DIA Blog 003 - My Favorite Dish And Restaurant In Japan by H8R

by H8R

In our eighth episode, we talked about some of our favorite dishes and restaurants in Japan and Vietnam. We also talked about some of our least favorite. Here's some info so you can see what we were talking about.

H8R's Favorite Dish In Japan - Tonteki

Tonteki set meal with sake

Tonteki is a magical pork chop bestowed upon mankind by the benevolent gods of the culinary cosmos. All joking aside, it is pretty damn good.

If you didn't get a chance to check out the episode, tonteki is Yokkaichi's famous dish. It's a pork chop that's cooked in a wok with pork fat, garlic, and other spices.

The supplier is a mystery. The cut they use is a mystery. The flavor is delicious!

There are lots of different places to get tonteki in Yokkaichi, but one reigns supreme. That title has to go to Matsumoto-no Rai Rai Ken (まつもとの来来憲).

The set meal includes the main dish, cabbage, rice, pork soup, and pickles. You can also get free refills on all of the sides! It's best enjoyed with beer or a special type of sake made for the tonteki.

H8R's Favorite Restaurant In Japan - The Sodoh at Higashiyama, Kyoto

Me at the entrance (gotta dress to impress!)

This place is hands down one of my favorite dining experiences in Japan (if not the world). The Sodoh at Higashiyama is a top-notch joint. Located minutes from historic shrines and temples, this converted Japanese inn has an intimate atmosphere and elegant European style cuisine using the finest of Japanese ingredients.

There are a variety of courses ranging from ￥3500-￥120000. The most expensive one has the most luxurious ingredients, but I found the middle course to have better flavor (or maybe my palate just isn't up to snuff).

The following is the second-most expensive course that I ate a few years ago. The menu changes with the seasons so you won't be able to eat this now, but trust me they'll have something good (and pardon me for any blurry pics!)

Foie Gras MONAKA Wafers
(I still don't get what the big deal is, maybe it's cuz I don't like liver?)

Marinated Hokkaido squid with seasoned vegetables

Snow Crab "KOURA YAKI"

Red Snapper with Clam Soup and Japanese Parsley

Roasted Beef with Canola Flower and Butterbur Sprout

Pomodoro from "NAKAMURA Farm"

"SETOKA" Orange with Yoghurt Mousse

I don't eat like this every day, but I can afford to every once in a while with all the money I save by eating bananas for breakfast and oatmeal for dinner!

The adjoining bar is just as cool. What I really like about it is the intimate atmosphere and nice ambiance. You can spend the night listening to smooth jazz music while sipping cocktails.

The best thing about this bar is that you can't see anyone from your seat and they can't see you.

It feels like a really private experience.

If you need the staff, just push a button. You won't hear the loud annoying "ping-pong" of other restaurants, but rest assured that they're on their way. They offer a variety of whiskeys, cocktails, and brandies.

Entrance to the bar

Tequila Sunrise

Scotch and Cuban cigar set

Mojito

Start with a selfie, end with a selfie!

That's it for this post. What did you think? Would you rather go for tonteki or a fine dining experience? Let us know in the comments!