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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

OKINAWA: Shimoji Soba... little old traditional Okinawa home converted into a noodle shop. Nice! (iPhone 12 mini)


On my way to UNESCO world heritage Shikinaen Royal Garden and spotted Shimoji Soba... couldnt see inside but it was a old traditional Okinawan home that was converted into a restaurant.



I always order the super tender pork ribs Soki Soba... 800 yen!  Prices were reasonable.  They also had varieties on Shave Ice for only 200 yen.

Seat near the TV. Self serve water, tea and coffee... all free.

The pork was so incredibly tender and flavorful

Noodles were a bit curly. slightly thin and on the chewy side... enjoyed it.  Soup was super hot!  Unusual for soup to be this hot but kept everything warm til the end of the bowl.

Tiny veggie and Okinawan mozuku seaweed.


Guy who came in after me ordered the traditional Okinawan Juushi seasoned rice.  Ordered a mini 100 yen bowl... nice light flavor with a hint of butter?  It was goooood.

I later talked to the staff at Shikinaen Royal Garden and mentioned I went to Shimoji Soba... she said only tourists go there! Locals go to another spot in the area... I better start asking what soba shops the locals like.  Oh well.

Restaurant: Shimoji Okinawan Soba
Restaurant J: 下地そば シモジソバ 
Address J: 沖縄県那覇市字真地41
Address E: 41 Maaji, Naha, Okinawa 902-0072
Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, ramen, noodles, naha, soba, okinawa, okinawan, lunch, dinner, family restaurant, shave ice, kakigori, 沖縄そば, 首里駅

Thursday, March 7, 2024

TAKADANOBABA: Gindaco had an amazing 3 day special! 390 yen for 8 Takoyaki Balls! Staff was incredibly nice. (iPhone 12 mini)

I tend not too much Osaka style foods because of the carbs but luckily walked by the Gindaco Takadanobaba branch minutes before closing and scored their very last serving of 390 yen 8 Takoyaki ball set!  Normally over 600 yen. 



My iPhone 12 mini is so tiny I always get a finger in the shot.... grrr.

Found a great spot on the bridge at Kanda River!  Yup, I was streaming the entire night on Twitch! Give me a follow AlohaSteve808 https://www.twitch.tv/alohasteve808

Wow! I have impressions of Takoyaki being a bit soft and chewy but Gindaco balls were soooo crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside! It was sooooo good!  

My View! When in Tokyo and craving Osaka Takoyaki definitely give Gidaco a try!  Especially the Takadanobaba branch with such a spacious inside dining area.

Restaurant: Tsukiji Gindaco Taishū-Sakaba - Takadanobaba
Restaurant J: 築地銀だこ 高田馬場さかえ通り店
Address J: 東京都新宿区高田馬場3-2-13 ドムス・サニ・ヤナガワビル 1F
Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Takadanobaba 3-2-13
たこ焼き、焼きそば、お好み焼き, 築地銀だこ 大衆酒場 高田馬場さかえ通り店, Japan, Japanese, tokyo, foodie, yelp, cheap, lunch, dinner, osaka, pub, iphone 12 mini, okonomiyaki

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

KOTAKEMUKAIHARA: Bikkuri Donkey for their fantastic 8am-11am exclusive early bird deal! Burger and Awesome Miso Soup only 670 yen! (iPhone 12 Mini)

This Minimum Dish Set is all me!  Lots of great deals before 11am and it comes with coffee or Miso soup.

100 grams of hamburger steak, mini rice, mini salad and a super flavorful bow of miso soup.


The breakfast menu.


The burgers here are always so super tender and juicy... just enjoy it every time.

Salad with sesame seed mayo dressing?  O

It says Miso Soup goes very well with your burger...

One of the best soups Ive had... there was egg and mushrooms inside. Quite a large serving. 

Waitress said I could sit anywhere I wanted... picked a tiny booth for 2.

But this might be one of the best options if you are a small eater.  130 grams of hamburger salad and ric for only 635 yen. 



670 yen with Tax!  I was soooo incredibly satisfied.  If in Japan you must try Bikkuri Donki wherever you are!  The booths kinda of remind me of a cowboy western US restaurant.

Restaurant: Bikkuri Donkey Itabashi Komone Shop
Restaurant J: びっくりドンキー 板橋こもね店
Address J: 東京都板橋区小茂根3-16-1
Address E: 3 Chome-16-1 Komone, Itabashi City, Tokyo 173-0037
ファミレス、ハンバーグ, 小竹向原駅, Kotakemukaihara, Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, breakfast, lunch, dinner, cheap, diner, beer, pub, bar, family restaurant, burger, hamburger, 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

SHINKIBA: Himonoya for some amazing fish hotpot! Rented out the entire 2nd floor... super attentive service from the staff. (iPhone 12 Mini)

After a evening of of Amateur mix martial arts the gang all headed to Himonoya in Shinkiba for some very good seafood!  The course was mostly fish and I sure did need me some fish...


Our group rented out the entire 2nd floor.

All you can drink menu in the 4,800 yen course.  I pretty much stuck with the beeru.

Seasoned raw scallops

Sashimi platter with salmon, shiny skin fish and buri... none of my favorite tuna. 

Just had one slice of buri... it was incredibly thick, 

Grilled fish was soooo juicy... one giant one per person.


Little did I know I would absolutely love this fish hotpot.

Eggs that you normally find at most sushi shops but I dont think it was freshly made... seemed a bit processed but with a little diced daikon radish and shoyu it was nice.

Pickled veggies




Let that hotpot simmer a bit so the fresh fish gets nicely cooked. 

Had mostly beer but needed to get a bit of whisky hiball in the mix.

Then! After everyone nearly finishes all the fish and veggies in the hotpot we added a scoop of rice and a raw egg.  Soooo good! For some reason I tasted something cheesy... yum!


Most of the fighters were amateurs and regular people with normal jobs... nice crew of folks.


If you are interested in the next match just let me know! Will keep you all updated. But overall this izakaya was just sooo great... as huge as our group was the waiter and waitress had a positive attitude thru the end.  Great service!

Restaurant: Himonoya Shinkiba Main Branch
Restaurant J: ひもの屋 新木場総本店
Address J: 東京都江東区新木場1-3-8
Address E: Tokyo, Koto-ku, Shin Kiba 1-3-8
居酒屋、海鮮、鍋, りんかい線 新木場駅, Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, iphone 12 mini, izakaya, pub, bar, cheap, seafood, sushi, grilled fish, nabe,