Dun
Dan
Dun!

This post should really start with the iconic “Kill Bill Theme” theme song from the movie and play throughout. If you’d like to load it up to play in the background get it here : )

We had just finished watching the Tokyo Giants win the game with a homer in the 9th. The hot dog and yakitori we ate in the 2nd inning weren’t holding us over. As we debated food options (surprisingly not a lot around the dome) our friend, who is no stranger to Tokyo, suggested we hit up Gonpachi. The name didn’t register with me at first. Then she said all that needs to be said about the place, “the kill bill restaurant”. Dun Dan Dun. The music immediately started up in my head as a grin spread across my lips. Sure I said coolly, masking the kid-like joy bubbling up inside me.

For some reason I thought the restaurant was located outside of town in the countryside. Not so. It’s right smack in Roppongi, one of the busiest and foreign friendly parts of Tokyo. The building is almost quaint outside… a nice garden, some seats with umbrellas, but nothing flashy hinting at the sprawling room inside.

Inside the restaurant is simply, but wonderfully decorated. There are lanterns hanging from the ceiling and simple lighting throughout the space. The attentive hostess and manager quickly found us a table (unfortunately hadn’t planned this meal ahead of time and booked an upstairs booth) near the kitchen and we sat down to peruse the menu.

I was shocked by the relatively low prices. One would assume, with the fame the movie has bestowed on the place, that prices would be high…it is Tokyo after all. We decided to split a 6 course tasting menu (3500 Yen), and some other items between the three of us. First out was the Natural Tofu House Salad

Next out on the tasting menu was a Fried Shrimp Dumpling & Deep Fried Potato

3rd out was Tempura 3 ways

4th to come to the table was 3 types of Yakitori

Then came Soba noodles, which I didn’t manage to get a picture of and finally the dessert course – Pumpkin and Coconut Ice Cream!

To supplement the tasting menu we also ordered a lovely Blue Fin Tuna Tartare (950 Yen)

Also a Soft Shell Crab Roll from the 3rd floor sushi bar (1350 Yen)

Lastly was the Tataki – Seared Beef with Honey & Truffle Vinaigrette Sauce (780 Yen)

So all in all the meal totaled in about 22 USD per person without drinks….very reasonable for the amount and quality of the food served. The food at Gonpachi isn’t considered fine dining by anyone’s standards…including their own. It’s intended intstead to be an elevated Izakaya experience (modern country-style if you will). And this is why Gonpachi is a success in my book. Sure you can get better Yakitori and Sushi and other more specialized locations… but if you’re a tourist looking for a nice meal in Roppongi, a seasoned traveler who needs to entertain some out of town guests, or just a rabid Tarantino fan Gonpachi is a great value. Also the large space, long tables and secluded rooms are perfect for entertaining large groups. I think everyone should visit at least once, at least for a quick bite and beer before heading into manic Roppongi.

Gonpachi
1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku.
Tel: 03-5771-0170.
Nearest stn: Roppongi or Hiroo.
Open: 11:30am-6am daily
Menu: English/Japanese

Take me out to the ballgame
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some yakitori and edamame….

Stepping out of the cab at the base of the massive Tokyo Dome I immediately felt the same frantic pre-game energy I knew from my childhood. It was just like seeing the Rangers or Rockies, men walking excitedly to the gate decked out in the team apparel, rows of souvenir stands, etc. The closer I got the stadium however, the more I began to notice subtle differences.

Outside the dome hawkers were selling all manner of things that were certainly not peanuts or cracker jacks.

We reached the gate and upon presentation of our ticket we were treated to a gift. In Texas we have bat night, ice cream night, towel night… almost every night a different free promo. In Tokyo, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Giants, we visited on Hello Kitty charm night

Ushers showed us to our seats and we set about looking for snacks and drinks. Where were the surly & sarcastic beer and peanut guys / girls? Here the beer girls were cute, prompt, and attentive. I have no idea how these tiny girls hike up and down the stairs every night with the mini keg strapped to their backs, but I’m sure it’s great exercise. They even had a special cup they’d poor the excess beer head into before pouring your beer… assuring you actually get a plastic cup of beer that’s more than half full! (what a concept).

