The last time I met my MBA classmates was pre-covid and one guy 10+ years! Timing wise one flew in from LA, another from Jakarta and there are a few working in Japan that I rarely see. The choice was Andy's Shin Hinomoto under the train tracks in Yurakucho.  Ive known about this place for forever but never ventured inside assuming it was a tourist trap. Let the 5,000 yen food course begin! Drinks are separate. Started with a nice Salad. Rather spacious! Yum... Butter fried asparagus.  Then pan fried scallops with lemon and spicy sauce... Siracha?  The bo ..read more

When you want to save those pennies and always considering alternatives of spending 200 yen for a  Famichiki or 200 yen for a McD's spicy chicken sandwich...For 550 yen Gyoza no Manshyu will give you a better alternative.  If that made any sense.  6 piece Gyoza is only 330 yen or you can buy 12 fresh or frozen gyoza for the same price and make it at home!  But I got the 550 yen gyoza set. Mix up your shoyu, vinegar and red chili oil to taste. Free ice cold water pitcher on the table. Selected the Brown rice (Genmai) over the White (Hakumai)... its so rare to ..read more

After having a few plates at one of the BEST kaiten sushi chains Uobei acorss the street I asked the Manekineko staff what kind of Karaoke deals they had... Dude said 550 yen for 30 minutes of all you can sing and drink.... plus it included BEER and Ice Cream! Lets gooo Cups for the drink bar and plates for ice cream. Room all to my lonely self. Just take QR Code invoice to cashier when you are done.  They will give you a call 10 minutes prior to the 30 minute plan ending... but of course I extended. Mini Mug! Kanpai! Its just too hard to drink alot and sing in only 30 minutes ..read more

  Im back at Uobei Oyama branch for some of that fresh 60 yen wasabi! Super comfy sofa seats while you wait. My number is called... just select the character you chose then your seating ticket will pop out. I highly advise selecting a table for 2 even if you are a solo diner... depending on who you sit next to at the counter it can be rathe cramped.   Maguro Steak with Garlic Bits! Thats me! The tuna was soooo chunky! Wow nicely grilled and the fatty part melted... juicy! Unfortunately I noticed this at the end of my many plates so just had one order! I will ..read more

  When you are on a budget and looking for a wallet friendly Italian themed family restaurant there is nothing better than your local Saizeriya! Plus mostly booth seating!  I went straight to the Hamburger steak section. Orders are take by QR code with multiple languages. Tax inclusive 400 yen! If you dont mind paying just a few yen more then the cheese topping hamburger steak might be nice. Free original Hot Sauce! Water is free but there is also an all you can drink soda and non alcoholic drink bar. Lots of Pizza choices for only 400 yen. Here we go! 400 yen ..read more

  First time EVER did I see a vending machine that exclusively sells Okinawa drinks!  Located next to the adult cat homeless cafe called Cat Cafe "For Cats..." (Nyarudo Heart) 180 yen for My Favorite UCC Okinawa Exclusive Milk Tea!  At most vending machines in Okinawa its 130 yen but what a value considering a round trip flight to Okinawa just to buy a few! Mensore! Sanpincha tea! Okinawa exclusive Lemon Tea! The extremely well fed homeless cats. You can visit and feed the cats plus the staff are all volunteers. If you are are a real Okinawan at heart ..read more

  Back in the outer suburbs of Oizumi Gakuen for some Kigara ramen!   This time I went for the 900 yen thick broth ramen soup plus one Ajitsuke Tamago (Ajitama)! Lunch time and pretty much a full house... young chef preparing ramen behind the counter. Friend ordered the cold dipping noodles Tsukemen with warm thick fish based broth. He said it was very very good. Self serve water! Here we goooo!  Compared to my previous visit this one had a Wonton inside and one of the vegetables seemed to be seasonal.  https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2024/01/oizumigakuen ..read more

  I've always walked past Taj Mahal Indian restaurant but never ventured inside because its frequently very empty but kitchen is always busy taking Uber Eats orders... but the smells pouring out made me take apeek a the menu. Take out only 500 yen that includes 1 curry and Nan or Rice. This also included the ever so expensive Chicken Butter Curry! Yatta!! Very nice cozy wooden interior. Lots of orders coming thru on their delivery system... assuming Uber Eats.  Only waited about 5 minutes and it arrived!! The chefs and staff were sooo friendly... can you see the 2 chefs ..read more

One of the most famous Taiwanese mazesoba ramen spots in Tokyo... Yamano!  I havent been back since covid and wandered in after having a few too many beeruuuu. Large push button vending ticket machine but all in Japanese. Remember if you want the most recommended standard ramen always push the top left corner button... in this case Mazesoba まぜそば 900yen. The 1,300 yen has a block of tender pork as a topping. Just hand ticket to the staff. Tabasco and other seasonings... but dont forget the red pepper vinegar! It will come into play. Topping of seaweed, seasoned groun ..read more

I was in dire need of veggies in my system since my bike broke and my visits to the grocery store became less frequent.  Infants FREE! Elementary school 999 yen and least expensive adult course 1,399 yen.   I went for the least expensive 1,399 yen!! But they have some very premium beef as you go higher on the course list. Initial course selection and additional meat orders are all done via the touchpad. My course!! Then select 2 hotpot soups... but there are alot of extra options for additional fee. Touch panel also has English! Lots of seating for 4. In ..read more