Looking for a delicious Michelin-approved food experience? You surely cannot go wrong with heading to Roppongi Hills; a large-scale development project located in Tokyo, which is known for its nightlife and and shopping. Roppongi Hills is also home to the shopping mall Metro Hat, which is currently renovating its food court on basement floor 2. The foodcourt will have its grand opening on October 29th.    The renovation will introduce seven new restaurants to the food court. Some of these include ramen shops and Yakitori restaurants which are bringing brand new rare dishes and flavours to the table.   Let's look at our recommendations:   Ginza Kagari (銀座 篝)

Chicken Soba: ￥900 (before tax)

Ginza Kagari is known for their notorious never-ending queues. In 2016 and 2017, it earned a place in the Michelin Guide Tokyo and even became popular overseas. One of their specilaties is their chicken soba. The broth is packed with the goodness and flavour of the entire chicken and even the bones. The flavour of the broth is exquisite and rich. The salt kaeshi sauce which is made from a mix of soy sauce, mirin and sugar goes perfectly with the soup. The salt mixture in the sauce consists of a range of natural salts which contain the natural goodness of the sea and perfectly enhance the flavours of the soup.   Location: Metro Hat Hollywood Plaza Floor B2Opening Hours: 11:00 ー 23:00 (L.O: 22:00)Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/  (The website is scheduled to open during mid October)   Yakitori Kokorikoan (焼鳥ここりこ庵)

Yakitori (chicken skewer): ￥200 (before tax)

You must not miss out on Kokorikoan's Chicken Skin Hotpot ー a dish that is rare even to Tokyo. This dish is the perfect opportunity to discover a new kind of flavour and a new way to enjoy food. This restaurant prepares their dishes using special and rare cuts of chicken and chicken that is freshly ground in the morning. The chicken is flavored using traditional flavorings such as tare sauce and salt as well as flavorings that are not so conventional in Japan such as balsamic vinegar, herb vinegar, madeira wine, brandy and much more. Each cut of meat is prepared with the most careful methods and best seasonings to fully bring out the flavours.    Location: Metro Hat/ Hollywood Plaza Floor B2Opening Hours: Lunch: 11:00 ー 15:30 (L.O.15:00)  Dinner: 17:00 ー 23:00 (L.O.22:00)Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/ (The website is scheduled to open during mid October)     Pintokona (ぴんとこな)As a cheap place to enjoy authentic sushi, Pintokona has become a very popular restaurant. Now, it is having a fresh renewal. This sushi is made by using seasonal ingredients from around Japan. From November 1 to 30, there will be an exciting new menu that includes fresh fish from Miyazaki and authentic shochu (Japanese spirit). There will also be a fair that you also should not miss out on.    Location: Metro Hat/ Hollywood Plaza Floor B2Opening Hours: Lunch: 11:00 ー 15:30 (L.O: 15:00) Dinner: 17:00 ー 23:00 (L.O: 22:00)Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/ (The website is scheduled to open during mid October)    AFURI（アフリ）

Yuzu Orange and Salt Ramen: ￥1000 (before tax) 

Popular ramen shop AFURI sells a ramen with a translucent gold-coloured soup made using the natural spring water that gushes from the foot of Mount Afuri (Mount Oyama) located in the Tanzawa Mountain Range of the Kanto Region. Carefully selected chicken bones, pot herbs, kombu (kelp) and katsuobushi (fermented and smoked fish) is boiled in the water to add to the flavour. The whole wheat flour used to make the noodles creates a wonderfully fresh, chewy texture. The chashu roast pork pieces are freshly barbecued upon each order, creating a fresh and delicious flavour. AFURI also sells vegan ramen which is particularly popular among foreigners.

