YOTSUYA: KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken for a sad glorious limp Twister!

I was watching TV and noticed a KFC commercial having specials on their normally 300yen priced Twisters.  This has always been my favorite item so walked down to my local KFC in Yotsuya.

Looks like a beauty... stuffed full of crispy lettuce, tasty spicy mayo sauce and a crispy on the outside juicy on the inside piece of chicken.  http://twister.kfc.co.jp/

So when I got home I was greeted with a very limp sad looking twister... FML.  Honestly after living in Yotsuya for nearly 2 years every encounter with Yotsuya KFC has simply led do such a huge disappointment. 

I should have realized everything inside the twister would be lacking and soggy as it only took the lady a quick spin to pick up the pre-made Twister and hand it to me.  I've only had the best experience with KFC in Ebisu that cooks to order so everything is just crispy and perfect... but honestly Yotsuya KFC really sucks balls.   I will never return to this spot... I'm done.

Shop: Yotsuya Eki-Mae KFC

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13124733/

Address J: 東京都新宿区四谷1-3

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya 1-3

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YOTSUYA: Onaga-Ya Okinawa Shokudou... great Okinawan on a budget!

After having a disastrous Okinawan Soba lunch at Yanbaru in Shinjuku it was a pleasure to stumble upon this new Okinawan Restaurant across the street from Sophia University. Opened on April 16, 2012.

Daily lunch specials begin at 600yen and most surprising was the So-ki Soba and Rafu-te Soba were both only 600yen.. these usually command a premium as the beef used is very good.

Arrived at 1:45pm on a Saturday as lunch was winding down.

Grand opening sale... Okinawan dishes that range up to 600yen are all only 300yen til April 28th.

Went for the So-Ki Soba lunch set for only 600yen!

Little side dishes.

Spice for the Okinawan soba... think it consists of Awamori with little peppers inside.

Meat was extremely tender... yum.

Noodles consisted of both skinny and chunky noodles...  fun to eat.  If you want Oomori (extra) noodles its free!  But after gaining 2 kilo's in the past week on consuming waaaay too many carbs I went for the regular portion... it was still so much!

2 slices of Kamaboko.

Nice cozy interior... playing Okinawan music on the BGM.

Dinner menu.

A great little discovery in the basement of this building... My image of places in these locations are not very positive... normally mediocre franchise style shops but Onaga-Ya was a pleasant surprise.  Value is simply hands down great.  Highly suggest it if you are craving Okinawan on a budget.  You'll get stuffed!

I went back a few days later to try their 700yen Taco Rice Lunch... it was a salty disaster!  Stay away from this and stick to the great Okinawan Soba lunch set :)

Shop: Onaga-Ya Okinawa Shokudou

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13140486/

Address E:  Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Kojimachi 6-6, B1F

Address J:　東京都千代田区麹町6-6

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YOTSUYA: Sakura Izakaya for 600yen Lunch... a hidden treasure in the side streets of Yotsuya! So glad to stumble upon you~

After living in Yotsuya for about 1.5 years never have I found such a reasonable and delicious lunch spot!  Prices were in the amazingly yasui (inexpensive) range of 500-600yen... simply wow!

I went for the "nikomi hamburger"... nikomi is used when preparing food within a sauce... in this case the burger was grilled in a bowl of Japanese gravy.

Lunch comes with Hot Tea in a very nice cup.

Just too stunned... all this for only 600yen!?  An absolute deal.

My burger was cooked to perfection... absolutely juicy and so tasty.

Salad had a great korean style dressing on it... a bit of shoyu, onion and salt dressing is my best guess.  Soooo good.

Hot Miso soup

I was seated at the "L" shaped counter that can seat about 8 people.  But there were also private booths and tatami style seating behind the counter.

One thing I absolute don't like during lunch... ash tray spotting.  A guy was smoking bu luckily he was seated at the far end of the counter.

Seems draft beers and mixed drinks are only 300yen... as compared to the normal 500yen price point.

The staff was incredibly friendly and "irashyaimase/arigato" resounded thru the shop.  The 2 Chefs and waitress were Indian in this Japanese style Izakaya... I will definitely be back next week for another lunch. 

