On an early December evening, during a windy and cold weekday, I visited this restaurant with four people. The restaurant is located right next to the Ueno Hirokoji Station. When we arrived at 6 p.m., we were immediately directed to a table on the second floor. The interior of the restaurant is spacious, and there are many foreign customers as well. For our order, we requested a meal with natural alcoholic drinks of grade A5, along with a reservation.
First, let's toast with bottle beer (Premol). Along with the accompanying hot water, we serve it. The octopus with a crispy texture blends well with the ponzu sauce and the spicy red leaf dressing, helping to enhance the taste of the alcohol.
I transferred the bottle beer into the chaser. In front of my eyes, the grilled food was poured into the Japanese sake. After waiting for about 30 seconds, I opened the lid. A unique aroma wafted out. When I served the just-cooked tempura (octopus) at that moment, it was extremely delicious. The tempura had a fairly thick texture and a slightly firm texture. It could be said that its flavor rivaled that of the ponzu sauce. As the alcohol continued to flow, hot sake was poured over the grilled food in a cup. The second drink also tasted great with the grilled flavor.
Next, regarding the fried eel, since it is eel, it's natural that there are many bones, making it difficult to eat. However, the eel is fried until it becomes soft. If you season it with salt, you can enjoy a light taste while still savoring the aroma of eel. It's a delicious dish.
And the main dish is the natural and flavorful “Fugu Chiri” (eel stew). The staff at the restaurant prepares it for us. A large amount of eel is placed in a paper-lined pot, on top of which we place large pieces of eel, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, etc. When the stew is cooked to perfection, spring onions and mallow are added. The eel is served hot, with the meat easily pulled out from the bones. It offers a delicious taste experience. The other ingredients also absorb the broth and become truly delicious. We can enjoy the meal while savoring the sake thoroughly.
After receiving the pot, I added some rice to make a simple soup. As expected, my stomach was completely full. Surprisingly, the amount of rice was just enough. The broth really infused into the rice, and the eggs blended perfectly together. I ate two portions per person, and then it was over. Finally, I enjoyed some ice cream as dessert.
The course lasted exactly 2 hours. I enjoyed the food very much and was completely satisfied. My body also felt warm from the inside out. If I could have a wish, I would like a place where I can put my coat and suit after dining. Thank you for the delicious meal.
