In December 2013, "AND THE FRIET ", a shop that pursues the best French fries and offers carefully selected potatoes in a particular manufacturing method and style, opened in Hiroo, Tokyo. By the way, "FRIET" means "French fries" in the Belgian language, the birthplace of French fries.

In short, it's a French fries specialty store, but this time I'll call it "French fries" with respect. Because I am impressed. French fries, which I thought were the same no matter where I ate them, had such a difference in type and taste ...!


So, this time, I will deliver the experience of the author who thought that all of them were the same, and the way of looking at French fries changed by 180 degrees, and the actual record.

■ "AND THE FRIET" is located in the Hiroo shopping district

"AND THE FRIET" is located in a corner of Hiroo shopping street, about a 5-minute walk from Hiroo station.


In the first place, are there so many types of French fries that you can have a specialty store? Arrived at the shop around 2:45 pm with half-belief. Then there is already a long line! This popularity has been around for a month since it opened. Expected value rises with wrinkles.


The inside of the store is a small space, so wait in line outside. On a freezing winter afternoon, my limbs were also gnawed. However, the scent of French fries that overflows to the outside of the store grabs the author with his stomach and keeps it. At the end of this trial, there must be potatoes who want to eat even if they are lined up.

After waiting 20 minutes, I was finally guided inside! There is space in the warm store where you can eat in on the spot, but it's probably limited to 4-5 people. To go seems to be the mainstream.

Wait another 10 minutes from here, and finally it's my turn.

■ Order French fries with your favorite combination

Order at the counter while stimulating your stomach with a richer scent than outside. First, select FRIET (single item) or box (set). This time, the author was FRIET, and I chose a regular size (starting from 500 yen). By the way, the large size starts from 600 yen.


Next, I finally choose French fries. There are 12 kinds of menus in total. You can choose your favorite varieties from the 6 types of potatoes and your favorite cutting method. There are so many kinds of French fries alone ...! However, sadly, eight kinds of menus are already sold out today. Ghan ... Then, please give me all the ones I have now! So, I ordered 4 kinds of "Bintje (straight 7mm cut)", "Bintje (country cut)", "Hokkaido Kogane (straight 12mm cut)" and "Matilda (half cut)".


Finally, choose the dip sauce to add to the potatoes, with or without salt. The author ordered all four types of dip sauce, "homemade mayonnaise," "special tomato ketchup," "jalapeno salsa," and "honey mustard mayonnaise (for a limited time)."


After the checkout, you will be given a number tag and wait for a while until the potatoes are fried. Meanwhile, I was thirsty and reached for the kettle next to the counter. Then, the liquid poured into the paper cup is not water but ginger hot water! I felt a casual consideration that warmed my cold body.


"Customers waiting at No. 4!"

And finally, I got 4 kinds of French fries! The total waiting time is 30 minutes, and hunger is already the limit. Let's try eating freshly fried crispy.


■ I tried it

When you open the bag, the scent of happiness flutters from inside. All FRIETs are accompanied by pickles for retouching.

First, try the Belgian variety "Bintje (straight 7mm cut)". It looks the same as French fries eaten at fast food restaurants.

The taste is exactly the French fries ! It has a good salty taste and is the best. It remains crispy even when it gets cold, so you can eat it deliciously until the end. It is also recommended for To go of people coming from afar.

Next, try "Bintje (country cut)", which is the same variety but has a different cutting method. The rounded shape is cute.


This is my MVP (Most Valuable Potato)! The outside is fragrant and crispy, and the inside is mellow. The texture is also smooth. The texture is completely different from the straight 7mm cut. Also, because it has a refreshing taste, it goes well with any sauce.

Next, try the domestic seasonal potato "Hokukai Kogane (straight 12mm cut)". What does this variety, which was developed for French fries, taste like?


This is ... sweet! It's sweet! !! You can feel the sweetness of the potatoes! The umami of potatoes that are tightly packed in fine fibers. It is said that winter vegetables have a high sugar content and are sweet, but I wonder if this potato, which grew strongly in the northern land, also became sweeter due to the cold weather.

Finally, try eating the small potato "Matilda (half cut)".


Of the four types, "Matilda" has the most potato-like taste. The texture is sticky and the grain is coarse. It's a perfect menu for those who want to enjoy the chewy, fluffy potatoes.

■ Don't look sweet on the dip sauce

Of course, the main menu of "AND THE FRIET" is French fries, but the dip sauce also plays a leading role.


First of all, "homemade mayonnaise" that the clerk also recommended. The balance between sourness and mellowness is just right, and the pepper accents are irresistible. It tastes more like French dressing than mayonnaise. A versatile sauce that goes well with any potato.

"Special tomato ketchup" is a puree-like sauce made by grinding tomatoes as they are. Unlike the so-called "ketchup", the tomato feeling is amazing. A spice that adds an accent to the flavor.


"Jalapeño salsa" is a spicy sauce with lots of ingredients. The spiciness is not so strong and you can eat with confidence. It has jalapenos in it, so it might be a good idea to put it on a half-cut French fries with a large cross section.


The limited-time sauce "Honey Mustard Mayonnaise" has a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The mustard is spicy and the refreshing aftertaste remains, so you can eat as many French fries as you want without getting tired.

■ The French fries revolution happened

At first, I was skeptical, but when I ate and compared them in this way, I realized that the taste was really different. Depending on the variety of potatoes, of course, the texture and taste will change completely even if the cutting method is different. This is exactly the French fries revolution ! !!

However, this time I actually ate only 4 kinds. It's just the beginning of the revolution. The endless pursuit of French fries by the En-eating editorial department will continue.