SAKURADAI/EKODA: Kitchen Oba-san for some massive OmuRice! Carbs galore~

Its snowed in Tokyo and everything is coming to a halt... streets are iced over... highways are closed... I guess Tokyo doesn't have any salt or snow removal trucks anywhere.

Everytime I pass by Kitchen Oba-san (Old Lady Kitchen) its always packed with women... so headed over with a friend to see what all the fuss was about.

House recommended dish was Omurice Hayashi (Hayashi is a type of stew sauce with beef and mushrooms)... not a big fan of Hayashi but waitress recommended it.

Cabbage lettuce... limp and very boring.  I only had a few nibbles.

Soup was nice... tasted something like what a Japanese mother would make on a snowy day.

And here it is.  A massive portion of eggs hiding a mountain of seasoned rice beneath.

First few bites met with sounds of Oishii... but as the lunch went on this thing was simply endless.  There was simply tooooo much rice hidden below the soft fluffy eggs.  My friend left about 1/4 of hers and I was stuffed.  I'm a huge fan of curry and next time will give the Omu-Curry a try.

Interior was cozy, waitress super smiley and friendly, and the shop was manned by women chefs.  Highly ranked among foodies and seems all the pics on my fav foodie website is of the Hayashi Omurice...  I'll probably be back again but the massive intake of carbs might keep me away for a while.

Shop: Kitchen Obasan

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13015829/

Address J: 東京都練馬区栄町17-3 水入ハイランドマンション B棟　B1F

Address E:  Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Sakaecho 17-3

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IKEBUKURO: Seiryu Izakaya... Immaculately clean with a great picture menu!

Looking for an inexpensive spot just to have a few drinks and stumbled on multi-floored Seiryu Izakaya.

Its a great thing when everything is pictured.

Atsukan... Heated sake on a cold Tokyo evening.

Sours started at 210 yen and Beers Chu-Jocky (Middle Sized Mugs) at 380yen... not too bad.

I'm a HUGE fan of Grapefruit Sours that use half a fresh grapefruit vs liquor.  Goood stuff at 330yen!

The evenings Otoshi... kinds like Korean namuru.

300yen Motsu-Nikomi... very very flavorful.

A little spice for the Motsu.

And whenever I drink with my friend Kenta he brings out the Okinawan Ukon pills... 

....Japan's mega-hit cure for hangovers.  Seiryu is an easy beginners view of a nice comfy clean and new Izakaya vs the usual worn out Watami's or Kin-no-kura dominating mega franchises.  If you are ever in messy Ikebukuro and need a nice spot with friends or family (basement has quiet table seating) then might be a nice alternative.  But there seemed to be an excessive number of smokers this night.

Shop: Seiryu Nishi-Ikebukuro Branch

Shop Website: http://www.seiryu-sakagura.com/

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13149213/

Address J: 東京都豊島区西池袋1-23-2

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-23-2
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IKEBUKURO: Uokin Branch... Insanely popular seafood mini-franchise!

This place is ALWAYS busy in Ikebukuro and rarely can you simply walk in without a reservation unless you decide to line up before the 5pm open.  Soo... arrived at 4:50pm and by the time we entered the line was 30 deep~.  This was our Otoshi for the evening... sliced ham.

Seasoned shark fin... tasted very very fishy.  Not my favorite.

And of course this is a must.  Lots of options but there were a bit too many Hikarimono for me (shiny skinned fish) that tends to be tough or have a very strong flavor compared to Shiromi-Zakana (white fish like Hamachi) or Maguro.   Friend mentioned the flavor of tonight's dinner was not on par with the usual level at this spot... perhaps they were just too busy.

J's love seasoned veggies.

Overall the placed was rather packed... seating very basic and atmosphere seemed to Izakaya'ish style versus the Shimashi Kurafuku Uokin Branch's great cozy interior.  But... if you want to experience Japanese seafood on a budget this place is hands down one of the most reasonable spots in Tokyo.  Just remember to line up at before 5pm (time limit is 2.5hours) or show up around 7-7:30pm to enter with the second wave of customers.

Shop: Uokin Ikebukuro Branch

Shop Website: http://uokingroup.jp/gallery/index.html

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13049108/

Address J: 東京都豊島区西池袋1-35-8

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-35-8
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OIZUMI GAKUEN: Shimanchu Okinawan Restaurant... Friendly cozy~

Trying to find a great great restaurant during the New Year holiday season in Japan is nearly impossible unless you head into central Tokyo... but on the outskirts we are limited to franchise Izakaya's.

But on December 31st I gave several spots a call and nobody answered until I tried Shimanchu (Islander) Okinawan Restaurant... they were open! 

Shop recommended specials

Orion Beer!  In both draft and large bottles

Otoshi and because it was the holidays the waiter gave us each an Orange.

Umi Budou (Sea Grapes)... very very good.

Closed with our choice of Okinawan cookies... If ever in Okinawa the ideal gift to give is Chinsuko cookies. Never have I seen so many different types... 

We had the restaurant all to our selves for at least 2 hours before another party of two arrived.  Great Okinawan music on the BGM, great service from the lone waiter and left happy as we managed to finish off 3 Bottles of Awamori Zanpa Okinawan sake~.  

Shop: Shimanchu Okinawan Restaurant - Oizumi Gakuen Branch

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a285401/

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132103/13049582/

Hotpepper Website: http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000690982/

Address J: 東京都練馬区東大泉4-26-18 サンパレス大泉B1

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Higashi Oizumi 4-26-18, B1
MAP:

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