Month: February 2015

Ejo #63 – Drunk In….. Tokyo (Nagi Golden Gai)

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DRUNK IN….. TOKYO
NAGI GOLDEN GAI
So, more ramen. But different ramen. The Golden Gai branch of Nagi Ramen is a second-storey, ten-seat restaurant about the size of your bathroom. But before you even get upstairs to eat your amazing ramen you have to wait in line (between 15-45 minutes) in a narrow, dirty alley with all the other people keen to get their taste of the unique broth made with baby sardines and pork bones and cooked for hours and hours and hours (so a 45 minute wait is peanuts in comparison). TOTALLY. WORTH. IT. Luckily for you Nagi Golden Gai is open 24 hours.

All good things take time.

All good things take time.

Right behind David are the stairs. This place is miniscule - and always full.

Right behind David are the stairs. This place is miniscule – and always full.

Thank you little baby sardines for sacrificing your lives so that we can eat this sensational bowl of ramen.

Thank you little baby sardines for sacrificing your lives so that we can eat this sensational bowl of ramen.

INFO:
1-1-10, Kabukicho,Shinjuku-ku
ラーメン凪 新宿ゴールデン街店
+81 3 3205 1925
Open 24 hours – no reservations

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Ejo #63 – Drunk In….. Tokyo (No Name Teppenyaki)

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DRUNK IN….. TOKYO
NO NAME TEPPENYAKI
We literally stumbled upon this place our first night in Tokyo (it was about ten metres from our apartment). It doesn’t have a sign in English so I have no idea what it’s called, but the food and hospitality are so good we ate here four times! It’s a tiny place with four tables and five bar seats. The tables each have their own teppenyaki grill but the magic happens at the bar where you can watch the Chef create his simple but mind-blowingly delicious dishes.

MUST HAVES: The gyoza is amazing – and if you’re adventurous (and it’s winter time) try the shirako.

Look for this sign and enter the side door into my new favourite restaurant.

Look for this sign and enter the side door into my new favourite restaurant.

Chef making the unconventional gyoza. I don't even want to tell you how many serves of this we ate. Divine!

Chef making the unconventional gyoza. I don’t even want to tell you how many serves of this we ate. Divine!

Simply the best gyoza I've ever had. Cannot wait to go back to Tokyo - this'll be the first thing I eat.

Simply the best gyoza I’ve ever had. Cannot wait to go back to Tokyo – this’ll be the first thing I eat.

Shirako. Also known as milt. Also known as sperm-filled male fish genitalia. Sounds terrible, tastes terrific when flash grilled in butter. C'mon, be bold!!!

Shirako. Also known as milt. Also known as sperm-filled male fish genitalia. Sounds terrible, tastes terrific when flash grilled in butter. C’mon, be bold!!!

No Name Teppenyaki has plenty of wonderful delicate, balanced and tasty sakes to wash the food down with.

No Name Teppenyaki has plenty of wonderful delicate, balanced and tasty sakes to wash the food down with.

INFO:
1 Chome-22-10 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
That’s all I know.

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Ejo #63 – Drunk In….. Tokyo (Rokurinsha Tokyo)

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DRUNK IN….. TOKYO
ROKURINSHA TOKYO
This is no regular noodle joint. First of all it’s located in the basement of Tokyo Station in a section called Tokyo Ramen Street (and it’s not really easy to find – go to an information booth to get detailed directions). Secondly, they don’t serve regular ramen. This place specialises in tsukumen dipping noodles that arrive in a separate bowl to the thick, delicious pork bone broth. The noodles here are the star of the show – thick, chewy and scrumptious. They don’t take reservations and there’s usually a 10-30 minute wait in line, but it’s worth it.

We weren’t drunk here (I’m not even sure if they serve booze). But we were very hungover from karaoke crazy fun times the night before and eating these noodles made everything a WHOLE lot better.

MUST HAVES: Added ajitama (whole boiled egg) and buta hogushi (shredded pork).

Nom nom - look at how chewy those lovely hangover cure noodles look!!!

Nom nom – look at how chewy those lovely hangover cure noodles look!!!

INFO:
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tokyo Ramen Street, Tokyo Station Ichibangai Basement Floor
(Address in Japanese: 東京都千代田区丸の内1-9-1 東京駅一番街 B1F 東京ラーメンストリート内)
+81 3 3286 0166
Every day: 0730-0945, 1100-2200 (no reservations)

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