I finally made it to Aji Dokoro in Hokkaido, a hidden gem nestled in the serene rural landscape of Kuriyama.Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by the humble owner, Hiroshi Sakai. He honed his skills at the renowned restaurant Shofukuro in Shiga Prefecture, where he served as head chef.Together with his wife, he opened Aji Dokoro in his hometown of Kuriyama, offering dishes that are filled with love and reflect the local culture.I had to cancel my visit twice due to heavy snowfall, but this time I finally arrived.By the way, Aji Dokoro earned 2 stars in the 2017 Michelin Guide Hokkaido.Here’s what I enjoyed:❶ Water octopus, plum vinegar, and carmona oil ❷ Pureed green asparagus and vongole ❸ Soup with aburabouzu and bamboo shoots ❹ Sashimi of sea bream, okahijiki, fresh hijiki, soft roe, and sea bream eggs ❺ Steamed glutinous rice, wild herb tea, and bamboo shoot soboro ❻ Grilled flatfish with kombu, bracken, and pickled cherry leaves ❼ Fried mud squid with lemon koji, cauliflower, and river nori ❽ Refreshing dish with rock nori, cucumber, and vongole ❾ Melon, suguki, scallop tartare, and chives flowers ➓ Rice with black rice, hamo, and miso-pickled turnips and burdock ⓫ Pineapple sorbet with coconut agar ⓬ Yomogi yokan and ehōmame ⓭ Matcha The dishes were all wonderful, overflowing with rich flavors. The countryside cuisine truly lived up to its reputation.Especially, the gentle smile of the owner, reminiscent of Ebisu, tells it all.It was a great meal!
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