Japanese Food

Yakitori, chicken grilled on skewers (the less adventurous type should take care in ordering -- yakitori chefs pride themselves on using every available part of the chicken), is the fast food of Japanese cuisine. The skewered chicken is lightly dipped in barbecue sauce and grilled. Some restaurants may also grill various vegetables. Cold beer is the traditional beverage … [Read more...] about Yakitori

You've traveled halfway around the world, you're cranky and tired, you need something comforting. Lo and behold, there it is: the Golden Arches. Yes, they do have McDonald's in Tokyo (in our experience, it's the cheapest orange juice in town). And Kentucky Fried Chicken. And a host of other popular chains. Be warned, however, that even in the most familiar of settings, your … [Read more...] about Western Dining

Unagi is eel, and can be had as sushi, grilled, or broiled. Unagi is considered by many Japanese to be health food. Grilled unagi is often consumed on the hottest days of the year for its ability to revitalize strength. Unagi is also served in sushi form. Restaurants that specialize in unagi can be identified by the elongated Japanese "u" character which resembles an eel. … [Read more...] about Unagi

Tonkatsu is a breaded and fried pork cutlet, generally no more than two centimeters thick. It is served with a sauce reminiscent of Worcestershire sauce or a spicy mustard. Some restaurants fancy the dish up a bit by placing cheese or other ingredients (including, rumor has it, a chocolate bar) between slices of the meat before breading. Cabbage is the traditional side dish of … [Read more...] about Tonkatsu

Essentially, a teppanyaki restaurant is a Japanese steakhouse with American roots. While you don't always get the Westernized showmanship of a Benihana's, this type of restaurant does focus on preparation and presentation. Steaks are cooked on a hot grill and served immediately. … [Read more...] about Teppanyaki