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“Premium Saga Prefecture Iwami Beef Sukiyaki” for 8,000 yen (tax included) = 5 courses in total =
- Appetizer
- Fresh sashimi
- Premium Saga Prefecture Iwami Beef Sukiyaki
- Ojiya (rice porridge) or fine noodles
- Dessert
With an optional all-you-can-drink option for an additional 1,000 yen, this was a well-deserved treat to boost spirits and prepare for the year-end! Come to think of it, this might be my first time trying beef sukiyaki at a restaurant...
First, they brought out the appetizer and sashimi set. It included Fukuoka's famous mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and ankimo (monkfish liver), which were perfect for accompanying sake. I was tempted to start drinking sake right away, but I resisted (it's dangerous on an empty stomach). The ankimo was rich and creamy with no unpleasant aftertaste, delicious!
The sashimi for the day featured shrimp, octopus, and scallop. I love octopus, and it was delightfully chewy and tasty.
Now, onto the main event, the sukiyaki. They brought out Saga Prefecture's Iwami beef, beautifully marbled and even topped with gold flakes! It was a sight to behold. They started by making the first slice for us. The server asked, "We recommend not cooking it too much, keeping it rare. Is that okay with you?" It was a thoughtful recommendation, but I eagerly replied, "I love it that way!"
I tried the first piece without dipping it in the egg... and the Iwami beef just melted in my mouth. To compose myself, I decided to sandwich it between some vegetables. The cabbage, carrots, shungiku (chrysanthemum greens), scallions, and mushrooms were all incredibly delicious. The mushrooms were particularly tasty, but the scallions were exceptional.
After savoring the vegetables, I returned to the Iwami beef, making sure not to overcook it. It still melted in my mouth—pure bliss.
For the finishing touch, we had a choice between "ojiya" (rice porridge) and "fine noodles." When you think of sukiyaki, don't you think of udon for the finish? So, we decided to try ojiya, something I had never had before. Following their advice, we reduced the soup, added rice, and then mixed in an egg. The resulting ojiya was unbelievably delicious.
Dessert was a gentle, sweet mousse-like pudding that provided a soothing conclusion to the meal.
What surprised me was the option of adding all-you-can-drink for only 1,000 yen, and they had a wide variety of drinks that paired well with Japanese cuisine. Next time, I'd like to try their wagyu motsunabe (tripe hot pot). It was truly delicious. Thank you for the wonderful meal! 🌟