Dinner at Iroha Japanese BBQ in Bangkok

If you’ve never had Japanese BBQ, you are really missing a treat.  Each table at the restaurant has a charcoal grill built into the table and you can order up all kinds and meats, fish and vegatables that you can grill to your heart’s delight.  But I think the two best dishes are the Daikon Salad which is served with a Japanese style vinegarette and the cucumber stuffed with a small amount of pickled daikon.  It may sound weird but in fact they are both great.  Iroha is located on Soi 17 off of Thonglor Soi 13 one block from Thonglor.  See map at right side bar for location.

Finally, Japanese BBQ is “Yakiniku”.    I would suggest that you also try Korean BBQ from which Japanese BBQ is believed to be descended.

Start cooking

Roaming Bangkok – Zen Japanese Restaurant, Soi Thonglor at Soi 2

One of my favorite Japanese restaurants on Thonglor is Zen.  Although the restaurant is not a high-end, I find the food quite good.  The menu is extensive, one of the largest I’ve seen.  The offerings run the gamut from the stereotypical sushi, tempura and teriyaki to other dishes that definitely have a local slant.  Like the  spicy seafood salad, a dish I consider one of their best.  And the prices are some of the lowest in Thailand.

The restaurant is located in the 55th Building which also houses several other Japanese restaurants, a Sizzler and a See Fah Chinese Restaurant.

Please come in

Have a seat

Yakiniku – Japanese BBQ interview

A couple of months ago I was interviewed by US “Men’s Health” magazine re “Yakiniku” (Japanese BBQ).  Well glad to say that the short interview made it to print!  There is one typo.  The Japanese sauce is called “tare” not “pare”.

Living here in Bangkok we are lucky in that there is Yakiniku everywhere!  My favorite is Iroha off of Thonglor.

FYI, I also went to an all-you-can-eat Yakiniku restaurant in Vancouver Canada last Tuesday night and it was also very good.  Not at good as Iroha but not bad.

Roaming Vancouver – Sushi on Robson St.

Last ones in the restaurant

Last night we ate at Tsunami Sushi at 1025 Robson in Vancouver.  I wasn’t expecting much when we got there.  We were very hungry and since it was Friday night, we didn’t have much choice.  The restaurant was completely filled, mainly with locals enjoying sushi, tempura and teriyaki.  The sushi was good.  Not the best I’ve had, but good.  I am partial to uni (sea urchin) and hotate (scallop) sushi and both were exceptional.   As both are locally supplied, they were also very fresh.  And cheap.  Uni (two pieces) for $4.25 Canadian and hotate for $2.95!  In most Asian cities, uni is between $12 and $25.

One last point, this restaurant is not a high-end restaurant.  It is an affordable family restaurant.

Around the corner

J Avenue on Soi Thonglor – Au Bon Pain and Ootoya Japanese Restaurant

The Au Bon Pain is kinda like my home.  I spend a lot of time there.  Mainly because it is across the street from my house.  It’s become the social center of my neighborhood from early morning to late at night.  And a real cross-section of Thonglor walk by literally every day.

I like their espresso doppio and their pecan roll.  Their espresso is as good as that giant brand and quite a bit cheaper.  The pecan roll is not as good as in my hometown of San Francisco but you know what?  I live in Bangkok.  Nuff said.

As an added bonus, a branch of Ootoya, the Japanese Restaurant chain is above Au Bon Pain.  Their food is great, fresh and well-prepared.  Only downside is the size of the restaurant.  Wee bit on the small size.

Check out my Platial map in the left sidebar.  J Avenue is at the corner of Thonglor and Soi 15.

Espresso doppio please

Pretty maidens all in a row

Roaming Bangkok – Nobu Japanese Restaurant on Thonglor

Don't miss me

I’ve been eating at Nobu for about four years. It has always been my favorite because of its large selection of lunch sets. The quality and taste are unsurpassed. We’re talking over 30 sets and all in the range of 200 baht. The restaurant is quite small with two floors usually available. Check it out, see what you think.

Nobu is located at Thonglor and Soi 14.

Night vision

Bangkok – Starbucks and Ootoya Japanese Restaurant, Soi Ekamai

The Big C shopping center has several restaurants that are particularly good.  The food at the Ootoyo Restaurant is quite unique, a fresh breathe of air in a world of stereotypical Japanese food.  Ootoya doesn’t serve your run of the mill tempura, teriyaki and tonkatsu.  Think very fresh natural ingredients, unique combinations, and excellent sauces, especially the miso.  Their meats are quite flavorful, from their grilled chicken to grilled and tonkatsu pork to salmon and saba.  Their udon and soba are quite good, firm and flavorful.

Ootoya is a major franchise in Japan.  There are several in Bangkok, including others at J Avenue and the Esplanade.

Minimalist welcome

Soi Ekamai Ootoya

There is also a Starbucks known for its roomy first floor and its secluded loft suitable for a cozy rendezvous.  Very comfortable!!

Starbuck art deco

See Platial map in left sidebar.

Great dinner at Raku Japanese restaurant in Singapore

Tonight I had dinner with my friend Tim.  We were undecided as to where to eat.  He suggested a Japanese restaurant at Holland Village.  Raku, 273 Holland Avenue #01-02, is a hidden jewel, located on a small street behind Sushi Tei.  Let me tell you, the food was great.  We tried several different dishes including sushi (uni, ikura, maguro and hamachi), tempura and gindara (fish) with miso sauce.  All the dishes were great.  Highly recommended.

By the way, Holland Village is comprised of many small restaurants and pubs and is popular with Singaporeans and expats alike.  Holland Village is about 15 minutes (on a good night) from the Orchard area.

Holland Village in Singapore

Raku Japanese Restaurant at Holland Village