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Monday, February 29, 2016

EKODA: Watamin-Chi Izakaya... the perfect option when late late late midnight when everything is closed.

Of all the franchise Izakaya's in Tokyo I am a huge fan of the Watami locations. 
We were headed to a 500yen pizzeria called Cona but it closed at 11pm... then randomly spotted Wataminchi!


The menu's are super foreign friendly with nearly everything pictured.


Just point away!


Negi-toro rolls.

Pizza

Raw horse... this was not me but my friend from Okinawa.

And at 1 am here comes my sake... ugh and I need to wake up at 6 for work.

Overall I enjoy everything that is Watami with their items starting at 199yen.

Restaurant: Watamin-Chi Ekoda Branch
Address J: 東京都練馬区旭丘1-77-9 江古田ビル 2F 3F
Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Asahigaoka 1-77-9
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/jRpxHjBYury

わたみん家, 江古田, わたみんち,  居酒屋, 魚介料理, 海鮮料理, ダイニングバー, Japan, Japanese, tokyo, foodie, cheap, beer, sake, shochu, wine, canon s120, bar,

KICHIJOJI: Super Hotdog!! This is THE best hotdog spot in Tokyo! All home made sausages, sauces plus Belgian Beer.

A group of us were restaurant/bar hopping in Kichijoji and my Polish buddy Daniel had the urge for a hotdog... he ordered... another person in the group ordered... then we all jumped in for beer and hotdogs (sausages).



The female chefs grill.




Dogs start at 390yen.

I ordered the most popular hotdog with cheese and beer combo.


Everything here is homemade and the hotdog so super flavorful and tender.


This is the owner!  Cool guy... you definitely have to chat him up.

You can eat at the tiny counter facing the chef and people watch or there is 2nd floor sitting area.
Will definitely be back!

Restaurant: Super Hotdog
Address J: 東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺本町1-1-8 ハモニカ横丁内
Address E: Tokyo, Musashino-shi, Kichijoji Honcho 1-1-8
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/CEBWU4DLQ8n

スーパーホットドッグ,  吉祥寺, ハモニカ横丁, 吉祥寺ハモニカ横丁店, ホットドッグ, Japan, Japanese, Tokyo, standing bar, craft beer, foodie, canon s120, hot dog, sausages, sandwich,

Saturday, February 27, 2016

OSAKA: Torikizoku Honmachi Branch! The cabbage was waaaay fresher than Tokyo... 280yen everything!

On a biz trip to Osaka and our daily allowance was 3,000yen for food... shoulda hit up okomiyaki or takoyaki but went for budget yakitori.

It was quite full for a Monday evening.

280yen for 2 pieces... only 140yen each!

Always go for the Kama-Meshi that takes about 30minutes to cook... mix of rice, flavoring, chicken and veggies. 

Huge beers for 380yen.


Push button system so service is quick.




Go for the all you can eat Cabbage... comes out quick.

Overall if you are lost for a place to goto on a budget then definitely hit up Torikizoku franchise in Japan.

Restaurant: Torikizoku Honmachi Branch
Toriki website: https://www.torikizoku.co.jp/shops/detail/168
Tabelog Foodie: http://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270106/27050034/
Address J: 大阪府大阪市中央区備後町3-5-3 藤川ビル
Address E: Osaka-fu, Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Bingomachi 3-5-3
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/FQF8g8exomr

鳥貴族, 本町店,  焼鳥, 居酒屋, 鳥料理, 大阪, Japan, Japanese, Tokyo, chicken, dinner, cheap, beer, sake, canon s110, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly,

Saturday, February 20, 2016

IKEBUKURO: Shinsen Maratan... Chinese Ramen: select your toppings, one of 3 noodles and spiciness... HOT!

This little Chinese noodle restaurant is always busy! All the time! So out of curiosity I had to give it at try...

Upon entering I was no longer in Japan... most of the customers were Chinese and I had no idea what to do.  The Chinese waitress pointed to a what looked like a min-supermarket chilled shelf with veggies, meats and seafood selections.  I stared at it for a bit then she said I needed to get a basked and select at least 3 items (100yen each).  I went for some basic veggies to later notice there was shrimp and more value items.

I got the "piri-kara" broth (slightly spicy hotness).   The Chinese couple sitting next to me must have gotten the super spicy as their soup was bright red. 

A few bites and boy this was spicy!  380yen for the Chinese ramen and 3 toppings for 300yen... about 680yen.  I think you will get better value at any Japanse ramen shop.   A few hours later my stomach wasn't feeling too well.  Wow... spicy.  This must be some kind of comfort food for the local Chinese... very busy.

Restaurant: Shinsen Maratan
Address J: 東京都豊島区西池袋1-38-2
Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-38-2
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/Us8Bcz5DcfB2

四川麻辣湯, 中華麺, 四川料理, 中華料理,  Japan, Japanese, China, Chinese, noodles, foodie, cheap, hot, lunch, dinner, hotpot, beer,