タキトゥス
I arrived at Takikawa Station after returning from the Rumoi Main Line to the Hakodate Main Line, and decided to stay in Takikawa for the night. It was around 6 p.m. when I arrived at Takikawa Station. Before checking in at the hotel, I decided to go for a drink. A bit away from Takikawa Station, as I walked through the town of Takikawa, I noticed a quite large building. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was Matsuo Jingisukan. Matsuo Jingisukan is a well-known Jingisukan (grilled lamb) restaurant that can be found in various places. It exudes a sense of luxury and can even be found in Kanto, as well as in souvenir shops. It may not be an exaggeration to say that this restaurant has helped spread Hokkaido's Jingisukan nationwide. The main store is located in Takikawa. Intrigued, I decided to step inside. The building was like a grand palace. Upon entering, there was a souvenir corner. It felt more like an amusement park than a restaurant. I informed the staff that I was dining alone, and was seated at a table on the first floor. I looked at the menu, which featured various Jingisukan dishes including single servings, sets, and courses. There were also other side dish options available. I initially thought of ordering a draft beer, but then I noticed they offered an all-you-can-drink option. For 1500 yen, you could enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited drinks. A medium-sized draft beer was priced at 600 yen, so if you drink 3 glasses, you would break even. Intrigued by the offer, I decided to go for the all-you-can-drink option. For food, I ordered the premium lamb Jingisukan and the lamb loin Jingisukan. As I sipped on my beer, the Jingisukan arrived. Both lamb and mutton were served on the same plate, accompanied by a separate plate of vegetables. I proceeded to cook the meat on the Jingisukan pot placed on the table. I arranged the vegetables around the meat, poured the sauce, and started cooking. The mutton was a bit tough with a distinctive flavor, while the lamb was tender and less gamey. However, what stood out was the rich taste of the sauce. Although the unique ginger soy sauce flavor was delicious, it somewhat overshadowed the taste of the lamb. I didn't notice much difference in taste between the two types of meat. This was my first time dining at Matsuo Jingisukan in a while, and after trying various other Jingisukan restaurants, my impression had changed. It seemed like a place where you could enjoy the sauce more than the meat itself. Overall, it was a unique dining experience that may appeal to those in the mood for sauce-centric Jingisukan.