[Creative Fiction x Recipe] Virtual Izakaya 'Shukoroku' Episode 2: Potato Curry and Potato Shochu
Content Introduction
Today's dish is 'Potato Curry,' a Japanese staple made with plenty of new potatoes.
Enjoy a story of potato shochu and heart-warming moments unfolding in a virtual izakaya, along with recipes and ingredient introductions.
Main Story
Pass through the noren curtain, and you are enveloped in a small world.
Words unravel in the sake, and we talk over appetizers.
What shall be recorded tonight?
Sota Kishimoto had recently moved to Tokyo from the mountains of Gunma. As a sales representative for a nationwide construction firm, he had been assigned a transfer that could have happened at any time.
He had almost no social life outside of work and was not yet accustomed to the city of Tokyo. Every night, burdened by heavy fatigue, he would buy deli food from the supermarket and gulp down beer at home.
Today, a welcome party for him, which had been delayed for quite some time, was held, but Sota couldn't fit into the atmosphere and left early. As he walked aimlessly after leaving the restaurant alone, he got lost. On an unfamiliar night road with few streetlights, his anxiety grew in proportion to his pace, and his back began to sweat.
Just as he turned a corner for the umpteenth time, he spotted a faint lantern in the distance. Come to think of it, he remembered his client, Rio Tachibana, talking to someone during a business meeting about a mysterious shop with a plain white noren curtain and nothing written on it. Sota was drawn to the light as if clinging to it, and in that momentum, he passed through the noren.
Welcome.
Um, excuse me. Where am I?
This is an izakaya called Shukoroku.
Oh, no, that's not what I meant—
You're sweating quite a bit, customer. Did you get lost? Well, for now, please take a break at any seat you like.
As told by the owner, Ikkon Mashiro, Sota sat at the counter. Mashiro clinked a transparent glass, poured water filled with ice, and handed it to Sota.
Is this your second stop today?
Oh, yes, it is. But although I had some drinks, I didn't really eat anything—
Understood, I will serve you something right away.
Saying that, Mashiro turned his back to Sota and took out a deep plate. Sota, having regained some composure after drinking the water, looked around the shop again. There were only counter seats, and there didn't seem to be anything like a menu. It was stark, but the atmosphere seemed to whisper that it was okay to stay here forever.
A familiar scent drifted from the kitchen.
It's potato curry.
What was placed on the counter was a regular curry, like an old acquaintance, served on a white oval plate that screamed 'this is a curry dish.'
But looking closely, just as Mashiro said, the roux was packed with large chunks of potato, and above all, potatoes were peeking out from within the rice as well.
Itadakimasu.
With that, Sota scooped up a potato with his spoon and brought it to his mouth. It wasn't overcooked, but it easily melted in his mouth. The spices passed through his nasal cavity, accompanied by richness and sweetness. And then, the gentle sweetness of the potato enveloped his tongue.
It's delicious. It's somehow nostalgic, yet new—
It's quite ordinary, isn't it? I got a lot of new potatoes, so I made the potato the star. By the way, customer, since you're here, would you like another drink?
Oh, then, a beer—
Beer, I see. By the way, I think potato shochu would also go well with this curry. It's getting hot, but I recommend it served with hot water.
Shochu—. Come to think of it, I haven't had any since I came to Tokyo. Then, I'll have your recommendation.
Mashiro poured hot water into a ceramic glass and tilted a large bottle over it.
It's Mitake with hot water.
Thank you very much.
Sota paused his spoon and picked up the glass. The scent of the potato from the rising steam pleasantly stimulated his brain. When he took a sip, his mouth was filled with the flavor of the potato.
Oh, this. It goes well together.
Sota muttered, then hurriedly picked up his spoon again and brought the chicken and rice to his mouth. The chicken was tender and savory. The potatoes in the rice gently brought out the sweetness of the rice. And this time, holding the glass in his left hand, he sipped the aroma of the potato into his mouth.
Are you new to Tokyo, customer?
Yes, that's right. It's a transfer. Until now, I had lived in Gunma my whole life. Everything is here and it's convenient, but it's still a bit of a busy city for me. Besides—
—Besides?
Oh, no. Besides, I was raised by a single mother, and I left her behind in the countryside. Somehow, eating this curry, I suddenly remembered that just now.
Sota returned to his curry and potato shochu, as if to fill the void in his heart with the personal story he had unconsciously shared.
"Excuse me, could you tell me the name of the shop one more time?"
Turning his body back toward the counter just as he was about to head outside, Sota asked.
"It's called 'Shukoroku'. Sake and appetizers, so Shukoroku."
"Shukoroku. I'll remember that. If I'm in Tokyo, this is the place."
Sota passed through the noren curtain once more. The second time, wrapped in the nostalgic scent of curry and potatoes.
Watching Sota's back as he left, Mashiro Ikkon returned to the kitchen. Tonight, another sake appetizer had been recorded.
Return to Episode 1
Continue to Episode 3...
Bonus Recipe
Season the chicken skin fairly generously with salt, and sear it in a pot with the skin side down.
Remove the chicken, add thinly sliced onions to the pot with the remaining chicken fat, and sauté well until the moisture evaporates and they are slightly browned.
(If you have vegetable soffritto prepared, add it here.)
Add carrots cut into irregular chunks and a generous amount of potatoes cut into large pieces, and coat them with the oil remaining in the pot.
Cut the chicken that was seared earlier into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pot.
Add water and bring to a boil.
Add Worcestershire sauce, a dash of white dashi as a secret ingredient, and a bay leaf, then simmer gently over low heat until the vegetables are tender.
Turn off the heat and add your favorite curry roux.
Let it cool to allow the flavors to soak in.
Reheat before serving.
After adding the normal amount of water for the rice, add potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces and cook as usual.
Ingredient Introduction
Kokumaro Mild: Even for adults, dare to go with mild. It goes very well with potatoes.
Mitake 900ml : Also goes well with potato curry.