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【Azabu-Juban No.10 Duck Kuro @ Azabu-Juban】A hidden gem restaurant that combines duck, Chinese cuisine, and wine quietly nestled underground in Azabu-Juban. Here, you can enjoy the "Mogami Duck" raised by a contracted farmer from Okura Village, Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture. While it is the second branch of Na Camoguro, a French-based restaurant in Nakameguro, this establishment offers fusion duck dishes with a Chinese twist. As you descend underground, you are greeted by a rustic iron door and a small sign. Upon opening the heavy door, you will find a high-ceilinged, wood-themed interior that exudes a calm atmosphere. Truly a hidden gem. The open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs prepare the dishes while enjoying the food and drinks.
◇ Duck Sukiyaki Course + Wine Pairing ◇
(〇: Wine / ◆: Dish)
〇 Cremant de Loire
◆ Assorted 5 appetizers: Duck bacon chiffon cake, asparagus and cauliflower salad, century egg tofu, foie gras mousse in a bun, duck prosciutto and melon
First, the assorted appetizers. The chiffon cake with pineapple sauce, the salad with truffle Caesar dressing, the century egg tofu, the foie gras mousse, and the duck prosciutto with melon all offer unique and delicious flavors. As a fan of century eggs, I particularly enjoyed the century egg tofu. The combination of century egg, tofu, and cream cheese in a paste form provides a rich and flavorful experience. The foie gras mousse in a bun and the duck prosciutto with melon were also delightful, offering a different kind of deliciousness.
〇 Bourgogne Vignerons Chardonnay
◆ Straw-grilled duck: Duck breast and thigh with straw aroma
Next, the straw-grilled duck featuring duck breast and thigh, each offering a delicious taste as you chew. Personally, I preferred the juicier thigh meat. It's also enjoyable with the ginger sauce.
〇 Corte Sant'Alda Agathe
◆ Choice of duck delicacies: Duck thigh meat tartare with dried tangerine peel flavor (cilantro), sea urchin caviar yukhoe
As there were two of us, we ordered two dishes to share. The tartare with cilantro and green onion was a unique combination that worked well, offering a delicious taste. The duck thigh meat yukhoe with sea urchin, caviar, and egg was undeniably delicious. The rich egg, yukhoe, sea urchin, and caviar combined to create a harmonious blend of land and sea flavors, making it very tasty.
〇 Wines of Substance Pinot Noir
◆ Duck suki to enjoy with seasonal vegetables
The main dish arrives, where each person gets their own pot cooked by the staff. The sizzling sound and enticing aroma make it irresistible. The vegetables absorbing the duck fat are also delicious, especially the baby corn. The duck meat itself is tender, juicy, and flavorful, making it an outstanding dish. Don't forget to enjoy the duck fat that was initially laid out. The lightly sweet fatty meat is incredibly delicious.
◆ Finale: Duck Chinese noodles, truffle egg over rice
In addition to "Kamomangai" and "Sea urchin caviar yukhoe bowl," we chose these two dishes. The Chinese noodles had a delicious broth, and despite being quite full, we couldn't help but finish it. The truffle egg over rice was also fantastic. Truffle is shaved in front of you, and the dish is finished with the sauce used for the duck suki. The truffle aroma, creamy egg texture, and the flavor of duck all blend together, making it irresistible.
◆ Dessert trio: Mango sherbet, canele, almond tofu
A trio of desserts featuring mango sherbet, canele, and almond tofu. Dessert ==========