This one was a recommendation from The Woodsman, and I’ve been thinking of trying it for several weeks (since he mentioned it, really). After working late on…stuff…and not feeling like going home yet, I thought I’d stop in and see what was happening. Woods described it as something like ‘a quiet place to drink sake […]
Monzen Nakacho
Torajiro Soba, Monzennakacho (寅次郎)
Just as another thing to try on the way to TCAT and the airport bus, Jake and I stopped by this newish soba place. It was late in the afternoon, so there was no one there, and in fact the master took some time to arrive at the counter – napping? He was up for […]
Misuji Ramen, Monzennakacho
Nights in Shinjuku require mornings of recovery and lunches of ramen… Misuji opened recently, more or less right across from the shrine entrance on Eitai Dori, the spiritual heart of Monzennakacho. This is where the lamb specialist used to be; I guess we all know how that worked out. Normal miso ramen. They do chicken […]
Hanabishi, Monzennakacho (花菱)
I do so hate to double up on posts about a place even when I visit more than once, but in this case I think the inclusion of pictures justifies it. Here’s the original post from early this year. I actually liked Hanabishi better than the first time and would recommend it to you – […]
Manhyo, Monzen Nakacho (万俵)
Look, I’m just guessing on the title on this one, OK? It means something like ‘10,000 bags’ though, which is a funny little name when you think about it. This place is across the street from various other destinations (my cleaner, Mahoroba, Tsurugi, almost Petit Nice, Ogawa…I could go on about this stuff forever) but […]
Edokko, Monzennakacho (江戸娘)
Sometimes you just have a hankerin’ fer meat. And when that feelin’ comes on yuh, it’s mighty powerful. That’s when the sheep start lookin’ nervous, if yuh take mah meanin’. If your meat craving is for chickenz, and you’re in Monzennakacho, yer place of choice should be Edoko. It’s homey, authentic, and tasty. It actually […]
Kame, Monzen Nakacho (亀)
It takes all kinds – and the kind on display here is ‘stew and wine’ or ‘frypan bar’, depending on which sign you read. Funny thing is, this place is worthwhile!’Two guys and some pans’ could be another good tag line, or maybe ‘Japan’s cheapest wine bar’. This is very respectable – the wine list […]
Kimiyoshi, Monzennakacho (君代柴)
Hey, it’s time to be rude again! Seems like only yesterday… One time a few months ago, I worked up the courage to try this place in a back street of Monnaka. It’s got a nice aspect from the outside – dark, traditional house, a bright sign with difficult-to-read print, no menu outside…The kind of […]
S&S, Monzennakacho
Deeeeeep. I’ve only gotten aware of the Japanization of this word in the last year or so, and in the context of something being sorta “way downtown”, i.e. really old-fashioned and authentic, and maybe a little grubby. So I’ve seen this izakaya reviewed as being pretty deep, although the same could be said about half […]
Izuro, Monzen Nakacho (いづろ)
Know what kind of restaurant I like best? The kind that’s simple, fun, cheap and yet still blows you away on taste. Despite any evidence to the contrary, I maintain that the flavor’s the thing, and the main reason why I go to higher-end restaurants is that the chances of tastiness are a bit better. […]