SHINJUKU: Ramen Koh-ryuu... always a short line! Always... but always short!

Late night with the boys + Mari but a good friend of mine wanted to close the night with some ramen noodles. Hmm... there are quite a few in Shinjuku but had to check out that one spot that ALWAYS has a line of 3-4 people... not more and not less.  Ramen Koryuu.

The Ticket machine is located outside so just enter a little money and click away. REMEMBER that Japanese ramen shops always put their #1 recommendation on the top left corner :)

Tickets for ramen noodles and toppings.

They gave out this paper and asked us to circle 5 things that included how you wanted the noodles done, thickness of the soup, oil level etc.  They had English instructions too.

My ramen... So many dried garlic chips!  Can't get enough.  This was an extremely filling meal and well worth the walk. 

Shot of the noodles.

Char Shu meat.

Located on a very busy street in Shinjuku... A few minutes away from Gucci, Benetton or the new H&M.

SHOP: Ramen Koh-ryuu

LOCATION: Shinjuku Station

Shop Website: http://ramen-kouryu.jp/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13023075/

Address J: 東京都新宿区新宿3-22-3

Address E: Tokyo, Shinkuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-22-3

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RYOGOKU: Very Excellent Seaweed Shio Ramen in Sumo-Town

Ryogoku... aka Sumo Town!  I've been in Japan quite a while and it was the first time to exit at Ryogoku Station.   Got on the iPhone to check out Japans favorite foodie site for area rankings.  With a score of 3.63 I had to give Ramen MaruTama a try!

Salt (Shio) based ramen soup but something very unique... topping is a form of seaweed called Aosa. Its a very fine seaweed that has a very light flavor... a nice blend with the Shio-Ramen soup. MENU with photo's so you don't need to worry about any Kanji... just point.  I went for the one in the center.

Ordered the Aosa-Tamago-Iri (Aosa with flavored boiled egg)... excellent!  I always feel guilty to eat Ramen but this seemed very healthy.   For a die hard Tonkotsu heavy flavored ramen fan this was surprisingly good.

Counter seating for about 8 and two small tables for groups of 4-5. 

If you are checking out Sumo or the Sumo Museum in the area then sneak away for some Aosa Ramen... this place is well worth a try!

SHOP:  Ramen Maru-Tama Ryogoku

LOCATION: Ryogoku Station

Ramen Shop Website: http://www.ma-rutama.co.jp/  (MENU HERE)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1312/A131201/13010356/

Address J:  東京都墨田区両国2-11-1

Address E:  Tokyo, Sumida-ku, Ryogoku 2-11-1

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GINZA: HAGE-TEN Kushi-Age 800yen lunch special! (Weekdays Only)

Where in Ginza can you get a great Japanese meal at a reasonable price? It may leave you a little hungry but a visit to Hageten is a must.  Oddly its ranked very lowly 2.91 on Japan's top foodie site...hmm...

On the weekdays they offer the 800yen lunch special called "Saa-bisu-Ranchi" (Service Lunch).  But if you happen to be there on the weekend the 1,200yen is always available (plus u get few more sticks).

Lunch comes with tea, pickles, salad, miso soup and rice (you can ask for refills on rice for free).

Sticks will come one at a time.  Shrimp here.

Aka-Miso Soup (Red Miso)

This is Tofu with a touch of tiny fish eggs on top.

There is counter seating surrounding the Chef. A good view of the action.

Little fish.

Think this was a Scallop

Meat!

Downstairs is the Kushi-Age (deep fried foods) but if you want Tempura thats on the ground level. 

Hage-Ten is located facing a very interesting ladies hostess bar...

Behind Chanel

Just look for Chanel or Apple Store in Ginza... shop is located behind this block.

SHOP: Ginza Hageten

LOCATION: GINZA Station

Shop website: http://www.hageten.com/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13002420/

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/p407900/map/  with COUPON!

Address J: 東京都中央区銀座3-4-6

Address E: Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza 3-4-6

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SHINJUKU: Keika Ramen... just filed for Bankruptcy so we gave it a try.

