SHIBUYA: SUZURAN Chuka Soba... TKO'd over the chunky massive lasagna noodles and 1,450yen price!!

Its been years since I last visited Suzuran but since I was in the area with a ramen connoisseur I had to take him. But little would I know how this one bowl after a Thai dinner  nearby would destroy me~

Susuran is in the shadows of the massive Shibuya police station and next to ChinChin Snack Pub.

Nice balance of male female clientele...

Yes 2!  We were the last two to order the super chunky hirauchi noodles... good timing as they seem to sell out late into the evening.  And Oomori (extra noodles) is free but they mixed in thin and medium thick noodles.

Our friendly waitress.

Look at these massive price points! Wow... Oh man... venturing into the 1,550yen zones.  We simply asked for the shop recommended dish... regrets!

Lots of Yebisu beer kegs and Japanese sake.

How can I  describe this soup... sweet miso broth that doesn't quite cling to the noodles. 

Here I go! 1,450yen staring at me... The beef was so super tender and extremely tasty. 

But the main attraction was this extremely thick lasagna style noodles.  Super thick and so deliciously chewy!  Loads of fun eating this but the soup didn't quite go so well with the noodles. 

The Chefs

Overall this is a fun Chuka Soba Tsukemen spot... clean, great service, nice mix of clientele and its been around for years.  Give it a try if you are in Shibuya!! #suzuranshibuya @suzuranshibuya 

Shop: SUZURAN Chuka Soba

Foodie Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13002110/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/suzuranshibuya

Time Out Tokyo: http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/11927/Suzuran

Address J: 東京都渋谷区渋谷3-7-5 大石ビル 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Shibuya 3-7-5
MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/V8EoO

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中華そば, すずらん, ラーメン, つけ麺, 渋谷, 味噌, Tokyo, Japan, noodles, ramen, tsukemen, foodie, miso, shoyu, tonkotsu, tokyobelly, futomen, hosomen, chukka,

OMOTESANDO: Gapao Shokudo for a friendly Thai dinner on the outskirts of Posh Omotesando~

I rarely eat Thai dinner in Japan because simple curries can well exceed 1,000yen but a friend called in the afternoon craving some spicy food so just got lucky on the timing with this 50% off Groupon.

This was our course and the Nomihoudai free drink menu~

Started off with some Premium Malts Draft Beer... and the first appetizers arrived!

Fried chicken skin (what can I say) and spicy shrimp katsu with sweet spicy dipping sauce.

Next the Popiah fresh spring rolls with the usual shrimp and veggies... hmm... can't expect much.

My favorite dish of the evening was the Larb Gai Thai chicken salad with fresh crispy chopped shallots. 

I think one of the best aspects of the restaurant was they used imported Roco juice cans for most of their fruity mixed with 三楽焼酎 Takuma Brand shochu drinks.  The guava, lychee and mango were all so smooth... perfect soother for a spicy dinner.

Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)... 

3 sets of bench style counter seats perfect for a date.  Behind us were a few tables and when it's warmer there is seating outside too.

My view from the counter seat.

Final dish was the Pad Thai.  It was normal... nothing impressive.

At the end of the meal they will present you with the optional food and desserts... felt like I was in a car sales office... slight pressure of declining these options. 

Restroom was very clean with this tiny little faucet... it lightly sprinkles water.

Overall if I had to pay 3,800yen per person for this meal I most likely won't return for the food but perhaps for the tasty mixed drinks.  There are many other items on the regular menu but nothing really stood out this night BUT the Tabelog foodies give this spot a very respectable 3.56pts.  Service was quick and friendly... If you can budget a little higher then I still have to say Jasmine Thai in Roppongi is the better choice.

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2013/09/roppongi-jasmine-thai-wow-probably-best.html

Gapao Shokudo is having a special on their bento's thru January... Probably the best way to gauge if this spot is right for you.

Restaurant: Gapao Shokudo

Shop Website: http://www.gapao-shokudo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gapaoshokudo

Tabelog Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13041239/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区渋谷2-8-10 青山FMビル

Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Shibuya 2-8-10
MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/N1glk

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ガパオ食堂 , ガパオショクドウ, タイ料理, タイカレー , 表参道, 渋谷, thailand, japanese, japan, aoyama gakuin, united nations university, foodie, tokyobelly, curry, green, red, yellow,

EKODA: Isyokukobo Jyonnobi Italian for lunch pasta... tasty spicy garlic pasta.

I so thought I was walking into highly ranked Girasole but mistakenly stepped into Jyon Nobi! Oh no...

Pasta menu starts at 780yen... Lunch only includes the main dish, mini-salad and water.  No cappuccino, no after lunch dessert, no extras...

All you can eat tiny Focaccia bread. 

Little balls covered in roasted soybean flower

Sesame seeds baked into a very chewy bread. 

Interior was cozy with table seating for 2, 4 and one semi-private booth. 

Typical mini salad arrived.

I'm a huge fan of penne arrabiata so just had to get the garlic and spicy red pepper tomato pasta.

I love garlic but this was so overwhelming... thank goodness this was just lunch with a friend.  Very flavorful deep rich taste... I don't eat Pasta often as I know the cost is so very little. 

Friend went for the 980yen shrimp and clam in a cream sauce.

With the ranking at a very lowly 3.02 points on Tabelog I doubt I will ever return. With a can 90yen can of imported Italian tomato sauce, 50yen worth of pasta noodles and a garlic clove I would rather just make this at home.

The Nihon University College of Art is holding an exhibition of its graduating students nearby.

http://www.art.nihon-u.ac.jp/

And I leave you with a beautiful Nissan R35 GT-R.

Restaurant: JYONNOBI Italian 

Tabelog Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13015825/

Address J: 東京都練馬区栄町6-12 マーメイドホール B1F

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Sakaecho 6-12
MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/eZwde

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伊食工房 JYONNOBI, イショクコウボウジョンノビ, イタリアン, パスタ, ピザ, 江古田, 日本大学芸, 日本大学芸術学部卒業制作展, 日藝, japanese, tokyo, foodie, pasta, spaghetti, museum, art school, graduate, unversity, tokyobelly, lunch,