無芸小食
Located at the corner of Imagawa Bridge intersection where Chuo Street and Kanda Kanamono Street intersect, the Daiho Building stands tall. B1F-2F houses Pachinko Jumbo, 3F Hokkaido, 4F Gyuusen, 5F Rakuzou, 6F Senya Ichiya, and 7-8F Big Echo. While I initially thought Gyuusen on the 4th floor belonged to either Colowide or Daiichi Kosho due to the presence of both companies in the building, it is actually operated by Novarink Co., Ltd., founded in 2012 and headquartered in Iwamoto-cho. Gyuusen has branches in Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, Sapporo Susukino, and Sapporo Ekimae Street. As for Novarink, more information will follow later.
During weekday lunchtime, a sign saying "Shabu-shabu set meals now available" caught my eye on the 1st floor. The menu offered sets starting from 1,000 yen. Intrigued by the affordable price, I took the elevator to the 4th floor. Upon exiting the elevator, I was greeted by a striking three-dimensional gold sign for Gyuusen. The atmosphere seemed slightly upscale, but with a 1,000 yen menu, I felt reassured. Welcomed by a kimono-clad hostess, I was seated at a table with an embedded IH stove. The spacious seating arrangement in the dimly lit interior, partially separated by curtains, added to the ambiance.
I opted for the Sirloin Steak set meal (1,000 yen) upon spotting it alongside the Shabu-shabu set meal (1,000 yen). The set included unlimited rice. After a 10-minute wait, the Sirloin Steak set meal arrived. The sizzling Sirloin Steak, oozing with juices, was placed on a hot plate, accompanied by onions and corn. Rice, soup, pickles, and steak sauce were also served. The steak, though thin, was tender and juicy, a good value for 1,000 yen. The rice was perfectly cooked and flavorful. The tranquil environment allowed me to leisurely enjoy my meal, making it a hidden gem for lunchtime.
As for the President of Novarink Co., Ltd., Yuzuki Kawasugi, he hails from the administrative side of "Nova International," which managed Maharaja. Maharaja, a luxury disco chain synonymous with the Bubble era, was named by Devi-sama. At its peak, the chain had over 70 branches nationwide. I even visited the flagship store, MAHARAJA TOKYO, where a strict dress code was enforced at the entrance. Ah, the good old days. The nostalgia prompted me to share this bit of history.