drunk

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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Ejo #63 – Drunk In….. Tokyo (FUKU Yakitori)

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DRUNK IN….. TOKYO
FUKU YAKITORI
Most yakitori places are a little rough around the edges – after all it’s basically barbecue food (though it feels blasphemous to even make that comparison). Fuku is a slightly classier affair (and even better, a non-smoking affair, a rarity in Tokyo). The chef expertly grills skewers of various parts of chicken (amongst other things) right in front of you – and we were lucky enough to get seats at the bar with front row seats to all the action. You need a reservation for this place, otherwise you might miss out.

MUST HAVES: Chicken skin, tebasaki (chicken wings) and for the more adventurous of you I’d suggest trying the tori wasa (raw, YES RAW!!!! chicken).

Chef doing his thang.

Chef doing his thang.

Crispy delicious chicken skin - we ordered another round of these at the end of the night.

Crispy delicious chicken skin – we ordered another round of these at the end of the night.

Gingko nut. A really delightful treat and difficult to describe. Texture of a roasted chestnut with meaty chargrill overtones. Must try.

Gingko nut. A really delightful treat and difficult to describe. Texture of a roasted chestnut with meaty chargrill overtones. Must try.

The raw chicken. It really has a unique texture, not quite like sushi. It was actually very tasty. But did it taste like chicken????.

The raw chicken. It really has a unique texture, not quite like sushi. It was actually very tasty. But did it taste like chicken????.

All washed down with cup after cup of sake (that ain't water folks!).

All washed down with cup after cup of sake (that ain’t water folks!).

INFO:
3-23-4 Nishihara Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0066
(Address in Japanese: 日本東京都渋谷区西原３丁目２３−４)
+81 3 3485 3234
Open for dinner every night except Wednesdays

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