{ Nakamura Tokichi — 中村藤吉 }

2013, Sep 30

Nakamura Tokichi is a restaurant/cafe located in Uji, Kyoto. Uji has become quite famous for their Matcha/green tea and Nakamura Tokichi is one of the most popular places to dine in the area. They serve meals such as matcha soba as well as matcha sweets in a very traditional setting/ambiance. Since the main branch and the nearby Byodoin branch are walking distance from each other, you can choose to dine at one or the other depending on which has a longer wait. We actually ended up going to the Main branch first but it was way too crowded so we walked over to the Byodoin branch and got a seat right away.

We ordered the matcha soba noodle lunch set for 1100yen and the seasonal cha soba special lunch set for 1200yen. The set comes with rice, pickles, and a small dessert as well. Everything was tasty and enjoyed our meal. Both locations are beautifully designed so I think you would enjoy either one. Don’t miss this place if you are near Uji, Kyoto.

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Related Posts on Kyoto:
1) Hirobun
2) Nakamura Tokichi
3) Kyoto Trip
4) Kyoto Cafes
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Address for Main Branch // 10, Ichiban Uji, Uji-shi, Kyoto, Japan (map)
Phone Number for Main Branch // 0774-22-7800
Address for Byodoin Branch // 5-1 Renge Uji, Uji-shi Kyoto, Japan (map)
Phone Number for Byodoin Branch // 0774-22-9500
Website // http://www.tokichi.jp/english/

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{ Hirobun — ひろ文 }

2013, Sep 24

I recently took a trip to Kyoto with some friends and had a blast! I’m planning to post some of the places we visited + yummy Kyoto eats that we enjoyed so stay tuned :)

Did you know there’s a place in Kyoto where you can have nagashi-soumen on top of a river while enjoying a waterfall view? (Note: it’s a seasonal event and is usually open between May-September). “Kibune/貴船” is located about 40min north of Kyoto Station by car and is all the way up in the mountains. It’s a place where people go during the hot summer season to cool down. The best part is that you can dine on top of a “Kawadoko/川床”, a man-made floor that sits on top of a river. Traditional Japanese cuisine (Kaisekiryori/懐石料理) is also available and is quite an experience surrounded by beautiful greenery, water, and nature.

Instead of having the kaisekiryouri, we opted for the nagashi-soumen which is a fun way to eat cold noodles. The noodles come sliding down a pipe that you have to catch with your chopsticks as it passes in front of you. They time it so you get your noodles one bite at a time and they make it so you’re only sharing your pipe with your own party so you don’t have to share it with other guests. We had a party of four so the noodles came sliding down 4 at a time and were spaced about a minute in between each bite. The noodles were surprisingly good and overall was a decent sized serving. We all loved the experience even though the wait was 2hrs long(!) It wasn’t too bad though because we visited the nearby Kibune-shrine and walked around the area during our wait. There’s also a covered tatami area next to the nagashi-soumen where you can put your legs in the river and wait. It’s ~~1200yen~~ 1300yen per person which you pay at the top before you head to the waiting area.

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Related Posts on Kyoto:
1) Hirobun
2) Nakamura Tokichi
3) Kyoto Trip
4) Kyoto Cafes
…………………………………………………

Address // 87 Kuramakibunechō, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 075-741-2147
Website // http://hirobun.co.jp/index.html

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{ Dougenzaka Kanamori — 道玄坂金森 }

2013, Sep 17

Go up Dougenzaka in Shibuya and you’ll find a small Japanese restaurant named Dougenzaka Kanamori. They serve traditional Japanese dishes and they’re famous for their “Karatsu-don” which they only have a limited number of per day. Karatsudon is basically like a refined fisherman’s dish. It’s made up of chopped tuna, mackerel, salmon, and some other ingredients which are lightly flavored with soy sauce on top of sushi rice.

I’ve been wanting to come here for a while and finally got to check it out. My friend and I both ordered the Karatsudon (1300yen) and we were very satisfied with both the flavoring and the portion size. As you eat the donburi, there are little surprises such as ginger pieces and wasabi which all went very well together. The side dishes such as the dashimaki-tamago complemented the main dish as well.

