Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
JAPANESE COOKERY COURSES
Learning to cook is currently very popular in Tokyo, with cooking schools setting up shop in
big shopping malls. You'll usually need to book well in advance.
ABC Cooking Studio
In the basement of Tokyo
Midtown
T
03 5413 3476,
W
www.abc-cooking
.co.jp.
Though this school focuses on Japanese students
baking Western-style treats such as bread and cake,
they have English-speaking instructors on hand to
guide you through the basics of Japanese and other
Asian cuisines.
Buddha Bellies
T
03 5716 5751,
W
buddhabellies
tokyo.jimdo.jp.
Cultivate your own Buddha belly after
lessons in sushi- and bentō-making at this foreigner-
friendly school.
Elizabeth Andoh
T
03 5716 5751,
W
tasteof
culture.com.
Food writer Elizabeth Andoh runs cooking
workshops and leads highly popular trips around
Japanese markets, helping you to identify all those
weird and wonderful Japanese products.
14
(plus an exceptionally high 20 percent in service and taxes).
Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm & 5-11pm.
Suzunami
ླ
B1F Galleria, Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-4
Akasaka, Minato-ku
T
03 5413 0335,
W
suzunami.co.jp;
Roppongi station; map pp.90-91.
Try the house speciality
here - silver cod marinated in what's left of the rice mash
after it's been used to make sake. Their filling set meals are
rounded off with a glass of plum wine and great value,
starting off around ¥1000.
Daily 11am-10pm.
Ì
Tōfuya-Ukai
ͱ͏;͏͔͍
4-4-13 Shiba-kōen,
Minato-ku
T
03 3436 1028,
W
ukai.co.jp; Akabanebashi
station; map pp.90-91.
At the foot of Tokyo Tower, this
stunning re-creation of an Edo-era mansion, incorporating
huge beams from an old sake brewery, serves unforgettable
tofu-based
kaiseki
-style cuisine. Book well ahead, espe-
cially for dinner (at least a month in advance). Set meals
only, with lunch from ¥5500 and dinner from ¥8400.
Daily
11am-8pm.
Tokyo Curry Lab
4-2-8 Shiba-kōen, Minato-ku
T
03
5425 2900,
W
tokyocurrylab.jp; Kamiyachō station;
map pp.90-91.
Whether you choose to go up Tokyo Tower
or not, this super slick operation at its base is worth
checking out for a taste of
tonkatsu karē
, the quintessential
local comfort food. Most curries clock in at around ¥1000.
Plates are shaped so that you can easily get every last
grain of rice.
Daily 11am-10pm.
EBISU, MEGURO AND THE SOUTH
Chano-ma
νϟϊϚ
6F Naka-Meguro Kangyō Building,
1-22-4 Kami-Meguro, Meguro-ku
T
03 3792 9898; Naka-
Meguro station; map pp.100-101.
Slip off your shoes and
relax on the huge, padded, bed-like platform overlooking
the river at this super-casual operation. They serve some
very tasty rustic-style Japanese fusion dishes (under ¥1000),
as well as a great selection of teas and flavoured lattes.
Mon-Thurs & Sun noon-2am, Fri & Sat noon-4am.
Chibō
ઍ
38F Yebisu Garden Palace Tower, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5424 1011;
Ebisu station; map pp.100-101.
Of the
several restaurants housed in the top two levels of this
tower, this is the most appealing - not to mention the
cheapest. Tasty
okonomiyaki
goes from ¥680, and the
views are predictably superb.
Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm &
5-10pm; Sat & Sun 11.30am-10pm.
Ebisu Imaiya
͑ͼ͢ࠓҪ
1-7-11 Ebisu-Nishi,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 5456 0255;
Ebisu station; map pp.100-
101.
The man behind New York's
Megu
started his restaurant
empire at this backstreet joint serving
yakitori
made from
the “ultimate chicken” - the
hinai-jidori
broiler from Akita-
ken in northern Japan - as well as a choice selection of
sake. Downstairs it's casual and lively; upstairs you can book
private rooms and be served by kimonoed waitresses. Dishes
start around ¥1000 - expect to pay around ¥5000 with
drinks.
Mon-Thurs & Sun 5pm-1am, Fri & Sat 5pm-3am.
Ì
Ebisu Yokochō
ઍܙൺणԣஸ
Ebisu, Minato-ku;
Ebisu station; map pp.100-101.
Not a restaurant, but a
whole clutch of them, crammed into a hugely atmospheric
covered arcade east of Ebisu station. Come in the evening
and take your pick - there's a curry stand, several noodle
joints, places specializing in seafood, and even a miniature
karaoke bar. In addition, the venues and the tables in them
are arranged in a way that lends itself to mingling.
Daily
5pm-late.
Fuji Soba
࢜ͦ
1-3-15 Ebisu, Minato-ku; Ebisu
station; map pp.100-101.
Sometimes you just want
something quick, cheap and easy. This branch of the
simple, round-the-clock chain certainly scratches those
particular itches, with rāmen from ¥410,
curry katsudon
for
¥530 and a range of similarly priced local dishes - all
surprisingly tasty.
Daily 24hr.
Futatsume
;ͨͭΊ
3-9-5 Kami-Meguro, Meguro-ku
T
03 3712 2022; Naka-Meguro station; map pp.100-
101.
Grand little
kushiage
(deep-fried sticks) place,
presided over by the genial Sato-san. The skewered snacks
go from
¥100, and are best washed down with a delicious
mango highball (¥580).
Mon-Sat 6pm-3am.
Higashiyama
౦ࢁ
1-21-25 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku
T
03 5720 1300,
W
higashiyama-tokyo.jp; Naka-
Meguro station; map pp.100-101.
An elegant restaurant
