Tokyo 2023 Travel Log: Day 6 — Hambagu and Curry Korokke at Noah レストラン ノア

We were doing some shopping in Ginza and all the shops were closing by 8:00PM, so we decided to go search for somewhere to eat for dinner. We found ourselves in a nearby shopping complex that has a ton of casual eateries that close late. We decided to go to a restaurant called Noah, an izakaya (naturally) whose menu looked pretty decent.

Hambagu
Curry korokke

I really wanted to try hambagu at least once, so I ordered the version with a fried egg, and then some curry korokke to share. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting — maybe a really juicy burger patty? — but the hambagu was... mediocre. At best. It is quite literally Hamburg steak (or Salisbury steak), down to the tangy mushroom gravy and the bland steamed vegetables, and I absolutely could not tell you the difference. I'm not sure if this is the standard hambagu, but if it is, I have no idea why it's so popular in Japan when there's literally thousands of better things to eat. On the flip side, the curry korokke was excellent — beautifully battered, fried to a perfect crisp, with plenty of Japanese minced beef curry inside. Then again, I don't think you can go wrong with a deep-fried croquette.

What annoyed me initially about this place was that our original server, upon learning that we only spoke English, went to get another girl to serve us instead. Then the new server went to get us English menus immediately, which contains about half of the options of their original menu and caters to, shall we say, very Western tastes. We took one look at it and immediately took out the Japanese menu and our translation apps. All I gotta say is, good thing Japan has a no-tipping culture.

Noah レストラン ノア

Ginza Inz 2, 2F, West 2-2

Ginza, Chuo City

Tokyo, Japan 〒104-0061 

+81-03-3561-2230

Tokyo 2023 Travel Log: Day 5 — Chicken Paitan Ramen, Gyoza, and Yakitori at Tori Ichizu Yurakucho

After leaving TeamLab Planets, we headed back uptown and were starving since we hadn't eaten anything but an onigiri on the Shinkansen in the morning. We were around Yurakucho Station looking for a place to eat that was open at 3:00PM (a lot of Japanese restaurants close between lunch and dinner hours) and was relatively cheap. We happened upon an izakaya (of course) called Tori Ichizu Yurakucho whose menu looked very promising.

Chicken paitan ramen
Gyoza
Yakitori

And promising it was, because it was there that I had maybe one of the most delicious bowls of ramen I've ever had. I had never tried chicken paitan ramen before, but it's incredible — the broth is creamy, rich, ultra-flavourful, and the noodles have the perfect chewy thickness — and costs only ￥649 (literally cheaper than a McChicken). The gyoza (with plenty of pork inside thin, delightfully crispy skins) and yakitori (nicely charred, plump, and juicy pieces of chicken on skewers) were also excellent, but this chicken paitan ramen is just... revolutionary.

Tori Ichizu Yurakucho

7-8, Marunouchi 3-Chome

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Japan 〒100-0005

+81-050-5385-4025

Osaka 2023 Travel Log: Day 2 — Tamagoyaki, Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and Kushikatsu at Yokozuna Hozenji

As I mentioned, we only have 2 days in Osaka, so we wanted to fit in as much as possible. So after we left Universal Studios Japan, we went back to the hotel to freshen up and then headed right back out to Dotonburi to grab some dinner. We decided to go to a kushikatsu restaurant called Yokozuna Hozenji that looks super freaking cool on the outside:

Yokozuna Hozenji
Tamagoyaki
Takoyaki
Okonomiyaki
Kushikatsu

It's grungy in there. And that's the charm. Casual, busy, loud. It's not about the aesthetics, but about the ambience. The food was decent (though I don't recommend the takoyaki here — it's definitely fried from frozen, and there are quite literally dozens of places in Dotonburi that specialize in takoyaki as it's the specialty in Osaka), but as expected, the kushikatsu is the star here. You can order specific types, but we decided to get an assortment of 10, which ranges from eggplant and asparagus to quail eggs and chicken. I don't drink, but I imagine it would be especially irresistible with a few cold beers, as every other table seemed to have. 

Oh, and you can smoke in here. (You can take that as a recommendation or a warning.)

Yokozuna Hozenji

1 Chome-6-22 

Nanba, Chuo Ward

Osaka, Japan 〒542-0076

+81-6-6214-2223

Photolog 2019: Day 324 of 365

Went for some late-night cajun wings and onion rings at Wild Wing with Chelsea tonight. 'Cause apparently, it's cheat month, not cheat week. But, hey, there were carrot sticks!

Photolog 2018: Day 223 of 365

Nothing like catching up with an old friend over cajun wings and chili cheese fries on a Saturday night.

Photolog 2018: Day 196 of 365

I don't know what it is about Sundays. It might be because I don't work on Sundays often, but an 8.5-hour shift feels like 22 years. Needless to say, it called for after-work nachos with extra guac and jalapeños.

