Today, I finally had time to have lunch after 4:30 in the evening. I went to a restaurant called "Kyokyu Miyamacho Shokudo" operated by Fujio Food. I ordered salmon sashimi for 500 yen, chicken daikon for 340 yen, large rice for 280 yen, and kake udon for 280 yen, totaling 1,400 yen including tax. I was shocked at the price, as it was the first time I paid this much at this chain. Last year on October 26th, I had a meal for a total of 1,070 yen, and about nine years ago, I paid a total of 871 yen for a similar meal. The price increase over the years has been significant, and the quality of the food and the presentation have also changed. It seems like this chain may be reaching its end soon, especially considering the lack of customers in the parking lot and the confusing display of dishes.

The shop near my workplace today has some delicious looking items, but the one soup and two side dishes for 744 yen is a bit on the expensive side. The lunch set is cheaper, though. Well, the taste is definitely good...

The saury was delicious. I am full now.

The Japanese food was delicious. The bean rice was tasty.

Last week, I was down with the flu for a week. On the first day of recovering, I had a business trip to Kyoto. After successfully completing my mission, I decided to have a late lunch. I came to this restaurant that I had spotted on the way there. It's a typical dining place found all over the country. The distinctive handwritten sign was probably done by the owner himself... The seasonal meal (bean rice), chicken nanban, simmered mackerel in miso, and miso soup cost 950 yen. Each item isn't expensive, but it adds up. I ended up ordering too much, making it a bit pricey. The bean rice had a Kansai-style taste with a seasonal touch, which was nice. The miso soup had plenty of pork and soft onions, and it was delicious. The simmered mackerel in miso was a bit too salty. I felt like the chicken nanban could use a bit more tartar sauce.

This is "Kyokyu Goyama Shokudo" at Maido Ookini Shokudo. I visited during lunchtime on a weekday. The restaurant is located a little west of Okubo Tahara. It has a standard exterior with a parking lot next to it. The interior is small but can accommodate a decent number of people. There are table seats and a counter seat island, typical of a diner. You pick and choose individual dishes and pay at the end. During lunchtime on a weekday, there were quite a few office workers dining, so it was somewhat crowded. As soon as I entered, the grilled salted mackerel for 302 yen was ready, so I couldn't resist getting it. I also tried the unusual "Itori" Nanban pickle for 194 yen, simmered hijiki seaweed for 108 yen, rapeseed salad for 129 yen, and seasonal bean rice for 194 yen. Personally, I felt that Maido Ookini Shokudo tends to have slightly stronger flavors, but this place had a more gentle seasoning. The Nanban pickle had a hint of acidity that made it very easy to eat. The bean rice had a subtle saltiness that made it very appetizing. The hijiki seaweed was full of soybeans and very hearty, while the rapeseed salad had a mild flavor. I thought the mackerel might be out of season, but it was freshly grilled with a good aroma and tenderness, although the portion was a bit small. Maido Ookini Shokudo is surprisingly affordable, although it's easy to end up picking an extra dish or two, which can add up. Overall, I find it convenient and would like to stop by again when I feel like it.

I went to the Kyukyu Miyama-cho Shokudo and tried the chicken steak. The restaurant is located along Prefectural Route 15 and is part of the Maido Ookini Shokudo chain. The summer special menu caught my eye, and I decided to try the chicken steak. The surface of the steak was nicely seared, giving it a crispy texture. The chicken was tender and paired well with the sweet sauce. It was delicious and perfect as a side dish with rice, and I think it would go well with beer too. However, the cabbage underneath the steak soaked up a lot of the sauce, making it quite strong in flavor, so you could skip eating the cabbage if you prefer. Overall, it's a convenient place to enjoy a quick and tasty meal when you don't feel like cooking.

When driving in the outskirts, you often come across that diner with the local name in its title. The dishes they serve don't seem to be made with local ingredients or recipes. The system is cafeteria-style, where you pick your favorite dishes or side dishes and then head to the register. This time, I tried the budget menu for 650 yen. It might feel a bit lacking for big eaters, and if you eat a decent amount, it could cost around 800 yen. There's no freshness to the food, but well, you can choose what you like, so it's neither better nor worse than expected. It's a convenient place to quickly have a meal by yourself.