Food and Photography in Nara • First Episode • 5A Marbled Wagyu
Prices in Japan are generally expensive, but as long as you are willing, you can try all the top ingredients at a relatively cheap price.
For example, this meal was at Izakayatsunofuri in the commercial district near Nara Kintetsu Station. Izakaya means izakaya. On a noisy pedestrian street similar to Huangxing South Road, the underground unit on the first floor has a sense of being hidden in the city. It is called an izakaya, but the decoration is very mixed. The dim light, each booth is separated by a Southeast Asian pink tulle, and under your feet is a gurgling stream covered by glass.
The waiter's English is very bad, and you can only use a pad to order dishes. It's all self-service without asking for help. It's basically locals eating, and there are Japanese laughter everywhere. It is said that in Japan, you have to scream out loud when you have a climax, so that you can praise the chef.
Ordered six kinds of sashimi, 5A Marbled Wagyu Sukiyaki, 5A Marbled Wagyu Tobanyaki, and Black Truffle White Roasted Eel Rice. Two adults, 300 yuan per person, tea fee, including two pre-paid (appetizer) six kinds, although it is free, among which the wine pickled tomatoes and Saikyo miso mini eggplant are very delicate and refreshing. Although Hida beef is not as famous as the three major beefs of Kobe, Omi and Matsusaka, it is niche and outstanding, with fat and gravy locked in the muscle fat, and only seasoned with rock salt after cooking, it is simply soul-stirring. The sashimi of the day is also very fresh. Such a meal must be sky-high in China, but the final bill is only less than 8,000 yen, about 500 yuan.
Summary: Although it is axiom that you get what you pay for, in Japan, cheap is completely good. First, there are obvious regional differences in the price of Japanese food. The same top ingredients are cheaper in small and remote towns than in central city commercial cities; storefronts on busy commercial streets are cheaper than secluded docks. Second, Japanese people pay much attention to elegance when eating, and the environment and service are quite valuable. The most valuable thing about Japanese Michelin restaurants is not the food, but the service and tone. For example, in the restaurant mentioned above, you order dishes by yourself without anyone explaining them, sake is not poured for you when it is served, and the wagyu sukiyaki should be cooked raw, but they just serve you half-cooked one. These flaws make the price of this meal more affordable.