79th Edition: [Izakaya Maru-chan] x Junmai Daiginjo 50 Pairs
This year, the cherry blossoms on the Yoshinogawa premises are blooming a little later than last year, but pink hues are starting to peek out from deep within the buds. There are still some temperature fluctuations between morning and evening, but daytime temperatures are gradually rising, so they should all bloom at once on a sunny day soon and reach their peak. They will once again brilliantly color the arrival of spring at Yoshinogawa! When you visit the brewery, please be sure to enjoy the cherry blossoms along the Mikuni Kaido road.
And this year, Yoshinogawa has welcomed a group of bright and dazzling new employees! They are diligently working on their training every day, taking their first steps as working adults. We are very much looking forward to seeing what kind of "Yoshinogawa people" they will become. And this year, on April 19th (Saturday)...“Yoshinogawa Brewery Open House”We will be holding the event! With the slogan "Come, see, drink, and explore," we hope you will enjoy a springtime experience at Setagaya Hiyori. Please come and join us!
Now, in this segment called "Tipsy One Dish," we visit restaurants and bars in Niigata Prefecture and ask them to create snacks that pair well with Yoshinogawa sake. This time, the restaurant that will be preparing the dishes is "Taishu Sakaba Maru-chan," located in front of Naoetsu Station in Joetsu City. They have created dishes that pair well with our Junmai Daiginjo 50 PAIR!
Junmai Daiginjo 50PAIR is a pure rice daiginjo sake brewed using 100% Niigata-grown rice, offering a gentle ginjo aroma and a clean taste that allows you to fully enjoy the umami of the rice. It has won the Grand Gold Award at the National Warm Sake Contest and the Gold Award at the Delicious Sake in a Wine Glass Awards. This "PAIR series" is a sake that allows you to enjoy "pairing"—connecting food with the place, things, and experiences. Please enjoy this slightly luxurious sake that will accompany your enriching moments.
The restaurant that prepared the dishes for this review, "Taishu Sakaba Maru-chan," is a seafood izakaya directly managed by Koike Fish Market. As it is run by a fish market, you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes that depend on the day's catch, from the usual seafood sourced from the local market to some rarer varieties. The first floor has counter and table seating, and the second floor has private rooms that can accommodate banquets of up to 20 people. The owner, Makoto Sato, says that he creates the menu every day with the aim of making delicious and impactful dishes. The menu is so extensive that you'll be spoiled for choice, and of course, they also have Joetsu's specialty, "suruten." It's a restaurant that makes you look forward to visiting and wondering what kind of fish you'll be able to eat each day.
This time, we asked them to prepare "Tuna Minced Cutlet" as a dish that would pair well with Junmai Daiginjo 50 PAIR.
Now, let's get straight to the recipe!
★Materials★ (for 2 pieces)
Negitoro (minced tuna with green onions): 400g
・Perilla leaves: 20 pieces
• Onion: 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
Mayonnaise: 3 tablespoons
Olive oil: appropriate amount
Breadcrumbs: appropriate amount
・Flour: Appropriate amount
Salt: to taste
Black pepper: to taste
Tempura flour: appropriate amount (dissolve in water to a slightly thick consistency)
<How to make>
1. Combine the onions, lightly sautéed in olive oil, with the minced tuna.
2. Add salt and black pepper, then tear the shiso leaves and add them.
3. Add mayonnaise and mix well.
4. Shape it into a round, palm-sized ball.
POINT: Making a slight indentation in the center helps it cook more evenly! It's also fun to make them in different shapes♪
5. Coat the ingredients in the following order: flour, tempura flour, and breadcrumbs.
POINT: After applying the coating, letting it rest for a while will help prevent it from losing its shape.
6. Deep-fry in oil at 175-180 degrees Celsius for about 3 minutes.
POINT: Don't touch it too much; when the bubbles become smaller, that's the sign it's ready!
7. Once plated, it's done!!
The title of this recipe is "Healthy Minced Meat Cutlet That Tastes Just Like Meat"! The minced tuna is transformed to have a meat-like texture! The sautéed onions add sweetness, and the occasional refreshing accent of shiso leaves gives it a light flavor despite being fried. This flavor further enhances the umami of the Junmai Daiginjo 50 PAIR sake, creating an exquisite pairing. You can enjoy it as is, with the classic sauce, or with grated daikon radish. Wasabi soy sauce is also a recommended way to enjoy this tuna cutlet.
The shop owner, Mr. Sato, told me that it's a good idea to make a little extra and freeze it. It can be used in various ways, such as as a side dish in a bento box or as a sandwich filling, so please give it a try at home.
・Tuna minced cutlet 390 yen (tax included) *Limited time offer
And here's another recommended item from the restaurant!
• [Limited Quantity] Assorted Bluefin Tuna Platter (for 2 people) 3,580 yen (tax included) *Minimum order of 2 servings.
Also, depending on the supply situation, it may not be available.
(At the time of filming: Otoro (fatty tuna), Chutoro (medium-fatty tuna), Toro (fatty tuna), Akami (lean tuna), Nakaochi (tuna scraps)
This dish is a popular menu item at the restaurant. Visually impressive, this "Assorted Bluefin Tuna Platter" is limited to seven servings per day. The style of eating it—placing the tuna scraps on a base of sashimi and using a seashell to scrape them off—is enjoyable not only for the taste but also for the experience, doubling the deliciousness. You can enjoy the differences in flavor by comparing the different cuts, and pairing it with the flavorful Junmai Daiginjo 50PAIR harmonizes the rich fat of the tuna, creating an exceptional pairing. This is a dish you absolutely must try when you visit the restaurant.
The details of this event will be broadcast on NST from 6 PM on Saturday, April 12th.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].
"Popular Izakaya Maru-chan"
[Address] 1-1-31 Chuo-ku, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture
[Telephone] 025-544-2597
[Business Hours]
Monday to Thursday: 17:30 to 22:00 (LO 21:30)
Friday and Saturday: 17:30 - 22:30 (LO 22:00)
[Regular closing day] Sunday