Zaby
Around Satsueki, after 1 pm, I decided to have lunch at a restaurant that caught my eye as I entered the main building, Kedasshu, on the basement floor. It seemed like a restaurant name I had seen on "Tabelog," but I had no prior information before entering. Inside, there were 8 counter seats, one 6-seat table, two 4-seat tables, and one 2-seat table in a clean and tidy interior. On the walls were several pieces of art with price tags of several thousand yen each. The lunch menu offered only one option, "Wonton Noodles @800." A refined lady brought me water and asked if I wanted a regular portion, to which I agreed. The menu only had options for a regular or large portion, which felt a bit bland and empty. A small mortar with Sichuan pepper, a pestle, and a small wooden spoon were placed on the table, along with the water and a wet towel. It was a nice touch to see non-disposable wet towels, which added to the high level of hospitality. On the table were a white pepper mill and paper napkins. The food was served in a trendy, upside-down cone-shaped white utensil commonly seen in stylish ramen shops. The dish consisted of wontons, bamboo shoots, seaweed, and meringue. The soup, made with Hokkaido kelp, vegetables, and spices, had a gentle and soothing flavor that permeated the body. The noodles were thin and chewy, with a good texture and excellent interaction with the soup. The wontons were small but plentiful, with a smooth and satisfying texture. At the bottom of the bowl, there was a shiny raw egg yolk, which tasted good but seemed out of place with this dish. The white meringue lacked flavor and did not add much to the dish. I tried adding Sichuan pepper for flavor, which enhanced the aroma and paired well with the soup. However, I personally preferred using the white pepper on the table. Towards the end of the meal, I was served a cold jasmine tea as a complimentary service. Looking at the blackboard with the evening menu, which seemed to be a mix of French and Italian cuisines, I thought about trying that next time. Overall, it was a satisfying meal.