Ayu Gohan at Igarashi

Despite the ruthless heat and humidity, there are may things I really look forward to in the summer – all of them food related. Some are as simple as juicy peaches, boiled corn in season, or the inviting sensation of a whiff of the burning smell of sweet sauce from unagi grilled on the charcoal when passing by a restaurant.

Last night, I had my first ayu gohan of the season at Igarashi. This simple dish, lightly grilled fresh water fish cooked with rice in a clay pot, is so distinctively summery to me and I especially appreciate the bitter taste of the sweetfish with rice.

I love how Igarashi-san masterfully balances the bitterness with other subtle flavors. That’s one reason I called them yesterday as the place for a dinner reunion with my best friend who just returned from New York. But, there was another reason I had to visit them….

Igarashi

Address: Hagiwara Bldg. 2F, 4-9-15 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo
東京都渋谷区恵比寿4-9-15 ＨＡＧＩＷＡＲＡ　ＢＬＤＧ．５　２Ｆ
Phone: 03-3447-9893
Map and information in English: bento.com
Please take a look at the July summer course menu at Igarashi. And, to match the summer theme, we started with Kozaemon Tokubetsu Junmai Origarami.