Savoring Hakata Mizutaki in Omihachiman: A Luxurious Seasonal Delight

Welcome to Omihachiman, a town rich with water. Whether you're traveling through its historic streets and feeling the blessings of Lake Biwa, or simply wish to forget the hustle and bustle of daily life and spend a special moment, we have something for you. Our restaurant proudly presents 'Hakata Mizutaki,' an authentic Kyushu flavor recreated here in Omihachiman. Do not dismiss it as a mere hot pot. The harmony woven by the cloudy white soup condensed with chicken umami, the deep flavor of fresh chicken, and seasonal vegetables that change with the seasons will etch an unforgettable impression upon your heart.

In this column, we will introduce everything from the essence of our prized 'Hakata Mizutaki' to the charm of our seasonal menu featuring ingredients of the four seasons, and other specialties like our 'Juicy Oyakodon' and 'momomi' chicken. We will also guide you on how to best use our terrace seating and private rooms, perfect for sightseeing or banquets in Omihachiman. We hope this information helps make your time with us a warm and memorable one.

Are You Just Casually Eating Mizutaki? Savor Its True Essence

What comes to mind when you hear 'mizutaki'? Many might picture a simple 'hot pot dish with chicken and vegetables.' However, 'Hakata Mizutaki,' as its name suggests, has a unique culture and a deep flavor passed down through generations. By understanding its history, cooking methods, and the best way to eat it—rather than just eating what's on the table—the allure of mizutaki increases dramatically.

• The secret to the soup, condensed with chicken umami
• The original deliciousness of carefully selected chicken
• The changing faces of mizutaki with the seasons

At our restaurant, we hope you will experience the depth of 'Hakata Mizutaki' with your own palate. The flavor profile expands even further as seasonal ingredients are added throughout the year. It's a dish that overturns the concept of a monotonous hot pot, offering new discoveries with every bite. That is our 'Hakata Mizutaki'.

Our Hakata Mizutaki: A Special Way of Eating that Stimulates the Senses

From selecting ingredients to the cooking and serving methods, we make no compromises with the 'Hakata Mizutaki' we offer. We put our hearts into preparing it every day so that you can enjoy it in its best possible state.

The Secret Behind the Cloudy White Soup

The soul of 'Hakata Mizutaki' is, without a doubt, its soup. At our restaurant, we slowly simmer fresh, high-quality chicken carcasses for hours to extract every last drop of flavor. The cloudy white soup, a blend of collagen melted from the marrow and the deep richness of the chicken, is mellow and gentle, warming you from the core with just one sip. The Hakata way is to first savor this soup with a pinch of salt. Please enjoy the pure umami of the chicken to its fullest.

Specially Selected Momomi Chicken and Handmade Tsukune Meatballs

The next star after the soup is the carefully selected chicken. We use fresh chicken raised with care here in Omihachiman. Our 'momomi' (thigh meat) is particularly notable for its resilience and juiciness. Simmering it in the soup brings out the chicken's natural flavor, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Our handmade chicken tsukune (meatballs) are another source of pride. The crunchy texture of the cartilage provides a delightful accent, and they're so popular that customers say they could eat them endlessly.

The Magic of Ponzu and Condiments that Defines the Flavor

To enjoy mizutaki even more deeply, our special ponzu sauce and condiments are essential. Our ponzu is specially blended for mizutaki, featuring the refreshing aroma of citrus and the umami of dashi. Try adding condiments like yuzu kosho, green onions, and momiji oroshi (spicy grated daikon) to your liking. The expanding flavors with each bite will reveal new charms of the mizutaki. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect taste.

Hakata Mizutaki That Evolves with the Seasons: An Encounter with Seasonal Flavors

'Hakata Mizutaki' is a dish that can be enjoyed year-round, but at our restaurant, we expand its possibilities by incorporating seasonal ingredients in our 'seasonal menu.' Experiencing the various expressions of mizutaki while feeling the changing seasons is a unique pleasure we offer.

Spring: Mizutaki with the Breath of Wild Mountain Vegetables

Spring brings seasonal mountain vegetables like bamboo shoots, nanohana (rapeseed blossoms), and udo. Adding these to the mizutaki introduces a refreshing spring aroma and a pleasant bitterness, bringing depth and variety to the flavor. The soup, infused with the umami of chicken and the essence of these vegetables, is a cup that truly announces the arrival of spring. Enjoy the luxury of tasting the changing seasons.

Summer: Refreshing Mizutaki and Light Dishes

In the hot summer, mizutaki takes on a different character. Summer vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, and okra add freshness and color. We also offer a summer-exclusive 'seasonal menu' to be enjoyed alongside the mizutaki. For example, we suggest unique ways to enjoy summer, such as 'chilled mizutaki' served with a cold dashi broth or light chicken dishes that pair perfectly with beer. Enjoying mizutaki with a cold drink on our open terrace is also highly recommended.

Autumn: Rich Mizutaki Savoring the Fruits of the Harvest

Autumn is a season rich with bounty from the earth, including mushrooms, root vegetables, and chestnuts. Adding these ingredients to the mizutaki enriches its aroma and creates a deep, sweet flavor. Aromatic mushrooms like matsutake and maitake, in particular, elevate the mizutaki to a more refined taste. Savor the natural umami of seasonal ingredients simmered slowly with the chicken broth.

