Restaurant #51: Ramen Kagetsu Arashi, Taipei

I thought it was almost impossible to find a real Japanese ramen outside of Japan, but I was wrong. I finally found the one in Taipei! I know pretty good one in Los Angeles, but this is really like modern Japanese ramen. It is called “Ramen Kagetsu Arashi”, originally from Tokyo of Japan. I am a huge fan of Sapporo Ramen and have some bad experience with ramen of other areas, but this Tokyo style has some interesting flavors!

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi has several branches in Taiwan, and one branch is located in a new department store. 統一阪急百貨台北店 is very easy to access from MRT station. Many people are waiting in line everyday, as well as this day. After waiting for 10 min, a waiter led my friend and I to a small table. We ordered Chinese Chive & Egg Fried Rice (鉄板イタめしニラ玉味) and their signature item, Garlic Genkotsu Ramen (ニンニクげんこつらあめん), and an extra small Garlic Pork Rice (ニンニク豚めし).

Chinese Chive & Egg Fried Rice (韭菜玉子鐵板炒飯)

韭菜玉子鐵板炒飯, TW$ 160, was my friend’s choice. It was a great choice for not only taste but also entertainment. On the Teppan plate, beaten egg, rice with some ingredients and Katsuobushi were prepared. A waitress mixed all those in front of us beautifully. Of course, we could do it by ourselves, but first time is better to see how the professional do. (^^)

It was some sort of art that the color of beaten egg slowly changed, and smell of katsuobushi was mouth-watering. After mixed with rice, it was okay to eat right away, or also find to wait for a while to make Okoge.

Garlic Genkotsu Ramen (大蒜拳骨拉麵)

My choice was Garlic Genkotsu Ramen (大蒜拳骨拉麵), TW$ 160. For the first time, I was surprised that taste of the soup was Real. Lots of grated garlic and Seabura (背脂) make the soup strong and a bit salty. Taiwanese friends are all told me that the soup was too salty for them. Then, you can ask the worker to add boiled water to adjust saltiness.

Chashu was beautifully lying on the soup surface. Two slices; juicy and tender. If you like Chashu, you can order Chashu Ramen or add extra slices.

A half of boiled egg was in perfect condition. Bamboo Shoots didn’t have strong taste as other Taiwanese dishes, so that it didn’t kill the good smell from the soup, which was great. Green onion (negi), two slices of Chashu (チャーシュー), and Nori (Seaweed: のり) were all decorated perfectly.

If you like, you can add extra topping. I added Wakame Seaweed (わかめ) with extra TW$ 30.

Garlic Pork Rice (蒜香肉燥飯)

We ordered extra small rice called 蒜香肉燥飯 (ニンニク豚めし) (TW$ 45). This was a bit disappointment. A worker might have forgotten to bring the item right away. Once they served the rice to us, it was already cold and the meat over the rice was dry… If it was a real quality of this item, then they must improve the quality.

Overall, I love their ramen and service. All workers were friendly and energetic. Since this first experience, I frequently visit there and enjoy real Japanese ramen. (^^)

Total: TW$ 435 (for 2 people + 10% service fee)

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi: らあめん花月嵐
http://www.kagetsu.co.jp/index.html (Japan)
http://www.gbj-tw.com/ (Taiwan)
# Please check the closest branch from your location.

FastFood #06: iCon Chicken Diavolo, McDonald’s Japan

November, 2010. McDonald’s Japan introduced us four iCon Chicken burgers. I already introduced German Sausage Burger on this blog, and fortunately, I had a chance to try one more chicken burger, Diavolo, during my stay at Sapporo, Japan.

Diavolo is known as “小悪魔風” in Japanese. Spicy sauce with tender breast chicken, toasted buns, bacon, cheddar cheese, and slices of lettuce must make me full.

One bite, two bite… The sauce was not as spicy as I expected; it was actually a bit sweet. Since I expected spicy sauce, so it was a small disappointment. I believe the sause was too strong and it killed the natural taste from the chicken. Too bad… Breast chicken was thick, had tender and meaty texture. However, German Sausage burger used much tender chicken.

Overall, I enjoyed this new taste from McDonald’s, but if they add new iCon Chicken burger on their iCon list, I prefer German Sausage, although Diavolo made my stomach full. I want much spicier sauce!!!

# This burger was sold from November 5 to November 14, 2010.

Total: 660 yen (as a meal)

McDonald’s Japan

http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/index.html

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http://www.jrc.or.jp/

Restaurant #50: Yoshimi Kitchen, Sapporo

I visited Yoshimi Kitchen once before, but this time my friend made a reservation for cheese fondue course, including all you can drink. Yoshimi Kitchen is located at Parco building—easy to access, and I especially like their various menus for drinks. I like their simple décor and the lighting color of the restaurant.

Since I don’t drink alcohol, I enjoyed their non-alcohol cocktail menus. Yet, I also enjoyed their delicious course dishes.

Appetizer

Interesting appetizer was served: quiche with cresson, and beef kidney stewed with tomato sauce. Kidney was very juicy, and melted smoothly once I put it in my mouth. Sourness of the tomato sauce and delicately seasoned quiche made my stomach happy.

