When you're in Kochi and are hungry for an awesome Unagi (fresh water eel) meal, Hashimoto is the place to dine at. The restaurant has a simple unassuming front but once you enter the atmosphere is warm and inviting. My choice is to sit at the counter so you can watch the chef prepare the Unagi over hot charcoal and smell the wonderful aroma. For true Unagi lovers order the two Unagi Kabayaki meal (4-pieces of eel) with extra rice. The meal is served with a salad, soup, small appetizer and pickles. The meal is beyond delicious and awesome from the first bite to the last. The service is excellent and the staff is courteous. The cost is reasonable considering the size of the meal and the satisfaction you will experience from a truly excellent meal. They also have a vending machine outside the restaurant if you want to purchase Unagi to take with you. I highly recommend this restaurant if your travels bring you to Kochi on...
Read moreI had "Genpeijyu(源平重)", a eel rice box with half seasoned with sweet sauce, half unseasoned grilled. The chef told me to use extra sauce if I need more, but I thought it was just right. For unseasoned eel you may put salt, wasabi or sauce. Both eels were very delicious, especially the crispy texture was very unique. I also tried eel steamed egg custard and it was also good. You can walk here from Kochi station, or if you arrive at the airport and taking the highway bus, it is 5min walk from...
Read moreさすがというか、やはり鰻ダイニングの橋本氏でした。1度目は事前の予約だったから、、ウンだろうねの上々の見た目味ともに鰻本命、創作料理。外側はパリッカリッと優しく鳴いて、歯が合わさると身の内側から鰻のエキスがジュわぁとっ広がり、ウナギヤ、うなぎや、鰻やんかと脳が歌い出す。いや、おおげさじゃないがやき。鰻大好き私。小さい頃遊んだ、裏の久万川の浅瀬の石の間をチョロチョロしてた針鰻(ハリウって呼んでた)、ゴメン!あの時10センチくらいのまっ黒のあんたたちを捕って、祖父からもらった半畳程の池にせっせと運んでた。捕らなかったら仲間が増えてたやろうにね。ほんとにゴメン。と、昔を懐かしみながら、2度目は友人と。1時間前にやっぱりここにしようと電話。久し振りの会食だからと奮発して、鰻一尾+半尾使いのおまかせコース。出る出る、鰻ざくの定番はもちろんだけど、肝はこれまで食べたのは何だったのか?だし、スリ潰しを上品に仕立てたのとか、話をする間もなく次々と。デザートの前の〆は、あたくしの大好きな豆乳鰻茶漬け。添えられた薬味を少しずつ入れながら豆乳出汁を鰻の上に静かに注ぐ。これは30年近く前食べ歩いた東京の鰻屋には何処にもないメニューだった。小雨の降る平日の昼。個室2、カウンター席7~8人?のこじんまりした店内だが、次から次へと来るお客をすみません満席でと断る姿や接客も気持ち良く、何より橋本氏のバリトンボイスで鰻も往生するのだろう。美味しいね美味しいね、と二人してノンアルビールを飲みながら、今度は夜来て飲みながら食べようよと約束。トウチャンには3500円の一尾丸ごと鰻...
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