For a sizable segment of the Japanese population, the definition of ‘heaven’ would be ‘cheap drinks and cheaper fish’. Quality doesn’t necessarily enter into it, and standing up is fine too. So if you can offer decent produce across the board like Shukuzu, that’s a winner. Standing isn’t really my thing, but I was here […]
cheap
- Kanda
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Morihachi, Kanda (森八 室町店)
It’s always tempting to think you’ve tried something great and unique; I was pretty happy that I finally went in to Morihachi, but it was pretty apparent that it wasn’t a family-run operation. Not that this is a terrible thing. There’s little difference between this place and a family shop – the old woman at […]
- curry
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Crown Ace Curry, Kanda
Very indecisive today. That can tend to happen, either because I’m genuinely indecisive on the day or because I feel like going somewhere new and end up going to an area with few unexplored options left. In this case I rounded a corner after 20 minutes aimless wander, saw ‘curry’ and thought ‘bing!’ Plus, ‘Crown […]
- izakaya
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Ajiyoshi, Nakano (酒道場 味吉)
Ahhhh, Japan. People always talk about how quirky it is, but they’re only focused on the maids and the Alice in Wonderland bars and the dancing rockabillies and costume kids in Harajuku. Actually, that’s more than enough. But the real quirks are sometimes beneath the surface. Take this place – it would be all too […]
Banh Mi Sandwich, Takadanobaba (バインミー☆サンドイッチ)
Aha, you’d think from the name that this was a lunch truck making Vietnamese sandwiches, but it is in fact an actual store, jammed (sandwiched?) into a space small enough to fit into a truck. And cleverly named for its product. No tom-foolery here, no-siree. The most encouraging thing about it is the bread ovens. I […]
Isshin ramen, Ochanomizu (とんこつらーめん 一心)
Confession time. I took Friday afternoon off. Because I could. And the early Spring perfect weather made it perfect to cruise to Ochanu by bike, ringing the bell from time to time out of sheer happiness. Dining in Ochanu has always disappointed me, and I think I’ve pretty well been to the places that looked […]
- bistro
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Bistro Ishikawatei, Nihonbashi (ビストロ石川亭)
As usual, I hope you’ll forgive me for double-posting on this, but since Ishikawa-tei opened this branch in the Muromachi Coredo, I figured I might as well try it. My gushing review of the original is here. I feel a little less gushy now, but the fact remains that it’s good, solid cooking and extraordinary […]
- izakaya
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Sasashin, Ningyocho (笹新)
Right in the middle of Amazake Yokocho is Sasashin. While I’ve seen it before, I was never that clear what they do – it’s not explained that well from the outside, nor that welcoming. Actually, it’s not that welcoming inside either; very atmospheric, but a little dirty and desperate By way of illustration, here’s the […]
- Other treats
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Torishu, Ryogoku (鳥守)
Every place has something to offer. Sometimes it’s just a life lesson, like “You shouldn’t go to places this bad,” but this wasn’t one of those sometimes. After another hour of cycling on our Kita Senju round-trip extravaganza, what Torishu had to offer was chicken. I’m joking to humorous effect, of course. It offered so […]
Taishoken, Nihonbashi (大勝軒)
Hey hey, it’s magnolia season. I wasn’t even aware there was a magnolia season until this year; this tree is on the way that I usually walk to the office, and it’s getting into full bloom here in the space between plum and cherry blossom seasons. Nice. Less nice is Taishoken, which I of course […]