Mari told me about Keika Ramen's 500yen Tuesday special but I was never lucky enough to wander in front of this ramen spot on a Tuesday... So last night we watched a news segment announcing that Keika Ramen had filed for bankruptcy.  Might be our last chance to try it...

About 8 counter seats on the first floor facing the 2 ramen chefs.  There is also a 2nd floor.

Went for the 700yen Keika Tonkotsu Ramen.  Was expecting this Kumamoto style ramen to be a bit more flavorful and stinky... but it was actually rather light in flavor... and well, boring.  The noodles were very al'dente... guess they don't allow you to order the noodle variation (Kata-men, Futsuu, Yawaraka-men).

500yen Tuesdays.

The chef.

Teika Ramen's can be spotted here and there in Tokyo but I'd suggest trying 500yen all day every day Hakata Teijin Ramen.  But the experience of sitting shoulder to shoulder with the Japanese at this tiny shop might be memorable.  They'll ask you to pay first to have your $$ ready.  Oh and there are Photo's of the different ramens too.

SHOP: Keika Ramen Shinjuku East Exit Branch

Location: Shinjuku Station

Foodie Website:  http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13000871/

Address J: 東京都新宿区新宿3-25-6

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-25-6

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YOTSUYA: Salvatore Cuomo Pizzeria... somewhere between Savoy and Domino's

I've never really been a fan of Salvatore Cuomo because it seems he expanded to a point where the focus is no longer on the consistent quality of the pizza but more focused on profits... Mari was attracted to the nice interior in Yotsuya so we gave it a try.

Pizzas start at about 1,500yen for a Medium and 2,000yen for a Large

Most drinks were 500yen... Spumoni here.

Bagna Calda.

Large size Capricciosa Pizza 2000yen.  Can't say I will be craving this pizza anytime in the near future... now if you want an amazing pizza please try out Il Pacioccone in Omotesando because their Capricciosa is oishii.

Watching this pizza chef prepare pizza seemed rather boring... hmm... found it much more interesting at Savoy in Azabu Juban or Fermata in Jiyugaoka.  Don't think he had his heart in it...

Pizza of the day.

I'd recommend counter seating for a view of the pizza area.

This brown moist discolored rag was below the pizza prep area and he kept reaching down to wipe his hands with it.  He went from pizza to rag, dishes to rag, plastic dough containers to rag, dropping something on the foor to rag... what up dude.   

Located on the 1st floor of the Mitsui Garden Hotel in Yotsuya.

SHOP: Salvatore Cuomo Yotsuya

Location: Yotsuya Station (Near Sophia University)

Shop Website: http://www.salvatore.jp/restaurant/yotsuya.html

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13037251/dtlrvwlst/851377/

Address J:  東京都新宿区四谷1-24

Address E:  Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya 1-24, Mitsui Garden Hotel 1st Floor

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SHIBUYA: Sushi Zanmai East Exit Shop... its a hit or miss but got lucky this night.

I'm a loyal loyal fan of Gatten Sushi in Roppongi but I occasionally wander into Sushi Zanmai in Shibuya... usually late at night on the way or in between clubs.  

Akami... or Regular Tuna... always on my order list.

This was after Oktoberfest in Hibiya... after grand opening of a new Salsa club in Roppongi... and before small club event in Shibuya... long night.

Oliver visiting from Switzerland.. had to hit up Sushi.

Amaebi and Hotate (Scallop)

A great closer.... Crab miso soup

Japanese rolls... or Maki.  If you say Hoso (skinny) Maki you'll get the familiar California stye rolls... if not then its like this.

Mentaiko maki.

Sushi is never very expensive in Tokyo...  well at least places that have menu and pricing.  If there are no prices listed then expect to easily pay $150 for two...

Just a quick intro to a reasonable sushi shop in Shibuya... J'a Mata Ne!

SHOP: Sushi Zanmai East Exit Shop

Location: Shibuya (2 minutes from the station)... you can almost see it from the East exit.

Sushi Zanmai Webiste: http://www.kiyomura.co.jp/  Must Click This!  (Video here)

Shop Website: http://www.kiyomura.co.jp/shop/shop21_01-00.html

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13055318/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区渋谷2-22-11

Address E:  Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Shibuya 2-22-11

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