Tasting Journey #189 - Kura Sushi

Kura Sushi
台北市南京東路二段101號
02.2568.1519

Kaiten sushi, at $40/dish.
A fun and unique experience.

 

The lid pops open at a hinge instead of the conventional removable lid.

Touch screen computerized screen for ordering.

 

Every 5 dish allows for one draw opportunity. The prize is a cellphone strap with one of their dishes as the hanging deco. A well thought-out marketing scheme, as guests would try to eat more to round up to multiples of five for more draw chances.

In addition to the standard rotating belt, you can also make special orders all via their computer touch screen.  It will be served to you in an "express belt" where your selection will stop at your table. The
Express lane that stops at your table.  The computer screen will also show its estimated arrival time.
The computer screen will also show its estimated arrival time.

 

 

Empty dishes are dropped in this slot counter that adds up your total dishes consumed.  Also used to count the number of dishes for billing purposes.

Unlike typical green tea served in Japanese restaurants, Kura serves matcha - thumbs up!

Kura also serves more than just sushi. They also have tempuras & soup noodles. No sashimi though, so you quickly become full with all the rice ingested.

 

Becareful not to overstuff yourself!

 



Tasting Journey #186 - 品田牧場

品田牧場
various locations
台北市萬華區桂林路1號4樓
02.2388.1611
http://www.pinnada.com.tw/index.html

Tonkatsu set that offers great value for the food.
Food is prepared with presentation.
Refillable rice, soup, and cabbage (standard for all tonkatsu restaurants).
Comfortable setting, though slightly noisy as it is often a family dinner choice.
Friendly service.

Tasting Journey #171 - 一番食堂

一番食堂
臺北市延平北路二段91號
02.2558.8488

 

Izakaya/sushi place that offers hospitality and quality food.

 

 

 I was in the area for some errands and stumbled across this precious find.  The restaurant looks like any other local izakaya that is rich in Japanese flavour.  But what really stood out for me is the hospitality of the server and chief.  They were really chatty, and the chief could not stop sipping on his whiskey.  He noticed that I was taking photos of the dishes, and kept reminding me to take photos of the restaurant exterior. To this date, I am still puzzled by why, but his hospitability definitely stuck around.

We sat at the sushi bar, and the service was quick.  We got all our dishes in no time.  Quality was amazing.  Their 炎稍比目魚was mind blowing. It absolutely melted in my mouth. It was buttery smooth, yet not fatty. Amazing. A definite must try at this place.  Their sashimi bowls are also excellent. Lots of sashimi, and the rice had sprinkles of seaweed sesame, always a delight on rice.

 

Price range is also very affordable for the quality received. I would definitely recommend this place if you are ever in the area.

Tasting Journey #166 - 上引水產 Aquatics

上引水產 Aquatics
台北市民族東路410巷2弄18號
02.2508.1268
http://www.addiction.com.tw/#instantly_ct

 

High-end sushi at affordable price.

This place is located in a fish market.  The store is actually a fish wholesaler, but has remodelled the business so that it also offerse takeout and dine-in sushi and hotpot.  This time, we tried the sushi.  Even if dining in, it's called the "stand up" area, because there is no seats.  Like at the post office, you stand next to a tall table and eat.

Crowded with tourists, especially  HK'ers, this place has next to none interior decorations.  Located in a warehouse style space, the place is packed with as much products and varieties as you can imagine.

 

Food quality is unquestionable.  It's fresh and well-prepared.  Nuf said.

 

 

We bought the pre-packaged sushi, and ate outside.  Despite the cold weather, the enjoyment received from the food, very much warmed out heart.

Tasting Journey #161 - 百八魚場

百八魚場
台北市瑞光路303號1樓
02.2658.3120


A sushi chain spread across the city of Taipei.  Bold and eye-catching sign from the exterior, I thought this is another "high CP" value restaurant.  I was wrong.

All self served, you place your order and you find your own seat.  You grab your own tea and miso, and you soon will receive your order.  Decent portion but mostly rice.  The fish/topping is minimal, thin slice covering just enough of the rice.  Not a fan of this place at all.

Tasting Journey #157 - 大盛豬排專門店

大盛豬排專門店
台北市大安區新生南路三段76巷10-1號
02.2369.3017

Affordable Japanese set menu's located next to the University of Taiwan where lots of students on budget roams. 

What a surprise find!  We were walking around the area hunting for a place to eat, and we came across this tiny little Japanese place that had a constant flow of crowd.  We walked in, and we were captivated by the ambience - every is wooden, and true to Japanese-style.  The building is tiny, and has 2 floors - just tall enough so your head won't hit the ceiling (well, for my height at least hehee). 



The dishes are well worth the price range, but the portions are for ladies.  I ate my set, and I was only 80% full. I guess perfect for a lady, but not enough if you are a guy.  I had the Pomello fried chicken, and it was presented like a taco-yaki dish.  Mark had the burger, and he had a giant meat-ball patty sitting ontop of a bowl of rice.  Their Japanese beer is also interesting - Vanilla scented.  I wanted to also try their coffee-scented beer, but since we were going for coffee afterwards, I held back.

 

Overall, I would say that it is a decent find.  The food is great, and the ambience is welcoming.  Though satisfactory, I probably wouldn't travel all the way there just for the food, but would definitely pay them a visit again if I were ever in the neighbourhood.

Tasting Journey #151 - 築地野台壽司

築地野台壽司
台北市萬華區桂林路106號   
02.2302.6775

Came here for dinner with a colleague of mine.  I've heard of this place before, or must have googled it sometime, somewhere. The name sounds familiar, so it must be popular (weird logic, hehee, but it's true).

Located in an old district of Taipei, this place is small yet packed.  Although the owners are all Taiwanese, the dishes are quite authentic. 

Wooden interior deco, red paper laterns, sake bottles, and wooden table tops... all definitions of an izakaya.

 

Portions are not big, but the price is reasonable, and considered average for Japanese cuisine.  According to my colleague, the tactic for eating at places like this is to order a rice dish, complimented with side dishes.  Reason being that rice dishes are typically not expensive, yet filling.  The side dishes are tiny, and considered the pricey dishes.  Interesting analogy, and I guess it's true.  We ended up spending a bit over NTD$1,000 for the two of us.