A Special Moment at a Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya: A Journey Through Our Chef's Recommended Courses

I want to treat myself to something a little different and luxurious today. I want to enjoy a memorable meal with someone special. I want to gather with friends for a lively time over delicious Chinese food. — Our Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya is the place to make those wishes come true. The chef's recommended courses we proudly present are culinary works of art, each crafted with sincerity, using select ingredients and expert skill.

We hope you'll forget the hustle and bustle of daily life and fully indulge in our cuisine in a space filled with the aromatic scents of Chinese cooking. However, you might be wondering, Which course should I choose? or What are the recommended dishes? In this column, we'll detail the appeal of our chef's recommended courses and the passion behind them, hoping to inspire you to visit and dine with us.

From first-time visitors to our regular patrons, we'll guide you, using specific examples, to show how our courses can meet your expectations and make your dining experience richer and more heartwarming.

A Blissful Course Experience from Our Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya

At our restaurant, we offer several distinct courses to suit various occasions. Each course features exquisite dishes made with heartfelt care by our chef, using the finest seasonal ingredients. Let's introduce the concept and details of each course.

When in Doubt, Choose This! Our Popular and Classic Colorful Satisfaction Course

• This course is popular with first-time guests and is recommended for those who want to enjoy a well-balanced taste of what our restaurant has to offer. You can fully savor a wide range of delicious Chinese dishes, from appetizers to the main course and a finishing dish.

• For example, a typical menu might start with a Special Three-Appetizer Assortment (such as seasoned jellyfish, steamed chicken with scallion sauce, and century egg tofu) to whet your appetite, followed by the vibrant Shrimp in Chili Sauce made with fresh, seasonal seafood. Then comes our highly-acclaimed Kusatsu boiled dumplings, each one carefully wrapped by hand, featuring a juicy filling that melts in your mouth.

• The meal continues with satisfying dishes like our signature Mapo Tofu and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, concluding with a light five-ingredient fried rice and smooth annin tofu for dessert. It's a highly satisfying course perfect for a meal with friends or a casual dinner.

Perfect for a Special Night: The Supreme Premium Course

• For celebrating anniversaries or hosting someone important on a special evening, please choose our Supreme Premium Course. This is truly an exquisite course featuring lavish use of carefully selected high-end ingredients and showcasing the chef's outstanding skills.

• This course includes luxurious dishes you don't often get to taste, such as Chilled Abalone and Braised Whole Shark Fin. For the main course, we feature Sweet and Sour Baumkuchen Pork with Black Vinegar, a lavish dish using Kusatsu Baumkuchen Pork, raised in the rich natural environment of Shiga. This pork is characterized by its sweet, rich fat and fine-textured meat, which pairs exquisitely with the black vinegar flavor to deliver an unforgettable taste.

• Furthermore, we offer seasonal delicacies using the finest ingredients of the moment, a choice of dim sum, and of course, our signature Kusatsu boiled dumplings. We promise a moving experience that stimulates all five senses, with even the dessert specially crafted. This course will help you create a memorable time that deepens your bond with someone special.

Fun with Friends! The Family-Style Sharing Course

• For large parties or lively family meals, our large-platter course, perfect for sharing, is the ideal choice. It's generously portioned and fulfills the desire to taste a variety of dishes.

• Starting with a five-appetizer platter, the table is filled with an array of classic dishes like our special Youlinji (fried chicken in a savory sauce), Qingjiao Rousi (pepper steak), and Mapo Eggplant. We especially want everyone to gather around our signature juicy gyoza. This course includes our garlic-free Kusatsu gyoza, so everyone can enjoy delicious dumplings without any worries.

• To finish, we offer satisfying dishes like five-ingredient crispy noodles or shrimp fried rice, both with a thick sauce. Enjoy a fun time filled with conversation as you gather around delicious food with our extensive drink menu.

The Secret Behind Our Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya's Signature Boiled Dumplings and Baumkuchen Pork

Our dishes aren't just delicious; they are made with a deep commitment to each ingredient and preparation method. Here, we'll reveal the secrets behind our boiled dumplings and Baumkuchen pork, which have garnered immense support from our customers.

