There’s only a little time left until the 1st Hansai Bar (Hannishi Bar).
Until then, we’ll keep introducing as many places as we can～～
This time, we’re visiting 串膳, a kushikatsu restaurant celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
It’s a place I’ve been to many times over the years, too.
Twenty years is probably pretty long-running for a restaurant around here.
Let’s go check it outーー
Challenge Start!
On this day, they were running a special 20th-anniversary promotion: a 100-yen cashback on draft beer.
Apparently, when you order a draft beer, you get 100 yen back in cash on the spot.
So this time, we’ll take on the challenge using the final bill minus the cashback amount.
By the way, the draft beer cashback promotion runs only until this week, but they said they’ll be doing some kind of promotion again next week.
They said the details are a secret, so look forward to it～～
First, the sauce for the kushikatsu was brought out.
This is aurora sauce.
Next came the cabbage.
Kushikatsu just has to come with cabbage, right～～
This is the otoshi appetizer.
Today’s otoshi is “potato salad.”
Now I think I’ll order a draft beer.
This is the “draft beer” (490 yen).
And then……
I got 100 yen back～～
So it’s basically 390 yen.
As for the food, I first ordered this “chilled yose-dofu tofu” (350 yen).
It was one of today’s recommendations.
Yose-dofu is tofu just before it fully sets, and it’s also called “oboro-dofu.”
It was very creamy, with a nice soy milk flavor, and made for a delicious chilled tofu dish.
My second glass.
I got another cashback～
Since this is a kushikatsu restaurant, of course I had to order kushikatsu……
So I ordered the “assortment (7 skewers)” (950 yen).
The first four skewers arrived.
The remaining three arrived too (though I’d already eaten one).
The assortment included “large free-range chicken tsukune,” “pork fillet,” “shrimp,” “squid,” “tofu hamburger steak,” “taro,” and “konjac” (the contents may vary slightly depending on the season and availability).
Everything was fried nice and crisp, and it was delicious.
They apparently use a special plant-based oil for frying.
They’re also particular about the batter, and as expected from a specialty restaurant, it really does taste a cut above.
While enjoying the kushikatsu, I had my third beer.
Ah, that was good.
I’ve been avoiding fried foods lately, but kushikatsu really is great.
This time I came just before closing, but I’d like to come back again and take my time.
Now for the nerve-wracking bill. Last time, I hit the total exactly for the first time, so this time I tried to cut it close again.
How did it turn out?
Since I got 300 yen in cashback, I’ll subtract 300 yen from the total.
And then……
3,069 yen!!!
Oh noー
I went a little over againーー
Making these tiny adjustments is hard every time……
But I can’t be too cautious either……
Well, I’ll try harder next time!!
This time I ordered: 3 draft beers, chilled yose-dofu tofu, and a kushikatsu assortment (7 skewers).
That was it～～!!
“串膳” Menu
Of course they have a wide range of kushikatsu, but you can also enjoy a varied lineup of dishes including grilled items, fried foods, rice dishes, sashimi, and desserts.
It also looks like you can get kushikatsu and dashimaki rolled omelet to go.
The drink menu is also well stocked.
Inside “串膳”
Inside, there are counter seats and tatami seating.
These are the counter seats.
These are the tatami seats, but since they’re horigotatsu-style recessed seats, you can use them almost like table seating.
Inside the restaurant, there was an autograph from Hanshin Tigers pitcher Fujikawa on display.
Apparently, he used to come to the restaurant often.
Exterior of “串膳”
It’s located along the river southeast of Hanshin Nishinomiya Station.
This is the exterior of the restaurant.
The menu is also displayed prominently on the sign outside.