IKEBUKURO: Standing Bar Kojima... Japanese-English-Tagalog its all good here~

I've had my eye on this respectably ranked standing bar Kojima (Small Island)  in Ikebukuro and finally had a chance to go~.

Nearly all of the food and drink are 300yen... pay as you order.

The two ladies here first spoke to me in Japanese then later switched to English.  One was a 23 year old Filipina and the chef/boss was a kind Filipina in her 50's.  Super friendly...

Recommended dish... spicy Thai stir fry with pork and bamboo.

This was great... super mochi-mochi almost hane-tsuki (winged) gyoza.

Lots of snacks...

Imo-Jochu 300yen.

Restroom was still very old skool..

Chef prepares food in a tiny kitchen.

Spicy egg... another recommendation from the chef.

Overall its a very friendly standing bar izakaya... I may be back.

Restaurant: Kojima Standing Bar 

Shop Website: http://www.horidashi-ichiba.com/town/drinkstand-kojima/#omisesyoukai

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13115528/

Address J: 東京都豊島区東池袋1-39-11 サニーサイドビル101

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Higashi Ikebukuro 1-39-11
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SAKURADAI/NERIMA: Tori-Niku XXX Roast Chicken... (Will update as soon as I figure out the Store Name in Kanji !!)

There is a tiny Chicken butcher shop I pass on my way home and they serve the freshest hottest Yakitori from about 4pm to 7pm.  The owners wife is in charge of the Yakitori business and is always so super smiley friendly.

It was a HOT Tokyo day and I said it must be so hot behind the burner... a few seconds later the elderly customer joined in on the conversation.  Japanese always enjoy a little friendly conversation.

Grilled fresh and super hot tender juicy!

My 80yen Yakitori... yup only ordered one stick but service was so friendly.   On a hot summer day I suggest buying a beer at the convenience store and wander over for a few sticks.  You can stand outside and enjoy your chicken!

TOKYO TOWER: Baskin Robbins... we are now officially melting in Tokyo

Summer special... buy a big scoop and get a little one free. 380yen.

http://www.31ice.co.jp/contents/topics/130614_01.html

Went for the jamoca almond fudge with daiquiri ice.  In Japan the scoopers are trained to keep the middle as hollow as possible!  Watch out ;)

Lots of Hello Kitty goods

There were huge Doraemon's all over the place in different poses.

And for adults on a HOT sunny summer day there is a Highball Garden vs Beer Garden outside!

Shop: Baskin Robbins 31 - Tokyo Tower Branch

Baskin Robbins Japan: http://www.31ice.co.jp/

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1314/A131401/13110526/

Address J: 東京都港区芝公園4-2-8 東京タワービル 2F

Address E:
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ROPPONGI: Menya San-Maru-Go for 500yen Tsukemen!? 600yen Ramen!? For Realz!

I've been meaning to visit this respectably highly ranked Menya SanMaruGo for months but my time in Roppongi normally begins with beers... beers... and ends with more beers so I tend to wander into the more convenient Tsukemen TETSU in Roppongi Hills. BUT...

I had a meeting in Midtown Tokyo and thought I'd give this spot a try!  There are 4 totally different types of ramens, wow.  You have to be quite confident to pull this off successfully.  There's tsukemen that starts at a stunningly low 500yen, Ramen thats very "doro-doro" muddy muddy thick 600yen, 305-Ro Heavy Ramen like Jiro and finally a light Chuka Soba.

http://www.menya305.com/menu.html

I wanted something on the cheap and without realizing the Tsukemen was only 500yen I pushed the "ramen 600yen" button.

5pm! I arrived at the open :)

The 4 different types... According to this the Tsukemen is the most popular.

All counter seating... 6 seats face the chef and 5 seats face the wall.

Your free toppings including garlic.

For female customers there are aprons and hair bands for the asking.  In YELLOW that's for those who order the Jiro'esque 305-Ro Ramen: Extra veggies, thick soup, extra fatty lard and garlic all for free.

There it is!  Doro Doro!  Super thick and very flavorful...  

Soup clings onto the medium chewy noodles very nicely.

Small blocks of tender pork.. some pieces were solely fat with little meat.

Overall 500 yen or 600 yen Ramen in Roppongi?! Unheard of for sure... Ippudo and Tetsu easily command 900yen and this is in their neighborhood.  I'll 100% be back to give their Tsukemen a try!

Bought 3 Summer Jumbo Lottery tickets... wish me luck on the USD3Million!

Restaurant: Men-Ya San-Maru-Go (305)

Shop Website: http://www.menya305.com/

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13073739/

Address J: 東京都港区六本木7-13-10 ジャスマック六本木館 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 7-13-10
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