkaido. I don't plan to commemorate my 20th visit like I did for the 10th visit to "Ten-character Curry Shop," but this time is the 19th. They open at 10:30, which is great for someone like me who likes to visit eateries early. The soup curry I ordered this time was "Grandpa's Centennial Miso Curry" (¥1320) with spice level 7 and small rice (120g). This was my first visit to Mill, and I had already decided to order this soup curry. When served, they advised, "It's richly seasoned, so please mix the egg and tofu before eating." Underneath the vegetables were the aforementioned egg and tofu. The addition of soft-boiled egg and silken tofu made it easier to mix. The rich miso flavor, umami from the vegetables, and richness matched perfectly, making it hard to stop eating with a spoon! Although I chose the spicy version, the miso sweetness seemed to mellow the spiciness. It wasn't just salty, but the spiciness, umami, and other elements that make this soup curry delicious were well balanced. The saltiness also enhances the goodness of this soup curry. The standout ingredients used include pumpkin with the shop's logo carved on it. It was soft and sweet, adding to the autumn feel. Another standout was the burdock tempura. It was so soft that it could be cut with just a spoon, and the crispy coating had a sweet and savory taste that was irresistible! The deep-fried broccoli's fragrant taste paired well with the soup curry. The cabbage, eggplant, mizuna, and potatoes in the soup curry were rich in nutrients. The vegetables in the soup curry are soft and juicy, with added sweetness and spiciness, offering a different appeal compared to when eaten raw or prepared differently. I was able to enjoy the small rice until the end without feeling unsatisfied, but considering the rich flavor of the Centennial Miso Curry, some may find it too heavy with just the soup, so if you're concerned, you might want to add more rice. I will consider trying the hamburger on my next visit! Thank you for the meal.