Oyamada小山田

A local shop that has been in business for twenty years, it is clean, bright, and comfortable. Located on a pedestrian street but a short distance from the station, it mainly serves local residents.

Every day, they prepare fresh seafood, vegetables, and meats, which have a unique flavor of their own. This time, I had the full pufferfish meal (I missed the shirako and fin sake). The sashimi was expertly prepared, with a particularly chewy texture, and the fried pufferfish was somewhat reminiscent of chicken. The pufferfish hot pot was refreshing and sweet, while the mixed rice dish was a perfect finale, combining the essence beautifully.

They also have many other seasonal dishes. I love how they present simple dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients that highlight their natural flavors and deliciousness, and the prices are relatively reasonable. The most special item this time was the jellyfish, which had a crunchy texture and little flavor, but surprisingly paired well with perilla and plum paste. Typically, jellyfish is rare on the market, as most places use chicken cartilage to make the common plum water crystal.

There is also a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, mainly seasonal sake with many hidden options available, offering different flavors and price points that complement various dishes. The staff is very professional, but the only downside is that communication can only be done in Japanese.