OK, Here we go..... I think it only fair to start with this photo as this trip to Tokyo, and the inspiration of these two guys with me in the photo, really kicked off my interest in exploring food, photographing said eats, and sharing/explaining my impressions of my experiences. So, to you David Chang and Anthony Bourdain, Cheers, and thanks. As I begin I think it only fair to explain a bit of what my purpose with this blog is. As you know, I do not participate in Facebook, and I wont go into why here, but I NEEDED a vehicle to communicate and connect with those in my life, both near and far. As the name implies, this will primarily be a blog about pizza. However, as this is mine, I will feel free to do and say as I damn well please, as it pleases me. So I hope to not offend or tiptoe too far over the line of appropriateness, but if I do, that's just too fucken bad. Enjoy. Pizza, food, life experiences, thoughts, feelings, rants, and more food. This is what you will find here. Please feel free to share and pass along to anyone you think might have an interest, as I hope you will as well. Sincerely yours, DVA

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Sukiyaki, Akihabara, Tokyo

Beef Sukiyaki

Beef and vegetables cooked in a Japanese hot pot with a very thick and flavorful broth, then dipped in a beaten raw egg and slurped up.  Delish!

The name of the place? No idea

The location of the place?  No idea

Well, that's not altogether true.  We are near, about a 15 minute walk, from Akihabara, Tokyo.  Which direction?  I'm clueless.  I do know that the restaurant is about 140 years old, from what I was told.  It was a beautiful place built of stone and old wood with wandering pathways shaded by wispy trees and spotted with koi ponds.  A magical setting.

The meal was presented in stages, typically Japanese, and before we knew it we were eating and drinking and laughing our asses off. 

Here are a few photos

The first course was some sort of gently cook beef that was super tender and finely chopped


Taco salad



Hahaha!  (Octopus in Japanese is Taco.... for those of you that didn't get that...)

Standard sashimi


But really fresh and great


Yes, Sake please!

This stuff was SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!!!!!

I think we had 6 bottles between the 4 of us.  Really great high-end sake.  Dry, smooth, fresh.


 Next was some kind of fish and ginger root. Also very delicious



 Now on to the sukiyaki

Here's the veg


Here's the meat

Yeah, pretty amazing


No comment from me on the next photo....


It all goes into the pot and cooks slowly in front of us.  




Ever turning and browning, carmelizing, reducing, 



My egg


Mix it up



Hot pot is done


Load a mouthful into the egg and slurp away





Everything is better when you're having fun.  We were clearly having fun



The first tray of beef is caput!


Out comes more.  So soft and tender and amazing.  Really an unbelievable meal


Washed down with more of this......mmmmmmmmm


Here's the last batch


And my favorite part of any meal in Japan, the rice course at the end.  Same as the previous night, rice and broth


Notice the small dab of wasabi placed on the underside of the lid.   I thought that was pretty cool.

The intent is to mix it into to the rice/soup if you so desire




A perfect slice of ripe mellon to finish off the night.

Sukiyaki?  Suki-yummy!

Eat good food.  Try something new.  Just get it in your mouth and go!

DVA


No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers