Thursday, April 27, 2006

Western Dining in Tokyo



There's no question that authentic Japanese food is great, and that it's most authentic in Japan.
Having said that, however, a few days for a Westerner in Japan creates a fervor to taste some comforting "familiar" food. For that purpose, we heartily recommend a visit while in Tokyo to YumYum.
It's located near to the Rainbow Bridge in the city's industrial waterfront, currently being filled and built up with a plethora of futuristic offices/ convention-centers/ condos/ etc.
From the Shimbashi Station, take the new "Yurikamome" sky-track rubber-tired train to Shibaura-futo, and YumYum is a short cab drive (660 Yen) away.
The Owner is a third-generation fish specialist, a graduate of Pomona College and of Keio University, delightfully conversant in English, and a perfect host.
The food is fish and shellfish, prepared as you would expect and also in surprising fusion fashion. The scallops, breaded, were especially tasteful. Sea Bream, steamed, was also memorable.
Wine is mostly French, carefully selected, and served at an appropriate temperature, somewhat of a rarity in Japan where most red wine arrives chilled.

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