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

MAP: 

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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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JIMBOCHO SUIDOBASHI: Standing Bar "Ukemochi"

Was in the area and checked out Jimbocho/Suidobashi's #1 Foodie (http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131003/13020741/) ranked standing bar.

All drinks and food... all 300yen.  Pay as you go.

Nice selection of Sake.  Chef will give you a cup and just fill away.

Arrived at 10pm so missed out on most of the daily specials.  

Most food geared toward alcohol... nothing heavy just light salty/flavorful items.

Just one guy behind the counter.  Pouring Nihon-shu~.

Best thing about standing bars... great chance to meet some nice people.

Last time we met a president of a publishing company... you never know.

The Chef.

Make sure this is your 2nd spot (Nijikai) or arrive early...otherwise you may leave hungry.

FOOD: http://www.ukemochi.com/menu/menu2.html

Fresh Fish:  http://www.ukemochi.com/menu.html

Random iPhone video...

RESTAURANT: Tachinomi (Standing Bar) Ukemochi

LOCATION: Between Suidobashi and Jimbocho Station.

Shop Website:  http://www.ukemochi.com/

Foodie Website:  http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131003/13020741/

Map Japanese:  http://www.ukemochi.com/map/map.html

Address: 東京都千代田区三崎町2-15-2

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JIMBOCHO: "TENDON Imoya" Ten-don (rice bowl) for 550yen

Authenti Japanese Ten-Don by chef's for only 550yen. You'll sit shoulder to shoulder with salarymen and university students (lots of universities in this area).

Menu is limited but most customers ordered the 550yen Ten-Don that consists of one piece of shrimp, fish, seaweed and ika (squid?).   There is also a Tempura-Don with only Shrimp for 800yen.

2 chefs behind the counter will ask you "Tendon deskuka?"  Just say "Hai" or say "Tempura Don kudasai" for the shrimp only rice bowl.  Cup of hot tea will arrive first.

All counter seating... my view.  The tempura is fried when the order is placed.

Seasoned radish on the counter.

Think this is Asari or Shijimi Miso Soup... comes with the meal.

My meal!  If you want extra rice just say "Oomori" when you order.

If you are in the area there are several IMOYA's.  Tonkatsu, Tempura and Tendon shops:

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131003/R5294/?vs=1&sk=いもや&LstCosT=0&sa=神保町&sw=いもや

LOCATION: Between JIMBOCHO and SUIDOBASHI Stations.

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

MAP: 

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