In Ginza, Savor the Flavor of Hinai-Jidori Chicken for Lunch at Ginza Kashiwa

In Ginza, Savor the Flavor of Hinai-Jidori Chicken for Lunch at Ginza Kashiwa

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I recently had lunch at Ginza Kashiwa, a restaurant that opened in April of 2018. Here, diners can enjoy Hinai-Jidori, a premium brand of chicken from Akita Prefecture. It's considered one of the three tastiest varieties of chicken in Japan!

Ginza Kashiwa
Ginza Kashiwa

The interior features a luxurious Japanese style.

*Please be aware that children are not welcome.

Enjoy viewing the street scenery of Ginza.
Enjoy viewing the street scenery of Ginza.

Only one item is served for lunch: Tori-mabushi (¥2,500).
In Japan, there is a well-known dish called Hitsu-mabushi, which is made with eel. However, this restaurant deals in chicken, so the eel is replaced with chicken for the lunch menu of Tori-mabushi.

*This time, I made an Internet reservation, so I was served more dishes than usual.

Tori-mabushi
Tori-mabushi

First came the salad, made with fresh vegetables obtained from a contracted farm.

salad
salad

Next came an egg custard made with Hinai-Jidori eggs and topped with sea urchin.
It was so rich!

The fancy chawan-mushi , a savory egg custard
The fancy chawan-mushi , a savory egg custard

Hinai-Jidori Tori-mabushi

I received a lecture in how to eat it.

The 4 ways to enjoy Tori-mabushi

  1. Eat it as it is served.
  2. Add some rakumi spice.
  3. Mix it with an egg and eat it.
  4. Finally, pour some chicken soup on top to make a freely flowing dish like ochazuke (tea on rice).
The 4 ways to enjoy Tori-mabushi
The 4 ways to enjoy Tori-mabushi

I did just as I was told. First, eat it as is.
One feature of Hinai-Jidori is its slightly firm texture. As I bit into it, the flavor and "umami" of the meat came out!

First, try eating it as is!
First, try eating it as is!

Then, add some rakumi spice and savor the change in flavor. It's a little spicy, but so good!

Put some rakumi spice on top.
Put some rakumi spice on top.

Next, add the Hinai-Jidori egg. Of course, it's so delicious!

With a raw Hinai-Jidori egg on top
With a raw Hinai-Jidori egg on top

Finally, pour the chicken soup, and you have Tori-mabushi. Actually, when I tried the soup by itself at first, it was excellent, too!
Just as I thought, pouring the soup over the rice is the most delicious way to eat it!

Pouring the chicken soup
Pouring the chicken soup

From the seat at the window furthest in the back, you can look out over Shiodome for another wonderful view!

The taste and chewiness of Hinai-Jidori chicken was as marvelous as I'd expected!
For premium yakitori (grilled chicken morsels) dining, I recommend visiting at night with that special someone!

Basic information on Ginza Kashiwa

Address
4-12-1 GINZA12 11F, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel
03-6264-3288
Business Hours
Weekdays: 11:30 am - 2:00 pm , 5:00 – 11:30 pm
weekends and holidays: 11:30 am - 2:00 pm , 5:00 – 11:00 pm
Closed
Open every day
URL(Japanese)
https://www.ginzakashiwa.com
Kenji Nishiyama - Ginza de Lunch

Author

Birth place: Kanagawa prefecture

Kenji Nishiyama - Ginza de Lunch

In addition to running an IT consulting firm, I spend my lunch hours scouring the nearby Ginza area for the best places to eat.