Savor Exquisite Chicken Cuisine at Hakata Mizutaki Shiro

Welcome to Hakata Mizutaki Shiro. We are constantly in pursuit of what defines truly delicious chicken cuisine that will deeply satisfy our customers. Here in Minami-Kusatsu, Shiga, we pour our hearts into our daily operations, aiming to be a restaurant loved by all. In this column, we will delve deep into the charm of Hakata Mizutaki Shiro, especially our commitment to ingredients. By learning the secrets behind the special flavor of our mizutaki and yakitori, we hope your next visit will be even more anticipated.

Food is more than just nourishment; it is an experience that stimulates the five senses and creates lasting memories. In Japanese food culture, chicken dishes have long been cherished, evolving uniquely in various regions. But what constitutes truly memorable chicken cuisine? We find the answer to this question through daily dedication and, above all, a sincere approach to our ingredients.

Hakata Mizutaki Shiro Asks: What is Truly Delicious Chicken Cuisine?

In recent years, with the diversification of food, numerous restaurants offer appealing dishes. However, with so many options, do you ever feel it's difficult to find a truly worthwhile dish? At Hakata Mizutaki Shiro, we earnestly address our customers' questions, such as What kind of ingredients do they use? and Why is the chicken here so delicious?

What customers seek in chicken cuisine is not just deliciousness. It deeply involves elements like ingredients you can trust, safe cooking methods, and a sense of specialness that slightly enriches daily life. To meet these expectations, we spare no effort or time on the unseen details, building up our commitment layer by layer.

• Commitment to the origin and freshness of ingredients: We place great importance on where and how our core ingredients are raised and delivered.
• Fusion of traditional cooking methods and innovation: While preserving long-cultivated techniques, we always incorporate new discoveries and ideas to serve our dishes in the best possible condition.
• A spirit of hospitality that caters to our customers: We aim to create a memorable time not just with delicious food, but also through our space, service, and warm interactions with customers.

[Our Solution 1] The Profound Charm of Omi Chicken, the Foundation of Hakata Mizutaki Shiro

The core of our cuisine is Omi chicken, a brand of chicken that Shiga Prefecture is proud of. We chose Omi chicken from among many options for its exceptional quality and flavor. We believe that to deliver the unique experience of Hakata Mizutaki Shiro, the ingredients themselves must first be in their finest condition.

The Pedigree of Omi Chicken, Nurtured by Abundant Nature

Omi chicken is raised with great care in the naturally blessed land of Shiga. Compared to conventional chickens, they are raised free-range in a spacious environment, allowing them to grow healthily with less stress. Furthermore, a specially formulated feed enhances their meat quality.

• Rearing Environment: Raised in spacious, natural poultry houses, allowing them to exercise freely. This results in firm, well-textured meat.
• Special Feed: They are given a unique blend of carefully selected grains to maximize their health and the umami of the meat. This reduces the gaminess typical of chicken and produces a refined umami and sweetness.
• Fattening Period: Raised for a longer period than regular chickens, allowing ample umami and richness to develop in the meat, resulting in a firm, springy texture.

The Umami of Omi Chicken, Brought Out by Masterful Skill

Even the highest quality Omi chicken's appeal can change drastically with cooking methods. At Hakata Mizutaki Shiro, our skilled chefs spare no effort, carefully handling everything from preparation to cooking to draw out the maximum potential of each part of the Omi chicken.

For our mizutaki, we add various parts of the Omi chicken to a broth carefully made from the bones, allowing all of its umami to melt into the soup. For our yakitori, we determine the optimal skewering and grilling for each part, using the far-infrared effect of Binchotan charcoal to make the outside fragrant and the inside juicy. In particular, our Chicken Tataki, a signature dish that represents our Minami-Kusatsu chicken cuisine, is a delicacy possible only with the freshest Omi chicken. The contrast between the seared aroma and the melt-in-your-mouth raw texture provides an unforgettable experience.

• Use in Mizutaki: The cloudy white broth, slowly simmered from Omi chicken bones, is rich in umami and collagen, offering a gentle sweetness with every sip. The chicken meat itself bursts with flavor as you chew.
• Use in Yakitori: We offer various parts of Omi chicken as Minami-Kusatsu yakitori, including thigh, green onion and chicken, neck, and tail. You can fully enjoy the different textures and flavors of each part.
• Chicken Tataki: A masterpiece that allows you to directly savor the umami of exceptionally fresh Omi chicken. It features a fragrant exterior and a moist interior.