Shop: Sakura Izakaya

Fellow Foodies Blog: http://nao0522.blog100.fc2.com/blog-entry-1067.html

Address J: 東京都新宿区三栄町1-2 ＣＳビル１階

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Saneicho 1-2

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YOTSUYA: Chinese-Shokudo HIDAKAYA...late night temptation always sucks me in! Regrets regrets but I keep doing it!

This outlet is located all around Tokyo and probably the most reasonable franchise for a very wide selection of Japanese, Chinese and a few Korean dishes.  Perfect for those in Japan on a budget.

http://hidakaya.hiday.co.jp/menupage/index.html

I'm usually a fan of this Double Gyoza with soup, rice and fried chicken set for a very reasonable 600yen but had a different craving this night...

Everything on the menu is pictured so an easy point and choose if you don't read Japanese.

Yup, in the mood for a noodle set.

Yup, Tuesday night 1am crowd... yes, after a great night watching belly dancing, falafel and hummus at Krishuna in Shinjuku I had a craving for something something. 

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2011/08/shinjuku-golden-gai-krishuna-hummus.html

Sign says for orders push this button...

Push and the kind old lady waitress will come.

Ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen with Gyoza set for 600yen!  Now... its highly not recommended to eat noodles or anything before you sleep... just makes ya fat.

And here it is.  A very very basic Ramen that can barely qualify as being called Tonkotsu but at 1am with everything closed and the dismal selection of great Ramen shops in Yotsuya I can't complain.

Noodles are very similar to cup-ramen or instant boiled ramen... 

Few tiny slivers of char-siu.

And my Gyoza... decent.  

Al this for only 600yen... an incredibly filling meal for a regrettable late night diversion.  I would have been better off with having one Lawson onigiri but... as usual... I absolutely regretted eating mediocre food at such a late hour.  Full of regrets but have I done this countless times in the past?  Yes maam!  Ugh...

Shop: Chu-Ka Shokudou Hidakaya Yotsuya branch

Shop Website: http://hidakaya.hiday.co.jp/index.html

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13032316/

Address J: 東京都新宿区四谷1-5-16 佐奈ビル １Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya 1-5-16
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YOTSUYA: Tala Kitchen for some 580yen buttery curry! A bit soupy but tasty.

I think Japan is most beautiful at the end of March and beginning of May when the weather starts to warm up and the amazing Sakura flowers begin to bloom...  looking forward to the next 2 weeks!

About 2pm... this sign caught my eye... simply because of the 580yen price point for curry of your choice, salad and nan or yellow rice.   Even with my hand full of groceries I had to check it out.

Was outside peeking in when the shop waiter stepped outside and said come in come in... oh no! I was spotted and ventured inside.

And there it was... my 580yen Butter Chicken Curry, Nan and Salad with sesame seed dressing.

The butter chicken curry was a bit soupy versus other places where its more creamy.  Rather than dipping this curry requires scooping with the nan due to its wateriness... but honestly for 580yen it hit the spot!  Oh as for the chicken... it should have been renamed Butter Curry with Chicken Bits~.

Nan... Hmm... I'm not sure if there are different versions of this via ingredients but it seemed a bit lower grade.    Hmm... can't quite explain it.  Perhaps eating instant pizza vs a pizzeria.

Small cozy interior.  Counter seating along the window for 4, counter seating facing the entrance for 2 and there were 3 tables.

Ash tray... never a good thing for me.  Luckily nobody was smoking during lunch.

My view from the counter seat.

Menu outside the entrance.  Tala Kitchen will definitely hit your spot similar to having a late day coffee or tea... but unless you are willing to pay 750yen for the double curry or 980yen double curry and 2 pieces of Chicken Tika it will only satisfy your craving for curry and will leave you feeling hungry.  Service was excellent  and water refills prompt... But I have never seen butter chicken curry for 580yen before so I may give it a go someday. 

Shop: Tala Kitchen 

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13136657/

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

Address J: 東京都新宿区四谷2-9-15 サンサーラ四谷 １Ｆ、２Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya 2-9-15
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