Burger King has Come to Kansai

Burger King has returned to Kansai, but it's really not too much to talk about.

I went by on a Saturday or Sunday (can’t remember, too lazy to look up) assuming to be in a super long line, but found the wait to be a few minutes. Nothing more than a typical McDonald's on the weekends.

The burger tasted like a Burger King burger. Nothing too special. You’re able to customize the burger to a degree. I added the mustard and that was nice. Perhaps the best thing about the whole meal. You can see the menu here.

The fries were fine. I remember 10 years ago (or more) when BK changed their fries to these buttery popcorn tasting things. I hated them and I quit eating at BK for that reason. It was nice to find out that these fries were different. I also got the cheese potato nuggets. Not too bad, but exactly the same as the cheese potato things from DomDom burger.

The restaurant is quite small to say the least with a well shut off smoking area. Three tables against the far wall had iPod jacks and directional speakers allowing you to choose your own music following with the theme of “choice” in their menu.

All in all not too much to report. It’s a chain burger joint. Make sure to check their website for coupons before you go.

Open 24 hours.

Located near the Bic Camera in Namba.
Map
Coupons

More Burgers on Sleepytako:
http://sleepytako.blogspot.com/2009/10/nishinomiya-city-of-hamburgers.html

August J・Festa (BlogMatsuri) "Food in Japan" @ Japingu:
http://japingu.com/2011/08/01/j-festa-august-2011-theme/

Sakuragumi Restaurant - Ako

¥3,670 sounds like a lot for a lunch. At least for me! That's an expensive lunch. As soon as we finished the appetizer plate however, we felt like we had gotten our money's worth. Everything from then--pasta, pizza, main dish, dessert, coffee--just kept on astonishing Yuko and myself.

Sakuragumi is a southern Italian style restaurant in the little seaside community of Ako. This small town is better known for the tale of the 47 Ronin and salt production--the latter being used in most of Ako's omiyage including the great shiomi manjyu sold through out the city. The seaside walk and landscape is somewhat reminiscent of Italy, and my home town of Laguna Beach come to think of it. Combine the beautiful landscape with the restaurant's location on a small cliff overlooking the ocean, and furnishings in the restaurant itself with the food and you actually might think you were in Italy. Outside and in, Sakuragumi is designed to give you the sense that you are no longer in Japan. High airy ceilings, white walls, large wooden tables all come together to help produce this feeling.

The food is just amazing. Our appetizer plate came with 5~6 different bits of seafood, vegetable and meat based delicacies. All of them very nicely arranged on a large plate for us to share. After that a pizza came, the restaurant's specialty, and a pasta made with locally caught shellfish. The pizza, like the restaurant, doesn't cater to Japanese tastes as it was heavy on blue cheese. A possible deal breaker for some Japanese patrons. The pasta was also cooked al dente--a great change from what I'm use to here in Japan. We chose a meat dish and got a pork roast with peppercorns and salad. The pork was slightly crispy on the outside while the inside the meat almost melted in my mouth. All of it was perfect.

All in all one of the top five best meals I've ever had, and at ¥3,670 a head it was a steal. Combine all this with a pleasant, friendly staff a great drink menu that included a nice list of Japanese micro-brews and you've got a real culinary delight.

Reservations are necessary. We made ours two weeks in advance and the restaurant was full the entire time we were there. They had to turn away quite a few walk-ins too. If you can't get a reservation, they seemed to be doing take out pizza. I didn't ask about it however. We also brought our 10 month old baby and they were very accommodating to her. The couples at the tables next to us all enjoyed smiling at waving at her too. A great experience

Sakuragumi website [Japanese]: http://www.vera-pizza-sakuragumi.co.jp/

Kansai Hamburger Festival - One Day Left!!!

There’s been a hamburger boom going on recently here in Kansai. Two weeks ago a local program did a feature on local hamburger shops, including my favorite Awajishima Burger in Nishinoimya. Now, over this long 5 day weekend weekend on Rokko Island in Kobe there’s the Kansai Hamburger Festival! It’s only on for another day so go tomorrow!

