Iron Chef Chen Kenichi Room Service, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Hello Tokyo

Dusk is spreading out over the city and I've been holed up in my room all day nursing a hangover that just won't leave.  I'm tired, hungry, ready for a belly full of great food to send me deeply into sleep.

My hotel is in the heart of Shibuya.  The hip/cool area of Tokyo known for lots of great restaurants and bars.  I am literally across the street from the Shibuya station, 

the launching point to everywhere Tokyo.

Located on the second floor of my hotel is the Chen Szechuan restaurant, named for and created by the Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi.  For those of you not familiar with the Iron Chef TV series, wake the hell up and get a clue.  Search the internet, I'm embarrassed for you.

Chef Chen is amazing, his food is delicious, this is simply a treat to not only be able to GO to one of his restaurants but they will deliver his food to my room?!?!?  WTF?!?!?!?  

Yes please, I want that.

His signature dish is Ma Po Tofu

A spicy (or not so much for those used to Mexican food spicy, like me) tofu and minced pork dish.

Here is what is delivered:

Ohhhhh mama, sofaking good.  The smells are infecting the very soul of my room.

The sun continues to set, changing from day to night, the city begins to come alive.

This is some sort of Shumai, not certain of the meat.  

They are large and good and hot and handmade.

Gohan.  Sticky and perfect.  

A nice base for the spicy tofu.  

A gentle magic carpet ride for my food, down my throat, into my belly.

Night is here, darkness falls upon the land

Next is a very light onion soup.  Possibly beef broth.  It's light and easy on the stomach, a perfect way to wash down the pork/tofu.

Dessert is a very sweet custard.  It has a very strong vanilla flavor but surprisingly not overwhelming.  I have no idea what the red things are.  I ate one and I honestly can't tell if it's a seed or fruit or manmade or what.  It had the texture of a small tomato but the flavor of a strawberry or raspberry, with a hint of cherry.  Very weird.

The day is done.  As the darkness seeps in red lights begin to awaken everywhere that the eye can see.  Like cherries atop a giant never ending sunday, or a field of raspberries covering the landscape.

I slip into bed, ready for this day to be done, 

a solid delicious meal in my body carrying me away to dreamland.

Goodnight Tokyo

DVA