At half past noon, I change trains in Ginza and get off at Kōen-chō.TamehideLooking at the overflowing streets in front of the gate, I have always had high hopes for this city.Ota SushiAfter taking a quick look around, I asked for some time off and wandered around the area idly.Currently half past、Fangwei Pavilion、KōhūenAnd, there are shops where one can hear the sounds of conversation among the people inside.
As I wandered around, I finally arrived at a store. When I saw the glass display shelves, I felt as if I had been struck by lightning. The signs read “Taro Mei” and “Meiyu Yi”. It seems that these products should be of good quality. I heard a loud voice calling out from inside the store: “Please forgive me!” Then, a woman appeared from behind the door.
Following the advice of “いづこなりと”, I sat down in the back and looked up. There was a ceiling woven from netting, highlighting the beauty of the store. On the walls were gold-painted decorations. The four desks seemed to resemble those used by monks for reading books and copying scriptures. Apart from the mats made of rattan, there wasn’t anything truly desolate or ugly in sight.
According to the female chef, “Taro Mei” is a type of salt-preserved plum. It involves removing the salt from the salt-preserved plums and then gently cooking the green plums with honey until they become soft. It is said that “Tsuyugoro-mo” is only available during the early months of summer. Another dish is “Kusaido.” If you request it in advance, a “Kaisei-den” can be served for seven thousand yen.
・“太郎梅”、“梅雨衣（つゆごろも）”，茶，价格一千二百日元。
Originally, the term "ume" refers to a type of tree that was introduced from Tang China. The word "ume" itself also has its origin in Tang China. Even Sei Shōnagon praised this tree, saying that "flowers of this tree can be either dark or light in color, but they are all red plum blossoms." Even when the flowers wither, their fruits become dried plums or plum vinegar. Some people use them as seasonings, while others use them as a natural remedy for stomach problems.
Two plums, both large and round. As soon as you put a chopstick into them, they immediately collapse. When you put them in your mouth, they melt quickly on the tongue, just like foam. The slightly remaining saltiness from "Taro Plum" mixes with the sweetness, creating a delicious taste. The plums from "Meguri Goromo" are also extremely fresh and delicious.
There are several types of tea available here, and among them, I choose green tea. Its taste is no different from that of plain tea used for meals. Both the sweetness and umami flavors are lacking. The chopsticks used to serve the tea are quite ordinary, and so is the tray. The atmosphere in the shop resembles that of a tea house in Kyoto or Kamakura. The way the female manager treats customers is truly remarkable; it’s far superior compared to other shops.
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Note: The portrait is taken without any customers present, with the permission of the female manager.
