The Coming of Spring Bento

Last week, I went to the city of Kuashiki, a mid-size city in a rural area, which still has a traditional old town.

Whenever I go to country areas like this, I always have Japanese dishes to enjoy the local food.

Kurashiki is located in southern Okayama Prefecture, between Kyoto and Hiroshima. It is famous for fish such as Japanese sardinella (MAMAKARI), mackerel, and fruit including peachs, berries and melons.

The Spring at its Best Bento

*********

Appetizer - Japanese pond smelt sweatened with Mirin and Sake. Black beans, Ginger

Slice Fish - Red snapper with sliced raddish and Wasabi

Boiled Dish - Deep fried Tofu mixed with sliced vegetables, Egg plant

Stewed Dish - Fried conger, Pumpkin, Lemon

Grilled Dish - Spanish mackerel with citras vinegar, Jumbo mushrooms

Salad - Carrot, Raddish, Giant clam dressed with Yuzu Miso dressing

Miso soup & Rice, Pickels

Dessert - Strawberry and sweatened beans.

********

“Tsurugata” is a Japanese style inn which serves lunch and dinner. When I saw the picture of their Obentos at the entrance, I made up my mind to give it a go. The name of the most interesting one was “The coming of Spring Bento”.

The restaurant is located in the Bikan Historical Quarter, in front of the canal which runs in the middle of the town. The willow trees along the bank are beautiful in spring.

This obento lunch is a fine example of Japanese dining. Dishes are all arranged in small plates in Obento box. All the food has a delicate and refined taste and is beautifully presented.

The Coming of Spring Bento

***

TSURUGATA

3-15, Chuo 1-chome, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama Prefecture 710-0046

Telephone:086-424-1635

Fax: 086-424-1650

Email: info@turugata.jp