yamanashi.h.o.t.o

a local noodle dish with thick hearty soup cooked with seasonal vegetables.  a rather famous dish at kawaguchiko (河口湖). you just realized that you haven't meet mt fuji in person yet, so you set off for an overnight trip.

hoto something truly to yamanashi (山梨県) prefecture. and this place is about 30 min walk from where you stay.  in the name of the local specialty you walked all the way here.

and the ambiance and the crowds in  the communal hall just confirm it is worth the walk.  full of guests, aroma and noise of the order and eating...lively

you waited for another 20 minute to be seated. and while sitting on the tatami floor, you look above you and you are intrigue by the decorations

the decoration in the center of the table, rather interesting but because you read about hoto, so you know how it is prepare traditionally in a hot pot in the center of the table like this...

 you order a set which comes with some pickles - crunchy, crunchy...

 and vinegary seaweed which later you realize it is actually good to clean the palate

you have to admit the serving is huge and you remember you once upon a time trying to interpret this dish at home

the thick noodle unveils. everything inside the nabe pot is rich, filling, heavy and delicious.
definitely worth the wait and the walk.

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another scheduled post.  you closed the chapter, now you are on a journey. a long journey to relax, to enjoy and to reconnect with some long lost friends in various part of the asia.  tonight you are going to be at a northern kingdom.
till then.
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