(Cincinnati) Jo-an

3940 Olympic Blvd, Suite 135
Erlanger,KY
(859)746-2634

Mon-Fri 11:30am~1:30pm, 5:30pm~10pm
Sat 5:30pm~10pm

If you are around Cincinnati and interested in good Japanese food, you've got to visit Jo-an.

I think Joan was opened because of the demand from many Toyota related business people visiting from Japan. These guys are sophisticated upper class and know what they eat. In other words, they can't be fooled by just ordinarly food.

Jo-an is a bit expensive but worth to pay. You simply can't find this level of food around here. It is just unbeatable. Their Sushi is so fresh as well as other izakaya menu.

This place is extremely hard to find, so I will give you a map. Click here.

Please enjoy the authentic Japanese food at Joan!

(Chicago) Izakaya Sankyu

1176 S Elmhurst Rd
Mt Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 228-5539

An izakaya is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks, much like Tapas. They are casual and relatively cheap places for after-work drinking in Japan, and it's getting popular in U.S.

Izakaya Sankyu is an Izakaya with Super-authentic Japanese food and ambience. The most of the signs and the specials board are written in Japanese, but don't be overwhelmed. Waiting staffs can tell you what they are. The menu is extensive, so you can try foods you never seen before.

As you see in the picture, besides regular tables, they have zashiki-style which you sit on the floor and dine.

(Chicago) Santouka

100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Hts., IL 60005
(847) 956-6699

I have already talked about Santouka in LA, but if you are in Chicago, you still can find Santouka. Santouka is a resutaurant specialized in Japanese noodle called 'Ramen.'
If you are interested in it, Wikipedia tells you very well about its history, and for introduction of different kinds of Ramen, RamenTokyo.com explains very nicely.

Santouka is very well established in Japan. Since it was difficult to find good Ramen restaurant, it was dream come true for Japanese people living in US when they opend well-known Ramen restaurant, Santouka, in multiple locations through out US.

Santouka restaurants are located within the food court of Mitsuwa Market Place. Mitsuwa Market Place, itself, might be interesting to you because this huge groccery store sells authentic Japanese products. Five Mitsuwa Market Places are located through out the US.


Other Mituwa Market Place locations in US:

Torrance, CA
21515　Westen Ave,Torrance,CA 90501
(310)212-1101

Santa Monica, CA
3760 Centinera Ave ,Los Angeles、CA 90066
(310)391-1101

Costa Mesa, CA
665Paularino Ave, CostaMesa,CA92626
(714)434-1101

New Jersey
595　River Road,Edgewater,NJ 07020
(201) 941-1004

(NY)ISE

151 E. 49th St. (Between 3rd Ave & Lexington Ave)
New York, NY 10017-1237
(212)319-6876

Lunch 11:30am-2:45pm

Mon-Tue 5:30-1am
Wed-Sat 5:30~3am
Sun 5:30~10:30pm

An izakaya is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks, much like Tapas. They are casual and relatively cheap places for after-work drinking in Japan, and it's getting popular in U.S. You can try varitety of Japanese foods here at ISE, and its taste and atomosphere make you feel like you are in Japan. You can find several ISE restaurants in Manhattan, NY, but I strongly suggest you to visit this one in Midtown east, Since cutomers here are mainly Japanese business people, and the restaurant fulfills satisfaction of these people who want to feel like they are back to Japan, and eat great Japanese traditional Izakaya foods.

(Philadelphia)Yakitori Boy Japas

211 N. 11th Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-923-8088

5pm-2am Everyday

Yakitori Boy Japas

Japanese people had hard time finding a good authentic Japanese restaurant in Philadelphia, but not anymore.

A famous iron chef, Morimoto, has opened his restaurant in Philadelphia. We can find great dishes at the restaurant. Its atomosphere is more like a fushion restaurant (sort of like a club), and it has attracted young generations successfully. However, it is a bit expensive, and this is not a place to relax and have a nice meal type of restaurant.
Other Japanese restaurants in Phil are questionable in its taste.

Yakitori Boy Japas opened October 2007 in Chinatown, Philadelphia. Beside Sushi and Sashimi, you will find variety of authentic dishes with decent price. There is a bar and Sushi counter at the front which you can ease your mind alone or talking to friendly bartenders. And at the back, there are semi-private booths that can be suietable for couples and families. Their selection of liquor is very nice and wide, including Sake and Shochu which I will talk about later. Second floor is a Karaoke lounge in which you can sing a song like a star. The restaurant, and Karaoke lounge are usually not too crowded. Visit this hidden place before everybody finds out.

(LA) Santouka

Santouka (For Address, Please look below for multiple locations)
11am〜7:30pm

Santouka is a resutaurant specialized in Japanese noodle called 'Ramen.'
You are probably familier with instant noodle which you can easily find in groccery stores these days. But how many of you have tried real Ramen? It has long history and complcated background. If you are interested in it, Wikipedia tells you very well about its history, and for introduction of different kinds of Ramen, RamenTokyo.com explains very nicely.

Santouka is very well established in Japan. Since it was difficult to find good Ramen restaurant, it was dream come true for Japanese people living in US when they opend well-known Ramen restaurant, Santouka, in multiple locations through out US.

Santouka restaurants are located within the food court of Mitsuwa Market Place. Mitsuwa Market Place, itself, might be interesting to you because this huge groccery store sells authentic Japanese products. Five Mitsuwa Market Places are located through out the US.

Torrance, CA
21515　Westen Ave,Torrance,CA 90501
(310)212-1101

Santa Monica, CA
3760 Centinera Ave ,Los Angeles、CA 90066
(310)391-1101

Costa Mesa, CA
665Paularino Ave, CostaMesa,CA92626
(714)434-1101

Chicago, IL
100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Hts., IL 60005
(847) 956-6699

New Jersey
595　River Road,Edgewater,NJ 07020
(201) 941-1004

(NY) Soba Nippon

19 West 52nd St. (Bet 5th Ave. & 6th Ave.)
New York, NY 10019
(212)489-2525

Mon-Sat 12pm~3pm
5:30pm-10pm

Sun 5:30pm-10pm


Click here for Soba Nippon Website

The first restaurant I will introduce in my weblog is not a Sushi restaurant but a restaurant specialized in Soba (Buckwheat Noodles).

Soba is healthier than Sushi, and good especially for Lunch. Nutrition facts for Soba per seving are 113 Calories and 0.1g Total Fat. Click here for Soba Nutrition facts by calorie-count.com

Soba is a type of thin Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour. It is served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or in hot broth as a noodle soup.

How many Italian restaurants prepare pasta (make pasta) by themselves?
You can please your apetite with their fresh homemade Soba at this restaurant.
Dried soba is sold in Japanese grocerry stores and some American Super Markets like whole foods, and restaurants in US and Canada usually boil the dried soba. These restaurants do not make Soba by themselves which of course we never find it in Japan, and it makes the taste significantly different.

If you already like Soba, you must try this restaurant. If you have never tried Soba before, I suggest you to try it. I found a recipe just in case you would like to try at home before you try at this authentic Japanese Restaurant specialized in Soba.
Click here for Soba recipe by Whole Foods