Tokyo: Standing Sushi Bar + Amazing Ramen @ Shimbashi

14 March 2009 - 19:30 (Saturday)

I was actually planning to blog our culinary adventures in Japan based on chronological order which would have meant that this would be the last Japan blog entry cos it was the last good meal we had in Japan but my good friend Meng is preparing for his trip to Tokyo and i figured i better do this one up first... only because it was the best damn meal we had in Japan!

The concept of the Standing Sushi Bar makes complete sense in a built up area like Tokyo. Small cramped shop where diners stand at a counter to eat so that you do not need to pay extra rental cost and you do not need to transfer that rental cost to your customers via higher priced meals. And it's great for those who are just knocking off from work where they want a quick, nothing fancy bite before heading home. A meal can be had in 5 to 10 mins if you are in a rush.

But as a tourist, you are never really in a rush so even in a eatery like this where most people are rushing for a quick meal, you can take your leisurely time to just enjoy the chef's showmanship, enjoy the food and smirk away at how the other customers are running out of time whilst you have all the time in the world. Nice!

As the food here is so awesome, i'm going to take that extra effort to guide those of you planning a trip to Tokyo on how to get there.



First, you wanna get on the JR Line and get to Shimbashi Station. At the station, there will be a couple of different exits out so you want to get to the Karasumori Entrance of the Shimbashi JR station (See above). Easy enough right?

Next, take a few steps out of the train station and the below scene should greet you. When i mean a few steps, i mean like 4 or 5 steps.... if you've like trodded for 15 mins and still can't see the scene below, you went seriously wrong somewhere...



When you see the above signage, you are definitely on the right track. Just walk along the street and the Standing Sushi Bar should be on your left. It's not easy to miss, the signage is in purple and the English words "Standing Sushi Bar" will be screaming at you. If it helps, just opposite the Standing Sushi Bar is this sex shop called "Santa Fe". For some of you men out there, it might be easier to look for a purple signage with lots of sexy women silhouette and the words "Santa Fe" :p



Now, when you are inside the Sushi Bar, indicate to the chef how many are there in your party using your fingers and he will direct you to where he would like you to stand. Don't worry if you can't speak a word of Japanese. Why? Cos everything they serve is displayed at the counter so all you need is to point to what you want and tell the chef how many you want, again using your fingers.

Do take note that everything comes in 2.... they do not serve their sushi in odd numbers. So if you point to the salmon and show the chef 2 fingers, he will serve you 4 pieces.

When you are standing at the counter, you will notice that the counter has 2 levels. The first level is where your condiments will be placed. The second level will remain empty until the chef serves you your sushi and that is when he will place the sushi on the second level. Remember.... only the sushi should be on the second level. Do not put your sauce dish, tea cup, wallet, sex toy you bought from the shop oppsite, etc on the second level. the second level is like a display counter, only the chef's work is worthy of this location.

I can't begin to tell you how good the sushi here is. The rice is served warm, not cold. Some of you might already know this but for those who don't, sushi is best served with the rice at the same temperature as the human body temp... 37 degrees. And that's what they do over here. I wasn't expecting the sushi to taste any better than those i had in Tsukiji market because the simple idea of seafood is fresher at Tsukiji market was ingrained deep in my little pea brain. I was wrong.... the seafood they serve here are uber fresh and plus the fact that the rice is served warm..... unbelievable!



Ok, i'm going to give some recommendation which you would otherwise might have missed out on. When at the Sushi Bar, you gotta try the Uni Sushi.... out of this world.

The other thing you need to try is the ebi (Prawn) sushi. Here's their specialty.... first they put the body of the prawn on rice and serve you as sushi... then they take the prawn head, flambe it and then serve you on a plate and what you need to do is put the open end of the head to your mouth and suck the prawn's head like there's no tomorrow. This may sound disgusting but i am telling you, you WILL get a high from the taste of the prawn head. That few seconds that i was sucking on the head, it's like..... angels doing the swan lake ballet on your tongue... a heavenly moment!



I'll leave you with pictures of some of the other wonderful sushi we had... pictures do the food no justice but trust me.... u will not leave this place unsatisfied :)

















The sushi were so good we had in total 100 sushi pieces between the 4 of us... yes 100! That's like 25 sushi per person. And the damage? Approx... S$120 in total... YES! That's like S$30 per person for 25 pieces of sushi! And the most expensive Sushi was the Tuna Belly Sushi at like approx. S$2 per piece.

