Category Archives: Japanese

Onya Noodle Shop: Fresh made udon is the difference

Dear Food Diary:
I never was a fan of udon noodle, I’ve tried to avoid this doughy and many times mushy bowl of bla for the longest time, but one slurp of Onya Noodle Shop’s udon soup, and I couldn’t fight it any longer, this stuff is great, I’m betting because it’s freshly made on the spot.

Sakagura: More than just the best sake bar

Dear Food Diary:
Midtown east is mostly filled with boring banks and offices, that is until you make your way to 211 E 43rd street. First glance is just another office building (they now have a sign out, when it first started there was no sign which made it “secretive”), pass the security guard, down the stairs and a little piece of Japan reveals to you. Feels like a restaurant in some little town outside of Tokyo.

Basta Pasta: Japanese doing Italian

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Dear Food Diary,

Being a true fan of Iron Chef, I just love the ambiance and concept of Basta Pasta. Open the door and enter a mini version of the infamous Kitchen Stadium. A squeeky clean open kitchen, with steel appliances, pots and pans of all sizes and shapes, condiments, fresh ingredients and chef and su chefs in white working away like bumble bees. There’s no battle between chefs, but a mission to satisfy every diner, while a mix of apetizing aromas fill the space.

MEGU: ME GUsta this occasional splurge

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Dear Food Diary,
I had a truly wonderful dining experience tonight at Megu midtown.
The door opens and your immediately greeted by the very attentive staff. High ceilings, impressive decor and spacious seating. Upon settling down, the knowledgable servers help you go through their menus with ease.

Megu midtown is a splurge, but get ready to take your palette on a ride of intricate and lavish dishes that are plated beautifuly, constructed with depth using fresh, high quality ingredients, and simply taste divine.

Katsu-hama… pork cutlets o’rama!

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Dear Food Diary,
Katsu-hama has the juiciest pork cutlets I’ve tasted in midtown. Actually, dare I say in the city? The place is long and narrow, pass through the takeout sushi stand on your left, lift up the high hanging japanese curtains… and say hello to Katsu (Japanese Style cutlets) Heaven. You know it’s good when there’s always a line and 80% of them are japanese/asian.