Andrew suggested that for our first meal in Tokyo we try something we've never had before, monjayaki, which he described as a kind of savory pancake thing with meat and vegetables. This didn't actually sound appealing but we weren't ready for sushi or ramen yet, so we agreed. First we had to get to the best monjayaki area Tsukishima Island. So we got back on the subway.
Me, Kevin, Andrew on subway
Tsukishima is in Tokyo's Special Ward Chūō. To get there we had to take the JR train to Ginza and then switch to a non-JR train. To do this we had to figure out the subway map which is no small feat in Japan because the train lines are run by separate independent companies often with no station connection. We had to switch in Ginza by leaving the train station and then wandering around outside looking for Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, and then buying tickets because our JR Passes didn't apply.
Hardest subway system ever?
Then we had to find Monja Street where all the monjayaki restaurants are... hm...
Looking...
Found Monja Street!
We walked around a little before picking a restaurant. They took us upstairs, we removed our shoes and put them on a shoe rack that looked more like a bookshelf, and then we were seated on the floor. I was pretty excited to be sitting on the floor. I felt like my first meal was legit- sitting on the floor with no shoes on in front of a teppan (iron grill). The boys didn't look so comfy sitting on the floor though.
Yay! Sitting on the floor!
Cheers to being together in Japan! Beers make the boys happier. Mine is green tea vodka.
We ordered two kinds of monjayaki, seafood and pork, and the pork was yummier. The waiter brought us the raw monja with the meat, cabbage and other veggies, and batter, and asked us if we wanted him to make it. Andrew had done it before so he asked to do it himself. He built a circle of ingredients and made a little hole in the center for the wet batter.
Andrew making monjayaki
Stirring and building the shape. On the right you see the "before" cooking version.
We took pieces off the grill with the spatula. If you don't eat it all right away it keeps cooking on the grill and some pieces get crispy or caramelize.
Pork monjayaki was a big hit with the Clous
Andrew decided we should also try okonomiyaki, which is a drier Osaka version. It has to cook longer and it has to be flipped at the appropriate times. And then you cover it with a while bunch of delicious condiments. Andrew wanted to make this one too, but the waiter insisted on doing it himself. Possibly he was worried about Andrew's qualifications as a gaijin.
Watching the okonomiyaki cook
Yum yum yum.
Dinner was a big hit! Next we decided to check out Akihabara in the Chiyoda ward because it's nickname is Electric City and we thought it would be awesome at night. No. We should have gone to Shibuya or Shinjuku. That's probably what we actually had in mind. Akihabara was abandoned. We had fun anyway, but not the wild drinking fun that would have happened in Shibuya or Shinjuku. We walked around and pretended to shop.
Walking in Akihabara
Abandoned street... haha.
Shopping. I probably would have committed to this hat if I'd known Meghan C has it!
More great hats.
Snack anyone? How about some octopus jerky?
We got back to the hotel after midnight, Skyped with the kids- it was Sunday afternoon there still-- Miranda was really angry at us. Then watched Japanese videos. "Ephemeral Saturday Night," is a pop hit in Japan right now, I love that song title so much I stole it for my post.
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