うにとおんたま
The streets are filled with Christmas colors, and even during the day, trendy restaurants have lines of couples waiting outside. It's my usual weekend, and I'm out for a lunch date with my beloved wife. Fancy French, Italian, and bistro restaurants are all fully booked, so we opt for a more casual option - "Dalian Gyoza Base DALIAN Azabu Juban Branch," a Chinese restaurant in Azabu Juban. They have outdoor terrace seating where dogs are allowed, and smoking is permitted on the terrace. They are open from 11 am till midnight, making it convenient for us. We arrive around 1:30 pm, with about 8 customers already inside. One of the highlights of this place is that they serve hot pot in addition to their delicious dumplings. Two young girls are already enjoying their hot pot. Since we are having a late lunch today, we are quite hungry. We quickly scan through the menu, eager to order something that catches our eye when we are hungry. The menu here is extensive and exciting to look at. We decide on Packed Dumplings ¥638, Seafood Dumplings ¥858, Seafood Spring Rolls ¥803, Xiao Long Bao ¥693, and Hot Pot ¥2,541 (serves 2). The basic set includes vegetables and black pork for the hot pot, and we add chicken, squid, and shrimp balls for an extra charge. The food arrives promptly, with the gyoza being soft and filled generously. The Packed Dumplings are beautifully presented, with a unique shape and a hint of coriander flavor. The main dish, the hot pot, is flavorful with a hint of herbal spices. We chose a medium level of spiciness, which added a nice kick to the dish. The vegetable platter is abundant and includes Chinese cabbage, bok choy, leeks, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu, more than enough for two. The black pork goes well with both the spicy and non-spicy broth. We enjoy adding the additional meats and finish the meal with an order of congee. The congee is cooked in the hot pot broth, topped with eggs and garnished with green onions. It's delicious and satisfying. We leave the restaurant feeling content and happy, promising to come back again. Thank you for the meal.