ネコねこさん
On the final day of my trip to Kyoto and Nara, I arrived at Ichikawa Station after transferring buses from Shijo Omiya, which took about an hour. Just a 6-minute walk from the station is a charming house that houses this restaurant. The atmosphere was truly unique and lovely. Although I arrived a bit late, the friendly and kind owner was waiting outside to greet me and lead me inside. We were seated in a tatami room with a sunken hearth, and the owner promptly served us cold tea. Since it was a hot day, I ordered a delicious bottled beer.
Soon, three small dishes were served:
- Sesame-dressed Mizuna Salad: The sesame flavor was rich and paired well with the crunchy Mizuna greens.
- Simmered Chicken Skin: This dish was incredibly tender, having been simmered multiple times. It was a unique and tasty dish.
- Smoked Chicken Liver with Sansho Pepper: The liver was grilled with Sansho pepper, and it had no unpleasant smell. The Sansho pepper added a nice touch.
Next, the owner grilled fresh chicken right in front of us in the hearth. We were provided with five condiments: rock salt, black pepper, black shichimi pepper, wasabi, and umeboshi. The chicken, available in seven different cuts, was juicy, flavorful, and had a nice texture. It paired well with the rock salt and wasabi, and the beer complemented the meal perfectly.
Following that, we had Chicken Sukiyaki, where we dipped the chicken in raw eggs. The dish was so delicious that we ended up ordering extra eggs. The sukiyaki pot was filled with chicken, shirataki noodles, enoki mushrooms, leeks, and tofu, offering a generous portion.
Just when we thought the meal was over, Chicken Zosui (rice porridge) was served in a separate pot. The soup was rich with chicken flavor, and the simple ingredients of egg and green onions made it exceptionally tasty. The meal concluded with pickles, fruits (kiwi and grapefruit), and a generous serving of shochu on the rocks.
The price for all this was surprisingly reasonable at 8,500 yen per person. The owner mentioned that in the past, it was common for households in the area to prepare chicken dishes for celebratory occasions. The restaurant only accepts reservations for two guests at a time, as the owner handles everything alone due to the elderly mother's inability to help. I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and eager to return. It was truly a delightful dining experience.