I was able to munch down 4 of these glorious burgers. In order starting with my favorite burger that day.

#1 58 Diner - Bacon burger - From Kyoto

Amazing bacon cheese burger covered in a sweet miso bbq sauce.

#2 T’s Star Diner - Takatsuki Cheese Burger - From Takatsuki

Made with local tomatoes and thick shredded cheese.

#3 Tsuruhashi Burger - Tsuruhashi Burger - From Tsuruhashi, Osaka

Tsuruhashi is the center of the local Korean community in Osaka and they have their own take on the hamburger, this one has grilled steak (yakiniku) and kimchi on a sesame seed bun.

#4 Giocare (ジョガール) - Mini Kitahama Burger - Kitahama, Osaka

They ran out of the normal sized burgers by the time I ordered mine so I got the small one which was so-so. I wish I was able to get their normal avocado topped Kitahama burger.

There also was Shin's Burger who've I've reviewed before. I'm considering going again tomorrow. See you there?!?!

Kansai Hamburger Festival
Going on till Wednesday the 23rd at Rink - Kobe Fashion Plaza on Rokko Island in Kobe. For a map see the poster above. More information on their website [in Japanese]: http://www.kfp.co.jp/square/index.html

Gyoza 603 - Kokura

Hard at work at Gyoza 603

On my trip down to Kyushu last month I really wanted to sample motsu nabe. It's an offal hotpot with white miso, garlic, nira, and hot peppers. After the 10 hour train trip from Kobe I was ready to consume anything in mass quantities. Oh, I also wanted to imbibe some of Kyushu's famous shochu actually in Kyushu. I stumbled upon Gyoza 603 walking around the entertainment district in front of Kokura station. I was able to do both!

Gyoza at Gyoza 603

603 specializes in gyoza and they make those little dumplings of love in a very unique way. While they are frying the chef will pour some sort of oil which will harden and make a crispy film on the bottom of the pan. After they are fully cooked the chef will flip the gyoza onto a plate and serve them upside down. I got the cheese and shiso gyoza. If I had to criticize them I wish they had a bit more shiso flavor, but I liked them never the less.

Motsu nabe at Gyoza 603

The motsu nabe was totally amazing. I'm so addicted to this dish. I haven't had it since coming back to Kansai, and I'm about due to find it up here. Motsu is the Japanese word for offal or intestines in the edible sense. In the states I wasn't the biggest fan of offal when not ground up into hot dogs, but here I've gotten a taste for it--and I love it!

Gyoza 603 in Kokura

Gyoza 603 has other stores throughout Kyushu and if you have the chance I totally recommend popping in for some great gyoza and the amazing motsu nabe.

Gyoza 603: http://www.603gyouza.jp/

Map:

View Larger Map

Sanuki Udon - Kansai Restaurant Review

A couple of weeks ago for our 1 year anniversary Yuko, her sister, mom and I went to Kagawa Pref. for some udon. The udon in Kagawa is famous nationwide and is called Sanuki udon, the pre-Meiji Restoration name of the Kagawa area. So, we drove 3 hours eachway just to eat some noodles. Yes, they are that good! We went to two shops.

Ueharaya Honten 上原屋本店
高松市栗林町１−１６−６
9:00~16:30
Closed Sundays
Udon from ¥220

Ueharaya is located on an alley near Ritsurin Park, great if you're going to see the park. You go in, line up, order your noodles and take what ever tempura you want. Behind there there's a institutional coffee pot looking thing that has the soup broth in it. You put it in your self. There's also a station where you can cook your noodles some more if you want. Their Korokke is pretty good too!

The cooking station.

My udon and tempura.

Suisha Udon 水車うどん
香川県仲多度郡まんのう町買田５４７−１
9:00~18:00
Closed Wednesdays
Udon from ¥420
Niku udon ¥840

I liked this place the best. The noodles were fresh and meaty. Like you really had to chew into them. I got the Niku udon and it was so good. If you're heading to Konpira-san try stopping off here.

