Visited 15.05.2016 (Sun)
Time for pork. About half a year ago when I first visited Aomori city with my parents, we have tried one of the B grade gourmet food in Aomori Prefecture - miso curry milk ramen 味噌カレー牛乳ラーメン, but did not find it exceptionally outstanding. On Day 4 of my solo trip, after returning to Aomori train station 青森駅 after visiting Aomori Museum of Art, I set out to look for an eatery/restaurant along Shinmachi-dori 新町通り to have an early dinner before heading back Hachinohe, where I stayed for the night. Shinmachi-dori is lined up with shop houses on both sides of the road and the sheltered walkways bring convenience to pedestrians both rain or shine. Chanced upon Aki 亜希, an old school Japanese restaurant which specialises in fried dishes. Took a quick glance at the food replica placed in the display window; deep fried breaded pork cutlet (tonkatsu とんかつ), fried ebi (prawn) and hamburger steak (ハンバーグステーキ), available in ala carte or set meal (teishoku), were some of the food items offered on its menu; typical to many Japanese eatery/shokudo. Already had beef (in Maesawa) and mutton (in Tono) on the previous days of my trip, so today it shall be pork! With tonkatsu in mind for dinner, I ended my search and made my way into the eatery. The interior design and furnishing, such as the wooden boards displaying the name of the dishes, spoke nostalgia and are testimonies of its long establishment in the community.
Time for pork. About half a year ago when I first visited Aomori city with my parents, we have tried one of the B grade gourmet food in Aomori Prefecture - miso curry milk ramen 味噌カレー牛乳ラーメン, but did not find it exceptionally outstanding. On Day 4 of my solo trip, after returning to Aomori train station 青森駅 after visiting Aomori Museum of Art, I set out to look for an eatery/restaurant along Shinmachi-dori 新町通り to have an early dinner before heading back Hachinohe, where I stayed for the night. Shinmachi-dori is lined up with shop houses on both sides of the road and the sheltered walkways bring convenience to pedestrians both rain or shine. Chanced upon Aki 亜希, an old school Japanese restaurant which specialises in fried dishes. Took a quick glance at the food replica placed in the display window; deep fried breaded pork cutlet (tonkatsu とんかつ), fried ebi (prawn) and hamburger steak (ハンバーグステーキ), available in ala carte or set meal (teishoku), were some of the food items offered on its menu; typical to many Japanese eatery/shokudo. Already had beef (in Maesawa) and mutton (in Tono) on the previous days of my trip, so today it shall be pork! With tonkatsu in mind for dinner, I ended my search and made my way into the eatery. The interior design and furnishing, such as the wooden boards displaying the name of the dishes, spoke nostalgia and are testimonies of its long establishment in the community.
Fulfilling. Chose the counter seat and placed my order. Had the hire (pork fillet/tenderloin) teishoku (ヒレ定食) which was accompanied by miso soup, tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and rice. From my seat, I had a good view of the dynamics behind the scene; the chef started to prepare my meal as soon as the order sheet was within sight. My ears were enjoying the sizzling sound generated from the deep fryer during the wait. Shortly after that, my eyes took turn to be dazzled by the tonkatsu which were fried to beautiful golden brown when the food was served. Aki uses the panko rather than fresh breadcrumbs as the crusting for its meat. The breading was crispy and so satisfying to bite on, while the juices were adequately retained/locked within in its lightly seasoned and tender meat.
Yet another fulfilling episode of dinner!
Yet another fulfilling episode of dinner!
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Tonkatsu / Steak Aki とんかつ・ステーキ 亜希
青森県青森市新町2-1-16
Operating hours: 1100 - 1400 hrs; 1700 - 2000 hrs; closed on Tuesdays
How to get there?
(1) By foot. Approx 7 minutes walk from Aomori JR Station 青森駅. Walk along the sheltered pedestrian walkway of Shinmachi-dori 新町通り and keep a lookout of a corner shop.
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