いけずな京男
During the Showa era, I was working in a job related to D department store in the center of Kyoto, Shijo. One of the frequently talked-about restaurants at that time was a tonkatsu restaurant called "Ooedo." The highlight of this place was the luxurious restroom, with a glass floor where colorful carp were swimming. However, due to my dislike of crowds and my newfound love for a delicious tonkatsu restaurant in Nishiiin (Nishioji Shijo) that had just opened, I never got around to visiting Ooedo. Eventually, I heard that it had closed down. Nevertheless, I did try tonkatsu at a small shop facing Senbon Street a few times. This shop was also related to Ooedo, apparently run by relatives of the one in Shijo. Senbon Street was quite desolate back then, a stark contrast to its former glory as the center of Kyoto. Despite this, the Shijo branch closed down while the Senbon branch continued to operate. I read some good reviews about it, so on the first day of a long weekend, I decided to visit this restaurant in the new Reiwa era, skipping over Heisei. It was a Saturday on the autumnal equinox. The restaurant opened at 11:30 am, and to avoid queuing, I arrived nearby 30 minutes early. After checking out another place I wanted to visit, I waited near Ooedo. Two minutes before opening, an elderly couple arrived and hurried inside as soon as the curtain was raised. The distance from the curtain to the concrete building, with a water plant and goldfish pond, seemed like a remnant of Shijo. The visual appeal was captivating. The interior was modern yet had traditional Japanese elements. As I was alone, I was seated at the counter. Another person was also seated at the counter. The kitchen was spacious, with only one chef cooking. The lady seemed to handle the service. Each time a dish was brought, she would say something polite. I ordered the Hirekatsu set and added a scallop fry on the side. When asked about the salad dressing, I chose yuzu soy sauce. The table was set with an original sauce dish, dressing, pickles, and a bowl of kelp tea. Then, the tonkatsu arrived. I noticed there was no mustard on the table, only salt and sauce. The sauce was thick and had a unique taste. I tried a bit with my chopsticks and felt a stimulating flavor. It was unlike any sauce I had tasted before. It had a mysterious, magical taste. The Hirekatsu was excellent, perfectly fried without much fat, offering a refreshing texture. The round shape made it easy to eat. I dipped it generously in the sauce, which made me want to eat more. The dressing on the cabbage was light and refreshing. The additional scallop was moist and tender, with a different texture from the tonkatsu. The sauce enhanced the flavors. It was delicious, and the rice kept coming. The miso soup had a subtle taste with a piece of wheat gluten as an accent. The pickles were also delicious, with a strong Kyoto vibe. I surrendered to the pineapple dessert at the end. The restaurant's long-standing reputation, nostalgic atmosphere, and originality made the meal enjoyable. After drinking tea, I settled the bill and as I looked towards the entrance, I saw about 10 people waiting. It was 12:10 pm. Clearly, the place was popular. It was a delightful meal, and I plan to visit again.