[Our Solution 2] An Uncompromising Pursuit of Seasonal Vegetables and Broth to Adorn Our Mizutaki

The other stars of Hakata Mizutaki Shiro are the seasonal vegetables that adorn our mizutaki and the golden broth that forms its foundation. To maximize the umami of the main ingredient, Omi chicken, and create a harmonious flavor overall, we make no compromises in selecting vegetables and preparing our broth.

Carefully Selected Vegetables that Reflect the Changing Seasons

We carefully source the most delicious and nutritious seasonal vegetables from all over Japan. Vegetables have different flavors and textures depending on the season. By incorporating these seasonal blessings into our mizutaki, we hope to offer our customers new discoveries and excitement throughout the year.

• Actively Using Local Vegetables: Whenever possible, we prioritize using fresh vegetables grown with care by farmers around Minami-Kusatsu. We value bringing the bounty of the local area to our customers.
• Consideration for Color and Nutritional Balance: We consider not only visual appeal but also nutritional balance, arranging a variety of vegetables in a well-balanced manner.
• Vegetable Preparation: We prepare each vegetable with the optimal cutting and prepping methods suited to its characteristics, ensuring the best texture and flavor when cooked in the mizutaki pot. For example, we cut the core and leaves of Chinese cabbage differently to ensure even cooking.

The Ultimate Chicken Paitan Soup with a Golden Clarity

The essence of Hakata Mizutaki Shiro's mizutaki lies in its soup. Our chicken paitan soup, slowly simmered from Omi chicken bones for many hours, is not just rich but also features a beautiful, translucent golden color and a refined umami free of impurities. This soup is the foundation of our cuisine and the most crucial element in providing our customers with the best experience.

• Carefully Selected Chicken Bones: We use only fresh Omi chicken bones, carefully removing blood and scum to extract a clear, clean-tasting broth.
• Long Simmering Time: By simmering gently over low heat for several hours, we extract the maximum umami and collagen from the marrow. This process creates the soup's deep richness and unique cloudy appearance.
• Adjustments by a Chef's Eye and Hand: Throughout the simmering process, our chefs constantly check the heat and remove scum, maintaining the soup in its optimal state. This delicate adjustment is the secret to achieving both clarity and rich umami.
• Layers of Flavor: We suggest first tasting the soup as is, then enjoying the change in flavor with ponzu or yuzu kosho, and finally, savoring it all in a closing zosui (rice porridge).

[Our Solution 3] The Magic of Binchotan Charcoal and a Chef's Skill in Perfecting Minami-Kusatsu Yakitori

Although Hakata Mizutaki Shiro specializes in mizutaki, we are also beloved by many customers for our Minami-Kusatsu yakitori. Our yakitori is another dish filled with our dedication to bringing out the full charm of Omi chicken. The unique heating power and aroma of Binchotan charcoal, combined with the delicate skill of our chefs, creates skewers unlike any other.

The Chef's Passion and Skill Poured into Every Skewer

Yakitori may seem simple, but it is a profoundly deep dish. The taste changes significantly with just one skewer placement or a sprinkle of salt. At Hakata Mizutaki Shiro, our experienced chefs carefully prepare each skewer to maximize the appeal of Omi chicken.

• Careful Preparation and Skewering: We carefully remove sinew from the chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Each part is shaped to its optimal size and skewered along the grain. This prevents uneven cooking and ensures the heat penetrates uniformly.
• Salting for Each Cut: To bring out the maximum umami of the meat, we vary the amount and way we salt each part. For tare-glazed skewers, we repeatedly dip them in our secret sauce while grilling slowly.
• Grilling Judged by a Chef's Senses: Our chefs use all five senses—judging the heat, color, aroma, and elasticity of the meat—to determine the perfect doneness. We make no compromises to serve it to you at its absolute best.

A Harmony of Aroma Woven by Binchotan Charcoal

The special aroma of our yakitori comes from using high-temperature Binchotan charcoal. Binchotan has a higher heat output and superior far-infrared effect than regular charcoal, allowing it to instantly sear the surface of the food and lock in the umami. This creates yakitori that is crispy and fragrant on the outside, and plump and juicy on the inside.

