自称独り者グルメ
On May 16, 2024, in the evening, I visited a restaurant called "Aruki" inKomagome after getting off at JR Komagome Station and exiting from the south entrance. I found this place in the basement of a building near the rotary in front of the station. Opened on May 16, 2024, it specializes in "Kotsudori" (bone-in chicken), a famous dish from Sanuki, known for its addictive flavors. The restaurant claims that their Kotsudori, which reflects the deep flavors reminiscent of childhood manga, is crafted through trial and error to deliver a taste that rivals the original. In the autumn and winter, they serve a rich "chicken broth oden," while in the spring and summer, they offer a tender "motsu-nik" made with Kyoto miso, changing their signature dishes seasonally.
I made a reservation through Tabelog, and upon entering the lively restaurant, I was seated at the counter. I enjoyed a Red Star lager (medium bottle) which was on a special price of 299 yen instead of the usual 690 yen. For my meal, I started with an appetizer of watercress priced at 450 yen, keeping it vegetable-first.
Next, I ordered:
1. **Kotsudori Oya** (990 yen) – The restaurant's specialty bone-in chicken, made juicy by being grilled at high temperatures with a unique oil derived from chicken. It’s topped with a secret sauce for enhanced flavor, and the delicious oil accumulates at the bottom of the plate. It’s recommended to eat it with watercress or rice for the full experience. I opted to bite into it directly for a bold experience. The meat was chewy and perfectly paired with the chicken oil, making it a great complement to the beer.
2. **Kotsudori Hina** (890 yen) – This version is softer and juicier, served hot and generously. The flavor was equally delightful, making it hard to choose between the two types.
3. **Salted Rice Ball** (180 yen) – Though it was a bit early to close the meal, I soaked this in the chicken oil from the previous two dishes for added flavor.
4. **Kama-tama Mentaiko Butter Udon** (800 yen) – Intended as my final dish, but it was served later than expected. The portion was smaller than I thought, but the noodles were soft and chewy, mixed with egg, mentaiko, melting butter, tenkasu (crispy bits), shredded nori, and scallions, providing a rich taste.
I also tried a **Grated Lemon Sour Plain** (450 yen) here.
5. **Egg Stir-fried with Eel and Watercress** (810 yen) – After the udon, I felt a bit full. The seasoning was quite salty, and it would have been great to balance it with a bowl of white rice if I had room left.
The total bill came to 5,592 yen, including a 5% service charge. Given its proximity to the station, the location is quite convenient!