Ingredient appreciation — what makes Udon special

What sets Udon apart is the handling of mirin. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the subtly sweet and salty result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

seasonal ingredients guide the menu in traditional settings. The a high-end kaiseki setting atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had sake as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Udon is the place to start.