Go Go Curry, Shinjuku

Ground floor entrance

As a long-time customer of Go Go Curry in New York City, visiting this curry house was an absolute must while in Japan.

I've long been of the belief that Go Go Curry serves the best Japanese curry in New York City. The place is often packed and is generally filthy but the curry is awesome.  I have a hard time selecting my second favorite curry shop in New York because there aren't just that many of them around.  Curry-Ya possibly although I found the roux there a bit thin and lacking in flavor.  The space is cool and super clean though.  And they have a Japanese toilet. +++

Go Go Curry was easy to identify on the street near my hotel in Shinjuku due to the familiar big gorilla logo.  The restaurant is down a short flight of stairs.  You will first come to a vending machine to make your curry selection.  No English but the pictures get you most of the way there. The space is ridiculously spotless, much different than NYC.  Service is efficient and the place is quiet so can enjoy your plate of curry.  The taste is basically the same as in NYC - a dark, thick and rich roux with nicely fried pork on top and cabbage on the side.  I find this curry very satisfying and delicious although Co Co Curry Ichiban is my favorite in Japan.  I like how you can customize the curry experience there and make it spicy.

Go Go Curry is a fantastic place for rich and hearty curry in the Shinjuku area. If you can visit, you won't be disappointed.

MOS Burger, Bangkok

I had my first taste of the well regarded Japanese burger chain MOS Burger at the Siam Paragon food court.  Let me tell you, I was very, very impressed with my burger.  I sampled the 'Premium Beef Burger', which was super tasty.  The portion size is just right.  Easy to handle and it doesn't fill you up too much.  It isn't greasy in the least bit and all of the ingredients are fresh.  I also had a taste of the fish sandwich, which was really good.  The french fries are served in a cute little portion size although they didn't stand out. 

I can't see this restaurant ever being popular in America since people here are so obsessed with huge portions.  Fine with me though.  I look forward to exploring more of the menu on my next trip to Tokyo.

Back to Bangkok and on to Laos this afternoon

The trip back to Bangkok from Samet was a bit slow yesterday.  Lots of stops on the bus.  Upon return to the big city we headed straight for the famous Chatachuk Weekend Market.  This was my first visit and it was a blast.  So many good things to buy and of course eat.  I bought a little candle set.  For a little snack a had a grilled roti drizzled with sweetened condensed milk that was other worldly.  I really had to stop myself from having a second one.  Hot, crunchy, soft and gooey all at once.  Fabulous!

Headed to Siam Paragon for dinner and had Coco Curry.  It was delicious but not as good as what I had in Tokyo.  No surprise there.  After dinner a 2 hour massage. 

A couple pics from yesterday.

Shabu-Tatsu East Village NYC

My favorite shabu-shabu restaurant in NYC is Shabu-Tatsu on 216 E 10th Street.  This restaurant has been consistently excellent for the last decade.  The meat, vegetables and sauces are all of very good quality.   The pricing is more than fair considering your meal includes a salad and ice cream.  You will never leave this restaurant hungry, that is for sure.  Tap Kirin is served super cold in a frosty mug.  Service is always friendly and efficient.  The only downside is that the awaits can be long on weekends and cold nights.  Always insist on a table upstairs, as the burners downstairs don't provide enough heat.

Go! Go! Curry, NYC

I had a great lunch this afternoon at my favorite Japanese curry restaurant in NYC.  I've been frequenting Go! Go! Curry for years now and it is probably the best curry I've had outside of mother Japan.  This afternoon I had the Grand Slam, which is a rather large plate of food.  Don't worry, I didn't eat it all myself!  The curry is so rich and satisfying here.  It is not at all spicy.  The toppings are all moist and delicious.     

Niigata Sake Tasting at Sakagura

I had a great time last night at the Niigata sake tasting event held at one of NYC's very best bars, Sakagura.  I jumped at the chance to attend this tasting since I love sakes from Niigata, a region known for its excellent rice, water and sake.  There were 7 different brewers pouring 13 different sakes.  I made sure to taste all of them at least three times just to make sure they were drinking well.  Indeed they were.  The sakes were all fantastic as were the appetizers provided by the kitchen.  I loved chatting with all the brewers as well as talking to many of the people at the tasting.  All of the brewers are from families that have owned these breweries for several generations.   Each was proud to pour a glass and give a friendly Kanpai! 

My old roommate Keith Weissman showed up and got lots of attention with his stories of going to school and living in Japan on two separate occasions.  Mike Capilouto and his new bride Christine made it as well.  Mike and I used to go to Sakagura pretty often, it was great to be back at a sake tasting with him last night.  Christine brought a friend from Dartmouth and the two of them asked a lot of great questions about how sake is made.       

My favorite sake of the tasting last night was Midori Kawa "Green River" Daiginjo.  A beautiful sake that is aged for two years prior to release.  The flavor profile is so clean and precise with a lingering finish.  Dynamite stuff that I hope to enjoy again at Sasagin in Tokyo.  The rice is milled to 40%.  Alcohol is 17-18%.

 

Grilled Squid at NYC Japanese Street Food Block Party

Another highlight of the afternoon was the simply grilled squid served with Japanese mayonnaise.  The squid was perfectly grilled, fresh and extra tender.

Santouka, Costa Mesa

Within minutes of my arrival in Orange County my mom and I were on our way to the Mitsuwa Market in Costa Mesa.  We enjoyed two bowls of ramen - shio and miso.  The ramen was great of course.  I always enjoy a good miso broth ramen although I'll give the edge to the signature shio broth today.  After lunch I picked up 4 liters of my favorite jasmine green tea, a glass of sake and some cheese almond crackers.  Mitsuwa is a fantastic market.

I'll have to come back and sample a few more tasty Japanese treats from the food court during my stay in Newport Beach.   

Jangara Ramen, Akasaka

Some of the best ramen I have had in Japan.  This little place was tough to find but find it we did.  Amazing broth, pork and noodles.  A must visit for any ramen lover.

Ukai-tei Ginza, Teppanyaki

Lunch at Ukai-tei in Ginza was absolutely superb.  Every detail was flawless.  I was in awe walking into the restaurant.  The setting is absolutely beautiful.  The multi-course lunch was totally delicious.  The service was perfect.  The steak was melt in the mouth.  Once you are done with your beef and vegetables you are moved to a separate area for dessert.  I thoroughly enjoyed the macaroons, which I thought were on par with ones that I have sampled from the top shop in Paris.  On my next visit to Ukai-tei I will have to taste the live lobster that was looking over my steak lunch while on ice. 

Hard to top Ippudo in Tokyo

We missed you here Dave O.  My boy Nick Chong back in NYC would have been in heaven too.