Seriously, at that price, for that quality of sushi, you can't even get like 5 pieces over here in Singapore! We were well pissed off that Kev and Pauline brought us here only on our last night in Japan. Their arguement? "If we had brought you guys here earlier, you will be here every night and you wouldn't have enjoyed the other wonderful eateries Japan has to offer"

Ok, forgiven...

Under normal circumstances, 25 Sushis would make 3 full meals. But good o' Kev had to go "So guys, it's your last night in Japan.... now that you have tried the best sushi, are you ready to try the best ramen.... it's just 3 shops down....."

What a F**ker.... How do you say no to such a proposition?!?

So just 3 shops down of The Standing Sushi Bar, is this ramen shop...



What can i say.... it was the best Ramen i have ever had....



Wen prefers the ramen we had at Omotensando. Still, it's a close fight and just to prove how good the ramen was..... check out the below picture... and that's after 25 sushis.....



Positively one of the best meals i've had in my life. It's been a month since we came back from Japan but in our hungry moments, we crave nothing other than the sushi from The Standing Sushi bar.

Meng my bro, this one is for you.... eat your hearts out when in Tokyo!!!


Standing Sushi Bar
3 Mins walk from Shimbashi JR Station

Kyoto - Kiyomizu Dera Tofu & Red Bean Dumpling

3 March 2009 - 13:00 (Tuesday)

Kiyomizu Dera (Pure Water Temple) is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. Founded in 780 (Note the 3 digit year...), it stands in the wooded hills of eastern Kyoto. This temple was added to the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites in 1994.

In my opinion, it's one of the most beautiful places that Japan has to offer BUT NO.... this is a food blog, not a temple blog so i won't waste any more alphabets describing how beautiful it is, how it's heaven on earth, how the view from the temple top is magnificent, how everyone should visit this temple at least once in their life time..... It's seriously a DIE DIE MUST GO place when in Japan but NO..... i'm not wasting any more of my time writing about such an amazing place cos this is a food blog..... :P


Outdoor seating...

Nestled in the midst of Kiyomizu Dera is this little eatery that has both indoor and outdoor seating and they are famous for serving the silkiest of Tofus (Soy Beancurd). If you don't already know, Kyoto is famous for their Tofus... they taste so much better than what you get in other parts of the world. Why? Apparently it's cos Kyoto has a large number of underground springs and it's the spring water that makes the Tofus softer and silkier in texture.

We had the luxury of watching snow fall from the sky when we were at Kiyomizu Dera and it was one of the most beautiful sights we've ever seen in our lives. Temperature was 0 degrees and when we reached this Tofu eatery, what did we do? We chose to dine on Tofu.... Al Fresco style! Think all the Japs were looking at us and thinking "These crazy Chinese will one day rule the world..." Something like that...



The Tofu is served in a wooden bucken with very very hot water. See that little ceramic pot at the top of the bucket?it's base actually extends through the top of the bucket into the hot water. The ceramic pot contains some soya sauce for the Tofu and the sauce is kept warm by having the base of the pot dipped into the same hot water as the Tofu. So cool!

The Tofu simply took both Wen and my breath away. It was as how legend has over the centuries described it... so Soft, so silky.... Nice!! What you do is place some of the sauce into your bowl, next scoop the Tofu from the bucket into your bowl via the metal netted ladle, top it with some green onions on it then you have an option of either sprinkling it with the spicy powder or the magic salty powder. Yummm!



Being the alcoholics that we are, what's Tofu without Sake right? :)



Now, i'm not sure if Kyoto is famous for their Red Bean dumplings but these dumplings has got to be the BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST dumplings i have ever sunk my teeth into. Wen doesn't like Red Beans ever.... just that it was so cold and she wanted something hot going into her system. She drank some of the red bean soup, took a bite of the dumpling and her whole face lighted up like the 4th of July. The Tofus were fantastic but these Red Bean Dumplings.... DIE DIE MUST TRY!!!

If you are ever in Kyoto, please please please for the love of mankind.... go visit Kiyomizu Dera and then have some Tofu and Red Beans Dumpling. I'll personally castrate my best friend if you do not enjoy that experience.


Kiyomizu Dera
Kyoto

Ristorante Wendy's! Again!

13 April 2009 - 20:00 (Tuesday)

If you have been following this blog, you will know how i always declare that Wen must be the best pasta chef in the world. She never has to try very hard to bring tears to your eyes when you try her pasta or any noodles for that matter. I'm not alone in saying this.... we've held numerous home dinner parties for various friends and if there's one thing unanimous about their opinions of these parties, it's the pasta that Wen whips up.

This time round, she's up the ante....



