The One

Prologue:

Once upon a time in a land far far away, or should I say on an island far far across the seas...nestled away, a place called Teppanyaki Ginza Onedera. 

As you enter this magical establishment, you will be seated in an intimate room, fit only for royalty. Don’t talk, don’t touch, don’t breathe, don’t move, don’t do anything, just wait. When the time comes, you will be bibbed. Yes, bibbed. 

Now, forget all that you know when it comes to Teppanyaki and just enjoy the experience with an open heart and empty stomach. Don’t worry about the price tag. Remember you’re a king, money ain’t a thang.

Once you have selected your choice, there’s no turning back. Brace yourself, and prepare for the journey (spoiler alert, there’s no such thing as preparing yourself- guaranteed, you will be hit left and right with many surprises). The path that you choose to taste, will determine all that awaits. 

For me, I knew my fate. I was destined to meet my love, Kobe. Before I jump into the climax about finding my one and only soulmate, I first have to share with you the the adventure that brought us together...

Chapter One, The Beginning - King Crab with Caviar: 

The world will only be as bright as your outlook. The more positive you are, the more positive experiences life will bring you. The king crab and caviar to start off the meal, was exactly just that. This duo made my palate come alive and gave me all the encouragement and hope I never knew I needed.

Chapter Two, A Friend - Sautéed Duck Fois Gras with A5 Wagyu Roast Beef: 

When faced with adversities, it’s okay to take on everything alone, and it’s also okay to rely on a friend at times. Remember with friends, it’s not about the quantity but it’s the quality that is important. While the fois gras and roast beef were not abundant, the rich and creamy impactful flavors will forever leave a footprint on my tastebuds.

Chapter Three, An Unexpected Turn - Soup de Poisson:

No matter how much you plan ahead, there will always be the unknown. When life decides to take you in a different direction, an unexpected turn, don’t fight it, embrace it all. The soup came out of nowhere with seabass and clams. I was even more surprised when the ingredients got wrapped in plastic, tied together with a ribbon, and steamed straight on the grill. As I unwrapped my present, the sweet aromas from the soup quickly entered my nostrils. One sip of the broth itself - I knew I was not prepared for the rest.

Chapter Four, Live in the Moment- A5 Wagyu Tenderloin Sandwich: 

Do you ever have those moments in life where you tell yourself you shouldn’t do something because it is not part of the plan or you shouldn’t spend money because you need to save? Well I’m here to tell you, just do it. Do what makes you happy and live in the moment. The Wagyu sandwich was actually what brought me here in the first place. When I found out that Teppanyaki had this dish, my decision was made. Despite learning how expensive this place was, I had my heart set, why? Because you only live once! 

After taking one bite of the sandwich - the glistening butter from the toast, the faint sweetness from the teriyaki sauce, the delectable tenderness from the wagyu, and the crunch from the cabbage reassured me that there were no regrets and no mistakes made with my decision.

Chapter Five, The Simple Things- Steamed King Crab Leg:

When things gets too complicated, take a step back and reflect on the situation. Is it really that complicated or are you just making it complicated? Some of the best joys in life are often the most straightforward things. The steamed king crab is the essence of all things simple. The natural oceanic flavors of this dish was brought to life with a simple steaming technique. Nothing more, nothing less. I never had crab this good.

Chapter Six, Growth - Free Leaf Lettuce Salad:

If there does come a time when you are too comfortable with life, growth may not be possible. This can relate to your education or career. Of course remaining comfortable is fine but if you are like me,  boredom comes quickly. The free leaf lettuce salad was a reminder to all, of just that. The lettuce came in a goblet and was still alive! I guess it got tired of growing in a typical garden and needed a new place to grow.

Chapter Seven, The One - A5 Kobe Beef:

How do you know if the person you are with is the one? The one that you will spend the rest of your life with? Your forever? 

I actually don’t know much about the questions I posed above but for sure I can say with certainty that Kobe was the one for me, my soulmate. The stars were all aligned the night I met Kobe. I was instantly mesmerized by its color and distinct marbling. I entered a trance as the cooking began. The sizzling sound of medium rare echoed through my body and sweet perfumes quickly filled the air. The swift movements of the knife slicing through Kobe like butter was a sight to remember. 

Finally, the moment arrived. The first ever taste. How can something, in such a solid form, melt so smoothly in my mouth? My heart fluttered and my head became woozy. It was like eating silk. Hello and goodbye elegantly passed by like waves kissing the shore. I knew then, that I will never find anything like Kobe again. 

The sheer existence of Kobe will always baffle me and its beauty will always be ingrained in my memory.

Epilogue - Sea Urchin Kamameshi, Miso Soup, Pickles, Strawberry Shortcake, Fresh Fruit, Chocolate Ice Cream, and Green Tea: 

The rest was a complete blur. Just kidding, kind of. My mind was a complete mess after Kobe. All I really remember was finishing up the meal with some delicious uni rice. Took a few bites of the housemade dessert and then was offered a toothpick from a really fancy box. 

Before I left the mystic land, I said my farewells to the amazing chef Takayanagi and wonderful servers. Took a selfie and everyone lived happily ever after!

The End.

-Sailor Out