nrt's Profile
Top Gaijin eats or Non-Japanese foods in Tokyo
I sometimes have odd cravings for western-style sushi (like california/dragon/rainbow rolls), and rainbow roll sushi in azabu juban does the trick every single time. and their mojito is probably my favorite mixed drink in all of tokyo (with a sugar cane stick as stirrer!)
Ishigaki recommendations
The Grandvrio Resort (http://www.route-inn.co.jp/gv/ishigaki/index.html) has an Ishigaki burger that won a award or two last year, and this yakiniku albeit small is quite good:
焼肉石垣島 -http://www.churaguru.net/shop/f_index.aspx?shop_id=yakinikuishigakijima
One type of awamori that I heartily recommend is awanami (and i dont really like most awamoris), from the island of Hateruma. You can only buy airplane liquor bottles of the stuff at the local shops, but man it is worth trying once. And having it in a passion fruit is just amazing. and of course go wild on the snack pines and mangos!
If you do plan on going to Hateruma, we had my friend's wedding at Sainantan:
http://www.churashima.net/shima/hateruma/special/sainantan/index.html
It's a pension, but such a great place, and the staff is so warm.
Recommendation for Fukuoka?
Yatai yatai yatai - Food booths up and down the canals; you can get some AMAZING ramen and yakitori; there's even a french yatai that started last year thats supposed to be really good. If you hop in a cab and just ask for yatai, the cab drivers all know and plus have their own favorites to recommend.
LOW cost to HIGH quality RATIO restaurants
there's a kaiseki place in Akasaka called Kaisuian, a very small shop , but very very good and usually their seasonal course is 5000 which for kaiseki I find to be very affordable:
http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130801/13002183/
However be warned, need to book in advance and not english-speaking...
Could you ID this Kagurazaka-shop for me?
Looks like its this place:
http://gourmet.livedoor.com/restaurant/343460/
looking for a japanese garden view
Wow! They look gorgeous but the prices are a bit much for a big group... I think I'll save Daigo/Tofuya Ukai for anniversary dinners instead =)
New Ramen hotspots?
That bloomberg article has covered most of the really popular Ramen spots lately (i see them on tv like 1-2x a week), Theres a shop run by pro wrestling fans in Jimbocho that seems to be on TV a lot recently, but I checked it out and although the noodles were nice, the broth is crazy salty：http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131003/13054078/
Although a chain, I've always been a fan of Ippudo, there's several locations across Tokyo; and Jangara Ramen also is quite popular for a chain (although REALLY oily, so beware).
Tantanmen (spicy soup+ground beef noodles)/Tsukemen (Dipping noodles) are also quite popular in Tokyo, and there's a few good places for that as well.
It really depends on what area you are staying... there's always a good ramen shop around the corner =)
FYI Curry soup is really big in Sapporo (well for the past 2 years), so I'd recommend checking it out, I really liked MAGICSPICE myself.
Best Thai in Tokyo?
Personal favorite would be Baan Kirao/バーン・キラオ in Shimokitazawa, it's highly authentic (down to the metal stools and plastic sheets), and great value for amazing Thai. There's a few other locations: Kunitachi,Shinjuku.
looking for a japanese garden view
hey everyone! long time reader, first time poster =)
i'm on the hunt for a place in Tokyo that can do a great breakfast/early lunch with a lovely view of a japanese garden ... i'm hosting an after-wedding brunch (on a monday) and am looking for a place that is a bit different from the reception venue (restaurant luke in )
My first leaning is Chinzan-so, but the four seasons although amazing is a bit expensive, especially for all the guests. any other restaurants you know of that would fit the bill?
