カキフライ定食900円 : Ushibeya

I was surprised to find that this place was on hold for Tabelog listing without my knowledge. They have been operating normally all along, so why? It feels like a disruption to their business.

Today, I came in intending to have tonkatsu, but the sign at the entrance showcasing the fried oysters captivated my heart.

Due to the snowy weather, the restaurant was also quite empty today. There were no previous or subsequent customers. I sat at the counter and while watching the Olympic broadcasts, my set meal arrived.

It included five large, plump oysters and an excessive amount of cabbage, along with pickles and miso soup.

I started with the cabbage, enjoying the generous portion, having half at first.

The fried oysters came with tartar sauce and regular sauce. Since I prefer sauce while eating with rice, I squeezed some lemon and took a big bite. They were juicy and delicious.

After that, I alternated between enjoying the tartar and the sauce until I finished everything. The rice here is also tasty and top-notch.

Next time, I swear I'll have tonkatsu!

This is a set meal and izakaya located on Ken-do R8 in Odai, which connects Miyota and Saku.

It's a lively establishment run by a cheerful team of women. Their matching uniforms look great. It seems to have opened quietly within the last couple of months.

I often use this road for shopping, so I noticed the opening a little while back and have been curious about it.

I visited during lunch one day and was welcomed by a spirited "Irasshaimase" (welcome) as I entered. The interior is divided into counter seating, table seating, and a slightly private raised tatami area.

As I sat at the counter, they handed me a wet towel and a pot of mugicha (barley tea). The glasses were already on the counter. Looking at the menu, I spotted "Mori Soba" which they made from their own hand-grown wheat.

Below that, they had various set meals and rice bowls featuring Shinshu Taro Pork. It became clear that the main focus of this restaurant is pork dishes. Still, I noticed a sign at the entrance advertising today's special—a simmered flounder set meal for JPY 700—so I decided to order that.

About 10 minutes after placing my order, my meal arrived. The large tray was filled with not only the simmered flounder but also a salad, pickles, tempura of fuki (butterbur), rice, and miso soup, all neatly arranged.

I was offered a free upgrade to large rice, but I politely declined. I started with the miso soup, which had seaweed and green onions—delicious with just the right flavor of broth and Shinshu miso. After finishing the salad, I moved on to the flounder.

The simmering sauce was not overly sweet and absolutely delicious. The accompanying seri (watercress) added a fragrant touch. Everything, including the fuki tempura and sautéed nozawana (Nozawana pickles), was a perfect accompaniment to the rice. And the rice itself was well-cooked and of good quality.

Towards the end, I indulged in the forbidden act of pouring the simmering sauce over my rice—it was pure bliss.

Being a newly opened restaurant, it features a chic design with a clean interior. It appears to transform into an izakaya at night, as there was also a yakitori menu available.

Great taste, reasonable prices, and friendly service.