Beer in hand it was time to watch the game.

The fans were crazy…a mashup of rabbid soccer fans with their sets of historic songs and high school cheerleaders. Thankfully we were sitting in the visiting team’s side where things were loud, but nowhere near the fervor of the home team fans.

Soon it was time for some food. Though the Giants Bento Box Set looked appealing, we chose instead to go for a mix of local and traditional (yakitori and you should know the other one).

The game was fantastic. The Giants went up by 2 only to be caught by the visiting team in the 8th. The Giants held the score tied in the bottom of the 9th and I was sure we were heading for extra innings. A tiny little man stepped into the box first up for the Giants…I can’t remember if it was the first or second pitch, but it sent it out far into the left field bleachers…ending the game with a walk off home run! I can’t imagine a better first game to see. The home fans were going crazy.

The visiting fans….well let’s just say the tension got to them and my neighbor had tolerated his last picture from the westerner seated next to him.

Even if you’re not a baseball fan, or sports fan in general, when in Tokyo do yourself a favor and go see the Yomiuri “Tokyo”  Giants. Tickets can be bought at the gate, but will sell out. Ask the concierge to arrange tickets for you at the hotel as soon as you arrive and you should be fine.

Paul

Bonus Pics!

Giants Bento Box

Japanese Fan Enjoying a Hot Dog

Peace and Hot Dogs!

Tasty grilled meats and veggies on a stick, Japanese-style

Seems every culture has its meat on a stick – from Thai moo ping to Turkish shish kabobs, these are always an international favourite. When we were living in Bangkok, it was ubiquitous…grilled chicken, fish balls, and the aforementioned moo ping, grilled pork. But the Japanese raise it to another level – as it seems they do with everything – in their version called Yakitori.

Yakitori, usually chicken and vegetables, is a popular snack or after work meal enjoyed by the Japanese. A very casual meal eaten on the fly, although still in the restaurant (you never see Japanese walking around with food and eating like one might in Thailand or even America). In these tiny places, most people choose to sit around the counter and watch their items be grilled to order over the charcoal fire, but there are also usually small rustic tables and stools upon which one can perch while munching.

The best way to start, if you have never eaten Yakitori, is to order single skewers of several items and then order seconds (or thirds) of those that you really enjoyed. Yakitori is best accompanied by a local beer but if you are not in the mood to drink, green tea will do nicely as well. Also an etiquette tip…it is polite to remove the items from the skewers with your chopsticks and put onto the plate, eating the bites from the plate with your chopsticks rather than putting the skewer to your mouth (this is quite rude). And further…look around the table, there is often an empty cup specially designated as a place to discard the empty skewer sticks.

While grilled chicken is the “normal” Yakitori order, there are many other items to try:

•    kawa – chicken skin (Yum!!! This is incredibly delicious, but maybe not so healthy)
•    hasima / negima – white meat chicken combined with leeks, the leeks are also yummy on their own…mild and delicate but adding that extra zing that makes it irresistible
•    shiitake – Japanese mushrooms
•    tsukune – ground chicken meat formed into a meatball with some seasoning
•    reba – chicken livers
•    piiman – these are small, bitter Japanese green peppers
•    gyu niku – grilled beef

You may be asked if you want a salt or teriyaki marinade…we prefer the salt because it lets the flavour of the meat / vegetable shine through. Also, if served with lemon, it is not a decorative garnish – use it, and you will see how it enhances the grilled flavours.

While these are everywhere, when in Tokyo we like the ones in the Shibuya area. Near the famous intersection by the Mark City Mall there are 3 well-known, established Yakitori places in a row. Look for the Pachinko parlor as a landmark and just keep walking. Our favourite is Toritake, look for a has a cartoon icon of a chicken on its sign. But don’t worry if you have trouble to locate our recommended spot as our Japanese friend living in the area commented, “all the food in this area is good…so you really cannot go wrong, even if you just randomly pop in to a place.”

Toritake
Shibuya, across from Mark City shopping mall
Tokyo, Japan
Telephone: +81 (0)3 3461 1627