Dish 5: Steamed Dumplings Wrapped in Tofu Skin $6.90 Minced shrimp is carefully wrapped in delicate yuba soybean skin and served piping hot. Following a crisp vinegared dish this is wonderfully enjoyable. It is delicious to eat dipped in soy sauce with mustard.. Best pairing: Daiginjo “Fuku Komachi” Next best pairing: Ginjo “Akita Toji”

Dish 6: Fried Rice Cake in Dashi Broth $6.80 Light mochi rice cake is ensconced in a rich dashi broth with good body. There is a subtle hot spiciness added that perfectly matches the oil in the warm dish. Best pairing: Junmai Daiginjo “Kimura” Next best pairing: Ginjo “Akita Toji”

Dish 7: Shark Fin Chawanmushi $6.90 The rich pudding texture is enhanced with the green of kaiware radish sprouts that are beautifully reflected in the surface. Plunging in with a spoon, the shark fin emerges sparkling. It is different from the typical chawanmushi since neither ginko nor shrimp nor shiitake mushrooms are mixed in. The chef says that chawanmushi is simple but good. Anyway, it is a jumbo portion. The presentation is sure to delight those who like chawanmushi. Best pairing: Ginjo “Akita Toji” Next best pairing: Daiginjo “Fuku Komachi”

Dish 8: Seared Squid with Salt $7.90 The browned surface stimulates the appetite. This is the ultimate in finger food with a tender texture that is satisfyingly salty. Cut with lemon juice it has a refreshing taste. Best pairing: Daiginjo “Fuku Komachi” Next best pairing: Ginjo “Akita Toji”

Dish 9: Lotus Root Shinobiage $8.90 A refreshing taste is interspersed with lotus root and modulated with shrimp just as it is. After a crisp dunking in oil, it is served up with a liberal sprinkling of aonori seaweed. When it is placed in one’s mouth, the superior lotus root is crispy and the sweetness of the shrimp is joined with silky oil to make a smooth match.. Best pairing: Junmai Genshu “Akita Issui” Next best pairing: Ginjo “Akita Toji”

Dish 10: Rice Porridge with Tofu Skin $8.50 Half cooked yuba soybean skin is seasoned with a light touch used for the rice porridge as well. It warms the stomach and the delicate taste is impressive in this exquisite dish. Best pairing: Tokubetsu Honjozo “Tsukiyo” Next best pairing: Junmai Nigori “Hadare Yuki”