Hashidaya — Restaurant in Tokyo

One of the best meals I've had in months: they do a multi-course, chicken-centric shabu shabu (hot pot). At least coming from the U.S., this was a unique experience, especially given that the prime star of the show (and there are a lot of stars here) is the broth used in the shabu. They must boil chicken bones for hours to produce the kind of rich, creaminess that it acquires; like the most intense chicken broth you've ever had.

WIth the main shabu, halfway thru, the server will come out with bamboo tubes of raw chicken sausage that they'll use to form meatballs in the boiling broth.

And then, once the broth has reduced down, they'll bring out egg noodles and turn the remaining into hot pot into something akin to tsukemen (dipping ramen).

Of the other courses you get, the tebasaki wings were addictively awesome. I could have polished off a platter of those had they been offered.

One of the early appetizer plates is chicken sashimi and totally worth trying even though I get why some would be nervous about it. The chicken heart, especially, was really interesting/delicious.

Service, alas, was pretty slow. They said it was because they were...

Really tasty experience. Tried raw chicken for the first time, which was surprisingly delicious! Highly recommend the hot pot, it is sooooooo good!!

The only disappointing part of this experience was a cockroach that crawled across our table. I'm glad it was at the end or I would have probably walked out or completely lost...

I‘ve been wanting to come here for a while and finally made it today. One of the young waitresses spoke perfect English and was so sweet! We talked a little and she helped me pick my dinner. The food was so delicious and the atmosphere of the little traditional house is beautiful, too. Will come back for sure...