Since the Japanese long isolation period was concluded by the visit of the
"Black Vessel" from U.S.A. commanded by Commodore Perry long
time ago, we have seen lot of changes through the import of Western culture
to Japan. Likewise, dramatic changes were brought to our food culture as
well. Japanese adopted Western food and improved the original version to
a flavor that suits Japanese taste. Omelet rice, Hayashi rice and croquette...such
dishes of Japanese iteration are generically called "Youshoku"
(western foods), and they have been blended into Japanese food culture
and loved by numerous people ever since their invention. They may have
been avant-garde at introduction, but now "Youshoku" is an indispensable
menu of a typical Japanese dining table. As "Yoshoku" are dishes
that are tend to be made by meat and cooked with oil, they are well-nourishing
food compared with the traditional Japanese food. Therefore, parents let
their children eat "Youshoku" to foster their growth. The word
"youshoku" reminds us of sweet memories in our childhood and
makes us feel nostalgic. "Yoshoku" are just common dishes served
on the dinner table of any average family, but still it is delightful to
find a restaurant that serves us a delicious "Yoshoku". Today
we introduce you to just such a "Youshoku" eatery that oozes
with nostalgic and familiar aroma. The restaurant "Oh-yama" is not so far from Shinbashi station. The building is a old-fashioned, but the appearance is just right to bring about a nostalgic "Yoshoku" trip. The menu of the restaurant is equally old-fashioned, with an inexplicable charm. The dishes on the menu (such like Steak with Ginger or Crab Croquette, etc.) are familiar and popular enough, nothing fancy, so we may be driven by an impulse to order all of them. Of course we cannot eat all, so order dishes according to your appetite. "Oh-yama" is the restaurant that's been around for a while with good reputation, so it's likely that you will satisfied with any dish you order. Omelet rice (Omu-rice) seems to be the most popular according to the staff of the restaurant. The rice inside the Omelet is seasoned with ketchup, nicely flaked to the grain, and wrapped by a beautiful cover of half-baked yellow egg. Simple as it maybe, it's a healing food that's just darn good.Other dishes like crab croquette is coated with crispy breadcrumbs and filled with gentle, crab cream sauce. Fillet steak is seasoned with garlic, providing just enough excitement. One cannot ignore the love and passion the chef has gently instilled in any dishes. "Yoshoku" restaurant is the place where we can eat our favorite dishes that we have eaten ever since our childhood days, and where professional cooks will take place of your mom to courteously reproduce the warm and tingling nostalgia that has a special place in our hearts.   
|
)