Monday, February 1, 2010

Japan: Tokyo Part 5 - Dinner at Gonpachi (take 1 at Nishi-Azabu - aka the 'Kill Bill' restaurant)

Two of our most memorable meals in Tokyo were both at Gonpachi, each one at a different location, the first meal being at the Nishi Azabu location, which also inspired a famous scene with Uma Thurman in a yellow tracksuit, Onitsuka Tigers and samurai sword in Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill 2' movie. The food at this Edo village decor restaurant was a delight and affordable, and such a fun atmosphere! I highly recommend going there!



I am glad I got to sit at the bar area, surrounding the kitchen...love watching chefs at work...

I wish I had taken a photo of this chef preparing a Japanese omelette, it was incredible!

Tanuki yakitori stick - Stuffed shiitake mushrooms

Wasabigamo - Duck breast with Wasabi

Sakiika Tempura - fried squid strip - so tasty and only ¥300, i.e. approx. US$3

Agedashi tofu


Sake...of course, vital in every Japanese meal (or Japanese beer...)

“Irrashaimase……!!” All the chefs behind the counter bar (and also floor staff) shout loudly, welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, and also when they leave.

The best/freshest/tastiest crab I have ever had.


Kobe beef - I thought it was quite pricey considering the size, but hubby insisted on trying it, not knowing if he would get another chance to eat this incredible Japanese beef (we did a week or so later, in Kobe itself...that was mindblowingly good!)

This was upstairs in the hallway above my head

Pumpkin & Coconut Zensai - with glutinous rice balls and vanilla ice cream

Hot chocolate fondant, sesame snap and sesame ice cream - amazing!

18 comments:

  1. i LOVE sesame ice cream with a passion. sooo good!!
    the restaurant looks amazing!
    such a cool setting.

    thanks for commenting on my blog as well! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh droooooling! and i recognise it from the scenes in kill bill too! how fab.

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks amazing! Now I am craving okonomiyaki, pity there is nowhere in Brisbane that makes a nice one!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Omg, everything looks so delicious, especially pumpkin and coconut zensai and sesame ice cream ! I love the atmosphere of the restaurant !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Food porn! OMG. Those look really delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. omg, it looks amazing!
    /isabella

    isabellathordsen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Brigadeiro!

    And another beautiful or should I say YUMMY post about Tokyo ;)
    All your photos are awesome!!!
    MMMhhhhh to the delicous looking "hot chocolate fondant"... yummy-yum-yum ;)

    Have a beautiful day ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  8. These photos are excellent. What camera do you use?

    ReplyDelete
  9. oh wowwww! looks so yummy!

    http://postcardsfromdreamland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am now dying for dessert. The chocolate fondant creation looks delicious. I have never had sesame ice cream, but all of a sudden I need some!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yummy!! I can not tell you how much I am enjoying these posts about japan :D!! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh - I cannot wait for Japan in April.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I especially want to taste that fondant.. mmm..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kobe beef is the best!!!

    http://liveitorange.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yummm! agedashi tofu mmmmm.... my favorite!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gonpachi looks amazing, my boy and I will def. make a pitt stop there one night for dinner. Looks incredible!

    ReplyDelete