Winter: Mizutaki and Luxurious Seafood to Warm Body and Soul

In the cold of winter, a warm mizutaki is the ultimate feast. In addition to classics like Chinese cabbage, leeks, and tofu, you can enjoy an even more luxurious taste by adding seasonal seafood such as oysters and cod. The soup, infused with the blessings of the sea, combines with the chicken's umami to create a blissful dish that warms you from the inside out. Gathering with family and friends around a mizutaki pot is the true pleasure of winter.

More Than Just Mizutaki! Our Other Specialties: Juicy Oyakodon and Momomi

While 'Hakata Mizutaki' is undoubtedly our signature dish, we have another specialty that has garnered immense support from our customers: the 'Juicy Oyakodon.' Additionally, the 'momomi' cut of chicken, a star in our mizutaki, also shines in various other forms.

The Perfect Juicy Oyakodon to Finish Your Meal or as an Extra Dish

Our 'Juicy Oyakodon' is an exquisite dish made with the same high-quality chicken used in our mizutaki, simmered carefully in a special dashi broth. The soft, runny egg entwines with the chicken, and the gentle flavor of the dashi that fills your mouth is pure bliss. True to its name, it is 'juicy,' with the savory dashi soaking into the rice, creating a perfect harmony with the sweetness of the egg. It's a popular choice not only as a 'shime' (finishing course) after mizutaki but also for lunch or as a standalone order. It's the other face of our restaurant, loved by all ages.

The Charm of Momomi: Concentrated Chicken Umami

'Momomi' is a particularly flavorful, juicy, and resilient cut of chicken thigh. In mizutaki, its rich flavor and texture add depth to the soup, but we also offer many other dishes featuring 'momomi.' For example, our charcoal-grilled 'momomi' is a masterpiece that allows you to directly taste the chicken's natural umami. We also bring out its charm through various cooking methods, such as in karaage (fried chicken) and nanbanzuke (marinated fried chicken). Please experience the deliciousness of 'momomi' alongside your mizutaki or on its own.

The Perfect Izakaya for Banquets and Sightseeing in Omihachiman

Our restaurant is widely used as an 'Omihachiman terrace izakaya' and is also equipped for 'Omihachiman private room banquets.' From our open-air terrace seating, you can enjoy dishes like our mizutaki and 'Juicy Oyakodon' while feeling the pleasant Omihachiman breeze. It's an especially wonderful experience during the warmer seasons.

Furthermore, our private rooms are perfect for business entertainment, anniversaries, family gatherings, or intimate conversations, ensuring a private space for your occasion. We have various rooms to accommodate different group sizes, satisfying those looking for an 'Omihachiman private room banquet.' Please enjoy your meal and conversation to your heart's content in our quiet and calm Japanese-style space. For visitors to Omihachiman, we strive to contribute to your travel memories as an 'Omihachiman sightseeing izakaya,' offering delicious local cuisine and warm hospitality.

Practical Steps: A Checklist for Enjoying Our Hakata Mizutaki to the Fullest

To help you fully enjoy our 'Hakata Mizutaki' and other dishes, we've compiled some useful tips for before you arrive and while you dine. Please make use of this checklist.

Preparation and Reservation Tips Before Your Visit

1. We recommend making a reservation in advance: We can get very busy, especially on weekends, holidays, and during tourist season. If you would like terrace seating or a private room, we suggest booking early. Please contact us by phone or through our website.
2. Tell us your party size and the occasion: Letting us know in advance if your visit is for a banquet, sightseeing, business entertainment, or an anniversary helps us guide you to the perfect table.
3. Check the menu: Reviewing our 'Hakata Mizutaki,' 'seasonal menu,' and 'Juicy Oyakodon' on our website beforehand will make ordering smoother.

Steps for the Best Way to Eat Hakata Mizutaki

1. First, savor the soup: Take a sip of the cloudy white soup poured into your cup as is, without adding anything. Feel the natural umami and richness of the chicken. You can add a small amount of salt if you like.
2. Enjoy the chicken with ponzu: Dip the cooked chicken into our special ponzu sauce. Adding condiments like yuzu kosho or green onions will further enrich the flavor.
3. Have the tsukune and vegetables: After the chicken, enjoy the handmade tsukune meatballs and seasonal vegetables. The sweetness and texture of each ingredient enhance the depth of the mizutaki.
4. Finish with zosui or noodles: One of the great pleasures of mizutaki is the 'shime' (finishing course). The zosui (rice porridge) made with the soup, condensed with the flavors of chicken and vegetables, is exceptional. Simmering rice and egg together completes this ultimate dish. For those who prefer noodles, we also offer thin noodles that pair perfectly with the chicken broth.

Don't Forget the Juicy Oyakodon and Momomi

• Along with your mizutaki or afterwards, please try our other specialty, the 'Juicy Oyakodon.' Its gentle flavor is sure to satisfy both body and soul.
• We also offer a wide variety of dishes using 'momomi.' Discover the diverse deliciousness of chicken prepared in ways different from the mizutaki.

A Memorable Culinary Experience in Omihachiman

Amidst the scenic beauty of Omihachiman, our 'Hakata Mizutaki' offers a special experience that goes beyond a simple meal. Our 'seasonal menu,' featuring the best of each season, promises new discoveries and delights with every visit, while gems like our 'Juicy Oyakodon' and 'momomi' dishes will deepen your culinary joy.

The open and airy atmosphere of our 'Omihachiman terrace izakaya,' the calm, private spaces perfect for an 'Omihachiman private room banquet,' and our desire to provide the best memories for visitors as an 'Omihachiman sightseeing izakaya'—all of these elements come together to create your experience at our restaurant.

Please come and spend a warm moment with your loved ones, gathered around our 'Hakata Mizutaki.' We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.