"The Absolute Presence of Eragon in the Kansai Yakitori Scene"I finally made it to Eragon, a place I had been wanting to visit for a while but couldn't find the right timing. I was really looking forward to it! 【Atmosphere】 The facade blends quietly into the upscale streets of Ashiya, giving off a strong vibe of a great restaurant. It definitely sets the mood! The chic interior features an L-shaped counter with 11 seats made of heavy wood, and there is one private room in the back.【Eragon * Omakase Course Order + Additions】 ↓ A La Carte (Optional Additions) ◉ Chicken breast with kombu kelp. ◉ Grilled chicken thigh with wasabi. ◉ Wild watercress green salad. ◉ * Itouri and chicken broth ponzu. ↓ Grilled Items (Skewers). ◉ Chilled fig chawanmushi (savory egg custard). * Yuzu shichimi and sansho pepper. ◉ Chicken breast. ◉ * Yuba tofu. ◉ Gizzard. ◉ * Itouri and chicken broth ponzu. ◉ Neck meat. ◉ Chicken wings. ◉ * Asazuke (lightly pickled vegetables). ◉ Red eggplant (Kumamoto). ◉ * Chicken soup. ◉ Tsukune (chicken meatball with egg yolk and truffle). ↓ Additions. ◉ Oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl). ◉ Clay pot rice with chicken and corn. ◉ Other drinks...【Food Impressions】 As for the food... the omakase grilled items (skewers) were complemented by reasonably priced a la carte additions. The standout was the "grilled chicken thigh with wasabi," which had a wonderfully crispy skin and juicy meat—definitely a highlight of the meal! Additionally, the unusual "fig chawanmushi" was surprisingly delicious. The first skewer, chicken breast, was a bit lacking in juiciness, but overall, the cooking of the skin and meat was excellent. The chicken wings and tsukune were just perfect for me! * The small dish of "yuzu shichimi" played a great role in enhancing the flavors. To finish, I ordered the oyakodon and clay pot rice, and the contrast between the rich, flavorful oyakodon and the refreshing taste of the corn clay pot rice was impressive. There are also options like curry, cold noodles, and ramen on the menu, which I look forward to trying next time. In conclusion, the satisfaction level was overwhelming, and the cost performance was high! The pricing for a la carte items was also very reasonable! Having visited many famous yakitori places across the country, I expected to spend around JPY 20,000 for this meal, even without alcohol (my companion had drinks), but it turned out to be just over JPY 15,000 per person, which was an unexpected surprise! I felt the presence of a father figure in the Kansai yakitori scene. Bravo for the yakitori! 【Service】 In the Kansai yakitori scene, where many chefs have strong personalities, Eragon stands out with immense support and respect from fellow professionals. Chef Watanabe is surprisingly calm and natural, exuding a sense of tranquility. He even seems to have an aura that makes him feel unassuming. This reminds me of Chef Mizuno from Shidare in the Shinchi area. We had various conversations, and the more we talked, the more I felt the depth and breadth of Chef Watanabe's knowledge. One of my favorite stories about Eragon is when Chef Taniguchi from the famous "Yakitori Taniguchi" directly asked Chef Watanabe, "What should I do to surpass Eragon?" (laughs). Chef Watanabe's response was, "Then you should use Kōsaka chicken." Taking this advice to heart, Chef Taniguchi started using Kōsaka chicken, and when I asked Chef Watanabe about it, he humorously remarked, "It turned out just as I said, right?" (laughs). Another surprising fact is that the Miyazaki "Oshioka jidori" chicken, used in places like "Koto" in Fukuoka, was originally developed by Eragon in collaboration with the producers. Chef Watanabe also generously provided his original grilling platform to the chef of "Shinose" in Osaka, who had come to learn from him, free of charge—what a generous and grand story! There are many more stories, but... Also, the two twin female staff members were charming and provided exemplary service with constant smiles, which was wonderful! After discussing with my companion, we even planned to hold regular gatherings at Eragon. I will definitely return before the end of the year. It was a great meal! Thank you for reading until the end. I would appreciate it if you could like, follow, and save this restaurant. Thank you!