KOJIMACHI/HANZONMON: Sorano-Iro Ramen... colorful orange Vegi-Soba peaked my interest!

During my random scans of restaurants in Kojimachi this ramen shop always pops up with a very high foodie ranking of 3.86pts placing it in the TOP 5000 Tokyo restaurants.

The ramen selections are nicely pictured~.

After scanning thru the ramen pics on my iPhone I couldn't resist the bright orange 800yen Vegi-Soba ramen... Just had to give it a go~.  

Think what most attracted me was this beautiful orange color that's created by adding carrot puree to the ramen soup stock used for their standard Chuka-Soba.  The volume was much less than other ramen shops... seems he found just the right portions so people wouldn't leave any leftovers. 

L shaped counter seating and 5 tables along the wall for small groups and couples.

Few slices of char-sui. Nothing impressive but I assume the quality was better than most.

Flat noodles were very al'dente... color created by hints of Paprika.  Honestly it just felt like I was eating soupy pasta... 

Overall this place failed to impress me as the cost performance couldn't justify the 800yen price point terms of volume... So I can only assume the cost of ingredients were reflected in the price.  The atmosphere was extremely woman friendly as half of the clients were ladies... a very rare sighting at any ramen shop.   If your girl is craving ramen but fears of sitting shoulder to shoulder with salarymen or random slurping guys then this is the place to go.  Spacious and clean...

Shop: Shorano-Iro (Color of the Sky) 

Foodie website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130803/13126816/

Shop blog: http://ameblo.jp/chihirockkun/

Fellow Foodie Entry: http://www.ramenadventures.com/2012/03/return-to-soranoiro.html

Address J: 東京都千代田区平河町1-3-10 ブルービル本館１B

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Hirakawacho 1-3-10
MAP:

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HANZONMON: Tokyo Chikara-Meshi for a grilled beef bowl... but not all shops are equal.

Tokyo Chikara-Meshi (Power Food) has been popping up all over Tokyo recently and seem to be doing very well.  I had a late 2pm lunch and it was a full house.  

Didn't have much of an appetite so went for the 280yen "Yaki-Gyodon" (grilled beef bowl) with a side of miso soup.

Everything was greasy at the location.  All the bottles had a nice sticky layer on them and there was no Oshibori's to be found (wet napkins).  I think the staff was just too overwhelmed and the small things were overlooked.

Compared to Shibuya the beef was undercooked and had a very chewy rubbery texture to it.  Felt like I was chewing gum the whole time.  Staff must have been under some time pressure to cook and present the orders in a timely manner but it took a solid 10 minutes to get the order.  

I definitely won't be back at to this branch for my Yaki-Gyodon craving but if you are in need of a quick and different option to the traditional Beef Bowls then its very kind on the wallet.

Cherry blossom season is slowly coming to and end... 

Shop: Tokyo Chikara-Meshi Hanzonmon Branch

Shop Website: http://www.sankofoods.com/shop/chikara/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130803/13134057/

Address J: 東京都千代田区麹町2-12-1 GRANDEAXE麹町１F

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kojimachi 2-12-1
MAP:

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KOJIMACHI: Nidaime Tsujita Ramen... satisfying oily tonkotsu ramen

There are very few Ramen spots in Kojimachi but this place always has a steady line.... so on this cold rainy Tokyo day I had a craving for something that would warm me up.  Off to Nidaime Tsujita Ramen I went.

A nice map for how to line up outside when its busy.

First time I've ever seen hair bands and paper aprons at a Ramen shop... very nice.

Another first is besides the Japanese ramen chef there were also 2 overly friendly and at times annoying southeast Asian staff.  I've never seen a ramen shop that had foreign employee's not counting inexpensive franchise shops.  Great to see this place supports an international crowd.

Toppings... 

I went for the regular Ramen 750yen.  Always feel what counts the most is the Tonkotsu soup and the texture of the noodles... and that usually fills me up fairly well without having to go for the premium ramen choices.

And there it is.  Very simple in appearance.  The flavor was a mild subtle tonkotsu (pork based) that will simply leave you satisfied.  There was a nice hint of oil that will make your lips nice and oily too... didn't mind that so much, in fact oilier the better for me.  Oh, the soup and noodles remained very hot throughout the meal... I've never had such piping hot noodles and soup before... phew.

Noodles were a bit on the al'dente style... there wasn't too much texture to this.  I love thick chewy noodles like at Ramen Jiro but this was decent. 

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

A very nice surprise... a very tender and thick piece of Char-siu pork.  Enjoyed this.

