The original Yukihara Style Chaliapin Steak Don from Shokugeki no Soma S01E07

The Yukihara Style Chaliapin Steak Don was a dish improvised by Yukihira Soma for his first Shokugeki against the Meat Master, Ikumi Mito's A5 Wagyu don. Harnessing the natural properties of proteolytic enzymes in onions, Yukihira tenderised cheap cuts of beef and created a winning cheap-ass gyu-don 牛丼 with inexpensive ingredients that complement each other.

The Original Imperial Hotel Chaliapin Steak

The Yukihira rendition is actually based on a real dish still being served in the La Brasserie restaurant of centenarian Imperial Hotel (帝国ホテル), Tokyo today. This steak was birthed specially for the Russian opera singer, Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin, who stayed at the Imperial Hotel in 1936.

The Real McCoy

Here, rump steak is also marinated in onions to tenderise it, with generous helpings of onion sautê on top in place of a sauce, giving this dish a myriad of subtle and complex flavors.

It was close to closing time when we arrived. Thankfully made it time

It was the right decision to plan a birthday surprise here. In true Japanese Omotenashi (おもてなし) hospitality, we were given an additional cake free even though I only ordered 1 slice. Server explained that it is so that we can each savour 1 without needing to share.

お誕生日おめでとう！　o-tanjoubi omedetou

Personalised birthday card with dates in Wareki (和暦) format and instant photo

Oya stone relief, write-up below

Floor directory of one of the main buildings