Where to Dine - Tokyo - page 164

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flakes of dried fish) and the cheese gyoza (fried pork dumpling topped with melted
cheese).
4-4-5 Roppongi. & 03/3405-9891. Main dishes ¥800-¥2,450. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm
and 6pm-12:30am; Sat 6pm-1am; holidays 5-11pm (last order). Station: Roppongi (4 min.). On a side
street in the neighborhood behind the police station.

Kamakura YAKITORI Much more refined than most yakitori-ya, this basement
establishment is decorated with paper lanterns and sprigs of fake but cheerful spring
blossoms, with traditional koto music playing softly in the background. The English-
language menu lists yakitori set courses; a la carte sticks are skewered with shrimp,
meatballs, gingko, squid, eggplant, or mushrooms.
4-10-11 Roppongi. & 03/3405-4377. Yakitori skewers ¥240-¥550; set dinners ¥2,300-¥4,300. AE, DC,
MC, V. Mon-Sat 5-11pm. Station: Roppongi (2 min.). From Roppongi Crossing, walk on the right side of
Gaien-Higashi Dori in the direction of Tokyo Midtown and take the 2nd right.
Kitchen Five INTERNATIONAL If it's true that love is the best spice for
cooking, then perhaps that's why Yuko Kobayashi's 25-year-old, 18-seat restaurant is so
popular. She goes to market every morning to fetch ingredients for a dozen main
dishes, which may include stuffed eggplant, lasagna, moussaka, and other casseroles
and curries that are spread on a counter along with their prices. Every year Kobayashi
goes off to search for recipes in Sicily, South America, northern Africa, and other
countries that feature garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil in their cuisine. The love for what
she does shines in her eyes as she cooks, serves, and walks you through the menu of
daily dishes displayed. Warning: The food is so delicious, it's tempting to over-order.
Highly recommended.
4-2-15 Nishi Azabu. & 03/3409-8835. Dishes ¥1,300-¥1,900. No credit cards. Tues-Sat 6-9:30pm (last
order). Closed holidays, Jan, Golden Week, and late July to early Sept. Station: Hiroo (7 min.) or Roppongi
(15 min.). Opposite Gaien-Nishi Dori from the gas station, down a side street.
z Kohmen RAMEN Famished in the wee hours of the morning but spent
most of your cash carousing? Head to this quirky ramen restaurant, where black-clad staff
move around the dark interior like ninjas, fish swim in a birdcage, and personal-sized TVs
at counters and tables broadcast Kohmen commercials, concerts, and movie previews. An
English-language menu gives a good choice of various ramen noodles, from thick or thin
to crispy, along with various broths and extra toppings ranging from grilled pork to fried
leek. I'm crazy about the kogashi-tantanmen, a creamy sesame soup with hot chili and
chargrilled marinated pork. There are branches across the city, including those at 6-2-8
Jingumae in Harajuku ( & 03/5468-6344; station: Harajuku); 1-9-5 Ebisu ( & 03/5475-
0185; station: Ebisu); and 4-8-8 Ueno ( & 03/5807-4535; station: Ueno).
7-14-3 Roppongi. & 03/6406-4565. Ramen ¥730-¥1,080. No credit cards. Daily 11am-6am. Station:
Roppongi (1 min.). From Roppongi Crossing, head away from Tokyo Tower on Gaien-Higashi Dori; it will
be on the left, next to the Ibis Hotel.
La Fiesta MEXICAN Although there is an ever-growing number of Mexican restau-
rants in Tokyo, the majority serve only passable food. This one is better than most, and
even though its renditions may not be what you're used to, they're usually very tasty in
their own right and are good for a spicy fix. Colorfully decorated with south-of-the-
border memorabilia and set to the pace of lively Mexican music, La Fiesta offers quesadil-
las, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas, fajitas, and very good burritos. And, of course,
everything goes down better with a margarita. Mexican beers and a good selection of
tequilas are also available.

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