Jin
Personally, my days off are usually Monday and Tuesday, but this week I have Wednesday and Thursday off. So, I decided to visit a restaurant that I don't usually go to because of my usual days off. The nearest restaurant is located near the Toho Subway Line's Motomachi Station, just take the 2nd exit and head east. This area has a long history, as it was the birthplace of Sapporo Village. You'll walk about 1 kilometer east along Miyanomori, North 24th Street, but the snow on the ground makes it a bit slippery, so it might take a bit longer than usual. The landmark is KFC, but the building itself is quite noticeable.
It's been a while, about 30 years ago, when I used to visit this place when it was located in Teine Inaho. Back then, the choice was between eating ramen at a roadside shop with a red and white sign or having a meal here. Looking at Google Maps, it seems like the old building now has a different color and is a ramen shop. I remember when I used to visit the Inaho store, I would sometimes end up sharing a table with strangers. I arrived a little after 11 am, which is the opening time. The building looks like a mountain hut and brings back memories of the past. The parking lot is not gravel, but it's still nostalgic.
When I entered the restaurant, the staff asked me to write my name and wait. It was around 11:03 am, and the place had a few tables and counter seats. There was only one person eating at a 4-person table, so it wasn't too crowded. I ordered the "Chicken Curry for 1,100 yen" and opted for the lunchtime special of "extra rice until 3 pm". The dish arrived in about 3 minutes. The soup was dark and rich, with fried green peppers, carrots, and two large bone-in chicken pieces. It was simple yet flavorful.
The soup curry here has a unique history, with the addition of ingredients starting in 1971 after a regular customer's request. The soup is made with 30 types of spices and 15 types of Chinese herbs, giving it a warming sensation from within. The chicken and carrots are stewed, not fried, which adds to the depth of flavor. The heat from the soup made me feel warm all over. This kind of experience is unique to the original soup curry restaurant. It was delicious, and I think I should visit regularly for health reasons. Thank you for the meal.