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king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Ahh, may I recommend to any vegeterian in Kobe trying an Indian Rest. there and asking for a "Chicken Tikka Masala". When I pointed out there was no chicken in it I was told there was as the waiter pointed to a piece of, er, TOMATO. When I further disected and proved it was indeed one of the aforementioned red fruit, my plate was whisked away and came back with one, yes one, cherry sized morsel of chicken (and quite possibly some extra 'sauce' courtesy of the offended chef......). I have eaten Indian food in the UK and Australia for many years and also in Inida. I tried quite a few Indian restaurants in Japan when I lived there and gave up. The meat was always small in quantity and quite often the floors and tables dirty (unusual for Japan). I come back with my family to Japan each year for 4 - 6 weeks and always ensure that the week before I leave Oz I get a decent Indian take away. Then I resist the 'temptation' of any Indian Menus I walk past in Japan. Last six years (visits) I stick to Japanese (especially kaiten sushi; soooo cheap and fresh compared to 0z) Korean and the odd Italian. I leave my other favourite cuisines (Indian, Thai Chinese) until I return to Oz. What do people think of Chinese food in Japan?; I have always been disappointed by it. I guess, when in Rome...........

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

I had the fluffy naan that people were talking about for the first time the other day. Sorry, authentic Indian fans, but it was amazing. I still have a place in my neighborhood that makes the normal stuff, though.

Also, I've eaten at multiple Indian places in Tokyo that had completely visible, spotless kitchens.

chongalice49 · Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 17

Are there any grocery stores in Tokyo with Italian products? Things like Italian parsley, pasta sauce, capers, Italian breads, good cured meats, etc.?? Thanks guys!

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:54 am Post subject:

Of the complaints that I have about Indian restaurants, I can't say that hygiene was amongst them. The food wasn't great and the interior and exterior decor of the last place was pretty tacky, but dirty? I haven't come across that.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Interesting to see some of the comments on Indian restaurants. I'm not sure sometimes, as unlike Aspara, I haven't been to India, how authentic the Indian food is here. One Indian colleague said that a lot of the Indian restaurants in Tokyo are actually run by Sri Lankans and Nepalis. Most of the curries I have had are adequate for spiciness (compared to what I have eaten outside of Japan), though the amount of meat served is often on the low side (I eat both vegetarian and meat curries). I have had tandoori a handful of times, as well as chipatis and plenty of nan. Some of the nan is seasoned with nuts, but I have never had sweet nan here. I also haven't run into trouble with the cheese used in paneer recipes.

We do, as a few posters already stated, have quite a few Indian residents here (I have some as neighbors living down the street), so it would be surprising to have too many nonauthentic 'Indian' restaurants. Certainly there are some Japanese ones, but they tend to be obvious with Indian curry being only one variety of curry on the menu. I do know that some Nepali and Sri Lankan restaurants do business near my house, though of course you do also have different varieties of Indian food depending on the region. My coworker was surprised that I hadn't seen pumpkin curry prior to coming to Japan as she said it is common in Mumbai/Bombay where she is from.

Some of the Chinese here is more Japanese, but it depends on where you go. Certainly is seems difficult to get real dim sum here, unless you are willing to fork out more for a hotel restaurant or look hard in the China towns in some of the big cities here.

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Well I guess I was unlucky re the messy Indian R in Tokyo. I experienced it a few times; always lunches and normally buffets/smorgasboards. Maybe there had been a run just before I got there each time.............

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I wouldn't do an Indian buffet, but buffets in general are not great if you want fresher and better food.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:32 pm Post subject:

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffet

In Japan, a buffet or smorgasbord is known as a viking (バイキング - baikingu). It is said that this originated from the restaurant "Imperial Viking" in the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, which was the first restaurant in Japan to serve buffet-style meals.

In Sweden they also refer to buffets as 'Vikings' (literally eating in Viking style). Viking used this way is hardly 'regular' English, more like 'Engrish' or just Japlish.