Late at night, and the mean streets of Monzen Nakacho are steaming. Positively malevolent, isn’t it? Yeah, not really. One of the greatest things about Japan is how safe it is. The steam here is just because it was a little wet, and the new paving was still hot. There’s always road construction going on […]
oden
- Ginza
- ...
Konokara, Ginza ( こなから 銀座店)
As soon as I saw the hyotan, I said “Aw hell, it’s Konakara.” Not that this was a bad thing; there are only a few branches, and in fact the one I’ve been to (Shin Maru) is a branch as well, while the original store is small and popular – full when I’ve called, enforced […]
- Asakusa
- ...
Otafuku, Iriya (大多福)
Otafuku is an institution. The Woodsman has been here several times over his comings and going vis a vis Japan (something like 15 years since the first arrival, no?) and positioned it as one of those ‘You haven’t been?!’ experiences. Plus the horse stew place I wanted to try was closed when we got there. […]
- Other treats
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Yataichi, Kashiwa (やたいち、柏)
Quirky is pretty much always good in Japan, especially when the quirk focuses on food and drinks. I wasn’t sure about Yataichi based on what I could see on the interwebz, but it’s a real winner in person. The quirk starts with the door, which is no more than 4 feet high and will have […]
Otakou, Nihonbashi (お多幸)
It’s official – as of this year, I like oden. Still have to get to the famous north-Kanda outlet Konakara, but Otakou was a good prelude to that. Closer to Nihonbashi than Yaesu, it’s a bit of a walk from Otemachi. If you make it, I’m sure you’ll be pleased by the dark, yellowed interior […]
Yasube, Takasaki (安兵衛)
Some of my favorite restaurants ever have been recommendations from local people (I’m thinking in particular of Hida Takayama’s Sakana, which was recommended by the owner of a pottery store). I wanted to hit as many places as possible in Takasaki, so I left the first establishment after 1 drink and 2 dishes. This oden […]
- izakaya
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Kyusuke, Ningyocho (久助)
We interrupt this interminable series of posts on eel in Kanda to bring you something that is fundamentally different (at least until lunch!) – oden in Nigyocho. Yesterday feature a few trying times at the office, and I felt a deep need to eat out rather than salad (the verb) at home. Since I was […]
Konokara, Marunouchi (このから,新丸５)
OK, OK, I’m converted. I like oden now. I no longer think they’re a bland, monotonous blot on the Japanese culinary landscape. In fact, next time I have visitors, I’m taking them to the truly charming-looking head store of this truly charming branch in Shin Maru. Many’s the time I’ve walked by, and over time […]
Oteru, Monzennakacho (お照)
The personal email issues are almost solved, my friends. The IT team is starting to get things under control. After Ojisan and I left Hanabishi, I thougt I was going peacefully home. It was not to be, as he had his claws into me and insisted that I join him at another geisha-run place. This […]
Hyakumi, Monzennakacho
Well, sometimes you just have to lash out and try a new place. This little odenya is in the category of things I’ve walked by a number of times in Monnaka’s dining alleys south of Eitai Dori without seriously considering going in. For some reason last night was it! Basically a counter, I think with […]