Wen's latest creation.... It's only apt that i give this dish a name.... I think I shall call it.... Wen's Divinity Dish! :)

Basically, she created a tomato based sauce mixed with bacon, garlic and chilli padi. Left to simmer for quite a long while. Taken out and then blended... yes blended... to form a puree. Next throw in some sausages into the puree, simmer a little bit more. In goes the Spaghettini, topped with some grated Parmesan cheese and pine nuts and Voila! Wen's Divinity Dish!

Heavenly!!!



Dinner was accompanied with a bottle of Torres Vina Sol 2006... For all you wine snobs out there, yes this may be a S$25 bottle of wine but it is a very very nice bottle of white. Complemented perfectly with the Divinity Dish.

Yes, i've been to heaven and back....

Bali - Mozaic

24th October 2008 - 18:30 (Friday)

If i said that Mozaic is simply the best fine dining restaurant Bali has to offer, some smart alec would probably bring up the point that it can't be true simply cos i haven't tried all the fine dining restaurants in Bali. Nevertheless, I will still unabashedly proclaim that Mozaic must be the best fine dining restaurant in Bali... If you doubt me, then try doubting it's reputation as the 5th best restaurant in Asia, an award given by The Miele Guide...

Situated in Ubud, Mozaic is this really charming restaurant with a very beautiful indoor bar cum lounge area while it's main dining facility is outside in the courtyard surrounded by perfectly manicured greenery. The landscaping is simply magnificent and the closest description i can give to it would be.... errr.... Disney's Tiki Room.... it's gorgeous, it's charming, it's magical...

It's a pity i am writing this blog 5 months after we've been there as most of the details are rather vauge to me by now. But i did remember that i was completely enchanted by the courtyard dining area, mesmerised by the flickering torches surrounding the dining area, happily intoxicated by the bottle of Pensfold Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, thought i died and gone to heaven with Chef Salans cooking...

Below are some of the fantastic memories of our meal at Mozaic...


Bar cum Lounge area where we enjoyed a nice Dirty Martini :)


Dirty Martinis with some Canapes...


Amuse Bouche...


Scallop with Parma Ham Starter....


This is good stuff!!!!


Wen's main course.... I believe it's a salmon.... so yummy!!!


My Main course.... a medium rare steak.... Awesomeeeeeee.....


Wen's Dessert....


My Chocolate Dessert....

Bali has a lot to offer culinary wise and i'm sure we will be exploring more of that the next time we are there but Mozaic, along with Ibu Oka, will definitely receive a repeat visit from us :)


Mozaic
Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, Gianyar
Bali 80571
Tel: +62 361 975768

Bali - Four Season's PJ's

25 October 2008 - 18:00 (Saturday)

PJ's at Four Seasons, located in Jimbaran, Bali is one of the restaurants which both Wen and myself will remember even when we are into our 80's and strangely.... it's not because of the food. Here's why...

Picture this, it's close to 7pm, you are seated in an open air restaurant in a 5 star hotel on a beach watching the sunset. On your left are cliffs with lots of lanterns lighted up. In front of you is a clean beach filled with candles and their flames are flickering away. A little out to sea are 3 small boats with massive kerosene lamps lighted up for no other reason other than to add to the atmosphere. On the beach are mirrors, lots and lots of mirrors.... all strategically situated to reflect the already numerous candles on the beach to create an illusion of a beach completely lighted up by flickering candles. How romantic is that!

And if i haven't been able to conjure up that romantic image in your mind successfully, i hope the below pictures will be able to tell a better story than my words :)


Sipping on a frozen Margarita as the sunsets under the horizon...


Some bread to start off the dinner...


A Bottle of Devil's Lair Chardonnay.... purchased from Singapore Duty Free on the way to Bali...


The Massive Seafood platter that both Wen and I shared...

And finally, some pics to try and whip up the romantic image i was attempting to explain with words.






Oh.... and to add... personally, i think this would be a great place to propose to that loved one of yours :)

PJ's
Four Seasons Jimbaran, Bali
Denpasar 80361
Tel: +62 (361) 701010

Bali - Ibu Oka

24th October 2008 - 11:00 (Friday)

Did i ever mention that i have a focus issue..... whether it's tasks on hand or using a camera.... i have a knack of... losing focus. Yes, i know i am right in the midst of blogging all the wonderful food we had in Japan but i need to break away from all that and blog about food we had in Bali 6 months ago....

Over the weekend i was at home mucking around, surfing the net aimlessly and kaypoing friends' Facebooks when i saw that my uncle Andrew was about to leave for his vacation in Bali. He was asking for recommendations on food on his FB when it suddenly dawned on me that i never got around to blogging some of the most awesome meals i have had in Bali.

