SAKURADAI: Kouka Chinese Restaurant for a cozy late night dinner

I always had a curiosity about this little neighborhood Chinese restaurant because it consistently had a steady flow of customers... only 2 shops down there is another Chinese spot thats usually empty.

Decided to try this weeks "Service Teishoku" that consisted of 5 different dishes for 800yen. 

Counter seating facing the Chef.

Comfy counter seats.

Japan's baseball season has begun... game playing in the top monitor.

Help your self water.

The chef was a bit hunched over and I had a feeling that part of the attraction here was in support of this guy.  There was a warmness to this shop... 

And so little did I know how far 800yen can take you in a tiny neighborhood Chinese restaurant that is Kouka... my 3 sides first came...

Followed by the main dish... Chinese cabbage with Chicken in a tasty creamy spicy sauce.

Order wasn't complete yet...

And another dish arrived... 

This was honestly waaaay to much for me at midnight... phew.  But overall it was a great late night dinner.  Just felt like home cooking.  I'll definitely be back to try out another weekly special.

Just 3 shops down from Ramen Jiro

Shop: Kouka Chinese Restaurant

Nerima-ku Website: http://s-nerima.jp/wp/3446

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13062826/

Address J: 東京都練馬区桜台1-5-1

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Sakuradai 1-5-1

MAP:

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ROPPONGI: Chinese Cafe 8.... 105yen Dumplings that will stuff ya!

There is really only one reason to goto Chinese Cafe 8 in Roppongi or anywhere around town... its the 105yen dumplings!  Sure we are crammed into shared tables and surrounded by private body parts scattered on the walls (you gotta see it to kinda believe it) but 105yen for 3 pieces of dumplings... booyaa!

We were seated at the entrance... now this table is normally used as a resting area for waiting customers... 

Things on the menu start at 105yen and slowly go up... but the items on this are massive... they have EVERYTHING for cheap.

Come to papa... 105yen dumplings... filled with anything imaginable.

Some kind of flat noodle and veggie dish... was ok.

Bottled beers are Asahi.

Chinese pancake... used shoyu for dipping.

It was a full house so orders can be quite slow...

Fried dumplings... now these were pretty good.  The skin on the outside was chewy.

Gyoza!  Super meaty...

And the night ended... belly stuffed to the max... 5000 yen for 3 people.  Now its not quality at Chinese Cafe 8 but quantity...  I highly suggest trying the Peking Duck... its gooooood~.

Grad school classmate Tony was in town from Taiwan for a wedding... The restaurant is behind him in this pic on the 2nd floor... but its across the street from the Grand Hyatt Tokyo lobby.

Shop: Chinese Cafe 8 Roppongi Branch

Shop Website (ENGLISH): http://www.chinesecafe8.com/

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/b661200/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13009294/

Address J: 東京都港区西麻布3-2-13 コートアネックス六本木 ２Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu 3-2-13
MAP:

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SHIBUYA: 喜楽 Kiraku Chinese Ramen...

What to do on a cold rainy Tokyo day?  Mari suggested a famous Ramen shop in Shibuya.  Its in a very interesting part of Shibuya... just walk along the left side of Shibuya109, you'll pass the new Uniqlo Shop, a few adult shops and the ramen shop is on a side street with a cluster of Love Hotels.

View from the 2nd floor window.  Yup, to the right is a clear view of visitors to hotels during the day.

We both ordered the 650yen "Chuka-Men" Chinese Ramen Noodles.

Shoyu base with fried garlic chips.  Very mochi-mochi noodles... 

Chinese staff in the Kitchen.  We went around 3pm and managed to sit straight away but you'll definitely line up during lunch/dinner.  If its busy you'll share a table with other ramen patrons.

Location: SHIBUYA
Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13001705/
Address J:東京都渋谷区道玄坂2-17-6
Address E:  Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Dogenzaka 2-17-6
MAP:

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