A month has passed since my last visit, and I returned to AKAI this month.Recently, I've been coming here every month due to the high demand for AKAI.Last month, the sweetfish wasn't available, so I was looking forward to trying it this month, along with the oysters that are being served differently.Here’s what I enjoyed today:1. Turtle Soup Chawanmushi→ We started with a gentle chawanmushi, which was just right as the first dish.2. Sweetfish from Usagawa, Sashimi and Back Fillet→ Even with the back fillet, I could still savor the tender backbone.The light ponzu sauce paired perfectly with the sashimi, making it incredibly delicious.The quality has truly improved year by year.3. Etajima Rock Oysters→ I had them with kimchi water.This was my first time trying this combination, and I was surprised at how creamy the flavor of the rock oysters was.It was a truly unique taste that left me impressed.4. Grilled Isaki (Japanese Sea Bream)→ The flesh was firm and plump.The aroma of the grilled skin was striking.Although it had a stronger acidity than usual for AKAI, the fish really stood out.5. Fried Turtle→ Today’s turtle was by far the best I’ve ever had.The aroma and depth of flavor were outstanding.6. White Sweet Sea Bream from Yawatahama with Onion Sauce from Yamamoto in Sera→ The white sweet sea bream had a gentle flavor with remarkable umami.The sweetness of the onion sauce was exceptional.7. Ezo Deer from Hokkaido→ This was also a delicious grilled deer with a wonderful aroma.When paired with wasabi, it transformed into a different flavor, creating a fascinating experience.8. Octopus Rice with Local Octopus from Setouchi→ The octopus had excellent elasticity, and the aroma and umami were superb.The acidity was very impressive, giving it a summery feel.9. Sweet Pickled Green Plums and Kuzumochi→ The green plums started with a tartness, followed by a refreshing taste, and then the sweetness came through.The kuzumochi had a strong chewy texture, contrasting with the gentle flavor of the green plums, making it very interesting.10. Pudding and Coffee→ The usual firm standard pudding.The subtle bitterness of the caramel is its true essence.Today was a celebration for the young staff at my company.Among the options of Japanese, Italian, French, Chinese, sushi, and innovative cuisine, they chose AKAI, which was great to hear.It seemed like they really enjoyed it, and I was pleased as well.I had been looking forward to seeing the sweetfish, wagyu beef, turtle, and oysters on Instagram.The oysters were a surprise.I was told they were simply soaked in kimchi water, but their creaminess was exceptional.Also, the turtle… that was amazing too; I bit into the fried turtle with my hands, and it was at an emotional level of deliciousness.I know you’ve made several trips to Yamaguchi for the sweetfish and turtle, so please drive safely.Thank you for the wonderful meal today.I will visit again soon.
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