Hé Fēng レストラン Tián Yuán Gèn Lǐ Diàn

I stopped by on my way back from a business trip in Chiba Prefecture. I didn't know the town called Watari-machi at all! I tried the "Harakomeshi." It was a bowl with salmon and salmon roe on top. It was a unique combination that was surprisingly delicious. The salmon was cooked without crispy skin and there were about 10 pieces of it, with ikura (salmon roe) filling the gaps like stones in a Japanese rock garden. The rice had a slight taste of butter and light soy sauce, like turmeric rice. It seems you can enjoy different seasonal bowls here. It's also child-friendly and has a spacious parking lot. Today, I even had a conversation with an old man from Moka City in Tochigi Prefecture out of the blue! If the west's yokozuna is "unagi hitsumabushi," then this place is like the east's komusubi!

I make sure to visit this restaurant every year during the season for smelt rice. Although it can get very crowded during that time, I have never experienced difficulty finding a parking spot. There is always a line, but you can write your name on a dedicated sheet at the entrance and wait for your turn, so it is best to wait in your car and check every 15-30 minutes. Takeout is also available, and they usually pack all the menu items neatly even without specific instructions. The smelt rice is always generously portioned and delicious. In addition to the smelt rice, the eel tempura bowl is also amazing. (I heard that the eel season has been extended until around November recently/2021.10.17) By the way, I find the eel tempura easier to share and eat compared to the bowl. I recommend trying the seasonal recommendations (menu without photos) if you are curious. I personally love the amberjack collar grill. The mini bowl set is also good if you want to try a variety of dishes. When I tried it, the set included a mini seafood bowl with sweet shrimp, tuna, salmon, flying fish roe, tamagoyaki, mini smelt rice, mini tempura bowl with shrimp, a piece of eel, eggplant, chawanmushi, and soup. I am also interested in trying the surf clam rice and scallop rice from other seasons, and the regular menu items also look delicious, so I hope to visit at a time other than autumn in the future.

I went to try the autumn specialty dish harako meshi in Wataricho! Last year, I enjoyed the unique taste of harako meshi at Arahama-san, but the harako meshi at Inakasan had a strong salmon flavor and was equally delicious in its own way. There was plenty of salmon roe on top, making me very happy!! Despite the long line starting from around 11am on weekdays, the staff were very friendly and approachable, making it a great restaurant. It's about a 15-minute bike ride from Wataricho Station.

素晴らしかった。 昼飯のために特天丼と季節のおすすめという水タコの唐揚げを頼んだが、ボリュームたっぷりの大きな海老がデデーンと乗った天丼の姿は圧巻。 無論、味も文句ナシ。 水タコの唐揚げもプリプリの歯応えが絶妙で、飽きることなく最後まで楽しめた。 目当てのはらこめしがもう終わってしまっていたらしいのが残念でならないが、それは次の機会とさせて頂こう。 開店直後からお客が来ていたようで、自分が入った11時台には半分近く駐車場は埋まっていた。 のんびり昼食を楽しみたいなら早めに行った方が良さそう。

連休中の13時過ぎに来店しました 7,8組程待ってる状態でしたが20分程で店内へ案内されました ほっきめし定食 ￥1870)をいただきました ごはんとほっきは醤油で味付けされてとても美味しいかったです ほっきめしは12月中頃～5月下旬までの限定メニューです また、はらこめしは9月初旬～12月中頃までの限定メニューなので、次回ははらこめしを食べに来たいです