Hamburg Daimao
Don’t expect shnitzel and sauerkraut this isn’t a German Restaurant, Hamburg Daimao specializes in Hamburg Steak; basically, Hamburgers without the bun.
Themed after cartoon character Hakushon Daimao and his daughter Akubi Chan and aimed at children of all ages, Hamburg Daimao has 10 restaurants in the Kanto and Chubu areas with more scheduled to open; in Tokyo head out to Aqua City in Odaiba.
The attention to detail in the interior design is striking and feels more like a restaurant in a Theme Park than just another Family Restaurant and whilst the menu is less than inventive – Hamburg and Cheese, Hamburg and Egg, Hamburg and Pineapple, Hamburg and Bacon, Roco Moco and Hamburger almost covers everything – if you like Hamburg you like Hamburg Daimao.
Hamburg Daimao also has very reasonably priced party menus making it a great place for children’s birthdays.
Suika Soda
I must admit I was surprised when I tried this new drink from Kirin for the first time; it’s light, summery, not overly sweet and really does taste like watermelon (suika is Japanese for watermelon) even though it contains absolutely no natural fruit juice at all.
Apparently returning to stores after a 23 year hiatus; Suika Soda is a strange brew, despite the fact that I’d never tried any watermelon flavored fizzy drink before it’s nonetheless kind of familiar and somehow reminded me of the weird and wonderful – and 100% artificially flavored – soda pop I drank growing up.
I’m not sure where health benefits and soda pop come together but stamped clearly on the unfussy, retro packaging is the fact that it contains added Vitamin B6, which assists the breakdown of protein, fats and carbohydrates in food and helps reduce water retention – wish I could have told my mother that soda pop was actually good for you when I was I kid.
Nature Tandoor
Just a short walk from the north exit of Chiba station, Nature Tandoor is homely little restaurant serving authentic curries and as the name suggests Tandoori is a speciality.
The food on offer is a primarily a mix of Northern Indian and Nepali cuisine with the Aloo Chat – a spicy potato and cucumber salad and Sag Paneer – a spinach and cheese curry being particular favorites.
Another great thing about Nature Tandoor is the fact that as well as the ubiquitous nan they also offer stuffed nans as well as chapatis and bhaturas.
When ordering food from the tandoor you can’t go wrong with anything at all; in fact it’s all so good it’s easy to find yourself too full to finish your main dish – well it is for me anyway.
Finally another treat on the menu is the Indian Whiskey, try it you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Hito Kuchi Chaya
You’ll find Hito Kuchi Chaya snack food stands dotted all around the country from Hokkaido down to Kyushu; usually in Shopping Malls or outside Supermarkets and Home Centers.
Selling Japanese snack food staples such as the fish-shaped cream or adzuki filled Tai Yaki – tai is the Japanese word for Sea Bream and despite the name this dessert contains no fish at all and Tako Yaki which are pancake batter dumplings containing pieces of octopus.
They also serve Kaki Gouri – shaved ice, doused in fruit flavoured syrup; wonderful for cooling down on a hot summer day.
The snack stands also all have a big photo menus, just point away when ordering and try not to get sidetracked by the slightly idiosyncratic English explanations.
Korakuen
First established in 1954 in Aizu Wakamatsu, Fukushima and not to be confused with the similarly named Chinese restaurant (Koraku) from the TV drama ‘Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari’; Korakuen is a chain of ramen stores, with locations stretching from as far east as Hyogo Prefecture and up to Aomori in the north.
In keeping with its roots Korakuen’s speciality is good old fashioned soy sauce flavored Shoyu Ramen; although Miso, Shio (salt) and Tonkostu Shoyu (pork bones and soy sauce) ramen are also available as well as Tsukemen and Hiyashi Chuka in the summer months.
Whilst Korakuen might not be a purist’s dream; service is fast, quality consistent and with a bowl of ramen starting from only 290 yen it’s very reasonable too. The set meals are also really good value too – a bowl of fried rice and some a plate of gyoza dumplings only coming to an extra 400 yen. One word of advi, avoid the dissapointingly thin and dry Chashu Pork.
Most stores are on the outskirts of towns alongside busy roads and are an ideal place to pick up a hot meal when you’ve tired of western varieties of fast food. You’ll also find Korakuen in Tokyo in Roppongi、Akasaka and Shinbashi
