On this day, I visited the Chinese restaurant "Hasunomi" located in Okayama City.To get there, I walked straight from JR Okayama Station towards Okayama Castle, took a right turn, and it was about a 10-minute walk on the right side.I made a reservation for the opening time at 18:00 on a weekday. Upon entering, I found tables immediately to my right, and a long counter surrounding the kitchen to my left. The overall atmosphere was very spacious and the lighting was excellent!I was seated at the farthest counter spot, which offered the best view of the chef's skillful preparation right in front of me. My anticipation grew as I ordered the course meal priced at JPY 16,500 (tax included) with the following pairings:◆ Pea paste and asparagus chawanmushi◆ Squid marinated in old sake topped with sea urchin◆ Octopus from Setouchi with zucchini and scallion sauce◆ Sichuan-style steamed chicken◆ Spring rolls with new onions◆ Stir-fried vegetables◆ Steamed beef with aromatic sauce◆ Blanched mud squid with pepper sauce◆ Braised shark fin and abalone◆ Steamed bonito with cilantro and garlic◆ Stir-fried Hokkaido pasture-raised beef with aromatic vegetables◆ Yellow chive soba◆ Almond tofu◆ Jelly with small summer citrus and Dongfang Meiren, Taiwanese-style pineapple cakeThe drinks paired with the meal included:◇ Sparkling wine◇ Ponshu◇ Glass of orange◇ Glass of rosé◇ Two types of white wine◇ Shaoxing wine◇ Chinese teaThe dishes were beautifully presented in small portions, showcasing exquisite seafood from Setouchi and local ingredients. Therefore, it’s advisable to arrive with a bit of an appetite.I had heard great things about the pairings, so I didn’t hesitate to choose them, and they exceeded my expectations. The chef selected all the pairings, and when he had the time, he personally explained each one as they were served.Every choice was perfectly matched, and I learned that the chef holds a sommelier qualification, which made perfect sense. For the Japanese sake served that day, he personally visits the sake brewery whenever he offers it at the restaurant, showing his incredible dedication. I was genuinely amazed by the delicious sake I had!The main reason for this was the Yamahai sake, which has a unique character. After taking a sip, I was pleasantly surprised by its incredible taste, and when the paired dish was served, I couldn’t help but feel a fist pump of joy inside my heart! Therefore, the pairings with the subsequent dishes were undoubtedly fantastic, and I felt like I should commend myself for choosing the pairings. It was an extraordinary culinary experience. Moreover, I was even more surprised when I saw the bill! By the way, the phrase I often find myself saying when the experience exceeds my expectations is, "Is this really okay?!" As I left, the chef kindly saw me off outside, and I promised to return for another visit before heading to my next destination.I highly recommend everyone to experience the wonderful world of Chinese cuisine with pairings!Thank you for the meal.☆4.10/176/12880
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