さくらの新そば : Sakura

I never thought soba could be this delicious. I usually prefer the coarser texture of soba rather than the smooth, fine type like Sarashina, so I don’t often get to enjoy it. 《Fresh Soba Making Has Begun》 On November 1st, I decided to visit Sakura, a place I've wanted to try. I was lucky enough to visit during the beautiful autumn foliage. And it was a perfect day in Tōmi, the clear autumn sky was incredibly blue. Sakura is just a little off the main road. I wonder if this has been the usual route since long ago? The restaurant was bustling inside, so I took a seat at the counter. A petite waitress greeted me, and I think a short-haired woman is the madam? In the back, there’s another woman in the cooking area. Three women were running the place. When I looked at the menu, I saw they had herring! I absolutely had to try the herring. Maybe I’ll add some tempura too! Although I usually prefer coarse soba, I thought since it’s fresh soba, why not try Sarashina? So here’s to the Sarashina challenge! ^^ ◆ Boiled Herring ◆ Assorted Platter ◆ Mini Tempura And that was my order. First, before everything, I was served dried daikon radish and carrot as a starter. The texture, aroma, and seasoning of the dried daikon were more reminiscent of Kansai than Shinshu. The light flavor really brought out the ingredients, and it was absolutely delicious! ❤️ 【Boiled Herring】 It looks blackened at first glance, but it’s actually very refined. Both the flavor and the firm texture of the fish were delightful—I've never had herring prepared this beautifully! ☆ The sweet potato and lotus root added great crunch and contrasting textures, creating an exquisite taste experience. 【Assorted Platter: Sarashina & Coarse Soba】 Although I usually love coarse soba, this was the best Sarashina soba I have ever had! It must be because it’s fresh soba made on November 1st! While the coarse soba at Sakura is also delicious, I surprisingly preferred the Sarashina here. The Sarashina had rich sweetness and a wonderful aroma that filled my mouth. And the refreshing coolness going down was unlike anything I’ve experienced at other restaurants. Could it be the temperature of the water when it was cooled? Cool, fluffy, and smooth going down— it was perfection! ( ・∇・)／ 【Mini Tempura】 Sweet potato, green pepper, chikuwa, pumpkin— with a light batter that was perfectly crispy. The sweet potato tempura had a unique aroma and a mild sweetness that added a delightful crunch! The balance of flavors was just right with the addition of chikuwa. 【Dessert】 The treatment of chestnuts was exceptional, and the way the floral beans were cooked and flavored was astonishing. I was amazed that the soba at Sakura exceeded my expectations even more than I had anticipated. It made me feel like I was dining in a creative Japanese restaurant in Kyoto. Everything besides the soba was delicious! If you ever find yourself in Tōmi, you should definitely enjoy the soba at Sakura! ( ・∇・)／aroma ☆☆☆☆☆TOUMI SOBA