NERIMA: Chikara Meshi for 490yen Ebi-Fry-Teishoku~

I've always associated Chikara meshi with their grilled beef bowls but this picture stopped me in my tracks... I'm a huge fan of Shrimp Fry!  Had to goooo... and friendly 490yen price point was nice too.

There's a take-out window outside.

One Coin! Push the "green button" to dine inside the "orange" for take-out.

L shaped counter seating... it was nearing midnight so not too many folks.

Miso soup~

There it is!  Crispy crispy and no too bad.

You really can't go with Ebi-Fry-Teishoku and I'm sure this special will rotate out and something new will pop up in the coming wees so get it while u can! 

Shop: Chikara-Meshi Nerima Branch

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13139551/

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

Address J: 東京都練馬区練馬1-2-13 西武会館 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Nerima 1-2-13

MAP:

View Larger Map

TSUKIJI: Kitsune-Ya... for some extremely tasty Motsu (Beef or Pork Offal?)

Whenever I visit Tsukiji you can guarantee this place always always has a line...  the boiling meat in a thick creamy stewy soup got me hungry.

Very limited counters seating but I found the chef a bit intimidating so opted to not squeeze in among the few lunch goers here.

2 most popular dishes were the Motsu bowl (meat and soup/stew poured directly on the rice) and I noticed someone ordered the Motsu and Rice separately so went for that... Nice to be able to control how much to control the wetness of the meal when separate

Think this was 800yen... Oh it has a fairly good ranking of 3.55pts on Japan's top foodie website.

http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1313/A131301/13007656/

As you know Motsu can be a bit rubbery but every part of this dish was easily chewable and the flavor thick and excellent... there are small metal standing tables where you can eat lunch with fellow salarymen.

Free cold tea and red pepper to add a little kick to the meal.   If you aren't a fan of Motsu then there was also a beef bowl selection but the stew/soup base seemed a bit lighter.

This shot was taken later in the day after lunch as they 2 operators were cleaning up.  A great little spot and a nice alternative to sushi in Tsukuji... here you'll find more locals than tourists... but I did notice many Chinese tourists peeking over everyone's shoulders to see what we were all eating but very few took on the challenge of Motsu.

Shop: Kitsune-Ya

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1313/A131301/13007656/

Address J: 東京都中央区築地4-9-12

Address E: Tokyo, Chuo-Ku, Tsukiji 4-9-12

MAP:

View Larger Map

SHIBUYA: (CLOSED) Chikara-Meshi #3... Great Grilled Beef Bowls. Brand new and super busy! (Pentax MX-1)

** UPDATE: This once popular franchise is down to only 8 shops in Japan **

https://www.sankofoods.com/shop/chikara/

Chikara-Meshi has been opening up all over Tokyo recently and its a very warm welcome as I think most of us are a bit tired of having Yoshinoya or Sukiya beef bowls as the only alternative to Ramen. 

Menu is all fully automated with a "Eat In" and "Take Out" touch panel options.   After your selection have a seat and pass the ticket to the waitress... this night a very heavy-set jolly lady.  Oh don't forget to push the large lever below the touch screen panel to get your change.

Lots of sauces/toppings to choose from.

Free water on the counter~.

I went for the New Open special "Yaki Gyudon" for 280yen (normally 320yen).

Check out the menu here:  http://www.sankofoods.com/shop/chikara/menu.html

And there it is with a very nice serving of Miso Soup.

I really do prefer this to Gyu-don (meat boiled in sauce).  The strips of beef here are grilled and seasoned.

Spotted a little container of Spicy Miso seasoning...

...gave a very nice kick to the beef.  Reminded me of tasty Korean Gochujang. 

This was a huge hit... Yaki-Gyudon-Teishoku... served on a hot metal plate with veggies, small salad, miso soup and a bowl of rice for 480yen.  A great value.

Water had a slice of Lemon... just like Europe~.  You never see this in Japan.

Located between Shibuya-Labi and Citibank... You can't miss it!

While crossing the street to Chikara Meshi I noticed a very nice Ferrari 458.

Shop: Chikara-Meshi Shibuya #3 Shop.

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

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13137625/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区道玄坂2-25-12 渋谷ユウキヤビル1F

Address E:  Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Dogenzaka 2-25-12

MAP:

View Larger Map

SHINJUKU: Tokyo Chikara Meshi "Power Food"... great mix of Grilled Beef Slices and Curry!

In Japan there are a few late night options... Ramen, Beef Bowl or Curry... but what about both beef and curry?!  Looks good to me!

Menu Pics:  http://www.sankofoods.com/shop/chikara/news35.html

Went for the 550yen curry with strips of beef and bowl of miso soup.

This beef and curry combo was great.  The curry is a bit heavier and richer than the usual Japanese curry and sooo tasty.  Meat was flavored in some type of tasty Yakiniku-sauce and grilled versus beef bowl shops that boil their beef... each slice very tender!

The miso soup~.

If you are tired of Yoshinoya Beef bowls, heavy late night ramen or Coco Curry then give this franchise a go!  

Shop: Tokyo Chikara Meshi (Shinjuku West Exit Shop #2)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13135525/

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

Address J: 東京都新宿区西新宿7-9-13

Address E:  Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishi Shinjuku 7-9-13

MAP:

View Larger Map