Lots of boxes of noodles.

Even on a rainy Saturday afternoon there was a steady crowd entering in the late afternoon.  I think once is enough for me but if you are craving ramen then this will definitely hit the spot.  

Shop:  Nidaime Tsujita Ramen (Kojimachi Branch).

Shop Website: http://www.nidaime-tsujita.co.jp/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130803/13002402/

Address J:  東京都千代田区平河町1-4-11 はらだビル １Ｆ

Address E:  Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Hirakawacho 1-4-11
MAP:

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Kojimachi 31MT Lot: Millan South Indian Curry... more focused on profits than portions and flavor.

Rainy Friday and decided to head out to my favorite lunch wagon parking spot.  A cold rainy day and only Pizza, Hawaiian Chicken or South Indian Curry trucks were available... the other 3-4 options didn't arrive today. 

Decided to try some Spicy Pork curry... South Indian... sounded quite good.  

Self service...you can pick out a tiny Japanese snack for free (about 10 yen at the market).

There were 5-6 random sized blocks of pork and pork fat.

Honestly any 150yen instant curry pack would have provided the same satisfaction as this bowl.

Overall the flavor of this curry will soon be forgotten as it seemed the owner/chef was more focused on profits than trying to create a decent curry for 600yen.  Simply disappointed and won't be back.

Lunch Wagon: MILLAN South Indian Curry

Millan Website: http://millan.jp/

Kojimachi 31MT Bldg Schedule: http://www.w-tokyodo.com/neostall/village/place05

Address J: 東京都千代田区麹町5-7-2

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kojimachi 5-7-2, Parking Lot of Kojimachi 31MT Bldg.

MAP: 

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KOJIMACHI: Pizzeria Angelino... friendly staff but pizza was hmm...

Wanted to explore the neighborhood a little to see if we had any great Pizzeria's new by.  So came across Pizzeria Angelino on my favorite foodie ranking site.

Lunch menu includes a salad, pizza and a drink for 1,000yen.  Nice simple mix of green salad (only hours from falling very limp... barely presentable), slice of pumpkin and garlic flavored green beans (very tasty).

Asked the Pizza chef if it was OK to photograph him.  Seems with the onslaught of Smart phones many restaurants are having to deal with so man people snapping away at everything in restaurants so its always safest to ask before you click away in full sight of the chef.

There it was my Margherita pizza!  At first sight it was no beauty like that of FREY's or EATALY but what could I expect in the back streets of Kojimachi. 

The sauce used was canned Spigadoro that could be easily purchased at any supermarket... it was very bland, had no kick to it, no thoughts of "oishii" as I bit into it.  Crust could easily be compared to Dominos' thin crust pizza.  Half way through I lost interest... 

Meal closed with some herbal Ice Tea.

Counter seating for about 9 people facing the Pizza Chef at work!  Perfect spot to enjoy the cooking.

Dinner menu outside.

Great jazz music playing on the BGM.

When having Pizza in Tokyo its always best to go a little out of your way for some amazing Pizza's.  You may get lucky at small  neighborhood shops but if the rankings are low then there must be a reason for it.   Please check out Tokyo's Best http://r.tabelog.com/pizza/ before heading out!  I won't be back to Angelino's but staff and chef were very friendly. Oh, its only 2 blocks from the Embassy of Belgium.

Shop: Pizzeria Angelino

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130803/13035204/

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/b121100/

Address J: 東京都千代田区麹町3-12-9 キャナル麹町 １Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kojimachi 3-12-9

MAP: 

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YOTSUYA/KOJIMACHI: Japanese breakfast at DENNY'S!

My 2 weeks visiting family in the US for Christmas/New Years got me into the regular routine of having a normal breakfast every morning... a great highlight and start to a new day.   But in Japan... who goes out to breakfast? And where to go?

Brand new Denny's opened up near by so off for some J-breakfast.  

Breakfast menu:  http://www.dennys.jp/dny/menu/dennys/morning/index.html

Thats it!  600yen combo with salmon, miso soup, natto (I asked for Tofu Salad) and some seaweed

Miso soup on the light bland side...

Pretty sure this salmon was frozen moments before..

If you don't like Natto (stinky beans) thats included in the combo you can switch it out with Tofu Salad or Half-Boiled Egg (Hanjuku-Tamago).

Overall it hit the spot and not heavy on the body.  You'll randomly spot Denny's in Tokyo so if you want to try some nice Japanese breakfast for a reasonable 600yen give it a go!