船井香緒里(フードライターKaorin)
"Shunten Shin" relocated from Tamatsukuri to Yotsubashi, in August 2020. It's a small tempura restaurant with only 8 counter seats, run solely by Mr. Shinichi Hiraoka. It's a perfect place for a leisurely weekend lunch, indulging in delicious tempura. Here are some highlights:
- Ebiimo Age (Deep-fried taro with white miso): The gentle richness of white miso complements the crispy and smooth texture of the taro. It's truly heartwarming.
- K20FY_DD (Made by Takashi Kobayashi of Kyoeido and Sanyo Brewing): This wine, made from 100% Koshu grapes, has a subtle effervescence, a hint of citrus bitterness, and a long-lasting aftertaste. A natural wine to savor continuously!
- Crab and Fruit Tomato Millefeuille: The concentrated sweetness of both ingredients resonates beautifully, with hints of citrus adding a delightful accent.
- Tempura Lunch Course: It includes 4 seasonal vegetables and 4 seafood items. Starting with the head of "kuruma ebi" (Japanese tiger prawn), it's fragrant and sweet. The prawn itself is juicy and tender, with a delightful sweetness.
- Lotus Root: A perfect balance between tender and crispy, with a delightful aroma.
- Guji Scale (Japanese shad scales): It's crisp and flaky. When you take a bite, steam rises, revealing the moist, flavorful flesh. A delightful aroma, rich in oil, and irresistibly delicious.
- Baby Cabbage: It has the aroma of the earth and overflows with pure sweetness.
- Wakasagi (Japanese smelt): Delicately flavored with a two-layered crispy batter texture. You'll want seconds!
- The next bottle is "FUSION weiss trocken 2016/Jurgen Leiner" from Germany: It has a comforting aroma but a fresh taste with hints of acidity and bitterness. You can't resist taking a sip!
- Narutomaki Sweet Potato: The skin and batter fuse together, offering a delightful texture and a rush of honey-like sweetness as you chew.
- Anago (Sea eel): The thicker batter enhances the flavor of the sea eel. The aroma and flavor are exceptional.
- Asparagus: The fresh aroma is delightful. The batter is light, and the freshness is irresistible.
And then, onto the rice dishes. If you want more drinks, you can skip the rice:
- Seasoned small fish (ojako) and pickles
- Miso soup with asari clams and seaweed
- A fulfilling sigh of happiness at the end
Finally, when you receive the bill, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The lunch course is only 3,500 yen (excluding tax). It's such a satisfying meal that it almost feels too good to be true. The combination of heavenly tempura and natural wine, along with Mr. Shin's skill and hospitality, makes it a must-visit. I promised to return for dinner. Thank you so much, Mr. Shin, for everything!
(Note: This translation has been provided in simplified Chinese for easier understanding.)