  We have a full report on our heavenly trip to AFURI so if you are curious to find out more, please check out our this article: Introducing AFURI—Harajuku’s Michelin-Starred Ramen Restaurant   Location: Metro Hat/ Hollywood Plaza Floor B2Opening Hours: 11:00 ー 23:00 (L.O:22:00)Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/shops_restaurants/restaurants/00100.html   There are just so many popular shops and restaurants at Metro Hat that you will be spoilt for choice. We hope you enjoy exploring the rich culture of Roppongi. 

Rinko Murata loves all types of curry. In this edition of Tokyo Dinner, she invites the person she wants to meet up with the most to eat the curry she’s been wanting to eat the most.   This month’s notable restaurant she stopped by was HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE in Kōenji, Tokyo. Their curry portions are generous and are good for the stomach and satiety center. They serve a curry flavoured with Japanese dashi, or ‘stock.’   How do you spend your early afternoons when you have time off? Lounging around at home with quality time to yourself sounds like a good plan. Definitely appealing.   But this is a rare opportunity. How about going on a little adventure to try something you can get a kick out of because it’s midday and a weekday?   I know the perfect curry house for your hungry selves. HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE.   As the Japanese name suggests, it’s a curry that can only be eaten at lunchtime, a mysterious dish that doesn’t appear on regular days off.   I land in Kōenji, a place I love the most. Even though iKōenji is Kōenji, the closest station to the restaurant is Higashi-Kōenji Station. My vision is filled with all kinds of sights. It’s like being lost in a treasure chest. This place is actually normally a café and goes by the name Schwarze Katze. It’s open mainly on Friday night, weekends and holidays. “HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE” runs in a rented room in the café and and is open when the café is. It’s kind of luxurious to have the chance to eat my favourite food (curry!) in a place like this. My heart desires the Wadashi Soboro Curry (¥980) that I mentioned earlier. It also comes with self-service coffee for after your meal. For toppings you can choose whatever you like. Since I was there and didn’t want to get lost on what to pick, I went for all the toppings (¥300). The water I ordered comes in a plastic bottle. The tables have antique displays. Everything on them was wonderful. The air was clad in that rich, familiar scent of curry, a special one that I would never get to eat had I not come here. The instant I hold the curry in my mouth the delicious flavour of the dashi sparks in my mouth like fireworks. The broth has a slight thickness to it and a strong, deep flavour that fades into a soft aftertaste on the tip of your tongue. It’s not at all spicy, and the goodness of the dashi is luxurious like being escorted by a gentleman. And I can’t forget the smell. My taste buds throb at this new sensation. Like its name suggests, this is a dish where the Japanese dashi stands out above the ingredient crowd. The restaurant owner has gathered much experience in the kitchen from traditional Japanese cuisine to sushi, ramen, yakiniku, izakaya style and so on. He encountered this place by chance, and with one look he said to himself, “I want to try doing curry.” The Wadashi Soboro Curry came about through his gained culinary experience combined with the aesthetics of the café. To bring out the full flavour of the dashi so it isn’t drowned out by the curry spices, the owner uses two types of skipjack tuna, kombu, dark sleeper, and dried sea slug, as well as a type of soy sauce called Kaeshi. 15 more ingredients are blended together to create the spices, creating deep and delicate flavours. Now it’s time for a session with the mountain of ingredients I greedily asked for. It’s enshrined with classics like meat soboro, beefsteak, agedama, bonito flakes, and dried plum in addition to pickled daikon radish, crushed natto, Japanese ginger, and okra. The spinach and onsen tamago egg sit at the foot of the mountain and create a new culinary sight. The base of the dashi is mobilized with a force of Japanese ingredients with a smell and flavour and that comes together harmoniously in your mouth. I’m spellbound by the flavours that stand out coupled with the pleasant textures of the agedama, daikon and ginger. Hey, I must have hit every ingredient in there. All correct.   I added a sprinkle of pepper that was on the table and create yet another refreshing aromatic veil. The compatibility of the pepper with the dish works so well precisely because it uses a Japanese dashi. Wadashi, or Japanese broth, is a staple of Japanese cuisine. The curry and Japanese soul carved into this dish resonates with me. It’s my first time eating it, yet I’m still filled with a sort of nostalgia―a warm embrace. I also understand why when the shop opens, the customers in the café stand up and change with the next line of customers. The owner has a wonderful sensitivity, and has worked out a way to put his own matchless warmth into each and every bowl. I caught sight of his gentle smile as he was cooking in the kitchen. It left an impression on me. What a delicious curry to enjoy in such a wonderful place. All five of my senses have reached peak happiness. I grab my post-meal coffee and head onto the streets of Kōenji. What a wonderful weekday afternoon.   Text:Rinko Murata Photo:Kayo Sekiguchi Edit:Miiki Sugita Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Yakitorikazu is a new yakitori restaurant opening in Kyoto on November 11, 2018. Together with a team who have won Michelin’s Bib Gourmand award two years in a row for their yakitori, the restaurant is set to bring yakitori to the people of Kyoto in a new way. The food on the menu uses fresh red chicken from Kyoto to create a whole range of dishes. The chickens are raised in a wide open area in Kyoto’s mountainous countryside on organic and non-chemical feed. They are brought up and live in a stress-free environment, resulting in fine fibers in the meat and ensuring full flavour. Food is prepared with high-grade charcoal which has a high far infrared ray effect and draws out delicious taste. The chefs pour their heart and soul into each and every skewer which are all cooked individually like true artisanal work. They are also cooked in front of you meaning all of your senses will be tickled by the sight, sound, smell and taste. Skewers can be ordered individually and there’s even an 18-skewer course for ¥4,800 (pre-tax). There are just 20 seats at the counter where food is cooked and served fresh. The restaurant has simple décor and a relaxed environment with jazz playing in the background allowing customers to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. As well as chicken there’s a range of seasonal vegetables on the menu, all harvested in Japan. The restaurant is also particular about ensuring customers can enjoy the original natural taste of the vegetables. For drinks there’s a range of brand sake and shochu all of which go perfectly with the chicken and change periodically. There’s also a diverse line-up of glass wine.   If you’re looking to enjoy great and delicious food then look no further than Yakitorikuzu.

