"Human Gourmet Entertainment: Surprisingly Delicious Restaurants" (Chukyo TV/Nippon TV Network, Tuesdays at 7 PM) is a variety show that introduces "surprising restaurants" that exceed expectations. On May 19th, the show will feature a teppanyaki restaurant in Sapporo City run by a charismatic proprietress who, despite her sharp tongue, makes you want to come back again, and her quiet husband, creating a wonderfully harmonious pairing.
The restaurant, located in Sapporo, is in its 24th year of business. It is run by a couple in their 70s. The restaurant's specialty okonomiyaki is the "Special Tsukimi Ten" (1584 yen), which contains pork, shrimp, squid, and scallops. In addition to sauce and mayonnaise, it is topped with bonito flakes on both sides, and finally with grated yam and egg yolk in a unique style.
"The yam is so tender. I've never had okonomiyaki like this before," customers exclaim, surprised by the taste and texture, and the shop's signature style is to generously top it with coarsely ground black pepper. "I can't eat it without pepper anymore," customers rave about the perfect combination. Other tempting options include "Fukuwaya Ten" (1221 yen), which features combinations of shrimp and perilla leaf, squid and perilla leaf, and pork and perilla leaf, with a hint of sweet shaved bonito flakes as a secret ingredient.
Also popular are the "Mixed Monja" (1227 yen), which is made by finely chopping mentaiko (spicy cod roe), cheese, dried shrimp, cabbage, and pickled ginger and mixing them with the batter and broth, and the "Special Monja" (1306 yen), which contains pork and tempura batter bits. Furthermore, the "Yakisoba" (990 yen), which is made with a variety of ingredients and sauce, is a staple menu item.
The cabbage, an essential ingredient in their dishes, is winter-grown cabbage from Wassamu town, which has grown sweeter after overwintering under the snow. They also pay special attention to using the lower part of the cabbage, closer to the core, for monjayaki, and the upper part for yakisoba and okonomiyaki.
Another highlight of the restaurant is the service provided by the female owner, "Mama," who hails from Tokyo. "It tastes better when you make it yourself," she says, patiently teaching customers how to cook monjayaki themselves from their second visit onwards. However, if you talk back or ask an irrelevant question, her tone becomes harsh, and she'll shout throughout the restaurant, "Don't be such a spoiled brat!" and "Then do it yourself!"
Meanwhile, in addition to offering sweets to children, they also give gifts such as wine to customers celebrating birthdays or other special occasions, even on their first visit. Many customers have fallen for her personality, with comments like, "She may have a sharp tongue, but she's a good mom. She's warm-hearted," and "It's a place that makes you want to come back." The dynamic between her and her husband, who is the complete opposite in terms of quietness, is also something not to be missed.
However, it seems there's a reason why Mom's tone gets so harsh...
The show's MC is entertainer Hiromi, and the host is Eiji Kotoge from the comedy trio "Viking". Guests include entertainer Moe Oshikiri, and Sho Yonashiro and Ruki Shiroiwa from the popular group "JO1".
