Posted in Food, Japan, Ramblings on Feb 13th, 2008
When i first came to Japan in 2002 i experienced being ‘waved away’ from several restaurants due to language issues no doubt. It hasn’t happened in a long time and i think those times are well behind us, not everywhere from what it seems.
This restaurant in Tsukiji Fish Market had gone one step further until after a flood of complaints last week they now welcome foreigners to their restaurant. Now it’s just time to get accepted into the rest of these here.
Image courtesy of Arudou Debito
Popularity: 13% [?]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Food on Jan 9th, 2008
There`s no problem getting decent meat in Japan and certainly no problem finding decent restaurants to eat in but when you feel like some meat and foods from back home it proves a little harder - enter The Meat Guy
10 years ago with a starting capital of USD$1000 The Meat Guy started bringing in meat and foods foreigners craved while in Japan and he was welcomed with open arms. The Meat Guy is a whole lot more than just a few meats these days, he brings in a wealth of options and he`s now incorporated in a Japanese company so he`s here to stay. The projected figures back in 2005 were USD$1.5 million so i’d say that was a pretty good investment he made back in 1997.
Whether you want meat for “yakiniku”, hard to get lamb, or Western-style cuts of steak The Meat Guy is the place to go. Delivery is quick too, place an order on the internet and expect to see it on your doorstep, C.O.D in only a few days time.
I`m yet to use the services of The Meat Guy but a few Friends from work have and say its every bit of what you expect. First purchase for me will include the Vili`s Pies and Sausage Rolls, add a convectional microwave from Yodobashi and it`s an expensive reminder of food from back home but one i`m more than willing to pay for.
Read Full Post »
Posted in Food, Photo Hunt on Jan 4th, 2008
This weeks theme in The Photo Hunt is Delicious or Oishii (おいしい) in Japanese. Oishii also happens to be one of the most over used words in Japan, that along with Sugoii.
I spent Xmas in Australia this year, the first time in the last 4 from memory and was treated to some home cooking while i was there, something i miss while living in Japan.
Here`s this weeks photo depicting Delicious, thanks Mum.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Food, Japan, Ramblings on Dec 13th, 2007
Even though Christmas isn’t that widely celebrated by the Japanese the month of December is full of drinking parties and celebrations to see out the end of the year and get ready to bring in the new one. I’ve never attached that much importance to Christmas but having all these year end drinking parties does atleast give me some kind of feeling i used to get back home in the lead up to Christmas, even if the purpose of them differs somewhat.
In a busy week full of Bonenkai , a Japanese tradition which means “forget the year gathering”, the local Karaoke bar i often frequent has decided to close it’s doors and re-open in the new year as an Izakaya Restaurant.
Tonight it’s on again as Mama-san closes the doors on Sudo 1, a local Karaoke bar than if nothing else was great Japanese practice for me. Late nights in a bar frequented by typical Japanese Salary Man types is a great way for me to practice my Japanese communication skills and on the odd occasion a spot of Nampa. Actually, last night at my local Sushi bar, as the clock struck 11, it dawned on me i could justify my many hours of drinking each night by calling it “Japanese Conversation Classes”, so from here on in, i will.
Read Full Post »
Posted in Food, Japan on Nov 24th, 2007
Breakfast on the weekend is the only meal that often troubles me living in Japan. Being used to `Bacon and Eggs` or various other typical western breakfasts in Australia i often struggle to satisfy my hunger on my days off.
What are my options considering there`s not a great deal open, in and around my area, before 11am? The locals will eat everything from Ramen to Sushi and I`ve tried both, Ramen can be a little heavy and send you back home for another hours kip and Sushi just isn`t right for me anything before lunchtime and without beer in hand … the Wasabi is too aggresive on the palet first up.
So when i`ve come around the corner at Yoyogi station and seen `Zats Cafe` advertising they do a `Sasebo Burger` all my troubles were over. They open at 11am, i can hold off for breakfast until then no problems, and believe me when i say it`s well worth waiting for.
We`ve all seen the beautiful marketing from the likes of McDonalds and other fast food chains and then when the food arrives we`re bitterly dissapointed with the stark contrast between the two.
The story`s very different at Zats Burger, these things are seriously prepared with love and taste every bit as good as they look. I would actually rate this better than the burger from Michaels in Albert Park, Port Melbourne but i`ll have to sample one of those again at Xmas time to make sure i`m fair in my judgement.
Read Full Post »
