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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AKASAKA: DoGenRo Chinese with a fantastic 3.81 Foodie Rating!

Our destination was Italian but not all places in Tokyo are open for Saturday lunch. So check out the foodie rankings for Akasaka and decided on DoGenRo.

Menu had pics so easy to choose.

Excellent side dish that came with the lunch set.  One was a brown pickled dish possibly seasoned in Shoyu and the other had tiny cubes of tofu, carrots, celery and some peanuts.  Very tasty!

Free Tea.

This was my dish... There was a very very distinct Chinese herb in this that was quite overwhelming.  Selection #9 on the menu for 980yen.  Like a noodle hotpot that could easily feed two hungry people.

Mari went for the Mabo-Tofu set.  This also contained the very same Chinese spice... I wish I knew what it was called but if you are accustomed to regular Mabo-Tofu I'd suggest avoiding this.

Yeah... very very spicy.

Finished off with a very nice dish of Anin-Dofu sweet desert. Oh, if you want 2nds on rice just ask the waiter, service was quick and friendly.  Definitely be back but I'd suggest trying the other non-spicy dishes on the menu. 

Shop: DoGenRo (同源楼 （ドウゲンロウ）) Chinese.

Location: AKASAKA

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130801/13041758/

Hotpepper Website: http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000728673/

Address J: 東京都港区赤坂3-18-8 エムプレスビル ２Ｆ

Address E:  Tokyo, Minato-ku, Akasaka 3-18-8   

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