HIGASHI NAGASAKI: Sekizawa "Mon & Pop" Shokudo for One-Coin Teishoku... wow cheap!

Happened to make the long trek to Higashi-Nagasaki on the Seibu Ikebukuro line to check out highly ranked Cest Bien's "hamburger steak" lunch but it wasn't on the daily menu today... so decided to look for another spot and happened upon another highly ranked mom and pop Shokudo.

I'm a huge fan of one coin "500yen" lunches.

U shaped counter seating inside...

I stepped in a few minutes after their noon opening.  It was just so very old skool and lots of famous autographs along the walls.  One old guy making all the food and there were 2 mama'sans assisting him... all very polite with "irashaimassen" and "arigato-gozaimasu" ringing about.

Self serve water at the entrance.

The 500yen lunch included a large rice, miso soup, veggies and a huge block of tofu...

Then my menchi-katsu showed up... nice and crispy on the outside and super hot as it comes out freshly made from the oily pit.

There were easily 25+ items on Teishoku menu and everything was under 500yen.  

Cost performance was very high and a place that probably see's very very few foreigners... give it a try!  If you get lost just ask for the "One Coin Teishoku" but a few guys ordered the "Katsu Curry."

Shop: Sekizawa Shokudo
Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13021203/
Address J: 東京都豊島区長崎4-28-10
Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nagasaki 4-28-10
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EKODA: Oshidori Izakaya for a wonderful Motsu-Nikomi-Teishoku!

I'm huuuuge fan of Motsu-Nikomi and even a bigger fan of reasonably priced food so this menu caught my eye.  570yen for a full Motsu-Nikomi Lunch! I'm there!

This place was incredibly spacious... some tables but mostly floor seating.

I later looked at this menu and noticed they have Sashimi Teishoku for 780yen!  The guy next to ordered it and wow there was so much fish... On my list for next week!

Arrived fairly quickly.

This was just soooo tasty with a nice spicy kick.  Super tender pieces of Motsu YUM!!

Long table seating...

Interesting crowd.  Elderly, young couples, college guys and families. Everyone loves this place.

Featured on Sakaba TV show where this guy goes into great Japanese restaurants to eat and drink and chat with the customers. http://www.bs-tbs.co.jp/sakaba/

Seasonal Japanese Flowers... all over town.  I'll be back Oshidori!

Restaurant: Oshidori

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13017067/

Address J: 東京都練馬区栄町4-1

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Sakaecho 4-1
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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

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YOTSUYA: Yo-shoku (Western Style Food) ELISE! 3.77pts on Tabelog! My dish was Addictive!

Recently made the move from Yutenji to Yotsuya and slowly exploring the neighborhood.  Our destination was a Salsa Cabana for what looked to be a very cheesy tasty Burrito Grande but the spot either went under or moved. So... we back tracked to highly ranked Elise and how can you go wrong if there's a consistent line.

If you don't have it download the Tabelog App.  Gives you foodie ranking suggestions in the area.

Menu... items ranged from 650yen (Curry Rice) to 1,220 yen (Giant Pork Ginger, Katsu etc.)

We were lucky to score a table for two but no worries if you go alone... nice long counter seating and a view of all the cooks at work.  Must have been staffed with 5 people.

Mari's fried oyster and menchi (ground beef) katsu plate lunch... Sooo filling.

My beef tomato sautéed mix...this was addictive.  I'm usually a person to ask the waitress the shops "osusume" (Recommended) dish... oishiii...

Lots of toppings for your food.

The Check: Beef Tomato 920yen and Menchi Katsu Oyster Fry 1050 yen.

SHOP: Yo-Shoku Elise (In Japanese Yo-Shoku means Western Style Food versus Wa-Shoku which is Japanese Style Food).

LOCATION: A minute walk from Yotsuya Station (Home of Sophia University )

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13000971/

Address J: 東京都新宿区四谷1-4-2

Address E:  Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya 1-4-2

HOURS!!!: Lunch 11-3pm.  Dinner 5-9pm. Closed SUNDAY.

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