Somtum Der @ Yoyogi

September 28, 2024 Dave Perry

***Tōfu, spring onion and pork mince soup***

***Crispy deep-fried pork belly with Chinese broccoli (Kana Moo Krob)***

***Deep-fried spicy pork spring roll (Por Pia Larb Tod)***

***House special grilled marinated pork (Moo Rong Hai Der)***

***Chicken with fried Holy Basil and fried egg over steamed rice (Khao Pad Kraprao Kai)***

***Thai style rice noodles with shrimps in special Pad Thai sauce (Pad Thai Goong)***

***Chicken fried rice with green curry (Khao Pad Gaeng Kiew Wan Gai)***

***Deep-fried sun-dried pork (Moo Dad Diao)***

***Minced pork with fried Holy Basil and fried egg over steamed rice (Khao Pad Kraprao Moo)***

Originally from Bangkok, Somtum Der also boasts a Michelin Starred New York branch, and two Tokyo branches in Yoyogi and Toranomon Hills. The Yoyogi iteration is our go-to Thai restaurant.

The delicious northeastern Isan recipes are consistently excellent, with ingredients, flavours and aromas that are authentic, subtle, and combine to create a truly memorable taste experience. Diners can select the level of spiciness of most dishes, but be warned that level 4 can be literally mind-blowing. Favourites are the Khao Pad Kraprao Kai (chicken with fried Holy Basil and fried egg over steamed rice), and Khao Pad Gaeng Kiew Wan Gai (chicken fried rice with green curry).

The Yoyogi store is particularly popular so reservations are advised, although takeout and delivery options are available at a pinch.

Somtum Der

03 3379 5379

Nisokuhokō Coffee Roasters @ Sangenjaya

July 31, 2024 Dave Perry

Nisokuhokō is a pleasant, sunlit cafe-diner and coffee roasters situated above Sangenjaya’s delicious Junibun Bakery (from which, on weekdays, purchases can be consumed on the 2F cafe).

Besides a mouth watering array of breads, cakes, pastries and quiches, a small selection of burgers and customisable brunch plates are available, all accompanied by a selection of fresh baked breads and side dishes; usually three small portions from among ratatouille, pickled beetroot, grated carrot, sautéed mushrooms or rice salad, with green leaf salad.

The house coffee is also excellent - brunch plates come with hot or iced Americano or latte - and a variety of beans can purchased (and ground if required) for enjoying at home.

Nisokuhokō Coffee Roasters

03 6450 9737

Katoriya @ Jiyūgaoka

June 17, 2024 Dave Perry

***Chicken liver and shūmai dumplings***

Katoriya is a fun little yakitori-ya known for its Shōwa era ambience and excellent cost performance.

Despite being a decades old haunt of Jiyūgaoka locals, it’s also surprisingly welcoming to the uninitiated. Much of the salty, no nonsense conviviality is due to the vim of the mistress of the house as she ensures a brisk flow of drinks, chicken skewers and customers.

The yakitori and assorted side dishes are tasty and reasonably priced, although they’re of the more traditional smaller variety, rather than more robust fare at yakitori-ya such as Toriishi and Kushiwakamaru.

Katoriya

03 3718 5505

Itasoba Santōkō @ Mishuku

April 27, 2024 Dave Perry

***Iburigakko with cream cheese and fried tōfu***

***Maitake and tori shisomaki tempura moriawase***

Sister store to our all time favourite soba-ya and its Hiroshima honten, Itasoba Santōkō pulls all the same strings and ticks all the right boxes, with only minor variations on the theme.

Less rustic and less contemporary than the Ebisu and Hiroshima iterations, respectively, the low lit interior and dulcet tones of the jazz BGM create a cosy intimacy, despite the relatively spacious dining area.

The menu will feel familiar to any that have enjoyed the above restaurants; thick cut, flavoursome ‘ita soba’ noodles served in traditional wooden ‘itabako’ storage trays, supplemented with a variety of seasonal appetisers and sides, such as iburigakko with cream cheese, katsuo tataki ponzū, fluffy dashimaki-tamago, and deliciously light and crispy tempura selections.

As with the other Itasoba stores, Santōkō is extremely popular so queues are to be expected at peak dining times.

Itasoba Santōkō

03 5779 3670

Baijuku Maribana @ Sangenjaya

March 25, 2024 Dave Perry

One of a small chain with three outlets (the others being located in Higashioi and Shibuya), Baijuku Maribana combines a love of craft beer and regional nihonshu with Japanese and Asian cuisines to create an enjoyable take on the ubiquitous izakaya.

The expansive menu focuses on small dishes of izakaya staples accented with a surprising variety of ethnic Asian dishes hailing from China, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Portions can be a little underwhelming as the food is intended more as an accompaniment to drinking, but the quality and flavours don’t disappoint.

The real value is in the reasonably priced beer; twelve rotating taps of regional craft brews, usually with a good showing of IPAs, that ensure a full belly.

Baijuku Maribana

03 5787 5154