呑み卓
Located a 5-minute walk from Yushima Station, the "Umeen" stands in front of Yushima Tenjin Shrine. First, the appearance. It has a tasteful and traditional atmosphere like a long-established traditional Japanese restaurant. The interior is clean and surprisingly spacious, with several seats centered around tatami mats and private rooms available, which is a plus. I made a reservation and visited at the opening time of 5 pm, and was guided to the back tatami room. I started with ordering a "draft beer". By the way, this place is famous for its duck hot pot, so I had pre-ordered the basic "duck hot pot set" for the group. The draft beer arrived promptly, and after a toast, we started with the "apéritif". The apéritif was plum wine, refreshing with a strong taste of plum. Next was the "smashed cucumber". This dish is served with a special garlic miso sauce that is incredibly addictive. Then, the "homemade squid salted guts" arrived. The seasoning was perfect, making it a perfect dish for those who enjoy drinking. And then, the eagerly awaited "duck hot pot" arrived, and... what is this!!! It's a serving for 5 people, but it's so huge!! We were all amazed by its size, especially the way the enoki mushrooms were arranged like pineapples. While waiting for it to cook, the "mackerel with sesame soy sauce" also arrived. The mackerel with sesame soy sauce had a rich flavor, with sesame adding a nice accent. The huge pot gradually shrank and was ready in about 12 minutes. We immediately dug in while it was piping hot, and the umami of the duck meat, along with the cabbage, leeks, and other vegetables inside, was delicious. The duck meat had a nice texture, and the gentle and refreshing taste was incredibly delicious! (You can choose between soy sauce or salt for the flavor. The kumquats that appeared here and there were irresistible. Furthermore, if you add the free egg, the taste becomes mellow, making you unable to stop smiling! Everyone ate silently, and the meal ended with "ojiya". (You can also choose udon noodles.) The ojiya, which absorbed all the flavors, was undoubtedly a solid happiness. The meal was finished with a pickled vegetable side dish for a chopstick rest, dessert of "yuzu sherbet", and ended on a refreshing note. However, the taste of the duck hot pot lingered on the tongue, it was so delicious! Definitely try it for your year-end parties or New Year's gatherings! - Menu: Duck Hot Pot Set (1 person course): 5000 yen