Tables - Japan

Once again, I'm only keeping track of some places I enjoyed, beyond the usual suspects (already listed everywhere else). This is not about the most glamorous places but about food I happened to enjoy.

Some restaurants in Japan (see other lists of tables worldwide) :
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Himeji

Eat Japanese in Tokyo :

SABO HANAHENRO / Shimaya Hiroshi Yasunori Taninaka (大島屋)
7-17-11 Yanaka, Taito-ku, TOKYO, JAPAN
Tel : 03-3821-5052
If Yanaka is a graveyard area, Yanaka under 34 degrees is death itself. And this udon place is where you resuscitate. You just have to climb a few stairs (Golghota is far worse), and reach the second floor of a non-descript house on Sansaki-zaka, close to Sendagi Station. The menu is only in Japanese but the owner speaks English and his parents cook really great, simple and sound food. Their cold udon salad saved me. SM 2008

SUKIYA A-BOO EXPRESS
(I couldn't find any better translation for 数寄屋バーグ)
4-2-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, TOKYO, JAPAN
Tel : 03-3561-0688
If you like greasy, sizzling hamburger steaks this is the place. Right across the Sony Building, on the ground floor, a restaurant so small that there are more people waiting outside than eating inside (a dozen seats overall, maybe more). Pick your size (150g 200g 250g 300g), your toppings, your sauce (garlic beats wasabi), your set (salad, soup and plain rice), and enjoy. SM 2008

GINZA HINAI-YA - SHIODOME
(銀座 比内や 汐留店)
105-0021 Minato-ku, TOKYO, JAPAN
Tel : 03-5537-2902
Tasty Hinai chicken Yakidori in various styles. The meal is rythmed by the subway right above : every other minute, a couple of trains stop at Shimbashi station. SM 2006

Eat Korean in Tokyo :

Longing for bulgogi ? Find a Toraji nearby.

Eat Japanese in Kyoto :

KYOTOFU FUJINO
90-4 Onmae dori Ichijo
26 602 KYOTO, JAPAN
Tel : (+81) 075-463-7035
Kyoto sits on an underground lake of pure water, which proves useful when you intend to make good tea and good tofu. This franchise is not the most select but has joints across the city. If you just want their damningly good tofu icecream, stop at one of their other locations (Tel: 075-255-3231). SM 2006
And if you happen to be in Tokyo and have time to spare between Miyake's 21_21 Design Sight and the Suntory Museum of Art, take a sit in their Tokyo Midtown branch. SM 2008
KYONO TOFUYA FUJINO
Galleria/B1F/25 - Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, TOKYO, JAPAN
Tel: 03-5413-0657

Eat Japanese in Himeji :

Frankly, we didn't venture far into the city beyond Otemae-dori, the straight line joining the train station with the Himeji Castle. We were about to give up looking for an interesting restaurant when, one or two blocks from the castle, this noodle joint appeared. Right pick : delicious udon, crafted by a fiftyish man before our eyes. SM 2006
MENME
68 Otemae-Dori - Himeji, JAPAN - Hyogo-ken
Tel : 25-5505