Genki Sushi (元気寿司)

Another Japanese Food chain landed in Sungapore: this is an affordable Sushi Chain with interesting concept set up. You order sushi via iPad and The sushi is delivered via train/car plate. High tech oriented isn't it?

Tsukada Nojo (塚田農場) in Singspore

The popular Izakaya has landed in Singapore. In Japan it offers more of chicken and organic vegetables from Miyazaki prefecture, but in Singspore it seems to target on hot pots, especially the collagen Beauty Pot (美人鍋). 

It has two outlets (Plaza Singapura and China Square). It is extremely difficult to get a seat at dinner time. The only time you can book is from 17:00-19:00 at China square branch. 

Suju (酢重正之) in Mandarin Gallery Singapore

One of the best Japanese Restaurant in Singapore. Costly but it is worth it. Especially the rice and miso soup. 

It is worth using the AMEX promotion of use 100SGD and receive 30SGD voucher for Mon-Wed dinner time. 

Itacho Sushi (板長寿司)

HK originated Sushi chain expanding to Singapore. There are at least two shops in Singapore: 1) ION, 2) Plaza Singapura. 

Ikyu (in Tiong Bahru near Kim Tien Road)

Marukame Seimen (丸亀製麺)

Yosso (吉宗) in Ginza, Tokyo

Right in the outskirts of Ginza in Tokyo, you find this Kyushu style restaurant in the basement. Their speciality is Jumbo Chawanmushi (egg curd with mushroom, shrimp etc). The other dish, such as Champon (mixed noodles with some toppings) is also worth trying.

Jojoen (Japanese BBQ)

Famous Yakiniku chain in Japan. This one is in front of JR Ueno station: 

Hakone Soba

Soba stall along Odakyu line in Tokyo Kanagawa area. I believe they serve the best fast food type soba in Tokyo area, tying with Fuji Soba chain. 

Dosukoi Sakaba（どすこい酒場）

Those who have experience in watching Japanese Sumo game, you can guess what "Dosuukoi" means. The name sounded very authentic and charming to me when we passed by at the store entrance, where we immediately decided to enter and have a look. It has a very cozy bar counter where you can sit down and relax to have some Japanese Sake, Shochu or some Izakaya (居酒屋) stuffs. The price is reasonable, the quality seems to be good, and the best part is that this is very "at home" style. The shop is open from 5pm until 2am everyday. So especially for folks who wants to find a quite and cozy Japanese style Izakaya, this is the place.

Tel: 6733-6847
Address: 5 Koek Road, B1-24/25 Cuppage Plaza 228796

The counter with 大将 (Master of the shop)

The Sanma 秋刀魚 (Saury)

Menu cover design with Sumo title chart (番付表)

Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish (@Takashimaya Basement)

I cannot resist to say that ordinary grilled fish set in hawkers or food court cannot even come to a startingpoint to compete with this restaurant. And I am telling you that this is not even a high class outlet but a regular open door shop in Takashimaya in Orchard Toad.
The best I tried the Samma (Pacific Saury)

Katanashi (Japanese Tapas)@ boat quay

No shape, no pattern is the literal meaning for this tapas which just opened in Boat Quay. Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted with a loud voice "Customer just arrived. What do we say, Irashaimase (or welcome)". What I like is the casual but the reasonable priced menu. I only came for lunch, but I definitely want to try the dinner here as well.

Ankake Spaghetti @ Don Don An(どんどん庵）

Nagoya seems to have interesting style spaghetti called "Ankake Spa" or Spaghetti with thick starchy sauce. One of the chain store I tried in Nagoya, Don Don An (どんどん庵), has whole set of menu of this Ankake Spa. I tried the one with vegitable on top. The pasta is relatively hard, and the feeling is like a rubber, but nevertheless the sauce makes the stark difference. Hard to describe the taste. You should try one whenever you are in Nagoya area.

The shop I tried is located in CBD of Nagoya:

Address: 1F Marunouchi Rieto Court, 3-23-23 Marunouchi Naka-ku Nagoya-shi Aichi-ken, Japan

Note: I cannot check the latest status of the restaurant, as my visit was in March 2011.

Ginpei (KitaShinchi) in Osaka - Seafood Restaurant

In the Dojima area of Osaka Japan, there is this legendary seafood restaurant that I always look forward to visiting whenever I am in Osaka area. Ginpei (銀平) offers one of the best Sashimi, Grilled fish, and grilled fish mixed rice dish that I can ever think of. It is very popular and would recommend booking for dinner, or come early (by 11:30am) for lunch time to avoid any disappointment.
The photo here is the affordable lunch time set menu, which ranges from 1000 JPY.
address:1F Hatsune Bldg., 1-5-4 Dojima Kita-ku Osaka-shi, Japan
phone: +81-6-6341-6000

Unagi Hitsumabushi in Maruya (Nagoya Station Bldg 9F)

Hitsumabushi is a Roasted Unagi (Eel) put on top of a rice and mixed with green tea and some spices. This is a famous dish in Nagoya area of Japan. I went to one of the top popular restaurant in JR Nagoya Station in 2011 March. This is a "must" try dish once you are in Nagoya area. 

address: Meitestsu Department Store 9F, 1-2-1 Mei eki Nakamura-ku Nagoya-shi Aichi-ken, Japan

phone: +81-52-585-7108

まるや本店　名駅店
TEL	052-585-7108 ※お問い合わせの際は「ヒトサラ（旧グルメGyaO）」を見たとお伝えいただくとスムーズです。
アクセス	名鉄名古屋駅より名鉄百貨店9Fへ。
住所	愛知県名古屋市中村区名駅1-2-1 名鉄百貨店9Ｆ

まるや本店　名駅店
TEL	052-585-7108 ※お問い合わせの際は「ヒトサラ（旧グルメGyaO）」を見たとお伝えいただくとスムーズです。
アクセス	名鉄名古屋駅より名鉄百貨店9Fへ。
住所	愛知県名古屋市中村区名駅1-2-1 名鉄百貨店9Ｆ

SAKANA MidPlaza

A nice lunch set menu or a casual drinking Japanese restaurant in Jakarta? I found another candidate for such place in MidPlaza Tower 2 Basement floor in Jakarta. The shop is unique in a way that sets up an atmosphere of an old Japanese town scene, including the entrance and cashier. Each seat is separated by a wall with a gate, so it gives you certain privacy. I visited during the fasting period, but the shop seems to be open as usual with lots of foreigner (Japanese) or those local who do not follow the Muslim custom.

Kotobuki

Looking for relaxing Izakaya style Authentic Japanese food in CBD with reasonable price? I would nominate this Kotobuki as first candidate. It is in the ground floor of Axa Bldg (former Temasek Bldg?) in 8 Shenton Way.
One interesting feature is their dinner menu board. While they list all the menu, the shop added extra comment in a very interesting way; e.g.) 'one night dried pufferfish' - you can consume more alcohol, 'chicken gristle ' - love me to my bone.
The cheerful ladies will give you advice if you are not sure what to order.

Rakuzen (楽膳)

Located in Millennia Walk area, the restaurant provides elegant but affordable taste of various range of Japanese food: Sea food, noodle, tempura, donburi, small plate assortment and various kind of Sake!