...Fo_0D...: japanese

Showing posts with label japanese. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Tokyo Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

Got a treat from our work friend today...to Tokyo Ichiban! Been a long time since I had Japanese, so I was really excited when I got invited to lunch :)

Apparently, Tokyo Ichiban is pretty big here (not a surprise considering there are only 2 sushi outfits here)...and a lot of my lunch mates were taken aback when I told them it's one of lower rated sushi restaurant in Vancouver. Well, this will be my 1st time here, and let's hope I'll have a different experience than the one back home.

With a party of 7, we decided to order to share. First came the rolls...

The crunchy/rainbow rolls were quite good with really crispy shrimp tempura. The sashimi atop was really refreshing...must be my sushi craving kicking in.

3.5/5

Next are the spicy tuna and california rolls...crowd favourites

They were regular, nothing to shout about, but definitely better than those offered in Co-Op. I guess for 1.5x the price, you would at least expect that.

3.25/5

Next up is the dish of the day...Mixed Sashimi Platter!

How I love sashimi. This was quite pricey actually (~$30). For that price, you can go AYCE in Vancouver :) However, the sashimi were awesome! Everything tasted clean and fresh. I especially liked the wild salmon, and the tai, ever so crisp, like eating a leaf.

4/5

One friend specially ordered this as this was his favourite...spicy scallop nigiri.

These were good...but a tad too much mayo imo. Nevertheless, every single bite was a bliss as the scallop were tender, sweet and juicy...Yum Yum Yum~

3.75/5

Finally came the ahi tuna...

I was really looking foward to this, but was let down the moment I saw it served on the table. Taste wise, it was really bland; I had to dip it in the sauce several times just to get some taste out of it. The paleness of it pretty much sums up the texture.

3/5

Overeall, this was a really good meal, better than the branch in Vancouver. In speaking with the manager, I was told that it used to be under the same owner, but has now been operating independently. Definitely worth coming back in the future to satisfy my cravings until Vancouver comes along.

Service: 3.75/5
Ambience: 4/5

Tokyo Ichiban Japanese Restaurant
10902 105 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7Y5
(780) 882-0098

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Kintaro Ramen

Heard about the raving reviews and brother's craving for ramen. Finally, we decided to go to Kintaro.

The appie - Japanese char siew

If you don't mind eating the cold lard entrained in the meat...Delicious it was :)

And now presenting the family of Ramen...the main difference being the soup base.

Except for this one unique Cheese Ramen!

Brother ordered this...crazy f00l! It sure was rich, but too cheesy for me, and totally killed the whole concept of ramen.

The noodles were good, almost like instant noodle, but upped a class :) The soup were tasty as well...hope it's not the MSG, but actual pork broth.

Definitely worth another visit.

Kintaro Ramen
788 Denman St
Vancouver, BC V6G
(604) 682-7568

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Ajisen Ramen

Parents had to make changes to their flight home, so had a visit to Parker Place today. Nothing planned for lunch, we went with the closest and something out of the usual - Ramen!

I have always wanted to visit Ajisen Ramen, but was told to go to Kintaro down in Van. if I wanted to eat Ramen. So it's a good thing those naysayers weren't around today :)

Sadly, I can't remember what we ordered, but here are shots of each...

And another bowl...

Now that I've tried both Kintaro and Ajisen, to be honest, I can't really tell the difference. Soup wise, noodle wise, meat wise...they are very similar. Maybe I am just not into Ramen, but I love noodle soup, that's for sure!

Ajisen Ramen
Parker Place Mall
Richmond, BC
Tel: 604-304-3351