The Niku Udon at Suisha.


Cold Udon at Suisha.

Dono (ドーノ) - Kansai Restaurant Review

The spicy sausage pizza at Dono

A pizza, the right size, the right toppings, an excellent crust, reasonable price... in the middle of nowhere.

I have no clue how my sister-in-law found this place. I don't know how anyone finds this place for that matter. Up in the hills way past the last reaches of Kobe's immense Kita ward in the Konda area of Sasayama hides this little pizza restaurant. No public transportation to this one. You need a car. If you can get out here you'll also need a reservation--it's that good. Oh! and it's only open for lunch on the weekdays. Weekends they do dinner, but only till 8 PM.

Margarita pizza at Dono

What are you coming for? A great hand made pizza cooked in a special oven on the first floor of the owners house. The pizzas range from ¥1,000 to ¥1,300. The set menu adds salads, drinks, appetizers, and desserts to the meal. The simple, yet appetizing, set salad was great. For those who don't like pizza, pasta is also served. The idea here is to come with some friends and everyone orders a different pizza or pasta so you can taste it all.

The appetizer at Dono

I really enjoyed the basic margarita pizza, but the spicy sausage was amazing. The great earthy spice that was generously dusted on top of the cheese and sausage really made it a treat. I was also afraid that the sizes would be too small for me--a problem with many Japanese pizza places. Here it was not the case, each pie was about 10 inches and filling.

The dessert at Dono

Besides it's location, it's hours, and how busy the shop can become, the only downside was the pretty, but simple dessert. If you make it out there, and I think you should, stop by and check out the local pottery at Sue-no-sato 陶の里 just down the road.

Funny side note, my sister in law made the reservation by phone and when we arrived the waitress gave her ¥50 in an envelope to make up for the cost of the phone call to make the reservation. Very Japanese.

Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 11:00-15:00 (14:30 lo)
Saturday and Sunday 11:00-20:00 (19:30 lo)

Phone: 079-597-3716

Address: 兵庫県篠山市今田町釜屋６２９

Map:

より大きな地図で Kansai Restruant Review を表示

Sasebo Burger Plus Cafe "Ata-go" - Kansai Restaurant Review

The Spicy Burger at Sasebo Burger Plus Cafe "Ata-go"

A decent burger in a stylish shop, but a bit of a let down.

It's always nice to know where you can get a good, fresh hamburger. It might not be your favorite place, but it would be better than hitting up the fast food joints. Ata-go is this kind of place. Sadly, I've been unimpressed by the various Sasebo style burger shops that I've been to. Named after a town in Nagaski Pref. that has become Japan’s Mecca for hamburger shops, the Sasebo Burger puts an emphasis on the size and messiness of the burger. (Sight Sasebo has a list of all the shops and pictures of their burgers in Japanese.)

Ata-go in Namba, Osaka

Ata-go has big, messy Sasebo style burgers served in plastic bags for cleanliness. The bun is soft on the inside and has a great toasty crunch on the ends, and they even brand the top of the bun with the shops logo. But it’s what’s between the buns where the burger fails. I felt that the patty let the entire burger down. The meat flavor didn’t come through. I had the spicy burger and the sauce was spicy, but I can’t say much more about it. The french fries seemed uninspired when compared to other shops. Ata-go does offer many good drink options with a full cocktail menu and Mino beer--a local microbrew. The shop is small with seating for about 10 inside, but it has some outdoor seating under the Nankai tracks which is surprisingly cool and comfortable. It would be a good place to sit outside for a few after work drinks. Everything has a Native American theme and the music is a mix of country and Native American chants.

Overall, It’s a good hamburger, in a nice shop, and you’re getting a good burger for the price you pay, but I wouldn’t be going out of my way to have this one.

You’ll be spending around ¥1,500 for a burger, side and a drink. Put a bit more on there if you get a beer or cocktail. My spicy burger beer set with a side of fries was ¥1,600.

