The Top 5 Eats in the coolest perfecture in Tokyo-------> SHIBUYA

SHIBUYA

Tokyo might just be the coolest city on the planet.  I would take months to truly enjoy the splendor of this awesome mega-city.  Determining where to eat in a city that has more restaurants per square kilometer than any other city in the world is a struggle.  Today we will be starting in what I consider the coolest prefecture (suburb) of Tokyo.  Shibuya is where cool lives in Japan.  I present the top 5 places to eat in SHIBUYA.  

#5     TORIKIZOKU

This place is super famous for its yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers.  Yakitori can also have other meats like eel or lamb.  Torikizoku is popular with students because yakitori is very inexpensive.  At this eatery, the meat skewers are only 280 Yen each.  That's $2.50 in my neck of the woods.  What else is 280 Yen? The beer!  It is very easy to meet new friends here.  Great for groups of people.  I must warn you......no double dipping in the communal dipping sauce.  For real.  No jokes.  

#4     Ikinari Steaks

If you are looking for an affordable Japanese style steak in a chill setting, then Ikinari Steaks is the place for you.  Every steak is marinated in Ikinbari Steaks' house marinade and butter sauce.  This is a standing steakhouse, so wear some comfortable shoes.  A great steak here costs about 1600 Yen.  That's $14.50.  Affordable quality steak served by a great staff.  What more can you ask for?

#3     Torikatsu Chicken

Katsu is a panko breaded chicken fillet.  Looks similar to the chicken you get when you order lemon chicken.  At Torikatsu Chicken, katsu gets taken up a notch.  Located near the popular Shibuya 109 department store, Torikatsu Chicken is your tastebuds' dream.  Chicken is not the only entree that gets the panko treatment here.  You can choose from pork, squid (my favorite), crab, mackarel, oyster, eggplant, & egg/onion.  You choose between 2 pieces for 650 yen ($6), 3 piece for 800 yen ($7.25), and 4 piece for 1000 yen ($9).  The owners are an elderly couple who speak excellent English, yet the menu is hand written in Japanese.  Feel free to ask for translation.  And remember.... there is no tipping in Japan.

#2      Genki Sushi

This conveyor belt sushi eatery is tons of fun.  It is very inexpensive, and ordering from the computer kiosk is so easy.  The menu is huge, and freshness is king here.  You order and a dish on the efficient conveyor belt brings your desired confection to you.  The rolls here are delicious.  A good dining experience here will cost you about $20.  That $20 will give you a memorable meal.  It's $1.50 to $6 per item, so enjoy.  Their Maki Roll is amazing.  

#1     HAYASHI

Hands down the best ramen place in Tokyo.  It only has 10 counter seats, but if you have to wait to get in.....it is worth it.  It's three menus contain superior ramen for the price range of $6.50 to $9.00 depending on what you want.  You place your order at the kiosk at the door.  You present your ticket to the cook, and minutes later you have a bowl of ramen heaven.  Food critics from around the world hail Hayashi as a ramen institution.  It absolutely is.  A must try when in Tokyo.  Try it with pork, and it is ok to slurp your noodles in Japan.  In fact it is urged.

That is the best of Shibuya.  In part 2 of this series, we will look at the top 5 eateries in the busy prefecture of SHINJUKU.

If it were not for the influence of Anthony Bourdain.....This blog wouldn't exist.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN

1956-2018

In 2013, my world started to fall apart.  I lost the girl I thought was the one.  My beloved dog Nico passed away.  I was in a rut that I thought I could never get out of.  Friends were not helping my mood.  I became anti-social.  I became angry.  I was at my lowest.  I just stayed home, watched TV, occasionally lifted weights, and stayed miserable.  While watching TV, I stumbled upon the Travel Channel.  They didn't really have anything interesting to watch, but it kept me distracted.  As the day progressed, one show caught my attention.  It was hosted by the rebel executive chef who wrote the groundbreaking book  KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL.  He was a tall guy with a devil may care attitude, and he got to travel the world and discover cultures and society through food.  The show was NO RESERVATIONS.  The host was ANTHONY BOURDAIN.  

Bourdain took his wanderlust and invited the world to come with him to far off places, and see how food brings people together.  He mastered the art of narration, so he was able to grab the interest of everyone viewing from home.  He was funny because he was honest.  His fearlessness opened doors the TV viewer never thought existed.  He was cool because he was always being himself.  He never changed who he was for the cameras.  The Anthony Bourdain on TV was the Anthony Bourdain you would meet in person.  He was the guy who wanted the world to join him for a feast in a far off land.  He had a meal with Barack Obama in Vietnam.  Had lunch with Iggy Pop in Florida.  Was influenced by a viewer to visit Saudi Arabia, and changed many people's views of that country by discovering how modern it really was.  He was the world's greatest tour guide.

His show won many Emmys.   Then he left the Travel Channel.  He took his talents to CNN to start the multi-award winning PARTS UNKNOWN.  Two years later, he has left us.  Our tour guide is gone. It has left a huge void.  Bourdain brought me out of my rut and gave me a better appreciation for the world we live in.  I wanted to explore the world more than ever before.  I read Anthony's book, and it became my bible.  The foodie in me finally came out.  It is because of Anthony Bourdain that this blog is in existence.  I live by the credo he always stressed.  FOOD BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER.  It deeply saddens me that he is not among us anymore.  He brought alot of joy to people all over the world.  Especially this food blogger here.  He will be remembered as one of the greatest story tellers of all time.  He blended the cooking world with travel to bring us societies of all creeds to our living rooms.  

