Another unbelievable place. Only in Japan!
20 minutes by train from Odawara one arrives at a train station where there is no taxi, only a sign with a phone number. Once called, the dispatcher informs one that it will take one hour for the taxi to arrive due to high demand. When we called to restaurant to inform them the Chef offered to pick up us. The Chef turned out to be a man in his eighties who runs the restaurant with his wife and his son. The menu is as simple as it is delicious.
You kick off with a massive sashimi, varied and beautifully presented. So fresh that the Ebi is moving for another 10 minutes. Once you managed your way through the massive plate of raw seafood and fish, you get served the main course. A kimetai shabu shabu. The dashi is the family secret and very delicious. It is based on grilled kimetai with some other ingredients. The Chef comes and gives you detailed instructions how to cook. The head of the kimetai 15 minutes. The slices of kimetai depending on thickness about 30-45 seconds and the negi (ネギ, young onions) for 8 seconds (!). All of this creates an unbelievable delicious flavor profile that one cannot stop until everything is finished and one is completely full.
The meal, of course, finishes with a rice course. Zosui (Japanese Rice Soup, 雑炊) with the same dashi. Subtle, but full of umami.
All of this comes at a price which you cannot believe.
Maybe not the best food ever, but one of the best experiences ever!

Ps: and of course the Chef drops you off at the nearby train station just in time for the train back to Tokyo.
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