ASAGAYA: Gyoza-Bo Cho-Hakkai GYOZA Shop... simply excellent!

A little gem in Asagaya that is inexpensive and super oishii... this is Cho-Hakkai. Scott from Hawaiis Own Coffee Company invited me out to check out one of his favorite spots in Asagaya.

We were a group of 8 and started off with the Chinese Nabe (Hotpot?), serving size was for 3-4 but it was just the right amount as we ordered so many amazing Gyoza and dumplings.

This is a must.. Gyoza but each piece slightly connected to each other. 540yen.

Super tasty dumplings with some kind of chinese sauce...500yen.

Flavored chilled Potato.  Yuuuum. 400yen.

More dumpings. Shrimp! The food just kept coming so I don't know what these were. 

Steamed dumplings... 500yen.

Slices of boneless fried chicken under some tasty seasoning.

Amazing meal ended with noodles in the remaining Hotpot soup.  A perfect close to an amazing meal.... i mean there were so many oishii's flying around by everyone.

Final closer... sweet Annin-dofu.

This stairwell was so small... if you are planning on dining on the 2nd floor please consider the overall size of your guests... they will have to squeeze into this small hole to reach the top.

Looking down from the window.

2nd floor just big enough to fit 8 comfortably. 

Bill came out to roughly 5,000yen per person (and thats with ordering around 8 bottles of korean style makkoli sake, beer and Japanese sake)... Janken to see who got the 1,000yen change.

Owner and his wife... just a two person operation and its ALWAYS busy. 

See you next time..

.... the end.

SHOP: Gyoza-Bo Cho-Kakkai Gyoza Shop

LOCATION: Asagaya Station

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131905/13090377/

Address J: 東京都杉並区阿佐谷南3-37-5

Address E: Tokyo, Suginami-ku, Asagaya 3-37-5

MAP: 

View Larger Map

GINZA: Jim Thompson's Table Thailand 1,750yen Lunch Buffet (All you can eat).

After being utterly disappointed with 2,700yen Mango Tree Lunch Buffet in the exclusive Marunouchi Building we decided to try out Jim Thompsons Thailand Table in Ginza.   

1,750yen Lunch Buffet sign outside.

First serving... great selection of Thai food and everything tasted goooood!

Great view on a sunny Tokyo afternoon.

Tom-Yam-Kung soup

Tofu topped with crab... this was very tasty.

Brownie and mango dessert.

Green Curry

Free Jasmin Tea

Drink Menu but if you fine with cold tea then pass on the drinks and focus on eating~.

3,500yen for two.  Well worth it considering Thai can be quite expensive in Tokyo.

Restaurant played a nice selection of Michael Jackson tunes during our lunch... 

If you are in Ginza and in the mood for Thai why not check out Jim Thompsons.  Food is great, friendly attentive staff and the 70min limit keeps the turnover flowing unlike Mango's Tree's stay forever policy.

SHOP: Jim Thompson's Thailand Table

LOCATION: GINZA (You can walk it from JR Yurakucho Station).

Shop Website: http://www.jttable.com/#/restaurant/ginza/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13043358/

Gnavi Site with Coupon:  http://r.gnavi.co.jp/p365301/

Address J:  東京都中央区銀座2-2-14 マロニエゲート １０Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza 2-2-14,  Marronnier Gate Bldg 10F.

MAP: 

View Larger Map

YOTSUYA: Yo-shoku (Western Style Food) ELISE! 3.77pts on Tabelog! My dish was Addictive!

Recently made the move from Yutenji to Yotsuya and slowly exploring the neighborhood.  Our destination was a Salsa Cabana for what looked to be a very cheesy tasty Burrito Grande but the spot either went under or moved. So... we back tracked to highly ranked Elise and how can you go wrong if there's a consistent line.

If you don't have it download the Tabelog App.  Gives you foodie ranking suggestions in the area.

Menu... items ranged from 650yen (Curry Rice) to 1,220 yen (Giant Pork Ginger, Katsu etc.)

We were lucky to score a table for two but no worries if you go alone... nice long counter seating and a view of all the cooks at work.  Must have been staffed with 5 people.

Mari's fried oyster and menchi (ground beef) katsu plate lunch... Sooo filling.

My beef tomato sautéed mix...this was addictive.  I'm usually a person to ask the waitress the shops "osusume" (Recommended) dish... oishiii...

Lots of toppings for your food.

The Check: Beef Tomato 920yen and Menchi Katsu Oyster Fry 1050 yen.

SHOP: Yo-Shoku Elise (In Japanese Yo-Shoku means Western Style Food versus Wa-Shoku which is Japanese Style Food).

LOCATION: A minute walk from Yotsuya Station (Home of Sophia University )

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13000971/

Address J: 東京都新宿区四谷1-4-2

Address E:  Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya 1-4-2

HOURS!!!: Lunch 11-3pm.  Dinner 5-9pm. Closed SUNDAY.

MAP: 

View Larger Map

NAKAMEGURO: Lounge 440 "Teppan Yaki with Laurel in Hardy" at ShiShiMaru

Mari had her eye on Lounge 440 for quite some time so she was able to get an online coupon (from http://tokupo.jp/ I think) that got us A4 Ranked Beef, Veggies and a Drink of our choice.  Guys, this is the new fad... don't pay full price but prepay for a portion of your meal online!  Anyways....

Please meet or very own Japanese Laurel that moonlights as a Teppan Yaki Chef in Nakameguro.  His charm points are cooking beef on the very far end of the metal cooking surface so you get a nice spattering of oil on your hands all thru the meal... for free.  He's a bit goofy and its a pleasure to watch him fumble with the amazing selection of meat and seafood.

Now meet Hardy, he's on the far end of this picture but as plump as Santa Clause.  His charm points are the ever lasting goofy happy go lucky smile and his jolly ole belly hanging over the cooking surface.  

We started with the Salad with Zuwai Crab and Avocado 1,200yen ($14)... I think the main ingredient to rescue any salad is the dressing and Japan has some amazing selections.  This was ok but the portion was a bit small even by Japanese standards.

Next was the Sauteed Tsubugai and Potato Garlic Butter 1,200yen... the actual cost of this plate must have been 300yen... portions ridiculously small but the garlic sauce was tasty!

And so our A4 ranked (Not A5.. but one rank lower) Selected Wagyu Beef Filet arrived!  On our walk to the restaurant we could only imagine this requiring very few chews much like the wonderful selection of Kobe and Matsuzaka beef in Japan!  Meduim rare... ready to chew only a few times... chew chew chew chew chew I kept chewing... hmm this beef is 4,800 yen right ($55). 

We were so looking forward to ordering more food but Laurel and Hardy so lacked the skills to properly cook the ingredients... I think something is oddly wrong with this shop.  Perhaps management is harsh on its employees and just can't keep hold of great Chefs.  If you want a MEMORABLE meal then you MUST goto  Yamato Teppan-Yaki in Ginza.  

One bathroom is shared by both men and women... and as you can see it was falling apart.  I mean if you are charging these prices for your meal they could at least keep the facilities up to par.  Please don't waste your money here unless you are fans of Laurel and Hardy... they were entertaining.

I leave you with Laurel...

BYE!

SHOP: Lounge 440 (Shi Shi Maru). 

Location: NAKAMEGURO (Right next to Nakameguro River).
Shop Website: http://shishimaru-nakameguro.com/
Gnavi (with Coupon): http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e858700/
Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131701/13022374/
J-Address: 東京都目黒区青葉台1-22-3
E-Address: Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Aobadai 1-22-3
MAP:

View Larger Map