prasantrin's Profile
Food Alleys/Night Markets and Food Courts?
A note about depachika (which you called "food basements"), they are not meant for grazing. In Japan it's considered quite rude to eat while walking. If you're going to buy something to eat as soon as you buy it, you'd be better off to stand against a wall and eat it (although that would also be frowned upon by some--you should really find a place to sit). Depachika are meant for buying food and taking it home (though some vendors will have a counter at which you can order and eat).
Continuing with Kyoto
I love Ten You (I think I've been one of their more consistent cheerleaders here). I can't say their tempura is the absolute best, but the entire experience will give you a full taste of Kyoto (not everyone appreciates the simplicity, but I love it).
You might also want to consider Spoon. I enjoyed my meal there, especially the yuba pizza.
If you want something a little more unusual, consider Okariba. They specialize in game and other items less commonly available in Japan (like crickets--or were they grasshoppers?).
Hot in Tokyo
Have you tried Yuzusco? http://www.yuzusco.com/ I haven't tried it, but I've heard really good things about it.
It's like Tabasco (not my favourite), but with yuzu. (forgot to mention that it's only available my mail order, but that's still sort of like being available in Tokyo, isn't it?)
And there's always sriracha. Who doesn't love sriracha?
Not exactly pepper sauce, but S&B has a line of really delicious rayu. The one I have had fried garlic, but they also had an Italian one (with anchovy) and other kinds I can't remember. Not super spicy, but spicy enough.
Here it is, my Tokyo and Kyoto selection - Final advices welcomed
You don't need reservations for Tsunahachi, but if you go during prime time, you'll be waiting for a while. That might depend on which Tsunahachi to which you are going (I went to the main one in Shinjuku.
BTW, the website for Tsunahachi has a coupon for a free drink with your meal http://www.tunahachi.co.jp/en/coupon/index.html (I am not related to the business or website in any way; just noticed it there when I was checking which branch I went to).
Ryugin in Roppongi
I just replied to my original query/comment. It seems Aronia de Takazawa is closed, but it has reopened as Takazawa. Not sure what that means in terms of the cooking style (or the style of the restaurant), but they mention a focus on Japanese products (didn't they already focus on Japanese ingredients?).
Anyway, the website is currently undergoing an update, so there's not much information about the new place right now. Hopefully someone can go soon and report back!
Aronia de Takazawa
Mystery solved! From their website. . .
さらなる飛躍を目指して
一日二組限定というスタイルでオープンして早7年が経ちました。 2012年5月、TAKAZAWA として、リニューアルオープンしました。より一層日本の良き風土・人・食材、伝統・芸術にフォーカスし、再構築してモダンに供する‘美味しい＋楽しい’世界に邁進していきたいと思っております。
今までの皆さまのご支援とご愛顧に深く感謝するとともに、これからもスタッフみなで力を合わせ頑張って参りますので、今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
We reopened as TAKAZAWA in May 2012.
We started our restaurant with only 2 tables a day in 2005.
From 2012, as TAKAZAWA, we will put more focus and love
into Japanese products.
Thank you for your everything the past 7 years and
We look forward to welcoming you at TAKAZAWA soon !!
So. . . Aronia de Takazawa *is* closed, but Takazawa is now open. I assume this indicates a change of style. With the increased focus on Japanese products, it sounds a little like the evolution of Ryugin pre-2008 or 2009? to present. I also wonder if they'll have more tables available.
Eccentric three days in Tokyo
I like mousse cakes, but I don't like Hidemi Sugino's mousse cakes. They're a softer mousse and are more mucilaginous than I like.
I don't like his other cakes or tarts when they're fresh, either, but I found after a couple of days, they improved in flavour (in my opinion).
Tapas Molecular Bar in Mandarin Oriental Hotel
So Jeff Ramsey has left, but is still in Japan and is now cooking privately (and has the intention of opening his own restaurant). Is he still in Japan? I looked at his website, and there was no mention of his location, so I wasn't sure. (I knew he was half Japanese, but thought he was raised in the US).