The first floor is counter seating only and the second floor (which we ate at) were private booths. It seemed like there was more seating on the third floor as well.

It’s hard to find an affordable, nice, authentic Japanese restaurant in Shibuya so this is a good one to try if you’re searching for something Japanese in the area.

PS: Here’s a list of some of their lunch options:
Karatsudon (唐津丼 ) – 1300yen
Nikujyaga Teishoku (金森の肉じゃが定食) – 1300yen
Grilled Fish Teishoku (焼魚定食) – fish changes daily – 1300yen
Boiled fish (煮魚定食) – fish changes daily – 1300yen

Address // 1-17-4, Dougenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-5456-1367
Website // http://dogenzaka-kanamori.jimdo.com/

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{ Hashida Honten — はし田本店 }

2013, Aug 30

Hashida Honten (はし田本店) is originally from Kyushuu and is located on the Keyakizaka side of Roppongi Hills. Their noodles are hand-made and they even use an old-school technique which involves stepping on them to get the perfect texture and firmness. Hashida Honten is also unique because they have a wine sommelier. You might wonder if udon and wine go well together but this may be your dream spot if you like them both. The restaurant is beautifully designed with a modern Japanese touch, and it’s one of my favorite hidden gems right now.

Pictured above is their “Shamo dashi (chicken broth) udon” (軍鶏だしうどん) for 1000yen. The soup is just so good, it’s a simple dish for people who really want to enjoy “udon”. The umeboshi (sour plum) is a nice palate cleanser as well.

Also pictured above is their “Shamo seiro and Chirashi-sushi Lunch Special” (軍鶏せいろとちらし寿司セット) for 1500yen. If you are hungry, this set will definitely satisfy you. You eat the udon tsukemen-style and the Chirashi-sushi that includes their dashimaki tamago is also yummm.

This udon restaurant is hard to find (Google maps is not exactly right on this location), you have to go to the Keyakizaka side of Roppongi hills and walk towards the back of the building near the Roppongi Hills Residences. Hope you get to try this place because it’s simply delicious.

Note: Lunch menu during the weekday has changed to only 2 options. 1200yen or 1500yen lunch sets. (Updated 2013.9.13)

Address // 3F Keyakizaka-dori, Roppongi Hills,
6-12-2, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3405-0809
Website // http://hashidahonten.com/

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{ Isehiro — 伊勢廣 }

2013, Aug 16

Time for some yakitori?

There’s a ton of yakitori places in Tokyo but where can you go that is both good and affordable? I previously shared Yakitori Nenohi from Ga-do shita which I still think is a great place to experience a very Japanese Izakaya-style yakitori, but I found another spot that I also recommend.

You would never know there’s a yakitori place here as it’s quite old school and is located in the underground floors of Hotel New Otani (which is a maze!). Isehiro is one of those yakitori places that has been around for ages. The place feels old but there’s something comforting about it and the service was good.

We ordered the “5 sticks yakitori lunch plate set” for 1785yen. The choice of yakitori are all decided for you but if you want to switch something out, they will happily do it for you. They also give you a choice of recieving all your yakitori sticks at once or one at a time.

We decided to ask for all 5 yakitori sticks from our set to come at the same time but since I’m not a fast eater, my 4th and 5th one’s were cold by the time I ate them so perhaps I should have gotten them one at a time. Also, I was full by my 4th stick so I should have ordered one less. All in all, everything was good and my favorites were momo (thigh) and negiyaki (green onions wrapped with chicken thigh). If you are by Yotsuya, Kojimachi, Nagatacho or Akasakamitsuke, stop by Hotel New Otani and give this place a try.

Address // Hotel New Otani B1F, 4-1, Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3221-4101
Website // http://www.isehiro.co.jp/otani.html

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Category Archives: Japanese

{ Nakamura Tokichi — 中村藤吉 }

{ Hirobun — ひろ文 }

{ Dougenzaka Kanamori — 道玄坂金森 }

{ Hashida Honten — はし田本店 }

{ Isehiro — 伊勢廣 }

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