NYC — Summer 2015: The Spotted Pig

On Wednesday, my mom and I took the subway down to West Village for lunch at The Spotted Pig. I've been wanting to try this place for some time, since it's gotten so many rave reviews over the last decade (chef April Bloomfield holds a Michelin Star for both The Spotted Pig and The Breslin, where we went to a couple years ago). It's one of those places that you have to actively seek out or walk into randomly because it doesn't look like much on the outside; you can walk by it and not even realize you passed it. It's a small two-storey, 100-seat gastropub that is charmingly rustic and jam-packed with whimsical tchotchkes that provides a very cozy, casual atmosphere. As for the food, you can expect modern twists on classic pub dishes but made with quality, local ingredients.

Cubano Sandwich
We were informed by the host upon being seated that their signature roquefort cheeseburger was "sold out," even though we had arrived at 12:30 — only 30 minutes after their lunch service starts. It was especially disappointing when we saw the three people at the table beside us each having a cheeseburger in front of them. But not to be deterred, we ordered the Cubano sandwich instead. It doesn't look like much and the plating leaves something to be desired, but it is wildly delicious. The name is somewhat misleading since it's not made with ham and Swiss (two main components of a Cuban), but I am not complaining because a damn good sandwich is a damn good sandwich. In between a toasted ciabatta bun is the aforementioned Gruyere with sweet pickled jalapeño peppers, cornichon pickles, mustard relish, smoky prosciutto, and super-tender, super-flavourful pork (which is apparently brined for five days and then cooked in pork and duck fat). So no, it’s not a Cuban, but it’s a sandwich that other sandwiches should aspire to be.
Sheep's Milk Ricotta Gnudi
Wanting to try a non-sandwich item (we had been debating over the grilled cheese, but an $18 grilled cheese was just a bit too steep for us), my mom and I ultimately decided on the sheep's milk ricotta gnudi, which our server whole-heartedly recommended. What is a gnudi, you ask? As Jamie Oliver explains, "Gnudi means naked, and quite simply this is a ricotta ravioli without the pasta (a.k.a. naked)." I thought it was more akin to gnocchi, but whereas gnocchi is made with potato and is much denser, gnudi is far lighter, made with less flour, and is filled. Apparently, it's been around for decades, but the version at The Spotted Pig has made this dish most famous in recent times, and for good reason. The gnudi here is stuffed with sheep's milk ricotta, making them pillowy light and soft, sitting in a shallow pool of creamy butter sauce and served with basil pesto on top. I think what's most surprising is the texture, because you don't expect them to be so delicate. It's probably the most elegant comfort food I've ever come across, and I can see people making repeat visits to The Spotted Pig for this dish alone. I mean, really, who cares about the roquefort burger when you can get these instead?

The Spotted Pig 314 W 11th Street New York, NY 10014 (212) 620-0393

Good Eats: Summer 2015 Edition

I've had some good eats in the past few months, so I thought I'd share some photos of my favourite meals and dishes. I don't always bring my camera with me when I go out to eat but I tend to Instagram everything, so or those who do follow me on Instagram, I apologize for the re-post here... but, hey, you can never get enough of food porn. (More delicious photos after the jump.)

1. Inspire Restaurant

Duck Taco: duck confit, cucumber orange salsa, cilantro fennel aioli served on flour tortilla
Soft Shell Crab Pakora: crisp soft shell crab, sweet beets, and mint jelly
Udon Carbonara: spicy Italian sausage, braised beef, and honey mushrooms in creamy reduction and topped with quail's egg
Chicken & Waffle: crisp chicken, fresh homemade waffles, fresh blueberries, cinnamon whipped butter, and ginger maple

2. Fabbrica (Summerlicious dinner with Liz)

Pork terrine with toast, arugula, mustard, and daily pickles
Watermelon and tomato salad with minted ricotta salata, basil, and aged balsamic
Homemade fazzoletti with mushrooms and summer truffle
Bacon chop with rhubarb agrodolce, natural sauce, vincotto and sage
Cannoli with chocolate and pistachio
Vanilla panna cotta with prosecco peaches and brown butter crumble

Queen's Head

Went for lunch today at Queen's Head with Shawn and Vito. They had a whole list of lunch specials, so I ordered the fish and chips with Caesar salad, coleslaw, and tartar sauce. It was actually pretty damn good. I like that the fish isn't frozen. And if it is, it doesn't taste or look like it (unlike Willie Stouts). And the batter was flavourful, so I didn't need to add copious amounts of salt and pepper or lemon juice. (I loaded up on tartar sauce, though, 'cause tartar sauce is awesome.) Next time, I will have the shepherd's pie. Or the English lamb pie. Or bangers and mash. God, I love pub fare.

