ROPPONGI: Friday's Happy Hour! 50% Off All Drinks.

Need a place to hang out before meeting up with friends or a great pre-drink spot before heading out? Can't beat FRIDAY's 50% off drinks from 5-7pm.  The best value is probably the Large 600yen Draft Beer (about pint+ size) that will cost ya only 300yen... other than that there are great Alcoholic/Non-alcoholic shakes (the Oreo Ice Cream shake looked great). Drink Menu http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g572206/menu5.htm or http://www.tgifridays.co.jp/html/menu.html

If you show the bartender this coupon it should take 10% off your bill (http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g572206/map1.htm).   Oh, the bartender will let you know around 6:55pm that last order is about over... you can stock pile drinks if you want to stay longer.

Asked about the bartender bottle tossin show but that usually happens around 9-10pm... but might get lucky and watch them do a little somethin somethin.

The hostess was bilingual and menu in English so easy easy. No worries if you are alone, there were quite a few foreigners there enjoying a drink at the bar counter.

Location: ROPPONGI (About a minute from the intersection... if you reach McDonalds or Don Qujiote you've gone too far).

Address: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 3-12-6

Tel: 03-5412-7555
Website: http://www.tgifridays.co.jp/html/

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AZABU JUBAN: A light night at Bistro Juban Stand (Standing Bar).

If you are in Azabu Juban and a bit confused as to where to start off or need a spot to have a drink before your party shows up then check out Juban Stand (http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a023701/).  Only about a minute from Oedo Line Azabu Juban line... Take exit #4 and take a left the fork in the road (or "V" in the road)... ZENSHO decided not to renew its Wendy's franchise but you'd normally walk to the left of Wendys.

Can't get enough of their demigrais motsu stew~.

Beers start at 390yen but a bit on the very small size... dude, these mugs are tiny.

Used the Gnavi coupon (http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a023701/map1.htm) for a free daily appetizer, show them this coupon via your mobile or print it out~.

Shop: Bistro Juban Stand

Station: Azabu Juban (Oedo or Nanboku)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130702/13019903/

Shop Website: http://azabu-style.co.jp/index.html

Address J:  東京都港区麻布十番2-1-9

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Azabu Juban 2-1-9

MAP: 

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EBISU: "BLACOWS" 1000yen Wagyu Burger lunch.

If you are all about the flavor of the beef then give BLACOWS a try for sure (http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130302/13096437/).  At most burger joints you'll normally find an event amount of everything... bread, ingredients, meat, french fries and drink.  But at BLACOWS its all about the meat patty... forget the french fries (they tease you, enough to beg for more), nevermind the pickle (size of a skinny weenie) and don't even bother to ask about the lunch set drink (you get water)... but they do give you a nice little salad.  Juicy juicy juicy... something about this burger and the owners demand to use the best of everything... its all on the menu in English so I won't go into detail about that part.  http://www.kuroge-wagyu.com/bc/top.html

Healthy salad always appreciated.

(*** BLACOWS Revisited on 5/28/2012. Salad was NOT included in Lunch Set ***)

1,000yen Hamburger Lunch Set (Weekdays).

Weekends/Evenings the Burger is 1,300yen.

The weenie pickle.

I've visited BLACOWs three times since they had a spot on TV a few months back.  Perfect spot for your beef craving.  They do have avocado, cheese, etc... everything you want on a burger but I opt for the plain Burger. Will review my favorite Burger Joints soon... THE GREAT BURGER and GORO's.

CHECK OUT MY REVISITED ENTRY WITH VIDEO:  http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2010/02/ebisu-blacows-revisited.html
Location: EBISU
Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130302/13096437/
Shop Website: http://www.kuroge-wagyu.com/bc/ 

Address J:  東京都渋谷区恵比寿西2-11-9
Address E:  Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Ebisu Nishi 2-11-0
MAP:

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SHIBUYA: "Hakata Tenjin" The most affordable Ramen in Tokyo... One Coin 500yen.

If you are lost in a maze of Japanese Ramen then give this place a shot.  "Hakata Tenjin" is randomly located around Tokyo and you just can't miss the yellowness of the sign.  http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13004828/

Free spicy greens to add to the ramen.

50 yen seasoned boiled eggs on the table.

Just let the noodleman know how many you ate.

Thin Noodles... similar to spaghetti in size.

The Menu.

Ramen: 500 yen.

Seaweed (Nori) Ramen: 600 yen

Bean Sprouts (Moyashi) Ramen: 600 yen.

Overall a great place for a quick meal.

An updated photo from October 28, 2023.  Its still open! 

Restaurant: Hakata Tenjin Shibuya Minamiguchi Branch

Restaurant J: 博多天神 渋谷南口店

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13004828/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区道玄坂1-5-4

Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Dogenzaka 1-5-4

MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zieBRqahoMirXmRG6

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博多天神 渋谷南口店, はかたてんじん, ラーメン, 

SHIBUYA: (CLOSED) JOYTIME. Affordable pancakes in Tokyo!

