おーんぷ
Shiraoi beef has a reputation for being delicious but expensive. This is a high-end yakiniku restaurant run by producers called "Shiraoi Beef Restaurant Iwasaki Omotenashi-tei." The lunch set may seem expensive at 2,200 yen, but considering the high quality of the meat, it's actually quite a good deal. As a commoner, I rarely indulge in fancy French dinners. My usual budget for a weekend lunch is around 1,000 yen. I have passed by this restaurant many times, with its prominent sign advertising Shiraoi beef, giving off an air of luxury. On this particular day, it was a celebratory occasion. I attempted to make a reservation, but it was first come, first served. I arrived shortly after the opening, as is the custom for such establishments. I had done my homework beforehand, as not to be caught off guard by unexpected expenses. I parked my car in the restaurant's parking lot and upon entering, I immediately felt the hospitality. Inside, my suspicions were confirmed. As I sat down, I was overwhelmed by the introduction of the menu under the guise of explanation. 8,000 yen? 6,000 yen? A course meal!? I felt compelled to pay with my credit card. However, being prepared, I inquired about a set with two types of grilled meat for around 1,800 yen. "Oh, we recently updated our menu." I was stuck. This was a dead end. In a "99% the restaurant, 1% me" situation, I couldn't help but blurt out, "Um... this is..." Feeling defeated, I decided to order the "Ume" course for 2,000 yen (excluding tax), which offered a variety of meats. Would you like to add Matsukadou (1,500 yen excluding tax)? I was told it was like an appetizer. Despite feeling even more miserable and sad amidst the middle-class aura of the other customers, I couldn't bring myself to leave the restaurant. I ordered the "Ume" course for everyone and waited. Feeling disheartened, I ordered the lowest tier of the "Ume" course. Just as I was about to give up, my companion's caring hand reached out to suggest ordering something else, but to my surprise, there were no additional meat options available at a yakiniku restaurant! "We don't have things like skirt steak or pork belly. We only have Shiraoi beef." Though I didn't say it out loud, the atmosphere seemed to suggest that it was obvious. After a short wait, the charcoal grill and sauce were brought to the table. The staff mentioned, "You've been here before, right?" "Sorry about the menu update." (I couldn't admit that it was my first time; I had just done my research on Tabelog.) There were three types of sauce: grated ponzu, wasabi soy sauce, and Iwasaki's special sauce. Next, the meat was brought out, along with rice and miso soup. I was ecstatic upon seeing the meat. Is this the "Ume" course?! I received a kind explanation about the meat. There was top kalbi, brisket (what's that?), today's recommendation, and thigh. "Start by quickly searing the brisket and dip it in ponzu sauce before eating." I followed the instructions as a commoner would. ...It was delicious. Incredibly delicious. This flavor, sweetness, and richness. It's sweet. The fat is sweet. And it's not overwhelming. "Ah... I feel so happy. I can't say anything." I grilled the top kalbi next. It was not just delicious, but sweet. The sweetness was off the charts. I had experienced this level of sweetness before when I tried Kobe beef steak for the first time. It was on par with that. The flavor and sweetness were exceptional. It felt like my brain was melting with happiness. The thigh was solid. The recommended meat of the day (I forgot the name) had four different cuts, each with its own character and all delicious. It's just yakiniku. The taste can be affected by how you cook it. You can succeed or fail in your grilling, adding to the enjoyment. There is no perfect way to grill. It's up to your own taste. Despite that, the potential of Shiraoi beef to taste delicious no matter how you cook it is truly remarkable. I asked for a refill of rice, which was charged extra. Can I have another serving of rice? It's an additional charge, is that okay? The staff asked.