This place certainly isn’t trying to add to Japan’s impressive number of Michelin stars. Neither is it trying to be something it’s not. Instead, it’s simply serving cheap, quick and not especially unhealthy food. All conjured up as well as consumed in surroundings that while cramped and merely functional, are also quite fascinating.
Denton says
I wanted to try places like this so much when I was in Tokyo but I didn’t know what to order! I didn’t even know how to order if I did! 🙁 Kinda feel I wasted so many chances now. Next time……..
Lee says
Totally understand. Not always the easiest of places to walk into. Especially so when there are a mindboggling array options to choose from.
This one had a ticket machine outside. Many places have them just inside the door too. Always worth a try if the restaurant has such a system, as there’s very often a picture accompanying the writing. Then it’s just a case of buying a ticket and handing it over at the counter.
cdilla says
I always look forward to your food and dring photographs – they especially would make a great collection in print. The detail in scenes like this snags the eye on every pixel. There is also a balance to the colours here. The pink and white in the centre, the grey steel surrounding it and the brown and green tiles, signs, bowls, cabbage leaves around the edges.
One food item in Japan that really caught me out was what I took to be a heavily salted bag of chips from a stall in Ueno park. I got quite a suprise on first bite when it turned out to be sweet potato and castor sugar – which explained why I couldn’t see the vinegar bottle anywhere 🙂
Lee says
Thank you!
There’s a lot of stuff to look at in the frame, isn’t there? Amazing how many dishes they produced in such a small space too. All done with me and the other diners squeezed onto a counter all facing them.
Oh, they are lovely, aren’t they? Having tasted how fantastic they are in all manner of dishes, I’m amazed sweet potatoes aren’t used more in the UK. Or certainly they weren’t when I grew up and lived there. The slightly more yellow, softer variety (at least compared to here) I had a few years ago when home for the summer were absolutely delicious.
cdilla says
Yes, sweet potatoes, of a rather orangy variety are available at the local supermarket and find their way into our menu either mashed or baked on occasion. They make a pleasant change to the usual european root veg fare.
d. minnis says
Had a baked sweet potato for dinner tonight with goat cheese, butter and ranch dressing. Sound strange? It was delicious. I love this picture because of all the many things to see and study up on. The foods looks good too.
Lee says
Not at all. On the contrary, sounds very nice. I could eat baked or roast potatoes every single day and never get bored.
Certainly plenty to choose from in such a small place. And yes, it was good. Especially so considering how cheap it was.
Hans ter Horst says
Love these places, the food looks delicious too! The machines are getting very popular as it is of course easy for the restaurants, it is just that every restaurant has a different system and when you know how to order at one place, it doesn’t mean you can order at another. I’m always messing in front of them as the big, clumsy gaijin but I was vindicated when my Japanese wife also had trouble figuring the machine out 🙂
Lee says
Likewise. And yeah, it was good. Definitely hit the spot.
Haha, yes, been in that position way too many times. And it’s even more embarrassing when people are waiting – which alway seems to happen the minute you are struggling to figure something out!