69th Edition: [Tomizushi Nagaoka Ekimae Store] × Special Junmai Gokujo Yoshinogawa
June has arrived, and with it comes a season where it's difficult to manage your health, with rainy and chilly days followed by hot summer-like temperatures. At the brewery, preparations are underway for the "First Tasting" to be held on June 19th. This is an important event for the brewery, where all the sake brewed this winter and stored in tanks is tasted to check the degree of maturation. And speaking of June, Father's Day is also in the month. This year it falls on Sunday, June 16th. How will you be spending the day? You could prepare a special sake at the brewery, enjoy it with your family at your favorite restaurant, or perhaps even make something with your children using this tipsy Onedish recipe. Have a wonderful day with Yoshinogawa.
Now, in this segment called "Tipsy OneDish," we visit restaurants and bars in Niigata Prefecture and ask them to come up with snacks that pair well with Yoshinogawa sake. This time, the restaurant that will be preparing the dishes is located in front of Nagaoka Station.Tomizushi Nagaoka Station Front StoreThis is [Name of chef/person]. This time, they prepared dishes that pair well with "Special Junmai Gokujo Yoshinogawa"!
"Special Junmai Gokujo Yoshinogawa" is a special junmai sake brewed using 100% locally grown, contract-cultivated sake rice, Gohyakumangoku. It is a full-bodied sake with a smooth mouthfeel, showcasing the inherent deliciousness and aroma of the rice. In 2019, it won the highest gold prize in the premium warm sake category at the National Warm Sake Contest. Its crisp finish makes it an excellent pairing with food.
And the person who will cook the meal:Tomizushi Nagaoka Station Front Store" celebrated its 70th anniversary last year and has been serving sushi and Japanese food mainly in Niigata, Nagano, and Singapore.Tomisushi GroupThis is the Nagaoka branch of "[store name]".Tomizushi Nagaoka Station Front Store"[Restaurant Name]" is a restaurant that can be used for a wide range of purposes, from business to families with small children, with counter seats on the first floor and table seats and banquet halls on the second floor. The person who will introduce the dishes this time is the manager, Kazuyoshi Maruyama. He has fond memories of going fishing with his father in his childhood and having sushi made with the fish they caught, and he was also influenced by his parents to pursue a career in cooking. He started out mainly in Western cuisine, but during his apprenticeship in Tokyo he was captivated by the depth of Japanese cuisine, and he continues to create menus while incorporating new elements.
And this time, as a dish that pairs well with the special junmai sake, Gokujo Yoshinogawa, they prepared "chilled dashi tomato" for us.
Now, let's get straight to the recipe!
The recipe is here ↓
★Material★
• Tomato: 1 (Two were prepared for the photo shoot.)
- Noodle soup base: Dilute enough to cover the tomatoes, depending on their size.
・Perilla: 1 piece
≪For changing the flavor≫
Vinegar: appropriate amount
Sesame oil: appropriate amount
<How to make>
1. Make a cross-shaped incision at the bottom of the tomato to make it easier to peel, and remove the stem.
2. Blanch the vegetables in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then plunge them into ice water to remove the skin.
Point: If the area where you dipped it in hot water and made an incision becomes easier to peel, then it's OK!
3. Dilute the noodle soup base and put it in a bowl or container. Add the whole peeled tomatoes until they are submerged, and let it sit overnight.
Point: We recommend around 6 hours, but 3 hours is also fine.
Tomatoes are in season during the summer. They're delicious raw, but with a little extra effort, they can be transformed into a dish of a higher caliber. Blanching them allows the umami of the mentsuyu broth to permeate the tomatoes, and the subtle acidity makes them a perfect match for the mellow flavor of "Special Junmai Gokujo Yoshinogawa" sake! It also has a cooling effect on a slightly warm body, and its appearance is refreshing and perfect for summer! Adding vinegar and sesame oil will expand the flavor variations. Please try it at home!
• Chilled Tomato Broth: 440 yen (tax included) *Limited time offer
And here's another recommended item from the restaurant!
• Pufferfish and green onion skewers (2 skewers) 770 yen (tax included) *Limited time offer, available only at the Nagaoka Station branch.
When you think of pufferfish, you probably imagine dishes like pufferfish hot pot or pufferfish sashimi, but this menu item is a rare find: pufferfish grilled on skewers. This dish was created by Manager Maruyama as a perfect accompaniment to the sake being served. The pufferfish is seasoned well with ponzu sauce and garlic, and a hint of spicy "kanzuri" (a type of chili paste) adds a subtle kick. The umami flavor that seeps out from the firm texture pairs exceptionally well with the smooth mouthfeel of "Special Junmai Gokujo Yoshinogawa." Please enjoy it chilled with the sweet, grilled leeks.
The details of this event will be broadcast on NST at 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 8th.Smile StadiumIt will be broadcast within "[program name]!". It will only be broadcast within Niigata Prefecture. For those outside the prefecture, please check the YouTube channel "I love Niigata! ChannelYou can view it at [link/website].
「Tomizushi Nagaoka Station Front Store」
【address】1-4-3 Ote-dori, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture
[Telephone] 0258-30-0888
[Business Hours]
● Weekdays: 11:00 - 14:30
17:00 - 22:00
● Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
17:00 - 22:00
*If there are no customers in the store at 9 PM, we may close earlier than 10 PM.
[Regular closing days] New Year's (January 1st and 2nd only)
[Total number of seats] Approximately 70 seats