Proceeded to dig out the photos from the memory cards and finally.... presenting.... my most memorable meal ever costing less than S$5..... Ibu Oka!



This eatery was a recommendation by Anthony Bourdain and what made me decide to give this a try was when i saw how his face light up when he took his first bite. The pure pleasure that he experienced was instantly recognisable.

Ibu Oka is this warung that is located in Ubud, Bali. It's so famous you just have to tell any cab driver Ibu Oka and they will know instantly where to bring you. Just take a look at the menu.... there's nothing on the menu that's more than S$5! And at those prices, don't expect any luxury. The eatery is open air, has no chairs, you basically sit on the floor and eat from a low height communal table. Yes, you don't get your own table...

But you really don't need all that luxury when the food is this good. It's really only after you have finished your meal that you realise you can no longer feel your legs cos of the limited space you have to cross your leg during the whole duration of the meal.



We had the Nasi + Babi Guling Pisah (loosely translated to Pig Rice Special) and i swear we had that same expression that Anthony Bourdain had when we took our first bite... It was so so so so gooood! The special comes with 2 pieces of really crispy pig skin, a few pieces of fatty pork meat, a few pieces of lean pork meat, some pork intestines and a heap of specially prepared vegetable that would make a mean man cry.



It was so good i licked up every single bit on my plate! I'm lost for words on how good this really is. If you ever make a trip to Ubud in Bali, this is a DIE DIE MUST TRY.....

Ibu Oka
Jalan Tegal Sari No 2 Ubud
Tel: +62 361 976 345

Osaka: Kani Doraku Crab Restaurant

02 March 2009 20:30 (Monday)

You've travelled 4940km from Singapore to Osaka... you've spent the earlier part of the day exhausting all your energy in a Universal Studios where the super heroes speak Japanese... You are suffering from the unfamiliar cold of close to 0 degrees... You are tired and hungry... you see this large crab above a restaurant which is suppose to be the iconic restaurant of Osaka... what do you do? We know what we did..... we smiled, walked in and asked for a table for 2... non smoking section please :)

Kani Doraku is one of the most famous crab restaurants in Osaka. The six and a half meter crab at the front of the restaurant is mechanized which means its arms and eyestalks move! Built in 1960, this mechanical billboard soon spawned imitations, including a squid that puffs steam and oni (demons) that light up at night. We were soon to find out why it's so famous..... food was Marvelicious!!!


Cute Crab Chopstick Rest.


So many things to order on the menu so we decided to go with one of the sets. Started off with this cold crab starter along with some jelly thingy and a bowl of prawn and brocolli in some yummy sauce...


Crab Jelly + Prawn & Brocolli...


Cold Crab Starter...


More Cold Crab with an option of 3 different sauces...


Crab Sashimi! Now, that's something you don't get here in Singapore everyday!!! Texture was a little strange cos it was soft yet chewy. But the meat was so sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!


Crab Chawamushi... check out the little bowl they serve it in, so nice... like a peach!


Crab, potato and cheese in a sizzling hot plate...


More Crab... this one cooked in some sauce...


Ok, this was interesting. What you have is a bowl of rice served over a burning stove. The waitress told us to leave the rice cooking for about 15 mins. Once it's cooked, you are suppose to place the crab into the rice and then you see that little tea pot? It contains some sort of soup base which u are suppose to mix into the rice and the crab... How strange...


Crab mixed into the rice after 15 mins...


Soup based mixed into the rice and the crab..... stirred for a few minutes and scooped up on a plate. The taste of the whole dish was refreshingly nice!


And finally, we finished off our dinner with Macha Ice Cream. But here's the twist... instead of serving us a Green Tea Ice cream, it was a scoop of Vanilla Ice cream with concentrated Green Tea sauce distributed over it. That had gotta be the most awesome Macha Ice Cream we have ever had!!

Kani Doraku isn't the cheapest of restaurants, heck i wouldn't even consider it to be in the mid range pricing. It's rather expensive and u will find yourself down by a couple of hundreds if you go ala-carte. The Set Menus were rather comprehensive and it certainly helps manage the dinner cost. If you have been to a crab restaurant in Hokkaido then my recommendation would be to give this a miss cos while it is very good, it ain't as good as those in Hokkaido. But if you haven't been to Hokkaido and don't plan to go there for awhile, then you are going to have the best crab meal of your life here :)


Kani Doraku Crab Restaurant
1-6-18 Dotonbori, Osaka
Tel: 06-6211-8975