Ochiai Minami Nagasaki: The newest KURA Sushi! Totally got hooked on the Seasoned Maguro Gunkan aka Boat of War! Reminded me of Hawaiian Poke. (Sony RX100)

Im never a heavy eater when it comes to Kaiten Sushi and usually just stop by to relax a bit to get out of the summer heat or winter cold.  Stopped by Kura Sushi newest branch in the suburbs of Ochiai Minami Nagasaka.

Lucky me! Remember to always select 2 people at the table ticket machine... the way you are sure to get a booth even as a lone diner.

My very spacious booth... can fit up to 6.

Kaiten Sushi Japan started mostly a make to order because all the nuisance Tiktokers that lick the sushi goin by or taking a bit out of the food then returning it. 

Free green tea!

There it is! 132 yen seasoned maguro gunkan aka tuna in a battle ship.

This kinda reminded me of Hawaiian Poke! Has such a nice sweet flavoring. 

Free ginger gari.  Heard this was good for heartburn. 

Another order please!

Plate #2

Plate #3!!  Loved it.

Of course my favorite Tempura Ika!  Made to order hot and crispy!

Free Wifi.  

Specials.  

The damage! 3 plates of regular sushi and 1 slightly higher priced tempura.

Turned on the TV and they had a KURA Sushi ranking program on!

What my favorite battle ship tuna is ranked #54!!!  It was so good though.  Overall the great thing about this branch is that you can get a table right away vs the nearby Ikebukuro branch thats easily an hour wait.  From the table allocation, ordering and payment everything is self serve. Absolutely no interaction with the staff.

Restaurant: Kura Sushi - Ochiai Minami Nagasaki Branch

Restaurant J: くら寿司 落合南長崎駅前店

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13289525/

Address J: 東京都豊島区南長崎4-13-4 アイテラスANNEX B1F

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Minami Nagasaki 4-13-4, iTerrace Annex B1F

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4YpH3RBA7pj1r11M8

落合南長崎駅, Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, sony rx100, iphone 12 mini, lunch, dinner, cheap, railroad sushi, 回転寿司, beer, dessert, cheap, budget, family restaurant 

ASAGAYA: Ma Blue Dome Bar... reminded me of Shinjuku Golden Gai. I ordered the shops most recommended drink... hohum. (iPhone 12 Mini)

 

Asagaya had an amazing bar hopping event last week and just had to go! You all know that this is a town of so many tiny restaurants, izakayas and bars!

Unfortunately I arrived at this bar during dinner time so it was empty for quite a while.

Ma Blue Dome Bar マーブルードーム

I asked the University Student bartender for some of his recommendations in the are and then later 2 older bilingual regulars. 

A view outside from my entrance counter seat.

First time to a bar and always ask what their most recommended drink.  Unfortunately the part time uni guy pulled out a 100 yen carton of Acelora juice and put a squirt of sake inside the mug.  Boring!

Later these two regulars stopped by and spoke Englihs quite well! They are Asagaya locals.

Overall its a nice cozy bar with no entrance fee.  Would suggest going when there are some people inside.  

Bar: Ma⇔Blue⇒Dome Asagaya

Bar J: マーブルードーム 阿佐ヶ谷

Address J: 東京、杉並区、阿佐谷南 2-21-12

Address E: 2 Chome-21-12 Asagayaminami, Suginami City, Tokyo 166-0004

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HwnkQa6wejEzdbdKA

阿佐ヶ谷一番街にある狭いBar, @Ma_Blue_Dome, Japan, Japanese, foodie, bar, pub, iphone 12 mini, cheap, yokocho, TokyoBelly, asagaya, koenji, 阿佐ヶ谷飲み屋さん祭り

ARAKAWA KUMANOMAE: Hakata Ramen Nagahama-Ya... that good ole Fukuoka Style Tonkotsu Ramen! Friendly waitress and great lunch combo! (iPhone 12 Mini)

 

On my visit to Fukuoka I tried several Hakata Tonkotsu ramen spots but noticed that you dont have the option to select the texture of your noodles... hard to soft.

Friend suggested I try the Black Hakata Raman.  The very basic version on the top left button is only 550 yen.  What a deal!

Waitress will take your tickets and ask how long you want the noodles boiled.  It ranges from 3 seconds for super hard to 60 seconds for soft noodles.  I went with the normal 40 seconds.

My Ramen! Soup was totally like anything you can get in Fukuoka.  Very flavorful tonkotsu broth with a 100 yen seasoned semi-boiled egg.

2 slices of tender charsiu pork.  My main complaint with Hakata Ramen is how hard the noodles are.  But it was nice to have the option to select the hardness.  Longer you boil the more chewy it gets.

Rather spacious with tables for 2-6.  Was a full house when we left at around noon.

Lunch special... for an additional 100 yen you can get a side of fried rice.

Friend went wild on the free toppings.  Huge scoop of garlic and hot green veggies.

Overall this place has a lowly Google Review 2.7 stars but I totally enjoyed.  The waitress was very attentive, food came out within a few minutes and they had TV the news.  If in the area why not!

Restaurant: Hakata Ramen Nagahama-Ya

Restaurant J: 博多ラーメン長浜や  宮ノ前 熊野前駅

Homepage: https://www.tonkotsukun.com/

Address J: 東京都荒川区東尾久8丁目31-1

Address E: 8 Chome-31-1 Higashiogu, Arakawa City, Tokyo 116-0012

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hTmqsPNq26UQPxpJ7

Japan, Japanese, noodles, yelp, tokyobelly, iphone 12 mini, lunch, dinner 

KICHIJOJI: Banpaiya izakaya on Halloween for a great glass of Pineapple Sour aka Namashibori Pine-Wari! A MUST!! (iPhone 12 Mini)

Got an invite from President Mori to check out Kichijoji on Halloween Night. 

Everything you need is in Harmonica Yokocho!

First stop Banpaiya!  My favorite budget izakaya in the area.

Started off with a Hoppy. 

Got very full a little after I arrived and drinks too a looooong time to arrive.

Seasonal Ginnan or Ginko Beans. Have a great chewy texture.

Always gotta try the squid rings! 

Some tuna.

Think this was pig ear or something... Mori always orders this.

I asked if they had the traditional cut of lemon or even grapefruit but nope... Then the bartender suggested the Pineapple drinks!  All me. 

Check that out! Pineapples can cost around 500 yen at the supermarket.

Twist twist then pour.

Lots of chunks of pineapple.  GOTTA TRY!!

Freshly made corokke... yum but a bit heavy.

Closed with another plate of gin-nan. Banpaiya is a great ultra wallet friendly izakaya located around Tokyo... if in Kichijoji GO GO GO!!

Restaurant: Tachinomi Banpaiya Kichijoji Branch

Restaurant J: 立呑み晩杯屋 吉祥寺店

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1320/A132001/13284785/

Address J: 東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺本町1-1-3

Address E: TOkyo, Musashino-shi, Kichijoji, Honmachi 1-1-3

Google MAPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VpFQ8uVmaVSUodns6

居酒屋, 吉祥寺駅, ハーモニカ横丁, Japan, japanese, bar, pub, iphone 12 mini, yelp, tokyobelly, dinner, cheap, yakitori, sushi, seafood, meat, junk food, sake, nihonshu, beer,