お猿と狸
This is a sushi restaurant that opened a few years ago in Nishi 8-chome, Odori District, Sapporo. The fact that their lunch sushi is over 1,000 yen indicates that they are not serving casual sushi, but rather authentic sushi. I finally had the chance to visit with some extra pocket money. I compared the lunch sets displayed on the signboard and found that the 1,300 yen set with 7 pieces of sushi and a roll seemed a bit lacking in variety. So, I decided to go for the 1,600 yen set which looked much more luxurious and satisfying. I sat at the counter and asked for the set. But wait, there's a big fish in front of me that looks like Shin-chan! Oh, it's not Shin-chan, it's an adult fish? The owner confirmed it was Shin-chan, but I had my doubts. The owner started making the sushi in front of me, but he seemed a bit clumsy, with rice grains sticking to his palm. The set arrived on a Western-style plate, containing 6 pieces of sushi, 1 gunkan, 6 pieces of roll, and an additional Shin-chan. I found the Botan shrimp to be delicious and large, but some pieces had rice grains stuck to them. The Hamachi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. However, the Shime-saba (pickled mackerel) was disappointing, with a strong vinegar taste and discolored flesh. The Shin-chan was also a bit underwhelming. The key to satisfaction was not just the quantity but also the cutting and shaping of the fish and rice. Despite feeling a bit unsatisfied at first, my stomach gradually filled up. The Ikura gunkan was leaning at a 45-degree angle, making it a challenge to eat, but the Ikura itself was delicious. The Hotate was sweet and the Akami was decent. I ended the meal with miso soup and finished off the roll, feeling full. The owner, who had been silently making sushi in front of me, was now sitting calmly. It seemed like customer service was the wife's responsibility, as she was cheerfully managing the dining area. Overall, it was a reasonably priced authentic sushi experience, with the total bill coming to about 2,000 yen. Enjoying sushi and drinks with your favorite toppings is the true pleasure of sushi dining. Thank you for the meal!