I visited Shinoda, a Japanese restaurant in Imabari, Ehime, which I had wanted to try for a while.This time, I enjoyed an omakase course centered around seafood from the Setouchi region.Starting with shirasu (whitebait), what impressed me the most was the series of dishes that maximized the quality of the ingredients themselves.It was fascinating to see the fish swimming in a glass bowl right in front of me before the cooking began.The sashimi was prepared differently depending on the type of fish, keeping it simple without unnecessary embellishments.This allowed the freshness, texture, and umami of the fish to shine through directly.Small fish were grilled whole from head to tail, and the squid and octopus were also prepared simply to highlight their natural flavors.The octopus, in particular, was remarkable—not only for its visual impact but also for the way its umami spread with each bite.One dish that left a lasting impression was the salt-baked sea bream.When the salt crust was broken open, it revealed the sea bream along with plenty of wakame (seaweed).The fluffy sea bream combined beautifully with the fresh scent of the wakame, creating a delicious dish.It felt like the cooking consistently focused on how to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients rather than adding flashy seasonings.The finale was corn rice cooked in a clay pot.As soon as the lid was lifted, I was greeted by a sea of corn.The sweetness of the rice combined with the natural sweetness of the corn made for a simple yet memorable dish.Through the meal, I felt that this was not just about presenting high-end ingredients in Japanese cuisine,but rather about how to serve the local Imabari and Setouchi ingredients in the most delicious way.With only a few seats available and the cooking happening right in front of me, I could enjoy not just the food but also the live experience.This is Japanese cuisine that faces the land, seasons, and ingredients head-on, without flashy presentations or excessive seasoning.Although it’s not exactly close from Osaka,this restaurant made me feel that there is a reason to come all the way to Imabari to eat.I would love to visit again in a different season.It was a great meal!
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