ガレットブルトンヌ
Now, the Basque region is attracting attention from foodies and chefs around the world, but did you know that over 40 years ago, a chef trained in this region? That chef is Hiroji Fukaya. He trained at the restaurant of Luis Irizar, who is now considered the father of Basque cuisine. After returning to Japan, he opened a restaurant in Hakodate during a time when many Japanese people were unfamiliar with the concept of "Basque cuisine." Fukaya founded the "Club Gastronomy Barriados" to promote exchanges among chefs and later organized events in Hakodate that resembled the bar districts of San Sebastian, which were a huge success and continued for a long time. These initiatives have led to nationwide interest and visits from all over the country. Additionally, Fukaya hosts the "World Cuisine Society" to help elevate the skills of chefs worldwide. He is a multi-talented individual who is constantly active in various fields. I had the opportunity to attend one of his lectures about four years ago and immediately wanted to visit Hakodate. Since Fukaya is often away due to his nationwide activities, I made sure he would be at the restaurant and made a reservation before excitedly flying to Haneda. The restaurant is located about 10 minutes by taxi from the city center, and its exterior reminiscent of Basque culture is nestled in a residential area. The interior is decorated with lots of hanging cured ham from the ceiling, creating an authentic Basque atmosphere. Fukaya warmly welcomed me and personally cut the cured ham during the meal. The vegetable dishes, although simple, were prepared with such finesse that left me in awe. Fukaya's passion for cooking, combined with his warm personality, allowed me to experience a level of excitement I had never felt before. The dinner course offered three options: 4950 yen, 6600 yen, and 8800 yen. I opted for the 8800 yen course, which included the following dishes: 1. Amuse-bouche: Basque-style fried local sardines with garlic vinegar sauce 2. Pintxos (6 items): Gruyere cheese on baguette with homemade anchovy, kombu and cured ham, sweet shrimp cream croquette, green pepper sausage, cauliflower blancmange, pickled yellowtail 3. Homemade cured ham aged for 1 year and 11 months 4. Soup: Soup made with various mushrooms foraged from the mountains of Motobecho 5. Vegetable dish: Basque-style seasonal vegetable stew made with vegetables grown in the restaurant's garden 6. Fish dish: Gratin of Tsugaru Strait snow crab from Mount Unzen, carefully prepared with hollandaise sauce 7. Meat dish: Beef stew made with Ohnuma black beef, slow-cooked to perfection 8. Rice dish: Squid ink risotto made with squid from the Tsugaru Strait 9. Dessert: Basque cheesecake, Cuajada (a rennet-set curd cheese), Aomori red apple compote, strawberry sorbet, and homemade black tea bread made with only flour, salt, and water. The experience was truly exceptional, and each dish was a delight to the senses.