#izakaya

Yurakucho underpass life, Tokyo

More delicious Sendai foods! Tried sasa kamaboko, which is really tasty for surimi. Grilling it at the table was fun, and the charred outside was a nice contrast to the soft inside, which had a savory and slightly sweet flavor.

Also enjoyed some frozen sake with lemon and fried skewers. My favorite was either the salmon topped with roe and shiso or the mozzarella, tomato, and basil. For dessert, we tried another local specialty: zunda mochi! Incredibly soft and fresh mochi covered in sweetened edamame paste. It might sound strange but I loved it!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… Chef Koji Hagihara is one of the finest chefs currently working in NYC. Combining Japanese, Chinese and French training and techniques, he creates some of the most innovative and memorable menus wherever he works. I’ve posted about the amazing meals we enjoyed at Hakata Tonton during his long tenure there, as well as his time in the kitchen at short-lived hotspot Roki. Now Koji-san has moved downtown to the year-old Japanese eatery Juku, or more specifically, Juku Izakaya…

Juku is actually three different dining destinations across three floors… the top level being an outstanding sushi counter run by chef/owner/”sushi boss” Kazuo Yoshida, and the basement being a cocktail lounge with fun bar bites. The izakaya is sandwiched between the two on the main floor where Chef Koji runs the kitchen and recently revamped the menu in his signature style. Here’s a look…

Madai (red se bream) crudo with olive oil, orange, jalapeno and smoked salt…

“Foie Au Raisin” Gyoza…

Crispy dumpling skins topped with seared foie gras, green grape compote and prosciutto…

“The Garden”, a mix of seasonal vegetables, raw and fried, in a Japanese “hummus” with black shichimi spice…

Charred shishito peppers with parmsean cheese and olive oil…

A “Thrice Cooked Potato” topped with a mixed mushroom medley and truffle butter…

Blackened scallops with Brussels sprout leaves, cilantro chutney and aged soy salt…

Their insanely delicious Lobster Uni Mac & Cheese, which was more seafood than pasta…

The Colorado lamb chop…

Aged in shio koji and grilled to perfection…

Tea Smoked Duck, crusted in hojicha miso and served over a powder of cure duck egg…

A eye-popping platter of sushi and sashimi that Chef Kazuo was kind enough to send down for us…

The board was the size of the table and covered with every treasure the ocean has to offer…

And you can see the tuna-filled futomaki peaking through there…

Quite a treat, I must say, and devoured with a promise to sit at the sushi counter on our next visit…

The meal ended with an off-the-menu surprise, a bowl of Chef Koji’s new ramen…

A 100% fish-based broth made with the bones of red sea bream…

So simple yet so succulent, served with the springiest of noodles…

And for “dessert”, their Momo Jiri cocktail, a blend of Jasmine gin, white peach, lime juice and sparkling wine, topped with an edible Dianthus flower…

The name “Juku” can mean “cram school”, but is also a play on “jyu kyu” or “19” in Japanese (Kazuo’s old restaurant in Brooklyn was called “1 or 9”), hence the numbered jerseys the chefs all wear…

We could not have been more satisfied with the meal here at Juku! And not just with the tantalizing tastes or perfect portions of the dishes, but with the joy that comes from seeing one of your friends finding a new path in life and having such success on it!!

Please go down to Chinatown and let Chef Koji take care of you. And be sure to tell him that C.B. sent you!

JUKU IZAKAYA

32 Mulberry St.

NY, NY 10013

646-590-2111

https://jukunyc.com/

Just wanted to post a quick update here regarding some restaurant staff changes coming out of Tokyo…

Unfortunately, one of my favorite izakaya, Peshi in Nihonbashi, has closed its doors.

https://www.eataku.com/post/158355062579/peshi-tokyo

The staff has fortunately landed on their feet and found other gigs, which I will be posting about when I have more information.

Also, one of Tokyo’s best late night spots, Kadoya, has gone through some adjustments of their own, with both Taka and Tacchan having left to embark on exciting new adventures.

https://www.eataku.com/post/157344408276/kadoya-nishi-azabu-tokyo

The Nishi-Azabu izakaya remains open with a new staff, and a modified menu, but I have not been yet. So much of my original review of and praise for Kadoya came from the warmth of the staff, so I can’t continue to recommend them as one of Tokyo’s best as I have not eaten and drank there yet. The owner, Moriyama-san, is a wonderfully talented chef and manager, and I’m sure he’s got a great new crew cooking and serving there, so I hope to try them again on my next trip.

Updates on Taka and Tacchan coming soon too!