Green Garden Salad

Fresh veggies were used in the salad. I was pleased with petite broccoli. Fresh!

Cheese Fondu

This became their signature menu. I understand, because their cheese fondu was totally delicious! Cheese was imported from Switzerland, according to the worker. Ingredients were including healthy veggies, especially I liked eggplants were lightly fried.

Kita Akari French Fries

After the main dish, amazing dishes were still served. Kita Akari (北あかり) French fries were rightly salted. The Hokkaido native, “Kita Akari”, was freshly harvested from local farms. The taste was a bit sweet, although it was well-seasoned.

Shrimp & Tuna Spaghetti with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Oops! I accidentally forgot taking a picture before I started… As you can see through the picture, the quantity was not that much, but after all those cheese fondu and other delicious foods, this amount was enough for two people. The shrimp was a bit small, but tomato sauce was flavored well.

Dessert

I was already satisfied, but I still had extra space for some dessert. What was wrong with my stomach? Pear Pie & Mango Pudding. My friend said a bit sweet, but it was perfect for me.

I went to Yoshimi Kitchen twice so far, but I always satisfied. I think ordering a course is better than ordering a la carte. Don’t forget to try out their drink items! I had a wonderful dinner with my friend.

Total: 6000 yen (for 2 people, free drinks)

Yoshimi Kitchen
8F, Parco
Minami 1-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuou-ku
Sapporo, JAPAN
011-214-2205
http://www.yoshimi-ism.com/

FastFood #05: Burger Chicken BOX @ Lotteria

Lotteria is one of my favorite fast food restaurants in Japan. My favorite burger is always Shrimp Burger. It passed quite long time since I tried it, so I simply visited there on the way back to my home.

Ebi Burger + Chicken Set

I ordered バガチキBox (pronounce “baga-chiki”) (770 yen), baga-chiki means burger and chicken, including one choice of burger, French fries (M size), one piece of juicy chicken and one drink (R size).

The Ebi burger made me satisfied, but I felt a little bit salty. I believe it was because of Tartar sauce. Juicy chicken was okay, but most people would like it. I ate Lotteria’s original (!?) juicy chicken back in 20 years ago, and I still remember THAT taste. No one can beat that taste.

Pepper Pork Egg Sandwich

Also, I ordered extra Pepper Pork Egg Sandwich (ペッパーポークエッグサンド). Wow nowadays, Japanese fast food chains really create astonishing items. Taste of black pepper was light, and it really matched with egg and lettuce.

Hmmm… McDonald’s Japan, Lotteria, Mos Burger, and more and more burger stores… Who would be a winner among their battle?

Lotteria
http://www.lotteria.jp/index.html

Restaurant #49: Sushi Zen, Sapporo

Aww my poor writing cannot catch up with the actual visited date to the restaurant. This visiting to Sushi Zen was in November, 2010…

Sushi Zen is Sapporo based fresh sushi restaurant, and a few branches opened in Tokyo area. Originally opened in Maruyama area in Sapporo, later slowly opened other branches. I personally recommend Maruyama branch (本店) because of the atmosphere and the design of the restaurant, but please check the prices online before you go. Each branch targets the different customers, so cost range is also different. I usually go to Daimaru department store branch, especially lunch time, which is easy to access and price is reasonable among other branches.


Since this branch is located the top floor of the restaurant, don’t expect too much to the décor of the dining area. Cleanness and well-trained workers satisfied me enough. A worker led us to the table and brought us a cup of green tea.


Lunch set (offers between 11:00-14:00) is in reasonable price! I chose Suzuran(1575 yen), served with Siromi (白身: white meat fish), Akami (赤身: the leaner meat from the sides of Tuna), Ika (いか: squid), Hotate (ほたて: scallop), Botan Ebi (ぼたんエビ: jumbo sweet shrimp), Kanpachi (かんぱち: mature amberjack), Salmon, Zuwai Gani (stripped snow crab), Ikura (いくら: salmon roe ) and Atsuyaki Tamago (thick fried egg).


Here it comes!!! 10 pcs of Nigiri were beautifully lined up on a rectangle Japanese plate, with a bawl of Osuimono and a cup of green tea.


Unfortunately, Kanpachi was out, so two pieces of Akami were served. Ika was amazingly tender and juicy. It was the best “neta” of the day!

Zuwai Gani was also great! The meat was sweet and it really matched with Shari (sushi rice).


I was a little bit disappointed that their Atsuyaki Tamago was dry. Atsuyaki Tamago is not actually main sushi neta, but most people love it.


After I ate 10 pcs, my stomach wanted more. I ordered extra Natto & Yamaimo maki.

Yamaimo

Their Yamaimo maki was interesting, lightly colored with Ume shiso (梅しそ); take a look closely, yamaimo is pink, right?


Natto

Rice for makimono was a bit stiff, but I guess it depends on your taste. Natto maki is always my favorite.


After I finished eating all, a worker served me another cup of green tea.

Good service, good food. Now I am satisfied!

Total: 5355 yen (for 3 people)

Sushi Zen

http://www.sushizen.co.jp/

***** Happy New Year 2011 *****

I wish you all happy new year~! I'll eat good stuff in 2011! o(^^)o