Sakuragawa, Ibaraki, Japan｜Ajisai

I came on a rainy day so the restaurant wasn't busy. Typically there are a lot of customers. When I arrived, the owner greeted me and confirmed if I'm okay to wait for 20 mins for the noodles. I agreed and got ushered in by the waitress. I was the only customer so she made me sit at the warmest area. I ordered Kare Katsu Udon. The portion was big and came with a salad and rice. I was also served a cold tea. The taste was really good, and the udon's texture was chewy and nice. Besides the good meal, the service was very pleasant. The waitress gave me a napkin to cover my top and she seemed keen to the customer's needs. The owner also chatted with me outside after I finished my meal. He even waited until I left and waved goodbye. This is a good example of quality Japanese service 👏 I will absolutely come back.

The only store in Ibaraki Prefecture that handles the flour "Sanuki no Yume", which was researched and developed for udon noodles loved by udon prefecture. There are only 15 stores nationwide outside of Udon Prefecture! (From the portal site "Food of Sanuki", Udon shop (outside the prefecture) handling Sanuki no Yume) When you enter the store after agreeing to the 25 minute boiling time, it will start boiling. You can choose how to eat it later, so please decide first whether you want a normal serving or a large serving. I ordered a recommended lunch set with normal udon noodles and curry or katsudon with zaru udon. A bowl of rice! (?) The thickness is like Musashino udon, but is it hard and rugged? It has a suppleness and smoothness that sets it apart from the rugged Musashino udon, and above all, it is plump! It is said that the noodles are chewy, but this is exactly the expression of elasticity! Looking at the reviews of Sanuki's Dream, it seems that while the flour has an excellent wheat flavor, the noodles break when boiling and the powder is difficult to handle. The dipping sauce that enhances the flavor of the wheat is also delicious, and after the meal, I mixed it with the udon broth that I experienced for the first time, like sobayu. The roast cutlet bowl of the lunch set also had soft meat and I liked the strong seasoning. The zucchini tempura served was also crispy and delicious.

2023.1.15 Sanuki udon shop in front of Haguro Station Lunch set curry + chikuwa tempura The udon is chewy, and you can really feel the taste of the wheat. Soup and dashi soup are good. Tempura is also crispy and delicious. Curry is also full of flavor. It's hearty and filling. An interesting shop with a room for bicycles and motorcycle riding, and a commemorative photo shoot 🤣