Today, we had plans to meet up with our friend, Nihei, for a yakitori lunch but, unfortunately, a last minute meeting derailed those yakitori plans – and sent us to Butagumi, my favorite tonkatsu restaurant, instead!
Tucked away in a little side street in Nishi-Azabu, the rustic restaurant offers varieties of tonkatusu (golden-fried pork cutlets) from all over Japan.
We started with a double order of the San Mi Ni Pork – sweet, salty, umami and crispy, it goes great with rice. I’ve been trying to replicate the recipe at home for years now – to no avail. 🙁
We ordered three types of pork. Surprisingly, the tastiest was this Nattoku-Toni pork from GIFU prefecture. I say surprising because it was the leanest cut of our three choices – yet proved equally tender and more flavorful.
The two month aged Himuro-Buta from Gunma (pictured above) and Kashiwa-Gensou Pork from Chiba were also great, all nestled in an exceptionally light panko crusting.
Butagumi: 2-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo
Passed this interesting sign outside a restaurant. Not sure what it means. Cool down with tempura on hot days?
These cool state-of-the-art public urinals come with manual water flushing systems and soap dispensers! Took me a while to figure them out.
Oh. No. Wait.
In preparation for the cold east coast winter, we also got our dogs some down-filled coats as well.
Then stopped by the baby section of Uniqlo and, for half the price, picked up Jelly a whole new winter wardrobe.
Interesting metro print ad featuring Kyari Pamyu Pamyu.
Mecha-gorilla outside a shop in Daikanyama.
Akemi and her new friend.
I’ll do the cutest thing on the menu, please.
Wow. Small world. It’s nice to know that, despite our cultural differences, we are united in our hatred of obnoxious cyclists.
For dinner tonight, I got a recommendation from a foodie forum and made a reservation at Sushiso Masa. I was expecting a modest, lovely little meal. Instead, we were treated to a mind-blowing feast featuring some 40+ different pieces of fish served in an unbelievable variety of ways. Chef Masa kindly took the time to explain (to us, but really to Akemi who translated for me) the various fish, preparations, and his inspired approaches and philosophy. We had three different sea urchins prepared three different ways, sashimis, nigiris, cookied specialties, arrangements and presentations I’ve never had before.
Some of the visual highlights…
Spectacular. This place has earned its spot into regular rotation alongside Sawada, Esquisse, and L’Effervescence.
Sushiso Masa: 4-1-15 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tonight, I leave you with another video my sister sent me – this one of a snorky Lulu and her toy:
Yakitori or Tonkatsu? So sad, having to choose. I choose Yes! Please!
Yay on those doggy coats! Yay on your wonderful sister! It takes a weight off the mind when our babies are well cared for.
I guess you have an appetite again. 😉
Yay….new threads for the kids.
Lulu is grumping because she missed the opportunity to “talk” to you and Akemi the last time around.
whew – I knew you would not be totally wonked and would bounce back.
Especially with the assortment of sushi..
At least your visuals are tempting me to be super hungry at the right time for a change. it’s almost lunch time. BUT…the pickings are going to fall waaaaaaay short of your foodie assortment.
What is odd…you have not talked macarons yet.
At least you did do the cream buns.
Wow, so much food. Still looks great, though. I thought you were officially finally full! 🙂 I knew that couldn’t last long, and frankly it’s just too bizarre an idea to contemplate, anyway. 😉
Great video of Lulu, she’s such a cutie and I miss her!
Also, Toronto is *not* the east coast!! *shakes fist in air* 🙂
Food and fun and Lulu, she really makes me laugh!
Passed this interesting sign outside a restaurant. Not sure what it means. Cool down with tempura on hot days?
I bet it means just the opposite. Sauce so hot, it burns like the sun and makes your eyes water, Why are you guessing? You have Akemi to read everything to you. Or maybe you are just teasing us?
“Oh. No. Wait.”
Joe, you didn’t, did you?!! All you have to do is wait, observe, and learn. (Akemi can’t help you here.)
Lulu is the cutest!
Found some roasted seaweed….plain, and also wasabi.
Trader Joe’s of all places.
Tip/hint….don’t do like Joe and stick the “sheet” of seaweed so it can stick to the roof of your mouth. Well, unless you have something to drink quickly, otherwise….it takes a little doing to get it to unstick.
Guess it could be kinda like licking a frozen lamppost.
I was thinking the same as Ponytail with those urinal and sink images… then I thought I had the captions wrong!
Lulu is just enjoying her toy, leave her alone! Snorking and sucking is a comforting thing. My female cat Basil, at 6 yrs. old, still kneads and sucks soft clothing or throws, purring like a motor boat all the while.
Still anticipating learning more about your new sci-fi show. I’m disappointed in nearly everything else rolling out on TV this season. Your show debut next year (?) gives me something to look forward to. One exception that’s currently good… Ken Burn’s mini series on PBS about the Roosevelt’s — outstanding!
G’night from NJ Shore
2cats with Basil and Stash
Had always enjoyed reading your blog, especially the posts with the food theme and Japan. I’m doing my annual culinary experience in Tokyo at the moment, itinerary today actually includes Butagumi (4th time) and Sushisho Masa (2nd time). Can’t wait.
Report back!
Love Lulu.