Homepage: http://www.ata-go.com/

Hours: 11:30-22:00 (Mondays 11:30-14:00)

Map:

より大きな地図で Kansai Restruant Review を表示

Nakamura Tokichi - Kansai Restaurant Review

This green tea producer's cafe and restaurant is as visually stunning as the food is tasty. Nakamura Tokichi Honten - 中村籐吉本店 set in a old house the restaurant serves green tea seasoned meals, deserts, and, of course, drinks. The restaurant section of the house is in the back through the courtyard where a 200 year old black pine stands, supported and trained by bamboo poles to make a ship like appearance.

Yuko had cold soba noodles which were made with green tea. The meal included soup, small desert, pickles, and rice, topped with a green tea furikake. That was good, but the deserts really shine through. I had green tea ice cream zensai and a green tea latte. Both were fantastic.

My sister-in-law, who is always reading Japanese language foodie blogs, said she had seen good reviews of the restaurant many times before online. If in Uji, a great place to see a little miniature Kyoto with out the crowds of Kyoto, take an afternoon break at Nakamura Tokichi.

Address: 〒611-0021　京都府宇治市宇治壱番１０番地
Price: around ¥1,000
Map:

大きな地図で見る

Shin's Burger - Kobe

Shin's Burger is located up the hill from Oji Koen Station on the Hankyu Kobe line. Of the specialty burger shops I've been to here in Kansai, Shin's is the most family and kid friendly. The hamburger here is good for it's simplicity. It's the kind of burger you'd get at a BBQ for the local High School football team, but a really, really good one. Other places push the flavor to 11 to make the burger an in-your-face nearly brutal eating experience. Shin's is nice and simple and just as good as the other places for it. I love the decor, the white on red reminds me of something you'd find in the Midwest or rural Washington state. Sadly, Shin's does not have french fries, but they have a BBQ chili with beans that they serve over cubed potato. It's not spicy so my 2 year old nephew and my wife can eat it--and she can't eat anything remotely spicy. In a way I wish Shin's would have the super spicy chili and enormous mega burgers, but then there's a lot of places doing that. Shin's has it's own take on the specialty burger shop: one that combines friendly service with a simple, but on the spot flavor set in a little bit of Americana with out being over the top.

Sorry, forgot to take some photos.

Shin's homepage:
http://www.shinsburger.com/

Myself, Yuko and my nephew featured on Shin's blog:
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/shinsburger/e/a26bc247fb60736f3b95eb0c5cd1f540

Address:
神戸市灘区上野通5丁目2-10

Access By Train:
Hankyu Oji Koen Station - 10~15 minutes (I'm guessing.)

Parking:
There isn't any good parking in the area except a small 4 spot coin parking lot about a 5 minute walk from the shop. It is marked on the map.

より大きな地図で HANDBURGER! を表示

Restaurant Review: O'kiny Kurakuenguchi

Okiny-ChigeNabe, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

I love Korean food. It's nice and spicy. There's lot's of meat. It can't be beat.

O'kiny is a new chige restaurant near Kurakuenguchi. It serves chige a spicy stew that's eaten over rice reminiscent of Japanese nabe. This was my first time having it and it was great. The stew and rice come in the pots they were cooked in. You scoop the rice and stew into a third bowl and eat it from there with a spoon. When you're done the waitress will fill the rice bowl with hot tea and you can scrape the super good burnt rice off side of the bowl and eat it too. If you're afraid of it being too spicy you can choose from 5 spicy levels. I had 3, the second hottest, which was just perfect. The meal comes with all you can eat Korean nori, bean sprouts, and spicy cucumber also, if the chige was not enough.

This was my first time having chige so I don't have anything to compare it with, but I loved it. Lunch was about ¥1,300 (around $13USD).

O'kini is a little walk up Shukugawa river from Kurakuenguchi station on the Hankyu Koyo line in the Sunny Garden building.

O'kini Homepage

Google Map