The Day of Kamaage Udon, Where I Felt the Freedom of Choosing Katsudon Instead of a Career [Continued: Sad Shareholder Benefit Stories 226]

To use the Toridoll HD (3397) shareholder benefit points that were expiring at the end of June, I visited Marugame Seimen for three consecutive days: June 29th, 30th, and July 1st. Here is the story of those visits.

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Last-minute rush for benefit expiration DAY 1

First, on 6/29. I needed to use up nearly 2000 points by the next day, so I visited on a day other than the 1st (when Kamaage Udon is half price), which is rare for me.

I ended up getting the Oni-Oroshi Meat Bukkake (Tokumori) for 1270 yen.

With my frugal nature, I couldn't help but think, “The price of one bowl is more than three bowls of Tokumori Kamaage Udon on Udon Day... orz” but I was very satisfied with it.

It had plenty of sweet and savory beef and onions, just like Yoshinoya's beef bowl. It paired perfectly with the mountain of grated daikon.

As always, I added a massive amount of seaweed and green onions, and it's funny how it looks like a completely different dish lol

Ultimately, this day was the most delicious.

Last-minute rush for benefit expiration DAY 2

Then on 6/30. I still had about 700 points left to use, but I was late due to work and arrived at the store 15 minutes before closing.

I called ahead to confirm, and they said takeout for existing items was possible even after the last order, so I managed to slide in just in time.

I managed to use up the points with the first-ever “Udonuts” in “Peach Flavor,” a kakiage tempura, and a chicken tempura.

The Udonuts were chewy and delicious, but at 66 yen each, it felt a bit... meh. They seem high in calories, but they don't really fill you up either, orz

If this were “Kamaage Udon Day,” that would be two Tokumori bowls... (omitted)

The main event: Kamaage Udon Day

And then, to the monthly 1st “Kamaage Udon Day” familiar to this note. It was my long-awaited half-price day, and I visited during the day. As expected, it was quite crowded.

Looking at the sign, it said the “Katsudon Set” was a good deal for that day only.

Maybe I'll order it for once. If it's a set with Kamaage Udon (Tokumori), it's 990 yen, right.

On Kamaage Udon Day, the 'toku' (extra large) portion of udon is 390 yen, so the katsudon works out to 600 yen. I see. And it only took a few minutes of waiting in line.

This is what came out.

Wait, isn't the katsudon small?

Of course, I realize the 'toku' bucket next to it is just too big.

Still, this isn't a katsudon set, it's more like a Kamaage Udon + Katsudon (mini) set...

The gap between this and the promotional photos using perspective lol. It really doesn't look like the same set at all haha.

In front of the 390 yen Kamaage Udon (toku), the 600 yen katsudon looks completely overshadowed orz

The taste wasn't bad, but it was only about one size larger than the bowl for the dipping sauce (large).For this katsudon, I could have had 1.5 bowls of Kamaage Udon (toku)...

It's just like,that crappy game they forced you to buy as a bundle just to get Dragon Quest III lol

Well, I could just choose not to add the katsudon. Come to think of it, the best option might be to go to Katsuya afterward.

This is truly the freedom of choice—not of profession, but of katsudon!

I wonder if only those of us approaching fifty remember that nostalgic commercial and feel the urge to add '♪Ah-han' to the end of that sentence...

https://comemo.nikkei.com/n/n546617392bde?sub_rt=share_b

What are you talking about?

From next time on, I'll just have the Kamaage Udon by itself on the 1st, with plenty of green onions, seaweed, and tempura scraps. Yeah, let's do that.

Toridoll HD's current status

As for Toridoll HD, there are signs of a slight rebound from the recent stock price drop.

I'm already receiving the long-term shareholder benefits, and since it's 14,000 yen worth of points annually for an investment of just under 800,000 yen, it's not bad in this day and age.

Next time, I have to use 7,000 points by the end of December. I think I'll come in to eat the seasonal menu items occasionally, not just on Kamaage Udon Day.

Author: Shisa Taro
A multi-otaku in his late 40s. Hobbies include traveling, having conquered all 47 prefectures, as well as karaoke, strength training, and playing the sanshin.

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