89th Edition: [Kiraku Nagaoka, a popular yakiniku restaurant] x Ginjo Gokujo Yoshinogawa
January has flown by, and unlike last year, this year has brought a snowy winter. There is still a lot of snow on the ground, but this week we were blessed with warm weather that even hinted at the arrival of pollen. The mornings and evenings are bitterly cold, and there are days when the temperature drops below freezing. The brewing water in the brewery is also cold, and the brewers are battling the cold while immersing themselves in sake brewing every day. February brings many occasions for enjoying sake, such as Setsubun and Valentine's Day, so please enjoy your time with your family and loved ones with Yoshinogawa sake!
In this segment, "Tipsy OneDish," we visit restaurants and bars in Niigata Prefecture and ask them to create snacks that pair well with Yoshinogawa sake. This time, we asked "Taishu Yakiniku Kiraku Nagaoka," located at the east exit of JR Nagaoka Station, to create a dish that goes well with "Ginjo Gokujo Yoshinogawa," Yoshinogawa's flagship brand!
This sake, "Ginjo Gokujo Yoshinogawa," is a sake that has continued the "ginjo brewing" method, considered the foundation of sake brewing, even during the post-war era when rice was scarce, passing down its techniques. It is a special ginjo sake brewed using 100% locally contract-grown sake rice, "Gohyakumangoku." Its gentle ginjo aroma and clear, refreshing taste will impress even the most discerning sake connoisseurs.
"Taishu Yakiniku Kiraku Nagaoka" opened in November 2025 at E-PLAZA, located at the east exit of JR Nagaoka Station. Kiraku is a popular yakiniku restaurant originally located in Mitsuke, and this second branch near Nagaoka Station has been fully booked since its opening. Unlike the original Mitsuke branch, all seven rooms are private, and due to its location, it seems to be popular with small business groups. It can be difficult to get a table on the day, so be sure to make a reservation online in advance!
For this occasion, we asked store manager Toshimitsu Onda to create a dish that would pair well with Yoshinogawa's flagship sake, "Ginjo Gokujo Yoshinogawa." This recipe is a dream collaboration of two popular dishes from the restaurant's à la carte menu. The restaurant shared their secret to the perfect ratio of kimchi and potato salad.
Now, let's get straight to the recipe!
★Ingredients★ (1 serving)
Napa cabbage kimchi: 50g
• Potato salad: 120g
Sesame oil: 3g
<How to make>
1. Cut the napa cabbage kimchi into bite-sized pieces.
POINT: To avoid getting the cutting board dirty, use kitchen scissors to cut the ingredients inside the container!
2. Put the kimchi, potato salad, and sesame oil into a bowl and mix well.
POINT: Sesame oil is used to add richness!
3. Once plated, it's done!
The spiciness of the kimchi is softened by the creaminess of the mayonnaise, transforming your usual potato salad into a new and exciting recipe! The shop's golden ratio is 7 (potato salad): 3 (kimchi). This golden ratio provides the perfect balance of moisture from the kimchi. If you love kimchi, you can increase the amount, but be careful of the moisture content. If you get the potato salad from the supermarket's prepared food section, this becomes a super quick and easy recipe. Enjoy this slightly more sophisticated potato salad with premium sake. The spicy kick of the kimchi is a perfect match.
Kimchi Potatoes 450 yen (tax included) *Limited time offer
And here's another recommendation from the shop!!
• Red (1 serving) ¥492 (tax included)
The restaurant's signature dish, "Aka," is pork belly marinated in a homemade sauce. The secret sauce, delivered from the main branch, is enhanced with ginger and garlic, resulting in a rich sweet and savory flavor that spreads juicily in your mouth. Pairing it with the crisp and clean-tasting Ginjo Yoshinogawa sake makes it endlessly enjoyable! The deliciousness of the first sip seems to linger again and again. It's also recommended as a drink to enjoy while switching between other menu items.
Because we use a smokeless roaster, there is almost no smoke, and you can enjoy juicy meat without it drying out too much. This recipe will be available as a limited-time menu item at our restaurant, so please enjoy it with your drinks.
The details of this event will be broadcast on NST from 6 PM on Saturday, February 14th.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 see it here.
"Kiraku Nagaoka, a popular yakiniku restaurant"
[Address] 2-4-54 Daimachi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, E-PLAZA 1st Floor
[Telephone] 0258-84-7501
[Business Hours]
Monday to Friday / 17:00 - 23:00 (Food and drinks: Last order 22:00)
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 15:00 - 23:00 (Food and drinks: Last order 22:00)
[Regular holidays]
Irregular holidays