Yamada Ya (山田屋) Usuki

On a rainy Sunday in May during Golden Week, I made a reservation call the evening before. I wasn't sure if it was because it was the off-season for soft roe or if there were just no people around Usuki due to the Hakata Dontaku festival, but I was lucky enough to get a table.So, I visited alone at 5 PM and was shown to a private room. I had expected to be crammed into a large room, so this was a pleasant surprise.At the time of the reservation, I had ordered the following:Fugu Course (7 dishes) - JPY 13,000Hire Sake - JPY 1,000Sourin Junmai Ginjo (1 go) - JPY 800Total: JPY 17,908 (tax included).The course included:◼️ Appetizers - Fugu skin with mustard miso - Asparagus and bamboo shoot with sesame dressing - Simmered daikon with minced meat ◼️ Sashimi ◼️ Kara-age ◼️ Sushi (photo not allowed) ◼️ Hot Pot ◼️ Zosui (rice porridge) and pickles ◼️ Mugwort pudding What surprised me the most this time was how delicious the sashimi was. I had always thought that fugu sashimi was just expensive but not particularly special, but this was the first time I truly enjoyed it. The flesh was translucent yet thick, with a firm texture and a strong flavor that went beyond just ponzu sauce. I wonder if it’s because it’s Usuki fugu or if it’s unique to this restaurant due to the lack of samples.Also, the kara-age was incredibly tasty. I generally believe that fugu tastes better when cooked, but this kara-age was exceptional. It had a lightness similar to a fritter, yet it was crispy, with a fluffy interior and a delightful texture from the collagen. I learned that it was served with cherry leaves.You definitely should include the sushi. I can’t share a photo since it’s not allowed, but it was truly delicious. I even considered ordering another round.The zosui and fugu skin with mustard miso were, of course, delicious, but the three dishes mentioned above were particularly outstanding.I was deeply impressed by the Usuki fugu this time. I’ve eaten fugu quite a few times in the past, including at some high-end restaurants, but this place was by far the best.Fugu really is delicious! Less