マッハのオススメごはん
I visited the Monja Street "Daruma" main store in Tsukishima during my recent trip to Tokyo. As a blogger specializing in okonomiyaki, it was a must-visit for me. With over 50 monja-yaki shops lining the street, I decided to try "Daruma" first. The street was bustling with visitors, and the popularity of this particular shop was evident from the long wait. After waiting on a bench, I finally got a seat inside the renovated traditional house that has been standing for over 80 years. I ordered the Tsukishima Monja Pale Ale for 850 yen, a craft beer specifically for monja-yaki. It had a strong bitterness that I enjoyed. I also ordered the "Daruma-kun" for 1,460 yen, a menu item named after the shop. It was a mix of squid, octopus, shrimp, scallops, crab, whitebait, and clams, creating a delicious seafood flavor combined with chicken broth. The sauce added complexity to the taste, making it addictive. Although I wished the texture was a bit firmer, the variety of ingredients made each bite unique. I also tried the yakisoba for 810 yen, which was cooked in front of me with curly noodles, garlic sprouts, onions, and bean sprouts. Lastly, I ordered the okonomiyaki with pork tempura for 850 yen, which turned out to be a regular pork okonomiyaki. It had a generous amount of cabbage and a thick batter, resembling a home-style okonomiyaki. I wanted to try more dishes, but decided to end my meal here.