NYC (Winter 2011): Day 5, Connolly's Pub

We had a really hectic morning on Friday because we had to check out of our hotel by noon, and then bring our luggage to my brother's apartment so we could keep it there until our 8:00pm flight. And add the fact that it was raining. Yeah, not the most fun way to start our last day in New York. So we were tired and a bit grumpy and hungry, and we didn't even care where to go to eat. We knew we were spending the afternoon at the MoMA, so we decided just to go to Connolly's Pub right across the street from there because we just didn't want to walk anymore. After watching an episode of Throwdown! with Bobby Flay on The Food Network the night before featuring Cuban sandwiches, I was craving for one. So when I saw that they had a panini sandwich called "The Turkey Cuban" on their menu, I decided to order it.

My "Cuban" sandwich included roast turkey, hickory smoked turkey, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard, and pickles on Euro flat bread. I mean, they call it a "Turkey Cuban," so I knew that the ham and the pork would be replaced by turkey. But if Cuban bread is the most important thing about a Cuban sandwich, then this wasn't a Cuban sandwich at all. Yes, it has Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles, but the similarities end there. That being said, however, it was actually pretty delightful! I mean, I would recommend it for anyone craving a really delicious hot-pressed turkey panini. I just feel like it's rather misleading to call it a Cuban sandwich at all. I guess, to be fair, we were in an Irish pub. I can't really expect authenticity.

Willie Stouts

Shawn, Vito, and I went over to Willie Stouts for a late dinner and drinks. I ordered the Guinness steak and mushroom pie, which is served with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. As with most of the food I've tried at Willie's, it's not phenomenal, but it's always satisfying. They do comfort/pub food really well. The pie had a good amount of steak chunks in a tasty gravy sauce, and the crust was buttery and flaky. But I found that the mixed vegetables could've use some seasoning or perhaps a sauce to go with it. I always have to add copious amounts of salt and pepper to them, because they really are just plain, steamed veggies. It wouldn't hurt to add a little flavour to them, would it? The mashed potatoes are pretty good, not too chunky and not too smooth, and made in-house, not from a box. But they should definitely serve it with a side of gravy along with the butter pats (which I find unnecessary). I suppose this lets the focus land on the pie rather than the sides, which I guess is the point. Either which way, I would order it again, and just ask for gravy on the side next time.

Queen's Head

After an insane day at work (Boxing Day + malls = mayhem), I met up with Shawn, Vito, and Benton at Queen's Head for dinner (me) and drinks (them). If there's one thing to order there, it's the Royale Burger with cheese and bacon. It is just so effing good. I like the food in general at Willie Stouts way more as far as bar food goes, but the burger at Queen's Head is phenomenal. And it's huge. You can barely fit it into your mouth. (That's what she said...?) A definite re-order.

Duke of York

Shawn and I went down to the Duke of York to celebrate Vito's birthday tonight. It was my first time going there, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the place. It has an "old England" feel in terms of the decor, but it's clean, well-lit, and rather charming, and our waiter was awesome. There was beer (it was my first time trying Cracked Canoe beer, and I have to say, it's probably my new favourite light beer), there were shots (and perhaps an Irish Car Bomb or two), and there was food: Chris Brothers' Famous Deep-Fried Pepperoni, spicy calamari, and the Duke's Ultimate Nachos.

The biggest disappointment was probably the pepperoni, which tasted like slightly burned, slightly hardened pizza pepperoni. I'm not really sure what makes it "famous." The calamari was okay, but nothing special. The pieces of squid are tiny and it's very thinly battered (which some people like). I like the calamari at Willie Stouts way more. The stand out was definitely the nachos. We ordered ours with chili and it was awesome. Like, this is how all nachos should be. Perfectly layered, too, so there was cheese, tomatoes, peppers, and chili all the way to the bottom of the chip pile. Would I go there again? Definitely. But I think we'll leave the pepperoni and calamari next time.

Willie Stouts

I was hungry after the movie, so Shawn and I went over to Willie Stouts. They were only serving the late-night menu when we got there (thusly, no grilled cheese), so I opted for the halibut and chips. It's not the best fish and chips I've had (not even close, really), but at midnight, one can't really complain. The fish could be more tender and perhaps flakier, but it's not bad for frozen fish. Add some salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pile of tartar sauce, and it's pretty damn tasty. And it's really filling, 'cause I barely got through the fries (they weren't waffle fries, though, so I don't feel so bad).

Willie Stouts

What is it about waffle fries that make them so much better than regular fries?

Willie Stouts

Went to Willie Stouts for a late dinner (me)/bar run (Shawn and Vito). I wasn't hungry enough for the prime rib sliders, so I got my second favourite item on the menu: grilled cheese with bacon. So. Damn. Good. (Not as good as the one from Markham Station, but a noble effort.)