Watamin-chi

I wouldn't have ever noticed Watamin-chi had not some Japanese friends picked it for a social gathering recently. This despite being only a half block off of Blue street. Watamin-chi is located in the basement below TGI Fridays and below ZaWatami. You can find it on the blog map.

The interior is really nicely done and is warm and inviting as are most izakaya. Coming off the streets of Yokosuka, it is like entering a new world. Very calm and relaxing.

For those who have been in Japan a while, you may be familiar with ZaWatami. But Watamin-chi should not be confused with ZaWatami, which happens to be located on the fourth floor of the same building - however, they are related. What is interesting is that Watami Food Service owns Watamin-chi (basement), TGI Fridays (first - third floor), and ZaWatami (4th floor). So the entire building consists of three restaurants all operated by Watami Foods. I've been to Za Watami and will be posting on them too in the future.

All the menus are different but the ZaWatami and Watamin menus do have some similarity.

Watamin-chi has a few dishes that I've never had before. One being smelt that you cook at your table and another is deep fried pasta - that they call kari kari pasta. Kari kari  カリカリ or かりかり means crispy and you'll see it quite often on food packages and menus. Could be used for chips, deep fried fish, or in this case pasta.  The crispy pasta can come plain, with nori flavor, or with corn flavor.

Cool interior

Shrimp chips, potato fries, edamame

The prices seem reasonable and you order izakaya style - meaning you'll order many dishes and share them, then order more dishes, and share, etc. until you're all full. I don't have a lot of pictures of the food here because I was distracted, but they have a great menu to choose from. The menu is in Japanese, but with all kinds of pictures so you'll have no problem. A link is provided below.

The word watamin itself does not mean anything and there is no Kanji to provide any clues.
However, if we break this up there might be something we can place together.
Wata is an outdated kana usage for "sea or beach"
mi is another outdated kana usage for "sea or beach"
The modern usage for beach or sea is "umi"
Chi 家 means "house" and you can see it is the only Kanji in their name in the photo above. It's a shortened version of uchi (house).
So my theory is that they are combining these outdated kana for beach and that the name means "beach house."

If we simply drop the n from watamin, though, then we have watami. Watami becomes 和民 or Japanese style/harmony nation or people. This is likely closer to the real meaning, but I like the beach meaning too.The "n" is kind of a pesky thing that I can't explain. So I'll have to consult with some Nihongo experts for further guidance.

I recommend you give Watamin-chi a try.  Their full picture menu is available on their website.

Shimamo smelt and dried finray

Shimamo smelt and dried finray. You'll cook both on the little charcoal grill they provide. Dip the finray into the mayo and the smelt too. Even better with a little shichimi (seven spice).  You can buy the dried finray at many of the local grocers such as LIVIN and AVE.  Just brown it a bit over a hot burner or grill and you have yourself a nice snack.

A Beer, with smelt cooking on the charcoal grill in the foreground

Two empty glasses of beer

Raw footage - smelt eating

Photo analysis

Our dedicated staff of blog technicians have analyzed the technique of this unnamed individual (his parents did give him a name, I just choose not to tell you) demonstrating the proper way of eating a smelt. Using sophisticated line drawing techniques, it is clear that he has near perfect vertical alignment of the fish, mouth, throat, and stomach. Additionally, the tongue is retracted, arm is properly out to the side, and the fish is hanging nicely straight down. The ever important eyes are looking straight up. An added bonus is we see no sweat in the armpit. Double bonus is this is a Japanese man wearing an American Eagle shirt.


Panel awards 5 stars.

learner technique

Here we see a trainee. Tail is bent, head not fully back, no clear path for smelt to throat, arm in front, tongue out - all indicating amateur status - but the end result is still the same - therefore it still won two stars in our panel of judge's opinion.

Update: There has been an appeal to the judges ruling. However, the appeal is invalid. Much like in the Olympics, the appeal must come with a cash deposit (in an amount left to each sport's International Federation). The International Federation of shishamo swallowing (IFSS) requires an unusually high fee of $1000. Of course this will be returned if the appeal is won. 

Shabu shabu

I give a thumbs up to this place. Nice atmosphere and good food. Come with friends and enjoy.