Roadside restaurant in Oita completely is aware of what it’s doing with karaage.
It’s a testomony to Japan’s wonderful meals tradition that irrespective of the place you go, you’re in all probability near a fantastic meal. Our most up-to-date reminder of that got here at this restaurant in the course of nowhere.
Effectively, technically we got here throughout this prefab shack in the course of Yamakunimachi, a neighborhood within the city of Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture. Oita’s culinary declare to fame is the locals’ experience in making karaage, Japanese-style fried hen, and even inside the prefecture Nakatsu is called an particularly tasty place for it.
However whereas we had been intrigued, we had been a bit apprehensive about consuming at Noka Shokudo Yamakuni, because the restaurant known as. That’s as a result of “Noka Shoudo” interprets to “farmers’ cafeteria,” and we puzzled if possibly the eatery solely caters to farmers who work the close by fields and isn’t actually the type of place that may accommodate vacationers passing by like us. Nonetheless, we noticed that they’d photographs of to-go objects, so in a worst-case situation we might simply get a few of these and eat in our automobile, we figured.
All of that fear turned out to be fully pointless, although. As we opened the door, the well mannered and pleasant workers gave us a heat welcome, and advised us to sit down wherever we appreciated. It was nonetheless a bit earlier than midday and the restaurant wasn’t notably crowded but, so we took a seat and seemed over the menu.
Noka Shokudo Yamakuni focuses on fried hen, and we opted for the boneless karaage set meal, the very first set listed on their menu, which is priced at 750 yen (US$5.35). As we waited, we stared absent-mindedly on the TV enjoying contained in the restaurant as extra prospects got here in as lunchtime rolled round. Whether or not native common or first-timer, consuming in or ordering to go, the workers was courteous to every person, and as we had been absorbing the nice and cozy, relaxed environment, a server introduced over our meals, and our temper obtained even higher.
Along with a nice-sized portion of karaage, we had shredded cabbage, sliced cucumber, a dish of macaroni salad, a heaping bowl of white rice, and one among miso soup. We even had a pleasant slice of pear, which was an particularly good contact as they’re simply coming into season in Japan.
However after all, the star of the present right here is the fried hen, and it shines very brightly. From the second we took our first chunk, we might inform that Noka Shokudo Yamakuni’s karaage exists within the excellent candy spot of fried hen.
The meat is moist and juicy, however involves a clear end that doesn’t really feel oily or greasy. It’s extraordinarily flavorful, and the breading serves as the perfect complement, including texture and style however with out being starchy or pushing the hen into the background. Noka Shokudo Yamakuni makes use of rice powder of their breading, which can additionally contribute to its beautiful stability.
Noka Shokudo Yamakuni’s karaage is so good that it’s virtually harmful, since if we lived in Nakatsu we’d be tempted to eat it every single day, which, non-greasy as it might be, in all probability wouldn’t be the healthiest food plan. However since we don’t dwell in Nakatsu, overindulging isn’t actually a priority, so you may wager Noka Shokudo Yamakuni is getting a everlasting spot on our to-eat record each time we do occur to be on the town.
Restaurant data
Noka Shokudo Yamakuni / 農家食堂やまくに
Deal with: 大分県中津市山国町中摩3202-2
Oita-ken, Nakatsu-shi, Yamakunimachi Nakama 3202-2
Open 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Closed Wednesdays
Photographs ©SoraNews24
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[ Read in Japanese ]