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Touring Popular Restaurants ~ A must-see for athletes & women! Sakuraya, a highly nutritious and healthy horse meat specialty restaurant ~
Sakuraya
Horse meat is a rare treat in daily life. Sakuraya, a specialty restaurant, offers a wide variety of horse meat dishes. In the previous article, we introduced 17 dishes, but we heard that new menus are being created one after another, so this is our first repeat visit to the series!
First, Harami Sashimi for 980 yen. Its characteristics of moderate fat and tender texture are the same as beef skirt steak, but when you actually eat it, it's completely different.
Writer: "Are you seasoning it?"
Chef: "No, it's horse sashimi, so it's served as is!"
Writer: "Led by a question mark"
The surprise of such a deep flavor from just the ingredients! Even a tiny bit of seasoning is enough. This is a masterpiece that goes against the common perception that meat dishes are meant to be devoured. You'll find yourself involuntarily closing your eyes and savoring every bite.
Next is Hatsumoto (aorta) stir-fried with salt koji for 620 yen. "Hatsumoto" refers to the artery connected to the heart. Its crispy texture, similar yet distinct from cartilage, is addictive!
It's also great that seasonal vegetables are used generously. The thinned-out melon is particularly noteworthy. While it's common to pickle melons in melon-producing regions, it's also delicious when stir-fried! And then there's bamboo shoot, which is in season now. The chef harvests it himself! The appetizer of bamboo shoot (with kinome miso) was also delicious.
The third dish is spring vegetables and horse tendon stir-fried with sweet and spicy sauce for 490 yen. It looks like yakiniku, but it's so tender! Even if you have trouble chewing, it's okay, it melts in your mouth. However, when horse meat is cooked, it hardens faster than other meats. Be careful if you're the type to save your favorite things for last!
This time, as a special treat, we'll also try a new menu item from "Nomidokoro HINATA," a sister restaurant in the same area!
There's a previous article for this one too.
Touring Popular Restaurants ~ Izakaya "Nomidokoro HINATA" where you can go alone or with friends ~
Plump fresh sausage for 290 yen. It seems good as an appetizer or a starter. The sausage contains garlic, which adds a good, appetizing accent. As a garlic lover, this is a favorite of mine, but it's a matter of taste. Please order it and let the proprietress know what you think.
Above, we introduced spring recommendations & new menu items. The lineup and ingredients may change depending on the day's fresh arrivals, so even regular customers will be satisfied. Odorless, tender, and even edible raw, horse meat has an infinite repertoire. Isn't it elegant to feel the four seasons through horse meat dishes combined with seasonal ingredients? And eating "cherry blossoms" in spring is truly stylish, isn't it?!
As of April 2021, Sakuraya is running a half-price drink campaign. All drinks are half price between 4 PM and 7 PM, no matter how many you order. It's great that all drinks are included! This offer is valid until the end of May.
For more details, check out Sakuraya's official Instagram!
Text and photos: Sakurai (Community Relations Team)
Sakuraya
Address: 7-1-1 Miyachu, Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture (10 minutes by car from Kashima Stadium, 15 minutes on foot from Kashima Jingu Station)
TEL: 050-8880-6996 (Reservation-only dial, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
Opening hours: 16:00-23:45 (Food L.O. ~23:00, Drink L.O. ~23:10)
Closed: Every Monday and the second Sunday of the month
URL (online reservations available):
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sakuraya0601/