Hyperlocal Tokyo

I invited a foreign guest who loves Japanese food to this restaurant and we enjoyed the ¥8,800 (tax included) lunch course with 8 dishes. The ingredients were mainly seafood and vegetables, and the dishes were very delicate in flavor. Moreover, the patterns on the dishes and the plating were full of sentiment and kindness, warming my heart as I ate. The course ended with tai chazuke (rice with grilled sea bream and green tea). The sesame sauce for the sea bream was especially delicious, and I couldn't resist having seconds of both the rice and the sea bream and sesame sauce. The service was very attentive, with both the serving and explanations being very thorough. Thanks to this, we were able to enjoy our meal comfortably and my guest was very happy. Thank you for the delicious and heartwarming meal.

My mother-in-law and I had lunch here. We ordered the tai chazuke course. Everything was delicious, including the crab, sea urchin, halibut, and Yamagata beef sirloin, but we were particularly impressed by the shiny, freshly cooked Tsuyahime rice. It was absolutely delicious. The beer served in thin glasses was also very smooth, and the sake served in Baccarat glasses was lovely. We were able to enjoy a relaxing meal in a private room and were very satisfied. Thank you.

• Lunch Course - ¥8,800 • Scallops and Napa Cabbage with Red Vinegar Jelly • Grilled Sesame Tofu • Shrimp Dumplings with Watercress and Tomato Soup • Bonito Sashimi with Ponzu Jelly • Eight-Course Appetizer Platter: Bonito, Soft-Cooked Octopus, Fried Ayu (Sweetfish), Fried Corn, Braised Yam, Fig with Mascarpone Sauce, Mozuku Vinegar, Dadacha Beans • Eggplant and Minced Meat Stew • Tai Chazuke (Rice with Grilled Sea Bream and Green Tea) with Yamagata Prefecture's Tsuyahime Rice (Refills Available) • Homemade Black Sugar Pudding with Mango It was a day when I realized that eating delicious food is the best way to cleanse my soul. Ginza Kudou, just a short walk from Higashi-Ginza Station. I enjoyed the most delicious Japanese cuisine here. Dinner is quite pricey, making it a bit of a challenge to visit. But during lunchtime, it's within a price range that even I can afford. This day, I opted for the most affordable lunch course. The restaurant is located on the third floor of a building and all seats are in private rooms, giving it a very hidden gem feel. Naturally, I was in a private room. The warm atmosphere with the scent of wood. The course began. First, a clear glass dish, sparkling with summer vibes, held thick scallops and Napa cabbage with red vinegar jelly. The scallops were thick and had a moist texture. The ponzu jelly added a refreshing and light touch. It was the perfect dish for a hot day. Next came their signature dish: Grilled Sesame Tofu! It was so delicious, I understood why it's a signature dish. The surface of the sesame tofu was crispy and fragrant. The inside was smooth, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth, a perfect texture. It was truly delicious! The thick sesame-based sauce was also amazing. The warm soup that came next was also impressive. When I opened the lid, I saw a dish with a summery firework design. Inside were tomatoes, watercress, and plump shrimp dumplings. The unique, slippery texture of the watercress and the acidity of the tomato were a perfect match. The gentle broth was comforting and felt like it lifted a weight off my shoulders. The bonito sashimi that came next was also thick, fresh, and delicious. I was already quite satisfied, but then came the eight-course appetizer platter, a work of art! It included fried ayu, bonito, soft-cooked octopus, and more. The dishes were all so beautiful. It was a total alcohol thief. Everything was delicious, but my personal favorite was the fried ayu. It was crispy on the outside, but the flesh inside was tender. The slightly bitter taste of the liver was also something I loved. And then, another signature dish: Tai Chazuke. Steamed rice served with grilled sea bream and sesame sauce. And not only the rice, but also the sea bream with sesame sauce was refillable. What a luxury! What bliss! I was so excited about this amazing offer. First, I savored the deliciousness of the freshly steamed rice directly. The fluffy, plump rice was sweet and delicious even without anything else. Then, I added the sea bream with sesame sauce. It was the perfect match for the rice. The sea bream was plump and springy. I could eat it forever. The umami flavor was so intense, I could probably eat a whole bowl of rice with just one piece of sea bream. I finished the first bowl before I even had a chance to make it into tea rice. Of course, I had a second bowl. This time, I made it into tea rice. When I poured the hot green tea over the sea bream, it cooked it slightly, giving it a different flavor and texture than when eaten plain. It was light and refreshing, and I could eat it forever. In the end, I was so impressed that I refilled both the rice and the sea bream four times each. Finally, I finished with Kudou's homemade black sugar pudding. It was a wonderful course that allowed me to experience the changing seasons and fill my stomach. At the end, they even gave me a pair of chopsticks as a gift, which was a nice touch. I definitely want to visit this restaurant again for a special occasion. Maybe even try the dinner course! Thank you for the meal.

I had the lunch course. This was my second visit, and it was simply amazing. Every dish was delicate and showcased the chef's meticulous skills. I have quite a few food allergies, but the chef was very accommodating, which I'm very grateful for. The private room makes it perfect for dining with clients.

## Ginza Kudou: A Refined Kaiseki Experience in East Ginza **Overall Rating: 4.1** I recently visited Ginza Kudou, a kaiseki restaurant located in East Ginza. The restaurant boasts a serene atmosphere with a traditional Japanese-style interior, reminiscent of a sukiya-zukuri (tea room) design. It features two private rooms and one semi-private room, making it suitable for intimate gatherings or discreet occasions. For lunch, I opted for the ¥8,000 course. The meal began with a refreshing appetizer of scallops and white mustard greens, paired with a delicate yolk soy sauce and a refreshing yuzu vinegar jelly. The crisp texture and clean aftertaste were delightful. Next came a warm, savory dish of grilled sesame tofu. The addition of soy milk created a rich, smooth texture that was best enjoyed with a spoon. The warmth and aroma enhanced the flavor, making it a truly satisfying experience. The soup course featured crab dumplings and turnip in a flavorful broth. The umami of the broth was enhanced by a hint of ginger, adding a subtle warmth to the dish. The sashimi, featuring flatfish, was a delight. The smooth texture and firm, springy consistency were a pleasure to savor. The nori soy sauce further accentuated the natural sweetness of the fish, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The eight-course platter, or hassun, was a visual and culinary masterpiece. It included a variety of delicacies such as chrysanthemum and chrysanthemum vinegar, burdock root, persimmon white simmered with sesame paste, egg, black sea bream fry, and glazed prawns. The presentation was as exquisite as the dishes themselves, showcasing the vibrant colors and textures of the ingredients. The simmered dish of bean curd, shiitake mushrooms, and taro was both delicious and nourishing. The rice, a premium variety called Tsukihime, was served in three stages: first, enjoyed plain to appreciate its natural sweetness, then topped with shredded sea bream, and finally as a refreshing sea bream tea rice. This luxurious rice course was a highlight of the meal. The dessert selection was equally impressive, featuring pumpkin ice cream, Muscat grapes and pear, Ginza Kudou's signature black sugar pudding, chocolate and sweet potato, and matcha latte. The inclusion of a bottled pudding in a kaiseki course was a unique and delightful touch. The desserts were all delicious and left me wanting more. As a parting gesture, I was given a warm blanket and chopsticks to take home as souvenirs. Overall, Ginza Kudou offers a refined and memorable kaiseki experience, showcasing the artistry of Japanese cuisine and hospitality.