A trip to Tokyo is always exciting, especially since it’s a city that mixes tradition and the latest trends so well, but if you’re looking for even more fun things to do in Tokyo and something even more adventurous, why not check out these 12 must things to do in Tokyo!!

1) Dinner in Izakaya boats - Get away from citylife & crowd and have a relaxing dinner at Tokyobay boat as it comes to life after dark when the light from a million windows and neon signs shine down on the water.You will get that refreshing breeze of water with chilled drinks and hot japanese cuisines which will make you forget all the hustle bustle of city life.See the shining buildings and rainbow bridge outside while crossing Odaiba.

2)Cross Shibuya Intersection - As famous as it is you will feel the same adrenaline rush while crossing that world famous Shibuya crossing. Everyday hundreds of people walk across the intersections at once. For a mesmerizing look watch the crossing from the 2nd-story window of the Starbucks on the North side.

3)Have a stroll at Sakuragichou- If you are in Tokyo ;there is a direct train to Yokohama for less than 800yen. Just go for it. It’s worth the 1h trip.The Sakuragicho part of Yokohama is a paradise for romantic couples.You must sit in that big slow ride where you see entire yokohama scintillating in lights.

4)See sunset at Odaiba- Odaiba has something for everyone, day and night, from sports facilities and stadiums, elaborate shopping malls, museums, concerts, hotels, to great views of Tokyo Bay and Tokyo itself. Odaiba’s fun and cutting-edge, yet outdoorsy, vibe makes it popular with the young and dating couples.

5)Watch a game of sumo- Most of the travelers find the Sumo Tournaments tickets costly and to an extent its true so why not watch a practice tournament??
You can’t fully understand the intensity of this sport unless you are up close and personal at a sumo wrestling practice to witness the panting, grunting and dripping sweat. The practices are not attractions created for tourists, they are serious and you need to show respect while you are there.

6) Eat at themed restaurant- The Capital of Japan is not only famous for pubs/clubs and bars but also for unique themed cafes like Alice in wonderland, Robot themed Cafe  and Cute Maid cafes. Japan is known for cute and dolly Girls which in Japanese they call them as *Kawaii* and the main attractions of these theme cafes are these Cute young Girls who will welcome you, make you feel home, sit and have chat with you.This is also a way to see Japan closely from the eye of a local.

7) Sing @ Karaoke - Now maybe in your country Karaoke is no big deal but in Japan it is heart of parties &people do nomikai i.e hopping parties and go to karaoke and sing their heart out because they love to sing when they are in party mood.There are all ranges of Karaoke in Japan from budget- costly to high end themed karaoke…you have to see their spirit of singing!!

8)Drink at Izakaya - Usually people want to hang out with Japanese people when they are on Japan trip but Japanese people being little shy and can only speak Japanese most of the times & don’t interact with foreigners but they try their best to help them out when asked.So to party with them ,you have to go to local Izakayas at Tokyo ; which has 2 advantages: 1)you get to see the fun side of Japanese people and you can grab a drink or two with while chatting 
2. you get lip smacking Japanese cuisines like-onion rings/fried chicken/ veg noodles/ starters and while lot variety of drinks…is it not a good deal?

9)Take a dip at onsen- You can read about onsen in our other blogs also but these places are must & must too see when you are in Japan.There are lot of onsen where you can soak in one of your relaxing baths or have a foot massage or body massage!! Get your senses relaxed in hot spring after a long tiring sight seeing day.

10)Do a kimono fitting & get a pic clicked - A kimono is a traditional Japanese dress that is typically worn by women on special occasions and Yukata by men. There are few places to be fitted for a Kimono while traveling to Tokyo. You must get a souvenir for yourself getting pic clicked in traditional dress for a memory of lifetime!

11)Play a pachinko game -  In japan, You will see lot of Pachinko outlets aka Japanese arcade game…mostly like video game /play station parlors in our country.These people are crazy for Anime and Manga(Japanese comic ) games where the object is to fire balls that will then fall through a maze of metal pins. Try to capture as many balls as possible into the center hole. You won’t be able to miss Espace Pachinko Parlor, one of the most popular, with it’s flashing neon and clinking of the balls.

12)See fashion in Harajuku - Now in japan, Harajuku styles up in their way and rest of the country in other way. You will be surprised to see unique fashion sense of Harajuku girls.Don’t be shy to ask for photos with them,they love taking photos and will be happy to be in yours. Ask them about their fashion and where they like to shop for & find more unique shopping opportunities in ACDC Rag!

Interested in knowing more? Contact us right away: http://ghumojapan.com/