nabelog510
The time is 14:00. Finally finished work. My boss, who had been waiting to go to lunch together, looks like he's about to pass out from hunger. I feel bad. Looks like he won't be treating me. So, I stroll around the area near Akabane Station. Ramen? No. I want to eat white rice. Ah, let's go to "Ootoya". Just a 1-minute walk from the east exit of Akabane Station. Full-on dash, 20 seconds. The neon sign of "Ootoya" is right next to the entrance of Akabane 1st Street. Head straight there. Go down the stairs to the basement floor. As I open the automatic door at the entrance, a delicious smell fills the air. Seated and sipping on cold water, I look at the menu. Oh, the simmered dish sounds good too. I also want a rice bowl. Can't decide. I settle for the classic set meal, the "Pork Ginger Pork Set Meal". Of course, I go for the extra large portion of rice. It's only 900 yen. Maybe 1,010 yen because I upgraded to the extra large portion. It's so cheap, and they seem to be considerate of health too. I start with the salad to coat my stomach. Starting with vegetables can help control blood sugar levels. I wonder if that's true as I continue eating with my chopsticks. I can't stop, the dressing is delicious. Before I know it, the salad and tomatoes are gone. I cleanse my palate with miso soup and then tackle the ginger pork. The sauce clings to the onions and pork. Just the sauce alone makes me want more rice. I can't seem to strike a good balance between the side dishes and rice. Upgrading to the extra large portion was definitely the right choice. The boss sitting diagonally in front of me is also muttering, "Ootoya's ginger pork is the best," while eating. Let's stop talking while eating. At the next table, someone is silently enjoying the "Chicken Miso Cutlet Stew Set Meal". It looked delicious, so I sneakily take a photo from the side. Feeling full, we leave the restaurant. It's lunchtime, so there might be a line forming behind us. The restaurant is empty and our stomachs are empty, so it's 1.5 times tastier as usual. I'll resist dessert and head back. If I order now, I'll have to wait a bit. Next time, I'll order dessert with the set meal and ask them to bring it out early. Lunch breaks for salarymen are a race against time, after all.