And Jacob Kear (also half Japanese) also left and his back in the US (or is perhaps continuing stages around Europe?). Cool that he staged at Noma.
Tapas Molecular Bar in Mandarin Oriental Hotel
where did the previous chef go? Back to the US?
Eccentric three days in Tokyo
I am not a gentleman (missing some necessary parts), but I will add--isn't L'Osier still closed for renovations? If it is, that would help you make your decision.
Eccentric three days in Tokyo
Hidemi Sugino only puts out half the stock in the morning, then replenishes it in the afternoon (I thought at 2:00, but I could be wrong). That way people in the afternoon can still have cake (otherwise they would probably sell out completely by noon).
At least it used to be that way. See http://tokyofood.blog128.fc2.com/blog-entry-66.html for reference (written in 2011, so relatively current).
When I last went, I got there around 20 minutes early and was able to get into the store with the first round of customers (I think I was #10 or so in line). By 10 minutes to opening, there were maybe 20-30 people in line. From past experience, had I arrived 30 minutes early on a weekend, I probably would have been #20.
Aronia de Takazawa
I noticed that, too, and it made me even more confused.
The link to the picture is http://pic.twitter.com/YuYIA1lZ
There must be more to it than face value. I`m guessing they`re changing their format--maybe more tables? Different space?
Aronia de Takazawa
The most recent picture from Grant Achatz shows the menu for the 21st. It clearly says, "Wonderful to have you, the last night of ARONIA!"
So I guess it's closing for sure. Does anyone know what Takazawa will be doing next?
Aronia de Takazawa
On Twitter, Grant Achatz wrote: "Day 2 of 10 Japan w/@dcberan long line restos 2 hit in prep 4 Nexts Kyoto menu. 1st, dinner-Aronia de Takazawa 4 last service as we know it!"
Last service as we know it at Aronia? Does that mean Aronia is changing its format? Closing? Anyone here been to Aronia lately or have some inside info?
Osaka - 1 dinner. Where to go?
I always enjoyed Koyoshi. Not the fanciest place (far from it--it would probably qualify as a dive), but reasonably priced, delicious sushi in a restaurant run by friendly and gracious hosts. It's most famous as being highlighted on one of Anthony Bourdain's shows (tiny tiny place--maybe 9 seats with no room to turn around). It's maybe a 10-15 minute walk from your hotel in Chayamachi, closer to Hankyu Umeda Station than JR Osaka Station.
eta: Koyoshi has a facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Koyoshi-Sushi-Osaka/147743168653244 I love the couple that own it. They really are very sweet (and cute!).
Tokyo - last min planning
He'd definitely love to have you there. It's a small shop--maybe 9 or 10 counter seats and a couple of tables. And it's not very well known at the moment, so it's not very busy (when I was there, I was the only party for about 45 minutes, and then 1 party of two came. We were the only guests for the night, he said). You can book online, too http://www.sushibaryasuda.com/ (there's an option for English for the website).
Tokyo - last min planning
You could try Sushi Bar Yasuda. It's not in the same league as Kanesaka or Saito, but the sushi chef (who used to be co-owner/chef at Yasuda in NYC) speaks English quite well. You do need to make reservations, but they're very easy to come by at the moment.
24-hour restaurants in Tokyo
Konami Sports Center uses that phrasing, even on some of their advertising (like on the big signs at train stations). At least the ones in Nishinomiya and Sannomiya do (both open till midnight).
But other than KSC, I only recall seeing it at McD's or family restaurants, too.
24-hour restaurants in Tokyo
It occurred to me that Kaori may be interpreting "24-hour" through Japanese-English. Whenever businesses say they're open "24-hour" in Japan, it usually means until midnight (24:00 which is also misguided since midnight is 00:00) or until the wee hours of the morning.
(I found out the hard way that 24-hour does not mean "open 24 hours", when I showed up at my gym at 6am thinking it was open 24 hours, only to find it closed. The hours on the door showed 8:00 to 24:00)
3 days in Tokyo - where to eat?