The National Yakitori Association is looking to promote the food and culture of yakitori―skewered chicken―to the world. To achieve this, they have opened Yakitori Stadium Tokyo. Described as ‘the homeground of legendary Japanese yakitori,’ you’ll be able to taste and compare different yakitori from around the country, witness yakitori being freshly made in front of you by top yakitori chefs, and more. The shop takes on a ‘traditional-modern’ design. It’s decked out with a white hanging roof to give it that symbolic stadium feel. Top chefs from yakitori chains around Japan are invited periodically to cook yakitori in front of customers which can be eaten at the counter seats. There’s also relaxing individual rooms for groups too.   The huge monitor in the restaurant plays videos covering the history and culture of Japanese yakitori as well as yakitori events held in Japan and overseas. From its 5^th floor location, which overlooks Yurakucho Station, you can watch shinkansen dart past and a gorgeous nighttime view where you can see Hibiya. If you’re a lover of yakitori then rest assured you’re going to love Yakitori Stadium Tokyo.    

The orange Chuo line of the station can be seen from the large window on the wall. Sometimes it's the yellow Sobu line. Without having even left the ticket barriers, you can catch a glimpse of it from the platform. When night descends over the district, the window frames light up with illumination. Welcome to Yonchome cafe in Kouenji. I can't believe it's been 7 years that I’ve wandered up and down these streets! Today we are going to introduce the one place I can't stop loving. It is located in the charming Kouenji and is the home of this wonderful window view.

Leave the south exit, walk along the rotary and you will eventually arrive at Yonchome cafe, which is on the 2nd floor of the building. What a fitting name for a cafe located in Yonchome, Kouenji!

