Exquisite Game Cuisine

Yesterday, I visited a members-only game cuisine restaurant located in Totsukawa Village, Nara Prefecture. Since the location is secret, only members can find their way there, and it's built deep in the mountains, where the area is known for hot springs. Getting there was quite an adventure. (I wasn't the one driving, though).

The Importance of Tasting the Real Thing

What comes to your mind when you hear the word 'game meat'?
For many, it might evoke images of the strong, gamey flavors of meats like deer, raccoon, or bear. I used to think the same way— hard, stinky meat. However, yesterday, my stereotype were completely overturned. It was like eating beef or pork. First of all, there was no gaminess, and the meat was incredibly tender. According to the chef, it's crucial to trap the animals rather than shoot them, and then kill them quickly, ensuring proper bleeding.
The chef, who has a strong determination for revolutionizing in the game meat industry, labeled the lack of expertise among hunters. He believes that hunters are the reason that lowers the reputation of game meat. It was a moment where I witnessed the validity of his determination.