I was invited by a friend and visited with a group of six.Founded over 340 years ago during the Genroku era, this specialty restaurant for soft-shelled turtle hot pot has been cherished by renowned authors like Yasunari Kawabata, who wrote "The Old Capital," and Naoya Shiga, known for "A Dark Night's Journey," as well as prominent figures in culture and politics.Upon entering, I was captivated by the historical Japanese architecture that retains the charm from the Edo period when it was established.The restaurant is adorned with numerous Kyoto-style fans, known as "Kyomaru uchiwa," which are traditionally given by maiko and geiko to their patrons, adding to the summer ambiance.After toasting with bottled beer, we were served the first dish—jelly-like soft-shelled turtle broth!The rich flavors melted in my mouth, creating an irresistible taste sensation.Before long, a sizable hot pot arrived, bubbling with a savory broth and soft-shelled turtle!The staff carefully portioned the soup and meat for each person.The hot pot was served in two rounds.The thick, piping hot broth, infused with ginger, enveloped my senses, warming me from the inside out, making me break into a gentle sweat with each sip.The tender parts of the turtle and the rich-tasting eggs were a timeless delight.Personally, I found the zosui (rice porridge) to be the best I've ever tasted.This simple yet direct dish, made with rice, mochi, and local red-shelled chicken eggs, was infused with the concentrated umami of the soft-shelled turtle broth—something I had never experienced before.It was hot and steamy, but I couldn't stop eating!It was truly a wonderful culinary experience.
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