Ya Robb, we all know you don't really live in Japan and are just talking out your a**! :-D
Seriously, I kid! Not that Robb S needs to be defended, but. . .
chefkaori (are you really a chef or are you just co-opting the word "chef"), check out bento.com. That's how much Robb knows about food in Japan (it's his website), and he has also written books about eating in Japan. He may be a furrener, but he has lived in Japan for a long time (if I remember correctly) and there's a good chance he knows much more about Tokyo than you do.
So now I ask, please list NAMES of GOOD restaurants that are open 24 hours that specialize in ramen, tempura, tofu, sushi, etc.
I don't want to know the names of just any restaurants, I want to know GOOD ones. Yoshinoya need not apply.
(24-hours, in real English, means open a full 24 hours. It doesn't mean open until midnight, contrary to what Konami Sports thinks)
Prodigal Daughter Revisits Tokyo [Trip Report pt 1]
Don't forget the proximity of Osaka where all the Thai grocery stores are! The best Indian provisions stores were in Sannomiya, though.
It wasn't Uncle Yabai. I did a search, and it appears you and I have had a similar conversation before. We must be getting senile and forgot! :-)
Where can I find a 6.5" round ginger grater in Edmonton?
No need to apologize. The metal ones are more traditional, but ime, the ceramic or plastic ones are more common in homes (or at least the homes I visited and/or lived in)
Prodigal Daughter Revisits Tokyo [Trip Report pt 1]
I had an acquaintance who taught there, and she said the teachers there are very particular about the pronunciation (I always called it Kangaku, as my students did, but those teachers emphasized kWangaku). I worked down the road at the "famous" girls school. (ETA--didn't Uncle Yabai go to KanGaku, too?)
I loved living in Nishinomiya almost as much as I loved living in Kyoto. My favourite burger place is in Nishinomiya (but near JR Nishinomiya). My favourite neapolitan pizza place is in Kurakuen (which is either Nishinomiya or Kobe, I'm not sure). Lots of great food places can be found in Nishinomiya.
Good value in Tokyo (sub-top or lunch deals)
I'd skip Robuchon. You can have a Robuchon meal in any number of places in the world, and it would not be much different from place to place.
I wanted to try lunch at L'Effervescence, but didn't have time. Lunch is only Y4800-Y7500 and the restaurant is gaining quite a good reputation. Reservation can be made through Open Table, too.
Prodigal Daughter Revisits Tokyo [Trip Report pt 1]
That sucks for me. I only like the grapefruit flavour, and it's my favourite grapefruit-flavoured beverage of all time! It's not too bitter or too sweet, and it has just the right amount of pulp. It's perfect!
Prodigal Daughter Revisits Tokyo [Trip Report pt 1]
I lived in Nishinomiya for six years. I haven't posted about the Kansai portion of my trip, yet, but will do so shortly! I didn't get to eat much (was only in Nishinimoya for a couple of days), but I do have many many old favourites from my time there.
Where can I find a 6.5" round ginger grater in Edmonton?
Last I checked, Japan was still a country in Asia, and ginger graters are most likely found in Japanese markets (I have two, both purchased in Japan, however, not at Japanese markets in Canada).
So if there is a well-stocked Japanese market in Edmonton, you can try seeing if it carries them.
The tiny holes on 4-sided graters do a similar job, though are a greater pita to clean.
Asian Cookware
India Spice House has had them in the past. Maybe Gill's Meats, too. (both in Winnipeg)
3 days in Tokyo - where to eat?
Just sneak it in your man-bag. Now I wish I had done that. I'll just have to go back to try it. :
It's just a fried apple pie, but if you've ever tried the baked ones they have now, you'll understand my longing for them.
3 days in Tokyo - where to eat?
I might send a visitor to Tokyo to McD's for a fried apple pie. They're perfect. Just like I remember from my childhood, before the stupid health police came out and brought the baked apple pies.
:-)