The Secret to Our Plump and Juicy Kusatsu Boiled Dumplings

• At our restaurant, we insist on making the wrappers for our Kusatsu boiled dumplings from scratch. By selecting the optimal flour, kneading it, and letting it rest, we create a unique, chewy texture. This wrapper plays a crucial role in sealing in the umami of the filling.

• The filling uses fresh pork and select vegetables, carefully seasoned with a secret blend of spices. The juicy meat, the sweetness of the vegetables, and our special soup come together in a trinity of flavor, creating an unforgettable impression with the first bite. Please try their smooth texture and the gentle taste of the filling, a different experience from pan-fried gyoza.

Irresistibly Flavorful Fat: Our Baumkuchen Pork Dishes

• Kusatsu Baumkuchen Pork is a brand of pork from Shiga Prefecture that our Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya is proud to serve. As the name suggests, the pigs are raised on feed used in making Baumkuchen cake, resulting in high-quality, sweet-tasting fat and fine-textured, tender meat.

• This special pork demonstrates its true potential through various cooking methods, from simple stir-fries and slow-braised pork belly to the black vinegar sweet and sour pork mentioned earlier. It remains moist even when cooked, and its concentrated umami flavor has captivated many of our customers. We invite you to experience its superior taste for yourself.

Peace of Mind for Any Occasion! The Garlic-Free Kusatsu Gyoza Option

Do you ever think, I want to eat delicious gyoza, but I'm worried about the smell afterward, or I have a business meeting, so I need to avoid garlic? In response to such feedback, we also offer garlic-free Kusatsu gyoza.

• Our garlic-free gyoza highlights the natural sweetness of the pork and vegetables, along with the aroma of select spices, creating a light yet deeply flavorful taste. You can enjoy our gyoza to your heart's content without worrying about the smell afterward.

• You can order them with confidence on a date, during a business dinner, or when dining with small children. It might also be fun to compare them with our regular gyoza. Even without garlic, the exquisite harmony of the filling and wrapper, crafted by our skilled gyoza chefs, remains unchanged.

• If you would like garlic-free gyoza as part of your course meal, please feel free to request it when you make a reservation. We strive to accommodate each customer's needs and serve our dishes in the best possible condition.

Authentic Chinese Food at Home: Kusatsu Gyoza Takeout

For times when you think, I want to enjoy the restaurant's flavors at home, I have unexpected guests and no time to cook, or I want to have a relaxed, authentic Chinese meal with my family, please use our takeout service. You can easily enjoy the taste of our Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya at home.

Enjoy with Ease: Kusatsu Gyoza Takeout

• You can take home our gyoza with their freshly-cooked deliciousness intact. Of course, our signature pan-fried gyoza and boiled dumplings are especially popular for Kusatsu gyoza takeout. While eating them hot at the restaurant is exceptional, savoring them slowly at home is another great pleasure.

• We accept pre-orders by phone as well as orders upon arrival (please note that there may be a short wait during busy times). We also provide tips on how to reheat them at home to enjoy them at their best, so you can order with confidence.

More Ways to Enjoy Chinese Food with Takeout

• In addition to gyoza, many of our popular dishes like Mapo Tofu, Shrimp in Chili Sauce, fried rice, and fried noodles are available for takeout. By combining a few items, you can enjoy an authentic full-course Chinese meal at home.

• For example, for a weekend family gathering, pairing Kusatsu gyoza takeout with a hot Chinese-style rice bowl, along with beer or Shaoxing wine, can instantly transform your home into an authentic Chinese restaurant. It also saves you the trouble of washing dishes, allowing you to relax and enjoy conversation.

• Please use our authentic Chinese food for various occasions, such as office lunches or picnics. It will surely make your meals with family and friends even more enriching and special.

Make Your Dining Experience Special at Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya

So far, we have introduced the chef's recommended courses, our signature dishes, and the convenient takeout service offered by our Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya.

We hope that our food not only fills your stomach but also creates warm memories and adds color to your daily life. Whether as a place for conversation with loved ones, a reward for yourself after work, or for a special meal at home.

For the smile of each and every customer, we will continue to provide sincere cuisine and a comfortable atmosphere. Please come and experience the exceptional taste and excitement that can only be found at our Kusatsu Chinese Izakaya. We sincerely look forward to your visit.