Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara

If you were fortunate enough to snag a ticket online for one of the Nodoguro Sousaku Dinners in July or September you will probably be experiencing this “Trip to Nara” theme. Nara is a prefecture and also the name of the capital city of the prefecture Nara, which is also famous for being the capital of Japan during the 8th century, making it Japan’s oldest capital city, before the capital was moved to Kyoto. It is also famous for its sika deer that roam Nara Park and which many visitors buy senbai (they even have special deer crackers) to feed these deer that were once considered sacred.
Deer flirting for food at the Grand Canyon Deer Farm & Petting Zoo Deer flirting for food at the Grand Canyon Deer Farm & Petting Zoo

Fortunately at the Nodoguro Sousaku dinner there are no deer there harassing you for a bite of any of your 11 tasting courses, although the presence of deer is still in the atmosphere.
Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016

Since my last visit for Supa Hard Core, the official seats they ordered have finally come in! I love how comfortable they are, and don’t miss the purse hooks under the counter ladies!
Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016

The decor for now has nods to Nara’s wealth of cultural history and the influence of Chinese elements at that time to fit the theme.
Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016

Gold edged paper lanterns offer a look at the additional drinks you can purchase by the glass or as a flight to accompany your dinner. I always get the sake flight. In addition, the lanterns at each setting offer guests an opportunity to write their own haiku.
Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016 Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner, themed Trip to Nara in July 2016

After being greeted at the door, guests are directed to the lounge where you can order a drink and relax until dinner service, giving you a chance to also mingle with other guests of assemble your dining party. This includes getting a chance to take a look at the Nodoguro book and also the Questlove’s book on food, Somethingtofoodabout that also features Nodoguro.

Here are the 11 courses I enjoyed – the course may be tweaked slightly to fit what is fresh.

  1. Tomato in Dashi. Tomato is grown and found in Nara. At leat that’s what Elena told Ryan, and Ryan told me… whatever, I am not going to turn down tomato and mozzarella in dashi. The little bit of saltiness and tomato sweetness with creamy Italian mozzarella is all good with me.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Tomato in Dashi Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Tomato in Dashi
  2. Trout with Shottsuru. Shottsuru is a very funky intense fish sauce though Ryan mellowed it down a bit so it isn’t so pungent so as to overwhelm the dish.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Trout with Shottsuru
  3. Yuan Style Lingcod
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Yuan Style Lingcod Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Yuan Style Lingcod
  4. Peach, Chanterelle, and Walnut. I thought this was one of my favorite dishes with the sweet peach, nutty and earthy mushrooms and walnut, and the creaminess from the tofu you see.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Peach, Chanterelle, and Walnut
  5. Dengaku Eggplant. Another favorite dish for me for the night with the light non-greasy crispness of the flash fried outside and the creaminess of the inside.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Dengaku Eggplant Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Dengaku Eggplant
  6. Salmon, Persimmon Leaf, and Corn. The salmon here is marinated in sake and then soaked on cherry wood, and the use of a leaf to wrap the sushi and rice is a way workers in the forest would “wrap” their lunch to go as a bento of sorts and persimmon trees are plentiful in Nara.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Salmon, Persimmon Leaf, and Corn Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Salmon, Persimmon Leaf, and Corn
  7. Duck Sukiyaki. I am always a fan of duck and of a yolk sauce.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Duck Sukiyaki
  8. Summer Vegetable Sunomono, aka pickled dish.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Summer Vegetable Sunomono
  9. Chagayu with Crab and Aburage. Aburage here is the fried tofu, which is cut up and fried crispy almost like vegetarian version of chicharrones. This dish is served with a tea that is poured to make the rice porridge, which is what chagayu means and is a popular healthy and comforting dish specialty in Nara.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Chagayu with Crab and Aburage Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Chagayu with Crab and Aburage Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Chagayu with Crab and Aburage Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Chagayu with Crab and Aburage
  10. Tamago
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Tamago
  11. Togashi with Medicinal Milk. Don’t let the medicinal milk scare you – it’s just coconut cream, and a nod to how coconut is rare and considered healthy and medicinal (and um delicious!). It’s my second favorite dessert that I’ve ever gotten from Nodoguro dinners because this is so unique.
    Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Togashi with Medicinal Milk Nodoguro Sousaku Dinner: Trip to Nara, Togashi with Medicinal Milk

Which of these courses intrigues you? Have you heard of Nara and the Nara deer, or have you fed deer before?

Than you to Ryan, Elena, and everyone as always for the wonderful diner and hospitality!
Elena showing some guests some of the Questlove book that Nodoguro is featured in Ryan slicing up the Tamago Staff of Nodoguro

You can see a listing of all my previous Nodoguro experiences here to see more!

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