Chkmeruli!
At Matsuya, I tried the "Chkmeruli hot pot set meal", which has finally begun to expand nationwide. It's a dish from Georgia, a distant country, with a taste like white stew with garlic.
When I think of Georgia, I think of "Georgia" in the United States, but this time Matsuya took up the cuisine of a country that was called "Georgia" in the past.
Russia is located in the north, Middle Eastern countries in the south, European countries across the Black Sea in the west, and Central Asian countries in the east. There are many dishes that include the characteristics of various regions, and according to Matsuya, there are many delicious dishes that suit the tastes of Japanese people.
Among them, Chkmeruli is said to be called "the best garlic in the world to eat deliciously". At Matsuya, chicken thighs are simmered in a white sauce of melted cheese with garlic. When it was sold for a limited time at some stores in December 2019, it became quite popular, and it was decided to expand it nationwide from January 2020.
Very ... Japanese style
The set meal is 790 yen (tax included) with rice, salad and miso soup. As you can see from the composition of the side menu, the taste is quite suitable for Japanese customers.
The Matsuya version of Chkmeruli is a white sauce with a scent of garlic, and plenty of chicken thighs and sweet potatoes, and is served in the same small iron pot as sukiyaki. It is appetizing to have it warmed from the bottom with a fire and brought to the table in a simmering state.
The Matsuya version of Chkmeruli has chicken thighs and sweet potatoes.
When you scoop it with a spoon, the sauce is thick, and when you bring it to your mouth, the tongue feels smooth. It has a texture like white stew, but the intensity of the garlic flavor is unique.
Thick sauce. A feeling of white stew. Garlic is stronger!
Naturally, the juicy chicken goes well with it, making it an excellent side dish for rice. You can enjoy it like curry rice or hayashi rice.
The chicken thighs go perfectly together
The compatibility with sweet potatoes is not bad either. The sweet and mellow sauce goes well with the thick sauce, which is different from the light-boiled potatoes that are often found in white stews.
Sweet potatoes fit unexpectedly
It is also recommended to cut chicken thighs and sweet potatoes into small pieces with a spoon and sip them together. By the time you finish eating, you will be full and your body will be warm. Please enjoy plenty of garlic such as dinner and lunch on holidays.
