Kobuki — Restaurant in Kagoshima

今回旅行で鹿児島中央駅近くに宿泊した際の夕食としてGoogleで評価の高かったこちらのお店を訪問しました。　鹿児島中央駅西口から徒歩で5〜6分、歴史を感じさせるこぢんまりとした寿司店です。

店内に一歩足を踏み入れると、左手には小上がりの小さい座敷がありますが、現在は物置き場として使われていて実際着席できるのは奥のカウンター5席です。　今回の訪問時には大将一人で切り盛りされていました。

まずはビールとお任せで頼んだつまみを楽しみました。　最初のつまみは、あん肝ベースのピリ辛味噌を添えた切り身。ピリ辛の風味が絶妙で、ビールが進む一品です。　次に、イカのえんぺらと軟骨をピリ辛な醤油ダレで和えた一品。　これまたピリ辛で塩味強めで、日本酒が欲しくなります。　最後のつまみは、鯛の白子ポン酢。　柚子みたいな柑橘系の良い香りとポン酢の酸味と鯛の白子の優しい味わいが口の中で広がります。

ビールの後は冷酒に切り替えてにぎり寿司を注文しました。　お寿司のネタは抜群とは言えないものの悪くない鮮度で、最後の巻物を入れて9貫。　シャリは私には少し柔らかすぎましたが、これは好みの問題。　カウンターにある九州の甘い醤油をつけて食べるスタイルは、地元の味を感じさせます。

本格的な江戸前寿司を期待して訪れると違和感を覚えるかもしれませんが、家族的な雰囲気と地元の常連客に愛されているこの店の魅力は別のところにあります。　実際私が訪れた時も、カウンターには常連と思しきお客さんが2組いました。　聞くともなく聞こえて来た会話で一組は郊外に住んでいる常連で、市中に来るとこちらにお寿司を必ず食べに来ると言っていました。

お会計は全てで5, 000円。この価格でこの味と雰囲気を楽しめるのは、なかなかのお得感です。　地元の人々に愛され、訪れる人を温かく迎え入れるこの寿司店。また訪れたいと思わせる、そんな一軒です。

During my trip, I stayed near Kagoshima Chuo Station and visited this sushi restaurant, which had high ratings on Google, for dinner. It’s a small, nostalgic sushi restaurant located about a 5-6 minute walk from the west exit of Kagoshima Chuo Station.

Upon entering the restaurant, there’s a small raised tatami seating area on the left, but it’s currently used as a storage space, so the actual seating available is 5 counter seats at the back. During my visit, the master chef was managing the place alone.

First, I enjoyed a beer and some tsumami I ordered omakase (chef’s choice). The first one was some sashimi with a spicy miso based on monkfish liver - the spicy flavor was exquisite and made the beer even more enjoyable. Next was a dish of squid fins and cartilage mixed in a spicy soy sauce dressing - again, spicy and quite salty, making me crave sake. The last one was sea bream roe in ponzu sauce. The citrusy aroma, similar to yuzu, combined with the acidity of ponzu and the gentle taste of sea bream roe, spread delightfully in my mouth.

After the beer, I switched to cold sake and ordered nigiri sushi. The quality of the sushi toppings was not outstanding but was fresh enough, including a total of nine pieces, ending with a maki roll. The rice was a bit too soft for my taste, but that’s a matter of preference. Eating it with the sweet soy sauce from Kyushu available at the counter gave me a taste of the local flavor.

Those expecting authentic Edo-style sushi might feel a bit out of place, but the charm of this restaurant, beloved by families and local regulars, lies elsewhere. During my visit, there were two groups at the counter who seemed to be regulars. Overheard conversations revealed that one couple, living in the suburbs, always comes here for sushi when they are in town.

The total bill was 5,000 yen. To enjoy this taste and atmosphere at this price offers quite good value. This sushi restaurant, loved by locals and warmly welcoming visitors, is a place I’d like to...

A very authentic Japanese sushi restaurant, run by an old couple, no fancy food decoration. Simply very fresh fish. The fish meat is shining due to the oil inside, not many restaurant offers the same freshness. We don’t speak Japanese and they don’t speak English too. Funny that we used google translate to communicate with each other. What an experience!! Omakase $3,500 Japanese yen per person. Definitely...

Authentic, delicious sushi restaurant run by a wonderful sushi master chef with kindness and warm hospitality. All the sushis were so delicious, made with fresh fish and perfectly cooked rice. We’ll surely be back to this place again if we happen to be back to...