Open the thick wooden door and you will discover a cafe with an interior bigger than you imagined. With 100 seats, the atmosphere of the cafe is moderate and spacious, with a good distance between the tables and an overall calm feel. Sit here and you will easily lose track of time. Amongst the mood lights and glistening stain glass windows, of course the seat of your choice would be next to the window, where the evening light entwines with the ambient glow that radiates from the Chuo line.

However, when the weather is fine or when a mild midday breeze rolls in, it's hard to resist a seat on the terrace! A book in one hand and coffee in the other, or raising a toast with beers, watching the busy people walking the steers below. What's your style?

The heartily portioned lunch sets are reasonably priced and delicious, making this restaurant really stand out. The regular menu includes generous portions that are ideal for sharing. Happy hour runs on the weekdays from 17:00 〜 21:00, during which time draft beers and the house wine sells for just ￥230! The main charm of Yonchome is its value for time and money.

The deluxe taco-rice with soft boiled egg （デラックスタコライス 半熟卵添え） costs ￥1,000. As the name implies, it is an extravagant and luxurious dish. No matter how hungry you are or how many people are in your group, this meal is the perfect size to share or devour solely to yourself. The dish is packed with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, meat and cheese. The spicy sauce packs the perfect punch to balance out the mild egg. Order a beer for the perfect finish to your feast.

Speaking of beer, the anchovy potatoes (￥500) make for the perfect accompaniment. Although the potatoes are quite large, the crispy skin, tempting aroma, and creamy and salty anchovy butter enhance its wow-factor. This is the ultimate combination of flavours! Although this is quite a quirky dish to single out, I must say out of all the potato dishes I have ever had in my life, this was the best!

Whether you drink alcohol or steer clear of it, there is something for everyone at Yonchome Café. The coffee, alcohol and soft drinks range is particularly large. They also sell special summer homemade lemonade for ￥630, which is the perfect way to refresh yourself and quench your dry days against the heat of summer.

Light pours passionately into the café, yet the atmosphere is calm. No matter when the food arrives, it is always delicious. No matter what time you arrive, you will be greeted by comfort. Whether it be afternoon or evening, whether you come alone or in a crowd, you will always feel welcome.

Like the view outside your window, our feelings change every day. However, you can always count on this café to always be here, unchanged. You can return to your favourite spot, your favourite seat and enjoy your favourite meal.

 

As the day winds down and the night time illumination lights up, the Chuo line is still running. Seated next to the window that exposes the Chuo line in operation, I thought to myself that maybe, this is my favourite spot.

 

Photo：Kayo Sekiguchi
Editor：Namiko Azuma
Original text by：Miiki Sugita

Translated by: Samantha Fernandes

Source：She magazine

 

 

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The good old days food such as spaghetti Neapolitan, shaved ice cream, hot cake, and yakisoba has been becoming popular again. These are nostalgic foods for looking back at good old memories for people who are born in Showa era(1926~1989), and it also is kind of new food for people who are born in Heisei era(1989~). I would like to focus on “Monja-yaki” as the next Showa gourmet trend. People who are living in other than Kanto area may not be familiar with this food. There are two different ways to cook Monja-yaki in Tokyo; Asakusa way and Tsukishima way. The big difference is to make the base or not. The base is like building a breakwater not to spread dough on the pan. Tsukishima way is to make a base with ingredients such as cabbage at first and then pour the dough on to it. On the other hand, Asakusa way is to make the thin crust with dough at first and then eat it with chopped ingredients on the pan. Sato Koji who manages unique restaurants such as “Cristiano’s” in Yoyogi-uehara and “Pappon Kitchen” in Shibuya opened the new restaurant called “Osozai to Senbei-Monja Sato” this year. As a lot of experienced chefs who learns a lot about multi cultural food, he prepared from standard Monja-Yaki to unique ones such as Russian style ones(1620yen include tax) which has beets and sour cream and Thailand’s style(1620yen include tax) which has fish sauce. Asakusa style thin crust type Monja is the one which Mr.Sato has been eating since he was little. I highly recommend you to enjoy the nostalgic food in this at home restaurant.