よっしーJP
I knew that there was an unknown soup curry shop near Shiroishi Station. However, I didn't have a chance to visit it for a long time, so I had been neglecting the shop. Finally, I had the opportunity to visit the shop as I had work nearby. When I looked at the menu, I was surprised and slightly confused...lol
【Soup Type】
Types of soup: It's quite common to have several types of soup.
- Original
- Zaku Soup: Spinach base (¥100)
- Saba Soup: Mackerel base (¥100)
- Zaku Saba Soup: Spinach + Mackerel (¥150)
- Coconut Soup (¥100)
- Squid Ink Soup (¥200)
However, the types of spices: What is this?
- Red Karl: Korean red chili pepper, tomato, spice paste
- Green Karl: Green chili pepper, lemon, spice paste
- Mix of both for an additional ¥100
This time, as it was my first visit, I went with the basic option and decided to go for the maximum free level of spiciness, following my own rule.
- Original Soup / Red Karl / Level 5 spiciness (free maximum) / Chicken / 300g of rice
【Soup】
The soup receives mixed reviews, or rather, it's a soup where personal preferences are clearly shown. Some may say it has "no taste", and I can understand that. However, I felt that this soup has something beyond "no taste" or "mild taste". It has a standard taste of Sapporo soup curry. The visual is inspired by HOODDOG, and the taste is reminiscent of "Kohi wa Usu". Both are famous shops, which means it's incredibly delicious. The scent of cardamom is subtle, and the spiciness is mild. The umami flavor is also mild... but the sweetness and umami of the vegetables, along with the light taste of dashi, bring the whole soup together softly and deliciously. The base soup, salt, and spices... that's all, but the strong umami beyond the "no taste" is amazing.
【Chicken】
Tender. No smell or lack of flavor. The chicken is prepared very carefully, with a light spice seasoning that enhances the umami of the chicken, making it a very refined and delicious chicken.
【Vegetables】
The greatness of this dish's taste lies in these vegetables!
- Eggplant: Juicy when fried
- Broccoli: Boiled, soft and fragrant
- Potato: Boiled and peeled, with a very simple taste
- Okra: Boiled, sweet and absorbing the soup well
- Carrot: Boiled, sweet, soft, with a natural taste
All these vegetables are cooked carefully, bringing out their sweetness and balance in a very natural way.
【Rice】
Visual similar to HOODDOG, but with a stronger turmeric and a prominent cumin aroma. The rice, cooked firm, complements the mellow soup very well. The rice is so delicious that you could eat it on its own.
◆ The first time I had soup curry was in June 2000 at Purupuru. At that time, I didn't know how to eat it, and ended up pouring the soup over the rice, causing all the soup to sink, a sad memory. lol I've been eating soup curry for 23 years since then, but this is the first time I've encountered a soup where "soup, salt, and spices" stand out so simply. I've come across an amazing soup.
(However... I'm shocked that I didn't notice such an amazing shop for three years. My pride in having eaten at the beginning of the soup curry boom has crumbled... lol) Next time, I definitely want to try it with natto. I wonder how this soup will handle the powerful umami of natto, which has a strong impact? (There are many choices for soup and spice management, making it a shop for advanced enthusiasts.)
As a gesture of respect for the shop, I quickly wiped the plate. (A sign of respect and gratitude to a shop that I truly found delicious)
This shop is definitely the No. 1 soup curry shop of the year. It was delicious, and I will come again (soon). Thank you for the meal!
For more soup curry shop recommendations, visit: https://www.ok-yo4.com/curry