Takayama: Sosuke Dinner (night three)

1-50-30, Sowamachi, Takayama-shi, Gifu-ken
Website
http://hida-yado.net/yado/sosuke/english.htm
20071010SosukeDinner3Tempura.jpg

Here are the pics and thoughts from our last dinner at Sosuke - what a way to go out!

Crisp vegetable tempura; shitake, yam, shiso, kabocha (pumpkin) and potato. A little patty cake foil contained a seasoned salt, which I liberally sprinkled over my veggies. The shiso especially was a great ingredient to tempura.

20071010SosukeDinner3SquidSashimi.jpg

Now just a little warning for those uninitiated in the ways of squid sashimi. The dish must be approached singularly and with caution. See how the flesh is cut into strips? Take that as a very definite instruction. If one or two strips are consumed, you will be met with a chewy squishiness that is quite firm to the bite - quite pleasant and palatable. But if you whack the whole thing in your mouth, well, the proteins in the flesh get kind of excited and they bind and knit to become one big fat glob in your mouth. No shit…poor EG was chewing for like 10 minutes!

20071010SosukeDinnerUdon.jpg

Another bowl of yomogi udon, similar to what we had on night one.

20071010SosukeDinner3DeepFriedEbi.jpg

These little ebi (shrimps) were deep-fried and salted, and could be eaten whole and in one bite. They were absolutely fantastic, and would make a great beer snack.

20071010SosukeDinner3BakedSavouryCustard.jpg

Chawan mushi is an egg-custard steamed in a bowl or tea cup. The egg mixture was seasoned with dashi and mirin, and infused with tender gingko nuts and small boiled shrimp. A swirly slice of kamaboko (fish cake) floated on top, along with a bright green celery leaf.

20071010SosukeDinner3FishParcel.jpg

Hmm….I wonder what has been baked in this Hoba leaf parcel?

20071010SosukeDinner3FishParcelOpen.jpg

The fish course was a lemon and salt baked mackeral fillet. It had been cooked on the iron before being placed in the leaf, but the Hoba infused a delicate leafy fragrance. It was truly the taste of Autumn.


2 Responses to “Takayama: Sosuke Dinner (night three)”

  1. foodhoe said...

    omigosh these japanese posts are killing me! each dish looks so good… i love love love ika, and you’re right, it is unfortunate when the meat becomes rubberized or stringy. i love nothing better than to find a chef who knows how to prepare it so that doesn’t happen! oh and that picture of tempura shiso is tormenting me

    8:16 pm - May 27th, 2008
  2. mellie said...

    Hey foodhoe - well if it’s any consolation, these Japan posts are killing me too! Ooooh…I SO wish I could go back!

    The tempura shiso was da bomb :-)

    12:15 pm - May 30th, 2008

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