• High Temperature and Far-Infrared Effect: Binchotan's intense heat quickly sears the meat's surface, preventing umami from escaping. The far-infrared effect gently cooks the meat to the core, leaving it tender.
• Unique Aroma: The distinctive aroma rising from Binchotan charcoal fuses with the flavor of the chicken, creating an appetizing fragrance that cannot be replicated with gas or electric grills.
• Environmental Consideration: Binchotan has high combustion efficiency and produces little smoke or ash, allowing us to provide a clean and comfortable space for our customers.
• Recommended Way to Enjoy Yakitori: First, enjoy the pure flavor of the ingredients with salt, then the deep richness of the tare sauce, and finally, try it with condiments to experience a change in flavor.

[Practical Steps] A Guide to Spending a Special Time at Hakata Mizutaki Shiro

At Hakata Mizutaki Shiro, we aspire to be more than just a place that serves delicious food; we want to be a space that creates precious moments for each of our customers. Here in Minami-Kusatsu, we have devised various seating options and hospitality to suit different occasions. For first-time visitors and those planning to spend a special day with us, here are some tips to make the most of our restaurant's charm.

Tips for Choosing a Seat to Match the Occasion

We offer a variety of seating to meet our customers' needs. Choosing the optimal space for your purpose will make your experience at Hakata Mizutaki Shiro even richer.

• Enjoy a Private Time with Yakitori in a Minami-Kusatsu Private Room:
  For meals with family and friends, important business dinners, or Minami-Kusatsu girls' nights out, private rooms are recommended for a relaxed conversation without disturbances. Enjoy our Omi chicken mizutaki and yakitori to your heart's content in a calm atmosphere. Private rooms book up quickly, so we recommend contacting us well in advance.
• Savor the Live Atmosphere at the Minami-Kusatsu Circle Counter:
  The circle counter is perfect for those who want to enjoy an immersive dining experience while watching the cooking process up close. Savoring freshly grilled Minami-Kusatsu yakitori while watching the chef's hands and the flames of the Binchotan charcoal is exceptional. It's popular not only for solo diners but also for couples on a date or a casual meal with friends. Conversations with the chef are another unique pleasure of counter seating.
• An Open Atmosphere at our Table Seats:
  Our spacious table seats are recommended for groups or those who want to enjoy their meal in a lively space. Spend a pleasant time with delicious food in our warm atmosphere.

We Recommend Reservations for a Fulfilling Experience

To ensure we can guide you smoothly and serve your dishes in the best condition, we recommend making a reservation in advance. Please contact us early, especially for weekends, holidays, or if you wish to book a private room.

1. Decide on your desired date and time: It's helpful to have a few options for your planned visit date and time.
2. Tell us the number of people and the occasion: Please inform us of the number of adults, if children are present, and if it's a special occasion like a birthday or business dinner. We will do our best to accommodate with suitable seating or surprise preparations.
3. State your seating preference: Let us know if you prefer a private room, counter seat, or table seat.
4. Consider a course menu: For first-time visitors, we recommend a course menu that allows you to fully enjoy the charm of Omi chicken. You can enjoy a well-balanced selection of Hakata Mizutaki Shiro's classic dishes. We also have seasonal courses, so please inquire when you book.
5. Inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions: If you have any allergies or dislike certain ingredients, please let us know when you book. We will adjust the menu as much as possible. As a restaurant serving Minami-Kusatsu chicken cuisine, prioritizing the safety and peace of mind of our customers is paramount.

We accept reservations by phone or through our website. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to your visit.

Summary

Hakata Mizutaki Shiro is not just a restaurant; it is a place where we hope to deliver culinary excitement and unforgettable moments to our customers. We select the finest Omi chicken, present its charm through our ultimate chicken paitan soup simmered with time and care for mizutaki, our supreme yakitori skewers grilled with Binchotan charcoal and expert skill, and in various other forms as part of our Minami-Kusatsu chicken cuisine.

We never forget our gratitude for the ingredients and always cherish our spirit of omotenashi (hospitality) towards our customers. We would be delighted to help brighten your special day here in Minami-Kusatsu. Please visit Hakata Mizutaki Shiro and experience our carefully crafted chicken cuisine with your own five senses. We promise you a heartwarming time.