Japanese BBQ

 

A charming night out

[ Grilled lamb, onions, and bean sprouts ]

Last night Norah and I spent a charming evening at a local yakiniku restaurant nearby our house. We finally both have a working phone and we are finally able to call and make a reservation for dinner (required at most places no matter how casual the restaurant might be). Well, one of us can make a phone call - that is, Norah can make a phone call. Her two years of Japanese language classes at UNCW are really serving her right now. She is able to make a reservation over the telephone for a specific date and time and then able to answer a barrage of questions regarding the details from the person on the other end of the line. I am super impressed. 

[ ニセコジンギスカン Niseko Genghis Khan Restaurant ]

We arrived at the restaurant, a small geodome on the outskirts of town, just as the restaurant opened. We had reserved a table at the counter and we were welcomed inside by the chef and waiter who were just turning on the lights of the dining area and turning the coals on the small grills prepared for each table. The restaurant is tiny - there are three tables and a counter - and the interior is lined with wood floors and wood paneling. I can imagine how cozy this place must be in the winter with snow reaching up to the windows. We were seated at the counter right in front of the kitchen. 

[ I immediately ordered a Sapporo Classic beer ]

The waiter brought us the menu, which Norah had perused in advance online, and she ordered our dinner with authority. Besides fresh lamb which is a house specialty, we ordered mushrooms, pumpkin, corn, and kimchi as sides. Everything arrives at the table raw and we grill everything from a hot coal fire placed at our counter space. The waiter brought a dipping broth, serving bowls, and a tray of accoutrements. I was really enamored with the small, white porcelain salt cellar and tiny spoon on the tray. 

[ A medley of accoutrements and the salt cellar ]

We seasoned the grill top with a chunk of pure animal fat provided on our plate of lamb. Then we placed the meat and vegetables on the grill, turning it on the grill until cooked. This took just minutes. 

[ The BBQ mise-en-scene ]

[ Magnificent kimchi in a beautiful ceramic bowl ]

[ The menu ]

Norah was an excellent dinner companion. She grilled our food with a certain expertise that I rather enjoyed. As we cooked our meal, the other tables in the restaurant filled and there was a general atmosphere of indoor picnic that was communal and inviting. 

[ Grilling expertise on point ]

At the end of our meal the waiter and chef struck up a little conversation with us. We spoke with a combination of English and Japanese - their English quite good, Norah's Japanese doing well, me smiling. They asked us if we could help them write a sign to put on the door next week for English speaking customers when they needed to close for a lunch time shift unexpectedly. Norah wrote it out for them and we thanked them many times for the wonderful meal. We are looking forward to another visit sometime soon. 

[ Thank you for a lovely evening ]