Motoyoshiya

[A long-established restaurant with a thatched roof, the sweetness of the steamed dishes comes from a secret candy recipe]

This long-established restaurant features Meiji-era architecture and a thatched roof. It was founded in the early Edo period, in 1681, so it is over 300 years old. When you pass through the noren and are shown to your private room, you can see the courtyard through the snow-viewing paper screen. Each room is decorated with seasonal flowers such as camellias, giving it a sense of elegance. The current 10th-generation owner of the restaurant said of the tasteful rooms, “The halls and private rooms are spaciously arranged, so there is no crowding and you can enjoy your meal in peace. Also, each room has a different view, so you can enjoy it no matter how many times you visit.”

The eel is only from Kagoshima and Miyazaki, and as a result of searching for the best rice for steaming in a bamboo steamer, they use Yamagata rice. The sweetness that coats the eel and rice is also unique to this shop. That ingredient is candy from “Omatsushita Ame Honpo”, which is located near the shop. This candy does not contain any sugar, but is made by adding malt to steamed glutinous rice, boiling down the squeezed juice and kneading it. So, “This is the candy we use,” they told me.

The most popular dish at the restaurant is the “Steamed eel set meal.” Not only the eel itself, but the yuba soup and other small dishes to enjoy with the eel are also delicious. As you savor your meal while leisurely gazing at the garden, you’ll forget the time is passing.