taryn's Profile
Breakfast in Tokyo
yeah it's true about sujis. i want to like it because i like brunch, but it is outrageously overpriced and you can make similar stuff, but better, at home.
Where to find the definitive list of must-eats (cheap eats) for Tokyo?
gotta add my 2 cents here.
cafe 8-i would stay away from cafe 8. it's an interesting atmosphere, but food isn't fantastic. i went on tuesday and some dishes were so salty almost inedible. also, OP said chinese wasn't necessary.
pizzakaya- have never had a good experience here. sub-par american pizza. not worth the trip or the money in my opinon.
cicada is ok, the hummus is nice, but it's not Japanese, so I don't think the OP is looking for this. Also it's not cheap eats.
i second yukari, and def go to a depachika, then you can sample lots of japanese cheap eats!
also check out bento.com as geoff said below.
Omakase Etiquette?
In addition to getting scolded for eating quickly, we also got schooled on how to eat the sashimi properly. Nagayama-san even took my chopsticks and distributed the correct amount of wasabi onto each piece. At first we were the only customers as well, so each move was observed, and it felt almost like a performance. For me, the stressful environment overshadowed the fish. While I would like to go back to eat that quality of fish again, I don't think I could be comfortable there. I do speak Japanese (not as well as I should) and Nagayama-san spent a lot of time talking to us about what I studied in college, what I think of Japanese people, how polite Japanese people are, the religions of Japan, my brother's Japanese girlfriend, etc. I'm sure that some people enjoy having chats with the restaurant staff, but as it was my birthday I wanted to relax and enjoy myself.
Auckland - One day eating extravaganza
My BF and I have a 12 hour lay-over in Auckland on our way to Samoa. He is from NZ and I am American, we both live in Tokyo and are craving some delicious local food. Of course I want to try some pies and anything that is typical NZ style.
We arrive in the morning and leave at night. We are looking for a place to get brunch, lunch, and dinner. Haha and maybe some snacks? Is there anything don't miss? Can anyone suggest any restaurants or areas where we can have a walk around and eat ourselves silly? Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!!
A birthday party kind of Izakaya ?
also previously discussed, Kaikaya and Sakuratei. I would like to add that I kind of want to go someplace Middle Eastern or Nepalese if not Japanese. Does anyone know of a Middle Eastern or Nepalese place with a good party/course menu??
Thanks :)
Tapas Molecular Bar in Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Ok there were many reasons I loved my experience at TMB.
1. It was my birthday
2. The chefs were nice/talkative
3. Some dishes were FANTASTICALLY YUMMY ( 3 out of 24 I will never forget)
4. Even the "misses" were still enjoyable! I mean, yeah, manchego cheese ice cream in an apple tuille isn't something you are going to crave again, but it's still fun, interesting and enjoyable!)
5. I hadn't eaten in a nice place since I moved to Japan because I'm poor.
6. I got special presents from the staff (my birthday)
7. I had good company and lots to drink
It was special and memorable for the reasons mentioned above, and I think that if you are excited about the meal and have appropriate expectations, you'll have as much fun as we did. I still smile when I see the photos and my mouth does water (especially that scallop dish).
Also with regard to Ryugin, I did enjoy my meal there, but I have to say I enjoyed TMB more. Of course I was at Ryugin with my boss and it wasn't my birthday, but also as I posted over a year ago, some of our dishes were misses though I would like to return for another try.
Oh and a lot portions are tiny, some aren't really substantive at all, but the quantity is pretty amazing. I wouldn't say we were stuffed after, but we weren't hungry.
Home bakers - please help with banana coffee cake
I want to make a banana coffee cake, the problem is, I don't have a coffee cake pan, and I only have whole wheat flour at home. The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cup of flour. Will using the whole wheat flour make the cake too dense? I subbed whole wheat flour for regular in my bread the other day and it came out like a rock. Also, can I make a coffee cake recipe in muffin tins, or a loaf pan? Thanks!!! I would normally ask my mom, but she is on vacation with no computer access, so I'm scrambling.
