Monthly Archives: August 2012

{  Ondoru — おんどる  }

Ondoru
Ondoru
Ondoru
Ondoru

Finally found my Korean spot!! This was such an exciting find that my friend and I came back here 3 weeks in a row… This place is in Shinokubo which is known as the Korea Town of Tokyo. I’ve been dying to check out this little town in search for some good Korean food so when I finally came here and discovered this restaurant I was really excited. One thing to keep in mind is that this place not exactly a hidden gem, it’s VERY popular amongst all sorts of age groups, couples, and families. There’s constant long waits even during week days so be prepared to stand in line.

Anyhow, although I still want to go back and try more things on their menu I have to say that hands down their samgyeopsal (1180yen per person) is amazing. The meat that they use is thicker than normal, and do you see the tilted pan that has kimchi at the bottom? The pork fat starts dripping down the kimchi along with the garlic and the other ingredients. When you finally wrap everything in the lettuce leaf and dip it into their sauce… it’s SO good. I also loved their naengmyeon (980yen) which is a cold noodle dish. A lot of places don’t do this dish right but this place does it well and it’s perfect for the hot summer in Tokyo right now.

I will be back here in no time.

Address // 1-3-20 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3205-5679
Website // http://www.e-ondoru.com

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{  Mar-De Napoli Pizzeria  }

Mar-De Napoli Pizzeria
Mar-De Napoli Pizzeria
Mar-De Napoli Pizzeria

I’ve been passing by this pizza place a few times and wanting to try it for some time so we finally went and checked it out. It seems like it’s actually a chain pizzeria but the one I went to in Setagaya-ku (by Yoga station) is the original store. Packed with families and couples, there’s always a long line during lunch-time but it circulates pretty fast so the wait is not too bad. As soon as you walk into the restaurant, the dessert display looks quite delicious and you immediately notice the well designed atmosphere. I really like how they put together a cute pizzeria in this quaint little town.

Anyhow, the food (Pizza) was actually just ok. I’ve had some really amazing pizzas lately at other restaurants I’ve already posted so I wouldn’t recommend this place if you’re looking to have the BEST pizza in town. However, it’s a nice and easy place to come to with family and friends with a great atmosphere so in that sense, I recommend it :)

PS: This place has free parking!

Address // 2-29-20, Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3707-0511
Website // www.mar-denapoli.com

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{  Chen Kenichi Mabo Tofu  }

Chen Kenichi Mabo Tofu
Chen Kenichi Mabo Tofu
Chen Kenichi Mabo Tofu

We were at Minato Mirai in Yokohama over the weekend and wanted to enjoy some good food so my friend suggested this Mabo Tofu place which turned out to be owned by one of the most famous Chinese chefs, Chen Kenichi. Chen Kenichi is best known for his role on the television Iron Chef. He is the only Iron Chef to have held his position throughout the entire lifetime of the show. He was born in Japan to ethnic Han Chinese parents of Japanese nationality (according to wikipedia). His restaurant is spelled like this in Japanese: 陳建一麻婆豆腐店.

Anyhow, all of us got the classic mabo tofu lunch set for 1050yen and LOVED it. It was delicious. We were told that even the “regular” is very spicy so we ordered the “non-spicy” version and it was still a little spicy…haha The set comes with Mabo tofu, rice, soup, and za-sai(搾菜). Whenever I crave mabo tofu, I’m definitely coming back here!

Just a tip, when you are ordering, don’t forget to mention the free dessert coupon! You can print it out or just show it from your smart phone here! You can choose between mango pudding and anintofu(杏仁豆腐/almond jelly). (Not sure how long the coupon lasts but seems like a very common coupon that everyone uses.)

Address // 2-2-1, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 045-222-5111
Website // www.sisen.jp/outline/branch.html

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{  Mother’s Shokudo  }

Mother's Shokudo
Mother's Shokudo
Mother's Shokudo

I’ve been wanting to dine here for a while now and I finally got to check it out. This restaurant is in Roppongi Hills and although it looks super fancy from the outside, the concept is “Mother’s homemade dishes”. And they literally do bring out very common Japanese home-style meals including 2 small side dishes of your choice. It also seemed like they hired elder mom-like ladies to bring out the food to make you feel like you’re at home?! The name of the restaurant actually means “Mother’s Dining Room”.

Their lunch menu is rather simple and has everyone’s favorite dishes such as curry, tonkatsu, fish, hamburg, etc and they are all under or around 1000yen! There’s also a “healthy lunch” option so if you are on a diet, you can still eat here. It’s really a great deal in this high-end building and beautiful space. The juxtaposition of the concept and the ambiance is a little ironic but it’s a nice and easy place to grab a meal so check it out if you’re in the area.

Address // 5F Westwalk, Roppongi Hills, 6-10-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-5413-9577
Website // www.mothers.jpn.com

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{  AW Kitchen  }

AW Kitchen
AW Kitchen
AW Kitchen

This was my first time in this new building in Futakotamagawa which opened last spring called Dog Wood Plaza (it has nothing to do with dogs) and I was impressed. It has lots of good stores, an amazing depachika (food floor), and their sit-down restaurant area on the top floor is not bad. I rarely come to this side of town but I gotta say, Futakotamagawa was happening. Anyhow, we dined at this pasta house on the 7th floor and had a pretty good experience.

AW Kitchen emphasizes that they get their produce from local farmers and as soon as you walk in, you’ll notice a middle island that has a small salad bar. It’s a pasta house but the great thing about it is that they have all you can eat veggies/salad bar. It’s not just your typical salad bar, it has everything from sauteed Japanese eggplants and pumpkin salad to grilled onions and potatoes. So basically, you choose a pasta dish of your choice, and which ever pasta you choose comes with an all you can eat salad bar. So it’s great for those of you who want to get a balanced meal with veggies in your diet along with a satisfying main dish since this place let’s you enjoy as much veggies as you want.

The simple basil and tomato pasta was 1280yen and the mushroom and Japanese radish and shiso leaf pasta was 1380yen. You can add 600yen to get a dessert and drink of your choice too. Check it out if you happen to be in Futakotamagawa.

Address // 7F Dog Wood Plaza, 2-23-1, Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-6805-6051
Website // http://www.dogwood-plaza.com/shop/702.html

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