Buranko, Toritsudaigaku: The Melting Scallop Croquette

I went to Buranko, a newly opened Japanese restaurant in Toritsudaigaku ♪

*Photo source: Kyujin@Inshokuten.com

It has only just opened, so food lovers along the Toyoko Line may not know it yet.

The chic, modern interior might feel a little intimidating at first glance, but the manager, Mr. Uetake, has a lovely smile and a soothing presence ♪

The restaurant seems to be committed to using high-quality domestic ingredients.

Here's the menu. The origins are clearly listed, like Kyoto vegetables and sashimi from the Goto Islands.

For my first drink, a lemon sour.

Whoa, it's cloudy! The lemon is fresh and strong!

The first thing I ordered was the egg mayo potato salad!

The mayonnaise is homemade! They apparently use plenty of mustard, so it's yellow.

You break open the soft-boiled egg and dig in ♪ Perfect with drinks!

The sashimi was sea bream from Fukuoka, splendid alfonsino (kinmedai) from Katsuura, turban shell (sazae) from the Goto Islands, and shime-saba (vinegar-cured mackerel).

Excellent freshness. I was so happy it came with real wasabi and salt.
"We don't have many kinds today, so we'll add a few more," they said, and gave me a bonus!

There was also a slightly unusual dish, a cherry and shungiku (chrysanthemum greens) salad.
A strange combination, but fruity and delicious! I want to try copying this at home.

And my number one pick is this: the scallop croquette!
Croquettes are a staple at Japanese restaurants, but I don't think you often find seafood ones.

Doesn't this cross-section look insane? Crispy outside and creamy and melting inside, with the savory flavor of the scallop adductor bursting out ♪

"It's also nice to dip it in the salt on the side and eat it like a drinking snack," they told me, so I enjoyed it with salt.

As someone who likes things on the salty side, it hit the spot!

Phew... I ate my fill of these distinctive dishes, lol.

I didn't make it to dessert that day, so I'll definitely storm in again!

Buranko
Watanabe Building 1F, 1-1-7 Nakane, Meguro City, Tokyo
Closed Mondays