明水然·樂 宜蘭礁溪店(田園景觀店)
Location: Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
While searching for a birthday restaurant in Yilan, I discovered that Mingshuiran has opened up in Yilan. I quickly made a reservation a month before the birthday gathering and successfully secured a booking. However, I found it a bit unusual to pay the full amount three days after making the reservation. Nowadays, more and more omakase-style restaurants operate this way (is it something we get used to?!).
🌟 Clam Soup
The omakase meal started with a clam soup, which was refreshing. It was warm, smooth, and quite therapeutic.
🌟 Fish with Seaweed
The chef crisped the fish skin to perfection. The fish meat was tender and delicious, not at all tough.
🌟 Sashimi-Grade Scallops + Salmon Roe
The scallops were sweet and fresh, with no unpleasant bits getting stuck in my teeth.
🌟 Spicy Cod Roe and Yam
I really dislike yam, but the way it was prepared didn't give me that disgusting feeling. The grilled spicy cod roe was also exceptionally delicious and memorable.
🌟 Wagyu Burger
The anticipation started with the pan-seared Parmesan cheese. The richness of the Wagyu fat made the overall burger small but full of that classic American burger joy.
🌟 Lobster Three Ways
The lobster was paired with creamy cabbage, enhancing the dish's flavor beyond just seafood freshness and adding a layer of creaminess.
The lobster itself had a fresh and sweet taste. In parts where there is a stronger visceral flavor, the chef had pre-cooked it, reducing the gaminess.
The remaining lobster parts were made into a lobster soup, which was excellent.
🌟 Main Course: Duck Breast
After having tried Mingshuiran in Taipei, I was expecting something special with the duck breast exclusive to Yilan, but I found it underwhelming. It was slightly overcooked and perhaps not the best choice of meat. The flavor was a bit dry, as the duck breast at Chamonix is handled better.
🌟 Main Course: A5 Wagyu
The tenderness of the A5 Wagyu met my expectations. My family thought the portion was a bit small, but I was already prepared for that since I had been to the Taipei location. Each bite brought a burst of juiciness, making it delicious 😋.
🌟 Dessert was a chocolate brownie with ice cream, and the birthday cake was tiramisu. The dessert was decent.
Overall, it was a pretty good omakase teppanyaki experience. The chef, being from Yilan, was very humorous and explained everything clearly. He even told us to let him know if we weren't full, saying we couldn’t go home if we weren’t satisfied! However, since the table was quite large, those further away might not have heard him, which was a bit unfortunate.