Pho in Tokyo ?
not a student area, but i found another pho shop one block from my home in toranomon, so that's 2 in toranomon i found. haven't tried either yet, but i will report back. i'm not a pho expert though :)
Japan Board is dead, lets discuss Pizza
yeah we had the white pie with shrimp, marscapone and mushrooms. it was good though sloppy and wet. before i had the sausage and mixed mushroom pie, which was very tasty. had pizzakaya delivered on saturday night and was not impressed. everything came over cooked, dried out and cold. the meatballs were burnt to the tray! hmmm, maybe better to eat in the store? the wings came on top of shredded lettuce and must have been put on the lettuce hot because it was wilted and stuck in the wing sauce, so we had to pick out the lettuce on each wing before eating. we ended up throwing a lot of it away!
Sushi rolls
I don't think Rainbow roll sucks, I happen to love their maguro salad and I've had some pretty inventive flavors there. Many Japanese and western friends enjoy this place as well, and some of my colleagues too. The menu isn't limited to rolls or sashimi, they have a varitety of hot and cold apps as well and the tskune is pretty yummy there. For the original poster though, I wouldn't reccommend rainbow roll for someone coming here on vacation. You can get fusion style rolls at any major city in the world but while you are in Tokyo enjoy sushi in its pure state.
Itailian sausage in Tokyo
yes they have hot and sweet italian sausages at national in hiroo. a brand i was unfamiliar with and johnsonville. i picked up 2 packs this weekend due to a hankering for italian sausage subs which was probably inspired by reading the original post :)
Kewpie Mayonnaise- any fans? suggestions for use?
My Japanese host-mother intrduced me to using plain kewpie as a dip for vegetables. One of my favorite salads is lettuce, a lot of raw or blanched veggies (especially pumpkin), beans, a can of tuna and frozen corn kernels with kewpie on top! Yum, always make it for dinner in a pinch. I actually got the idea for this combo from a convenience store near my office.
English Breakfast
My boyfriend has been living in Japan for 6 years and sorely misses "English breakfast" with beans. I am from the US and haven't had the pleasure, but I'd like to find a restaurant that serves a decent version to take him from brunch. Does anyone on the board have any suggestions? I did a search but came up empty. Thanks!
Green tea Kit Kats and more
Recently I've tried the vanilla bean, banana, cookies and milk, pineapple and kiwi flavors. i liked vanilla bean (not a huge fan for the others) but my favorite is the dark orange. yum!
Never Had Sushi
just fyi, odori ebi is the dancing (moving) shrimp. ama ebi is sweet shrimp. the japanese adjective for sweet is amai, but the i is dropped when paired with the ebi.
yet another "review my restaurant choice" post
i agree. i usually book at least a week in advance for fuku, especially for thursday and friday, but the last time i was there there were quite a few tables open. it is closed on wednesday, but open on sunday nights which is convenient. i hope you love it, please report back. definitely get all of the mushrooms if you are a mushroom fan. they are seriously heavenly.
Any Natto Experts Out There? I Have Questions.
Okame brand also makes kuromame natto (black beans) and this is the type that I like.
David Chiddo's recs
Be warned, the dosas at Ajanta are huge and spicy, but delicious! I really enjoyed a fish coconut curry there, but other people in my party where not as into it. I found the mutton biryani there to be pretty flavorful and one of the better versions I've had in Tokyo.
Final plea for advice in Tokyo
if you go to kaikaya i would suggest doing a course (they have 3 options and the most expensive one is 4500 i think). you get sashimi (wonderful), miso, a whole baked fish stuffed with herbs, carpaccio, the famous "tuna ribs" and a bunch of other things i can't remember. the menu is quite huge so it's a nice way to sample a bit of everything. the staff there is REALLY friendly and i think you will be fine trying to make reservations in English.
