The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective city, town, province, country. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Anthony Bourdain Tokyo for his show, Parts Unknown Season 2 Episode 8 (originally aired November 3, 2013):
READ MORE: C&C’S COMPLETE QUICK GUIDE FOR THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO
DISH – Omakase
WHAT IS IT?
Omakase is a term used in sushi restaurants that means leaving the dish selection to the chef.
WHERE IS IT?
Sushi Bar Yasuda
4 Chome-2-6 Minamiaoyama
Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
READ MORE: INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN TOKYO: 15 PHOTOGRAPHY DESTINATIONS
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Sushi Bar Yasuda is Chef Naomichi Yasuda’s 14-seat sushi bar in the Minato district of Tokyo. In Parts Unknown Tokyo, Anthony Bourdain explains that Yasuda’s wife, Naomi, is his only helper. The menu changes constantly, depending on what Yasuda finds in the market. Chef Yasuda went into the details of sushi in this segment of the show.
DISH – Grilled Kusaya, Motsuyaki, Yakitori, and Motsunabe – Anthony Bourdain Tokyo
WHAT IS IT?
Grilled Kusaya – grilled fermented fish; Motsuyaki – skewered beef intestine; Yakitori – chicken skewers; Motsunabe – intestines stew with miso.
WHERE IS IT?
Daitoryo
6 Chome-10-14 Ueno
Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Daitoryo is a popular Izakaya restaurant in Taito where one can have a drink and, according to Bourdain, “salty, savory, pickly delicious snacks that go brilliantly with alcohol.”
DISH – Katsuo no Tataki and Tomato Nabe – Anthony Bourdain Tokyo
WHAT IS IT?
Katsuo no Tataki – fresh bonito seared quickly over flame, arranged in bite-sized pieces, and garnished with daikon fresh greens, sprouts and ponzu; Tomato Nabe – hot pot of chicken, pork, beef, fish balls and vegetables.
WHERE IS IT?
Mienoumi Restaurant
3f エスビル 1丁目-13-8 13 13, 13 Tomioka
Koto City, Tokyo, Japan
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Mienoumi Restaurant was where Anthony Bourdain had dinner with pioneering manga creator, Toshio Maeda. Here, Maeda discussed his groundbreaking work to Bourdain. Bourdain’s observation: “Notice, by the way, the distinguished owner and her complete lack of shock or offense at the graphic, frankly horrifying images of rape, violation, and murder spread casually across the table for all to see.”
DISH – Kushiage and Okonomiyaki – Parts Unknown Tokyo
WHAT IS IT?
Kushiage – skewers of shrimp and basil, lotus root, octopus, and pickled quail eggs dipped in batter and fried perfectly; Okonomiyaki – a type of egg-batter pancake filled with squid and brushed with Worcestershire sauce.
WHERE IS IT?
Mahakala
Aobadai, 1 Chome−17−5 メゾン青葉 102
Japan, Tokyo, Meguro City
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Mahakala is a low-key joint to enjoy family meals and meet friends. As Anthony Bourdain puts it: “They don’t serve high-end sushi here… or elaborate kaiseki-inspired fare. It’s almost like hipster tempura.”
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