I had the pleasure of enjoying a full course of sweetfish at a restaurant in Miyajimaguchi! After a tiring day of sightseeing at Itsukushima Shrine, this dinner was the perfect way to unwind on a wonderful holiday. The restaurant, resembling a traditional Japanese house, provided a cozy atmosphere to savor delicious dishes.We started with a steamed egg custard featuring dried sweetfish, which warmed us up nicely, paired perfectly with Japanese sake and the aroma of sweetfish. Next, the sweetfish sashimi surprised us with its rich flavor, much stronger than we expected, leaving everyone impressed.In the back, a big sweetfish was being grilled, and soon after, we were served a grilled sweetfish rice bowl. The dish was incredible, with the pure flavor of the fish and no unpleasant taste from the liver, enhanced by soy sauce and sansho pepper.Then, we switched things up with deep-fried soft-shelled turtle, which was a bit messy but so enjoyable to eat with our hands while sipping wine. Following that, we had a dish of fried chicken with a yurin sauce made from grouper and eggplant, accompanied by summer vegetables mixed with okara. Here, the bones and head of the sweetfish made an appearance again, adding a delightful richness from the frying process.Finally, the long-cooked Ezo deer was served! The lean yet flavorful deer meat paired with a special sauce and red wine created a blissful moment.Of course, we finished with sweetfish rice, where the bitterness of the green pepper complemented the aroma of the sweetfish beautifully—everyone was going back for seconds! For dessert, we enjoyed basil ice cream and peach compote, followed by a whiskey and pudding combo. The hot coffee made right in front of us had a perfect balance of acidity and bitterness, making it delicious.As it happened to be a special day, we were also treated to a delightful green tea and ricotta cheese ice cream at the end, which was perfectly crafted to the point of almost melting! The pairing of wine and Japanese sake was exquisite, and the enjoyable conversations with the people at the next table added a wonderful spice to the meal, enhancing the experience.The menu seems to change quite a bit with the seasons, so I definitely want to visit again at a different time of year! I am truly grateful to the staff for such a memorable experience!
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