OKINAWA NAHA ASATO: Asatoya Suba (Soba) standing noodle shop! 3 minutes to boil al`dente... very heavy. (iphone 12 mini)

Back on the islands! Didnt eat very much this day and one of my favorite Okinawa Charu soba but it was closed... so on the way back to town I spotted this standing Okinawa Asatoya Suba noodle spot.  I wonder why its not Soba but Suba.

https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2024/07/okinawa-sakaemachi-okinawa-charu-soba.html

Counter seat in front of the chef... Not many welcomes or hellos at this spot. It was all business I guess.

They have the awamori hot pepper spice.

So I went for the Soki-Soba 860 yen.  Tender Pork!

2 nice pieces of tender pork, 2 slices of white kamaboko fish cakes and negi. 

Noodles were boiled for 3 minutes but unusually aldente... a bit on the very heavy side.  Usually noodles are not boiled this long. I assume they may be a special blend noodle. Not my style. 

I managed to finish the entire plate and drank all the soup but it was very heavy on the Ajinomoto MSG.  The flavor lingered in my mouth for a while.

Overall once is enough for this price point, not very friendly staff and standing to eat a bowl of Okinawa Soba wasn't too enjoyable.   Just seemed rushed. In Tokyo a bowl of soba or udon noodles at 300 yen a bowl then sure standing is fine but for noodles at this price at least a small table would be nice.

Restaurant: Asatoya Suba

Restaurant J: 安里屋すば

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4701/A470101/47028345/

Homepage: https://asatoyasuba.okinawa/

Address J: 沖縄県那覇市安里3-1-8

Address E: Okinawa, Naha, Asato 3-1-3

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gyq8QVnLH7oR7TPo8

沖縄そば、立ち食いそば, ゆいレール安里駅, Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, iphone 12 mini, lunch, dinner, beer, Orion Beer, 沖縄そば

YURAKUCHO: Andy's Shin Hinomoto for an AMAZING 5,000 yen dinner course! Everything was sooo delicious and friendly staff!! (iPhone 12 Mini)

 

The last time I met my MBA classmates was pre-covid and one guy 10+ years! Timing wise one flew in from LA, another from Jakarta and there are a few working in Japan that I rarely see.

The choice was Andy's Shin Hinomoto under the train tracks in Yurakucho.  Ive known about this place for forever but never ventured inside assuming it was a tourist trap.

Let the 5,000 yen food course begin! Drinks are separate. Started with a nice Salad.

Rather spacious!

Yum... Butter fried asparagus. 

Then pan fried scallops with lemon and spicy sauce... Siracha? 

The boys!

Sushi Platter!  It was slightly devoured before I could get a proper photo. But sooo fresh!

I started this blog in 2009 and boy have I aged!  Me and my MBA classmate Tony... honestly one of my best friends. He has always been so super cool to me.

White buttery creamy soft fish... I absolutely love this but its one of the most expensive types of fish you can buy at the supermarket.  YUM!!

Chicken wings filled with GYOZA!  I have only seen this at a few Izakaya's in Japan.

Jumbo Shrimp? Prawns? 

Sweet grilled fish! I was sooo full buy this point.

These guys are all doing so well in their careers.

Udon!  Oh man... Im so glad they served this last as all the delicious stuff came out first. 

So many signatures on the restroom walls... unusually spacious.

This is Andy! He was so cool.  Will definitely be back!

If in Japan and you needed to select just 1 Izakaya to go to... Andy's is the place! Great variety of food, staff super friendly and the atmosphere was so cozy. GO GO!!

Restaurant: Andy's Shin Hinomoto

Restaurant J: 新日の基（しんひのもと）

Homepage: http://shin-hinomoto.com/

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130102/13006216/

Address J: 東京都千代田区有楽町2-4-4

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Yurakucho 2-4-4

Google MAPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iQfYejbqxT39M9zZ9

居酒屋、海鮮, JR有楽町駅, 日比谷駅, Japan, Japanese, Andys, iPhone 12 mini, tokyobelly, bar, pub, dinner, yelp, foodie, beer, sake, 

SHIINAMACHI: Gyoza no Mansyu for a great 550 yen Gyoza with Brown Rice option! Attentive staff and family friendly. (iPhone 12 Mini)

When you want to save those pennies and always considering alternatives of spending 200 yen for a  Famichiki or 200 yen for a McD's spicy chicken sandwich...For 550 yen Gyoza no Manshyu will give you a better alternative.  If that made any sense. 

6 piece Gyoza is only 330 yen or you can buy 12 fresh or frozen gyoza for the same price and make it at home!  But I got the 550 yen gyoza set.

Mix up your shoyu, vinegar and red chili oil to taste. Free ice cold water pitcher on the table.

Selected the Brown rice (Genmai) over the White (Hakumai)... its so rare to see this in family restaurants.

About 5-10 minutes later my HOT Gyoza arrives! The chefs were non stop cooking. Also the staff said please have a seat anywhere.. got me a table for 4 near the door. Better ventilation cause it was kinda smokey.

Seasoned daikon slices

Brown Rice

6 piece of perfectly made gyoza dumplings!

Egg soup included.

Here we go!

Filled with cabbage and pork.  The wrapper is nice and crispy chewy.

Added a little rice to my soup. In Japan its called Neko-Meshi style...aka Cat Food.  This was back in the day when families use to mix up their left over meals and serve it to pet cats.

Recommended Lemon fried chicken.

You can take home gyoza, ramen, kimchee and many other items and cook them at home. There is a large chilled showcase at the register and just take what you want. Sale days are Tues, Fri and Sunday.

Toilet was sooo clean! Seems staff has a regular schedule to clean.

Gochisousama! Gotta love Japan!

Restaurant: Gyoza no Mansyu Shiinamachi Branch

Restaurant J: ぎょうざの満洲 椎名町駅店

Homepage: https://www.mansyu.co.jp/menu/grand/

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13131478/

Address J: 東京都豊島区長崎1-1-18

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nagasaki 1-1-18
 Google MAPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XS9Xv6Ahb6zjmwDEA

西武池袋線【椎名町駅】, 餃子、食堂, Japan, Japanese, Chinese, dumplings, beer, sake, pub, family restaurant, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, iphone 12 mini, cheap, budget, fried rice. ramen, pot stickers,