In 2020, Japan’s famous beef tongue chain restaurant, Rikyu, opened a new branch in Matsushima, one of Miyagi’s most famous tourist attractions. Since the branch is located across from the symbol of Matsushima, Godaido, and just a stone’s throw away from popular attractions such as Zuiganji Temple and Entsuin Temple, it is the perfect place to stop for a meal or a break during your trip to Matsushima.

When you enter the branch, the first thing you’ll see is the gift section, where you can buy a variety of souvenirs and sweets such as mochi and daifuku that are good for snacking on while walking around. Beside the gift section is a spacious dinning space with bright lighting and a relaxed atmosphere. As I took a seat and opened the menu, several seafood meals caught my eye immediately. “I’ve never seen seafood as the main dish in other branches of Rikyu before,” I thought. After a quick Internet search, I learned that these items were limited to the Matsushima branch. Wanting to try something new, I ordered a kaisen teishoku seafood meal.

When the waiter brought me my order, I was dumbfounded by the quantity of the meal. A seafood rice bowl with plentiful ingredients, two slices of Rikyu’s signature thick-cut beef tongue, salad, miso soup, three small dishes, and a matcha daifuku were all placed before me. The quantity was so much that I couldn’t help worrying whether I could finish it all. However, as soon as I started to dig into my seafood rice bowl, my worries disappeared in a flash because the sashimi was just too good! Once my mouth tired of seafood, I could refresh it with the beef tongue. As I chewed, savory meat juice oozed out of the thick yet tender beef tongue, as if to remind me: “Don’t be distracted by the seafood! The beef tongue should be the best dish here!”