Every time you go on vacation and have to try a certain restaurant, think about Anthony.  When you feel the need to post a video of you trying a dish for the first time, thank Anthony.  And when ever that narration starts in your head leaving the airport, that is Anthony.  He made travelling the world cool again.  And for that.......I am forever grateful.  Rest in power Mr. Bourdain.  Thank you for taking us along for the ride. 

PALOMINO'S #2 in San Diego, California has the ultimate burrito!

Home of the ULTIMATE BURRITO

As you can tell, the secret destination I flew off to was San Diego.  It is home of the Padres, perfect weather, and Comic-Con International.  I was here to see my cousin Martin retire from the Navy.  A grand occasion.  I was also here to search for the Ultimate Burrito.  If you know food, California has some of the best.  My cousin Laura knew where to find it.  Where do we find this mythical burrito?  Palomino's #2 on Clairemont Mesa BLVD is the place.

Palomino's has a huge menu with all sorts of Mexican fare.  Everything from delicious tacos to enchiladas to chimichangas and caldo.  Yes.......I said chimichangas.  Nestled in the burrito part of the menu is the king of burritos.  Sounds simplistic in name, but a wonderland of flavors.  CARNE ASADA BURRITO just jumped at me.  According to the internet, there were many more that this has happened to.  The burrito menu had alot of unique flavors, but was I glad I chose carne asada.  This burrito weighs 2 1/2 pounds.  The tortilla is toasted perfectly since the contents of the burrito are heavy.  I took one bite, and thought to myself that this burrito is f'n amazing.  The meat is marinated so well it actually tastes like barbacoa.  The pico de gallo blends well with the guacamole, and has a hint of cheese.  A perfect mix ingredients.  At $10.50, I should have taken one to go.  This was clearly one of the best dishes I have ever had.

Palomino's also has great seafood.  Their ceviche is very popular with locals.  My cousin Laura ordered the caldo de res.  You know, like your grandma used to make.  Only this one has bigger chunks of meat.  Laura's husband Kurt had a very unique dish exclusive to Palomino's.  CARNE ASADA FRIES.  This cauldron of yum contained carne asada, guacamole, melted cheese, and sour cream.  It looked great.  The menu at Palomino's has something for everyone.  So.....if you are ever in San Diego,  make sure you come by PALOMINO'S #2 at 9353 Clairemont Mesa BLVD zipcode 92123.  It is so good, it may make you move to California.  My only regret was not getting the phone number of the beautiful lady who took my order.  She was gorgeous.  Palomino's #2 gets a thumbs up from the burrito gods.  It's home to the ULTIMATE BURRITO.

                                                                CALDO DE RES

CARNE ASADA FRIES

THE NEWS IN FOOD AND DRINK

It is June 5th, 2018 and this is the news in food and drink.

IHOP BECOMING IHOb

In a surprise announcement on Monday, the International House Of Pancakes announced they are changing their name to IHOb.  What the b in the new name stands for is unclear (breakfast).  The name change will take place June 11th at the franchise's 1650 locations across the country.  This is the first name change for the restaurant chain in their 60 year history.  Hopefully they do not change the name of the Big Steak Omelet.  

JAPAN TO GET ALCOHOLIC COCA-COLA BEVERAGE

Japan has many unique items that no other country has.  Very soon, the land of the rising sun will be the first country to have Coca-Cola's first alcoholic beverage.  Lemon-DO Coke is a sparkling water beverage with Japanese wheat spirits which is called chu-hi.  Lemon-DO will come in 3 flavors: Lemon, salt lemon, and honey lemon.  Was hoping for a mandarin flavor, but I don't call the shots.  Each can contains 3%-8% alcohol.  It is available now.  

NEW HANGOVER CURE:  Brisket

As we know, there are many different food items that help lessen the effects of a hangover.  Some people choose greasy pizza, and some choose the Mexican tripe stew Menudo.  A few new studies have shown that there is a new food item that can cure a hangover.  If you like Texas BBQ, this will be music to your ears because it is brisket.  But why brisket?  Brisket in rich in B vitamins which boost your immune system.  Both the fatty and lean variety of brisket help those after a night of drinking get back on their feet.  In many cases, it works faster than most foods.  

California Roll is now a thing in Tokyo

For many years, If you ordered California Roll at a sushi bar in Tokyo, there was a good chance you would get told no or laughed at.  That is not the case anymore.  The legendary NOBU restaurant in Tokyo now has California Roll on their menu.  The NOBU has locations all over the world, including several in the USA.  It is known for its traditional Japanese menu, and the fact IRON CHEF MASAHARU MORIMOTO got his start at NOBU.  The big positive of this particular item being on NOBU's menu in Japan is that the restaurant will attract more North American tourists.  I am partial to Maki Roll myself.  

DID YOU SAY A BURGER BOY FOOD TRUCK?

For a number of years, Burger Boy has had one location on St. Marys and West Josephine Street.  In February, they opened a second location very close to my house on Potranco road.  There is a third location in the works.  I had lunch at the Potranco Burger Boy when I overheard an employee talk about the burger chain  will be having their own food truck going all over the city very soon.  I think it is a very good idea.  Another legendary burger establishment called Chris Madrid's recently turned to a food truck after the long time building they called home burned down a few years back.  It has done very well for them while they look to rebuild their original building. It's an excellent idea.  Can't wait to see how it goes.

Stay tuned next week for a a ton of new posts.  I will be out of town for food research which will include video.  Good night and good eats.