Japanese cuisine recommendations in Tokyo for a particular taste
I really enjoy this place everytime I go (which is pretty frequently) and everyone I've taken there really loves it : http://www.bento.com/rev/2420.html
also love this place- great atmosphere: http://www.kaikaya.com/
have had some lovely dishes here, especially the cheese plate, braised horse and grilled iberico pork: http://www.bento.com/rev/2537.html
my japanese prefer more "mom and pop" type chanko places, but we all agree that this place is pretty yum! definitely get the tskune: http://www.bento.com/rev/2130.html
Food Budget in Japan
yeah i really like natural lawson. it has a bit more upscale items, but i think the onigiri are the same. there are many imported items (like granola bars from california and snyders of hanover pretzels. also high quality chocolates. I think they have a better selection of conbini-prepared food too, like salads (american cobb salad, steamed veggies, fresh fruit etc.) Definitely check it out, but it's not quite as nice as the OMO by Kinokuniya conbini which I've seen in Omotesando and Akasaka mitsuke.
Report Back - Cicada
just saw this thread. squirrel didn't know the price because i had to foot the bill since it was his birthday! for that huge amount of food (we were in pain) and a bottle it was about 25,000 yen, so around 200 bucks? if you go please let us know how you liked it.
Report Back - Cicada
The meatballs were my favorite part, I might even get them over the hummus, so if anyone goes there, get the meatballs! I didn't think they tasted lamb-y at all??
The meatballs with the feta/zucchini fritters together = great combo.
Reubens - Sauerkraut or Coleslaw? [Split from Pacific Northwest board]
reuben = kraut for me. growing up I often ate corned beef, slaw and russian (no cheese) and this was referred to as a "corned beef special" or a "new yorker". i have had turkey and roast beef "rachel's" though which to my knowledge were with slaw, swiss and russian.
30th Birthday Treat
as I mentioned before:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/439101
I had a really, really great experience at Tapas Molecular bar for my 25th birthday. The chefs really tried to make everything special, as my brother called ahead and let them know it was birthday. It was fancy with fantastic views of Tokyo, noteworthy, as some of the dishes were super inventive, and there was a nice wine pairing as well. There were 2 chefs, one Japanese and one half-Japanese and they explained everything in English and Japanese. Some dishes were very Japanese (i.e., the miso shiru) and others were whimsical, and others were just plain decadent. Most of the food was a "clever crossover of western/Japanese food as you stipulated above.
It was delicious, fun, entertaining, special and completely different from most dining experiences. I would definitely it was the most memorable birthday dinner ever, and I really recommend this spot!!!
Restaurants in/near Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
I definitely recommend Tapas Molecular Bar. I went this weekend and the experience was fantastic, and stay tuned for a review with photos coming soon. The menu was changed last week and we were lucky to sample several new dishes. All in all it was 26 courses, but I got 27, hehe, for my birthday. Highlights included: butter poached lobster with vanilla pureed potatoes. sous vide foie gras that was then seared on one side. Foie gras "cappuccino", and my personal favorite, seared scallop with bacon cream, roasted asparagus and pumpkin sorbet. It was lots of fun, all around and the chefs really made an effort to make my birthday special, including singing happy birthday and giving me an egg, which when smashed, yielded a paper crane. I was instructed to unfold it and everyone had written a personal message, including "it's been molecular!" haha. Also we were sent home with goody bags, which is always fun.
Tipping BEFORE the meal - what would you have done?
I asked once whether people typically tip for pick-up and the answer was yes. The staff said the waiters have to take time to pack and bag everything and get it ready, so they appreciate something. I rarely pick-up but I do tip now when I do.
I've never cooked with tofu.
bitsu, i posted about this on homecooking and i didn't get any responses so maybe you can help?! I too like grated daikon as a topping, but sometimes i get daikon that is too spicy/strong/radishy. Do you know how to pick a mild tasting daikon?
"Great" Restaurant Names
Must have been 5 years ago, but I read about A Salt and Battery in a magazine, and I had to go. The name still cracks me up, and yes, I ate a fried mars bar!
