Today I would like to introduce a hidden gem located about a 5-minute walk from Komiya Shoten.
The name of the restaurant is "Mido", which means "Road of Taste".
This is a restaurant that serves Kumano local chicken and hot pure rice sake.
For lunch, you can enjoy oyakodon and yakitori don (yakitori rice bowl). (The menu may change depending on the day.)
When I had the oyakodon here for the first time, I was amazed by the elasticity and delicious flavor of the chicken.
"This must be free-range local chicken," I thought, after looking at the menu twice, and discovered that it was local chicken from Kumano City, Mie Prefecture.
I'm from Mie Prefecture, and although I was familiar with Ise Akadori chicken, I had never heard of Kumano Jidori chicken.
What comes to mind is a nostalgic image of nature.
Kumano Jidori chicken is a local chicken that is raised without stress in the quiet environment deep in the mountains, with only the finest feed, and is known as the "phantom local chicken."
It was so delicious that it was no wonder it was called a phantom.
Filled with curiosity, I asked the owner about it, and he told me that after searching for tasty local chicken, he came across Kumano Jidori.
The oyakodon not only contains chicken, but also specially selected eggs shipped in from Kyoto, rice (a combination of white rice, barley, and brown rice) cooked in a Nambu iron kiln, and a mild-tasting soup with chicken stock, making it a very satisfying dish.
I was truly impressed by the ultimate oyakodon, created through uncompromising ingredient selection and careful preparation.
Please note that Mido, where you can enjoy delicious lunch, ends its lunch service when the rice runs out.
In the evening, there is a wide range of tempting menu items, including a full yakitori course and hot sake.
Everything was delicious and we had a great time.
I was also impressed by the grilled rice balls, which were made from the same rice used in the lunch bowls, wrapped in natural seaweed made by the fishermen of Toshijima.
After paying the bill and looking towards the exit, I saw something called a sake warming book, which resembled a goshuin stamp book.
Mido is apparently participating in a stamp rally at sake breweries across the country called the "Osakekancho Club."
I learned this for the first time, but going on a tour of sake tastings all over the country sounds like fun!
Store opening hours and other details are subject to change, so please check in advance before visiting.
It's about a 5-minute walk from Komiya Shoten, so after you've chosen your umbrella at the shop, be sure to try the legendary local chicken oyakodon.
Kumano chicken and pure rice sake shop "Mido"
2-9-4 Higashinihonbashi, Chuo-ku
