JINBOCHO: Tendon Imoya for a bowl of Tempura-Tendon... but regular 550yen Tendon a must!

Its been a while since I last visited Tendon Imoya but I actually found my way here after finding out that my favorite Jinbocho Ramen Jiro is closed on Wednesdays~... 

Only 2 items on the Menu.  Tendon 550yen (1 piece of shrimp, white fish, squid, seaweed and something else) and the Shrimp Tendon 800yen (4 pieces of shrimp and 2 small green veggies).

There it is... my "Ebi Tendon" that includes green tea and a bowl of miso soup (with tiny clams that are famous for curing hangovers... Shijimi clams!).  I believe you can order seconds on the soup for free.

"L" shaped counters eating and perfect view of the chef cooking... these guys usually have quite a few scars due to all the hot oil popping out of the pot thing.

In Jimbocho there are several Imoya's scattered about with each specializing in their own dish... Tonkatsu-Imoya (home of the mean unfriendly Tonkatsu chef) and Tempura Imoya.

Shop: Tendon Imoya

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131003/13000443/

Address J: 東京都千代田区神田神保町2-16

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kanda Jimbocho 2-16

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OCHANOMIZU: Ganesha Ghar... A new discovery in JP Indian Curry

Former co-worker invited me out to check out an Indian spot he found via http://ponpare.jp/kanto/ .   An amazing 2,815yen meal for 980yen... how can you go wrong?

Course begins with a 400yen beer

We actually arrived at 5:50pm (shop opens at 6pm) but when we left around 7 it was still empty.  Think the hidden location in the back alleys of Ochanomizu may have been a reason.

Yogurt salad with a hint of curry seasoning.

Very juicy and tender Chicken Tikka with some spicy onions (sooo tasty) and a I think a rolled crispy Papad.

Sag Paneer Spinach and Cheese vegetable curry... had a very thick creamy texture and I didn't realize it had cheese inside, the texture was so similar to Chicken. (1,000yen)

Butter Chicken but not the usual butter/yellowy looking curry but there seemed to be a hint of tomato mixed into this... probably our favorite curry of the night.  Had a nice spicy kick and deep tasty flavor. (1,100yen)

Meal closed with some Vanilla Ice Cream with Mango topping.

Indian restaurants are great for lunch as you can get a great dish of curry, drink and most spots have all you can eat Nan for around 1,000yen but dining can take you into a totally different price range that opens up so many other options in Tokyo. If you aren't on a budget and in the mood for Indian I have to hands down recommend Ganeshar Ghar where curry prices are less than most... plus service was friendly, great Indian music on the BGM and shop was very clean. 

Shop: Ganeshar Ghar Ochanomizu Branch.

Shop Website: http://www.comfortable-dining.com/ganesgaghar-ocha-nisiogi.html

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131002/13021576/

Address J:  東京都千代田区神田小川町3-11-2 インペリアル御茶ノ水Ｂ １０５

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kanda, Ogawamachi 3-11-2

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JINBOCHO: Ramen Jiro revisited! Small with Small portion of noodles... yet HUGE!

The last time I went to Ramen Jiro was on a hot sunny afternoon and by the time I was done eating my noodles I was a sweaty mess as with most of the other patrons in the shop.  But now that it was winter and extra cold I had to give it another try~.  Line was a solid 30 people at 1:20pm... 

2 guys run the shop and one would pop out once in a while to take orders or count the number of people in line as we were approaching the 2pm closing time.  

At 1:40pm the purple guy stepped out with this sign... don't get to Ramen Jiro past 1:30pm or you may get turned away as it can take more than 30min to get inside... 

All counter seating and we are shoulder to shoulder...

I ordered the 650yen "Sho (Small)" Ramen but requested a small amount of noodes "Sukuna-Men" because the last time it was nearly impossible for me to finish the normal small portion with the regular amount of noodles.  

These 2 pieces of pork were Massive... I mean it was like an inch thick and as big as my palm!  So juicy and tender... for 650yen there is no better value than THIS ramen Jiro.  Definitely recommend this shop to anyone  wanting to try the best Japan has to offer.

For Shop Details goto my previous post!

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2011/08/jinbocho-ramen-jiro-full-course.html

JINBOCHO: Ramen Jiro... a full course fulfilling monster of a Ramen! Sooo Good!!

Finally thought I'd give Ramen Jiro in Jinbocho a try... the lines are always 30 deep and extends to the end of the block. But this day the line was only 15 deep... was it my timing?  Then I heard a few salarymen talking about how short the line was and they didn't notice any University students here... thats right! Its summer vacation.  Lucky me.

When you are near the door the staff will ask you what you want.  Just say "Sho" which is a small ramen thats 650yen.  But don't let this "small" fool ya... its massive!

650yen for Ramen, 750yen for a little pork and 850yen for double pork.  Not to worry the 650 yen had 2 huge chunks of charsui pork too.

Place the little blue tab on the counter when its your turn to sit.  Counter only has about 10 seats so if you go in a group you will be seated randomly in the open spots.  When you ramen is almost ready to serve he will ask you if you want "Nin-niku" (Garlic), say "Onegaishimasu" or "Hai" for Garlic or "Nin-niku Nashi" (for no garlic).

This this was massive... all this for only 650yen?!  And whats holding up the bean sprouts isn't more bean sprouts under the soup but a massive portion of thick chewy ramen noodles!  The soup is very thick and oily but clings onto the ramen so well that there is no need to drink the soup separately...  One bite and I was soooo hooked... never have I had ramen this amazing, yup amazing before.  The flavor was so rich and tasty... 

The 2 pieces of Charsui were not the usual thin slices you see at any other ramen shop in Tokyo... These were 2 huge blocks of meat and sooooo tender!  Wow...

Thick and chewy noodles... extremely filling.  

All I can say is that this ramen is as satisfying as a full course meal... never was I so fully content and for 650yen it just added a bit more... only 2 guys run this shop and you know there is some pride in the noodles that could easily command 900+ yen.  But if you go during the summer pls be prepared to sweat inside, the A/C is a bit weak.   Anyways, if you just needed to eat Ramen at one place in Tokyo this is THE place to go.

Shop: Ramen Jiro Jimbocho Branch

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-2pm and 6-9pm. Weds/Sat afternoons closed.

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131003/13010387/

Address J: 東京都千代田区神田神保町2-4-11

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kanda, Jimbocho 2-4-11
MAP:

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