Isshin Daikanyama — Restaurant in Tokyo

I came around 1120am on a Saturday and there was already a snaking queue. I expected there to be a wait but not by such a mile. The queue stretched across a junction to the right side of the signage when you face it.

After awhile, the queue began moving and I thought we could go in soon. Little did I know the queue actually goes downwards, down a flight of stairs. I reached the stairs around 1140am which meant the first group of seating had taken place. However, a staff soon came out and started asking the groups how many pax were there. I was alone and there was actually an express line for solo diners! He gathered a few more solo diners and we proceeded down and were able to enter immediately after that. Finally got my menu and seated at around 1210pm.

Do note, you have to take off your shoes. You’re served iced green tea upon being seated. You will also be given a hot towel; almost like you’re in business class on the airplane. The ambience is dimmed and cosy, with comfortable chairs against the wooden floor.

The menu is limited to some extent. I wasn’t sure what to choose, everything sounded good but I decided to go for the most expensive item for 2800Yen. I also asked to add warabimochi but was informed it was sold out for the day already. How unfortunate. I went for the pumpkin crème brûlée instead.

The set was soon served in a beautifully plated tray. Side dishes included pickled vegetables, seaweed and I think chestnut and stew pork. I’m not too sure.

The tempura dish had a shrimp and an assortment of vegetables all lightly battered and tried to perfection. Extremely crispy and delicious. The assortment of sashimi was unique, I don’t recognize some of them but everything had a different bite and texture. I believe the final piece was chu ottoro, the second fattiest part of the tuna, super tender and melt in your mouth.

At the end they serve a hot drink I think hot green tea to wash everything down. I also got my crème brûlée to finish the meal. It was great but not a must order. All in all a very enjoyable meal.

Interestingly, there were many locals and most were females. The number of guys in the queue were few and mostly accompanying...

An experience like no other, arrived there an hour before opening, and there were already 2 groups of 2 in front of us. Taking off your shoes as you enter the restaurant gives you the first experience of stepping into a Japanese house. You will then be guided to your seat, and fresh towels will be presented, a cold green tea will then be served. A two-sided menu gives an international customer an easy understanding of what is available that week. If you would like a local experience flip it over to the Kanji side and use Google Translate to see what is seasonal and offered on that particular day, a full-week menu is normally listed in a row (look for the date in Kanji). No matter what you choose, you won't go wrong. We had grilled mackerel, crab meat croquette, assorted sashimi, and braised pork. All items will be served with fluffy white rice cooked to perfection, with a variety of side dishes. Upon completion of the meal, a warm black tea will be served to clean your palette and get you ready for the desserts. We have chosen a red bean ice cream wafer sandwich with strawberry cubes, and warabi mochi. The strawberry sandwich in the wafer sandwich balances up the subtle sweetness of the red bean. Lastly, the warabi mochi couldn't be any fresher, so soft with a jelly-like yet bouncy texture, pairs very well with the toasted kinako (soybean flour). Overall was a delicious Japanese lunch combined with a very warm interior with a tatami floor that enhanced the entire experience. One minor thing I wish we had an option of, was to sit at a regular table. As someone who is 175cm in height, it can get a bit awkward and slightly uncomfortable to sit a a longer time without space to stretch my leg. However, it is worth every single minute of that hour of queuing. A must-try if you are in Tokyo, especially in the...

We are hoping that we can beat the lunch queue. Too bad, queue was already there. It took us slightly more than an hour before it is our turn. The interior is very nice and stylish and it is the best restaurant on this trip so far in terms of decor and space. Oh, one more thing, you will need to leave your shoes at the main entrance as the restaurant does not permit footwear. There is someone taking care of your shoes.

Now for the food. They served set meals. Each person have to choose a main and they will take care of the rest. Cannot order any of the mains as Ala carte as well. We were so tempted to try some of the other mains like chicken karaage, grilled Mackeral. Their sashimi set and tempura set were sold out. We got 2 braised pork belly sets (heavenly melt in the mouth with a sauce that will make it to load up on your rice), crab croquettes set (2 pieces and delicious) and a tamago set (which was good but pales in comparison with the braised pork belly and crab croquettes). Have to mention the rice which is fluffy, shiny and delicious (even plain rice). End our lunch on a sweet footing with a serving of warabi mochi (personal preference, I find it too soft). A nice touch from the restaurant is that when we leave the restaurant, our shoes are already waiting for us at...