Ever try and hunt down some pancakes in Tokyo without paying way too much for mediocre pancakes. Sure you could hit up Dennys for your craving but don't think you'll leave happy.  Mari introduced me to JOYTIME in Shibuya.  Odd name but its a full on old skool Japanaese family restaurant.  Hidden away in the basement of a building that very few foreigners will wander by.. but the place was full with young college students and senior citizens... i had the pleasure of watching one dig for gold way up in his nose... now this was with his wife sitting in front of him.  2 pancakes, butter and syrup for 120yen... other than making it at home you won't find a better deal plus for an additional 100yen you can order a drink (vs @150-170 on its own).  I don't know if the low price added to its appeal but you definitely have to check out the atmosphere in this place... not a foreigner in sight.  On top of that some of the items on the menu are ridiculously cheap (for Tokyo) compared to other family restaurants.

B1 of this building.

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13012519/dtlmap/

120yen Pancakes TOP

and the BOTTOM.

The pancake Menu. (Banana Pancake, Bacon Egg Pancake, Ham Cheese Pancake,

Strawberry, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Ice Cream etc.

Shop: JOYTIME
Location: Shibuya Station
Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13012519/
Address J:  東京都渋谷区桜丘町16-13 大和田第一ビル Ｂ１Ｆ
Address E:   Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Sakuragao-cho, 16-13 (Basement B1)

MAP:

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GINZA Kangyoken: Yakiniku Dinner Buffet

I can't remember the last time I had Yakiniku (Japanese grilled BBQ).  When Mari was working in Ginza she would frequent this spot during lunch... she event mentioned she went 4 out of 5 days for their lunch specials (also serve korean dishes).  There are normally 2 levels of beef that can range from 800yen for the lower quality to 2,000 yen for the same part of beef but higher softer quality.  So eating Yakiniku for 2 can easily run +10,000 yen.  Another option is to goto a regular Yakiniku Buffet restaurant that might run 3,000yen but the quality of beef is hit and miss.  Anyways, this spot is actually run by a beef wholesaler/butcher so the quality and flavor was very oishiii~.   We did the early bird 5-7pm dinner buffet with 500 yen off plus Stone bowl bibimbap, kalbi kuppa (spicy rice soup) and yukke (seasoned raw beef) was included for this time period.  The Kalbi was so soft and mouth watering, Mari's favorite.  I liked the ro-su (ロースwhats this in English?) and seasoned Yukke was amazing.  I was all about eating and ordered just water... tempted with beer but needed that extra space for all the great meats. We ordered Kalbi/Ro-su/Harami x 3 dishes, Yukke x2, Tontori (pork), mixed vegetable plate, kimchee, daikon kimchee, Kalbi Kuppa, seaweed soup, cow tongue pork spare ribs, young chicken w/ miso seasoning x1 and some rice.  Oh, if you show them this coupon you'll get 2 free deserts (http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g293422/map1.htm), we had the frozen Mango desert.  If you want to add all you can drink its 2,100 yen for men and 1,575 yen for ladies.  Great atmosphere, great service and the quality of meat was excellent...totally recommend this place...

LOCATION: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g293422/
MAP: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g293422/map1.htm (Across the street from Wendy's in Ginza) and a few minutes walk from Marui at Yurakucho Staton.
Address: Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Ginza Nishi 2-2, Ginza Ins Two, 2F.
Tel: 03-5250-2777

EBISU: JACKPOT Izakaya with dedicated Italian, Chinese, Japanese chefs!

Planning to go out with a few nice friends that like to drink ALOT?! Mari goes out occasionally with her girlfriends and a few nice lovely ladies can go thru 5-6 drinks over dinner... so if the bill is split evenly those who only have 1-2 kinda lose out. SO! Jackpot (http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g203604/)in Ebisu with their 1,000yen TWO hour drinking session is a must (Must enter before 6:30pm Mon-Sat). The drink menu is huge~... and even have Ebisu Bottled Beer. Food is prepared by full on chefs (not young part timers) and each have specific food prep duties (Chinese, Italian, Japanese, etc). The Menu is also in English (Website Menu in English: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g203604/menu3.htm ) and the variety of items you can choose will please anyone~. I like the Maguro Kama (Tuna Cheek Bone), Penne Arrabiatta (A bit on the heavy garlic side), Mushroom creme with bread, Maguro Wasabi Salad... and a few others. Daily specials are vast and restaurant menu had many more items than the website. 1,000yen drinks plus food... you should be able to leave this spot for under 3,000 yen and fully enjoy the evening. But I do suggest something. Drink in MODERATION~... me? No, a bit shy to say it but i'm a bit drunk by the end of 2 hours. Don't forget the "Atsu-kan" (Hot Sake)... perfect for the winter.



Address J: 東京都渋谷区恵比寿西1-13-2 サンキビル １Ｆ
Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, EBISU 1-13-2

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130302/13007389/
Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g203604
MAP:

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