As I get older, when asked whether I prefer meat or fish, I find myself leaning towards fish more and more. Until my late 40s, it was definitely all about meat, but one factor that contributed to this shift in preference towards fish was when I started to pay more attention to my health due to living alone on a job assignment and became a regular at fish restaurants that were conveniently located near my home. During my time in Obihiro, I frequented "Izakaya Okkatsuan" for lunch, and for breakfast and dinner, I often visited "Yakimeshi no Mise Hikari". In Okayama, I was greatly taken care of by "Okayama Daigen Shokudo" located near my home. It's a relief that all these restaurants are still in business. On the other hand, I've also tried out meat bar-style restaurants for lunch, which have been trending recently, and somehow I started feeling like I've had enough of meat. However, when dining out for lunch regularly, it's inevitable that there will be a bias towards meat. This bias is also reflected in Japanese cuisine, where fish is typically a part of traditional Japanese dishes. However, even in Japanese cuisine, there are dishes like tonkatsu, karaage, and ginger pork that are meat-based, and many lunch options tend to focus on meat due to their affordability. So, overall, the lunch choices tend to lean towards meat. On this particular day, I decided to challenge myself by visiting a specialty restaurant for beef tongue, which has been my recent favorite. The restaurant is located in a hidden alley on the east side of Ichiban Higashi in Ochanomizu. The restaurant moved from a location about 100m south on the same street. The move occurred in 2019, but the restaurant was originally established in 1980, which means it has a longer history than my career as a working adult. After the relocation, the restaurant is now located on the first floor of a steak restaurant called "Nio" (formerly known as "Gyutan-tei"), while Nio occupies the second and third floors. The owner is the same for both establishments, and employed chefs run the kitchens. I arrived for a slightly late lunch, around 12:30 pm, and found the restaurant to be quite empty. The atmosphere inside was calm, with a cozy interior featuring lots of wood elements. I sat at the counter, and there were a total of 14 seats divided into two sections. There was only one female customer at the back counter when I arrived. On this day, the lunch crowd seemed to be lighter, possibly due to Typhoon 13 approaching (although it had weakened to a tropical depression before making landfall). I ordered the beef tongue steak set without grated yam, priced at 1,800 yen. The top menu item was the "Gyutan-tei set meal" priced at 2,000 yen, which included beef tongue, tail soup, and barley rice. Other menu options included beef tongue curry, beef tongue stew, and beef tongue burger. The beef tongue steak set I ordered arrived after a 7-8 minute wait, with thin slices of beef tongue arranged on a round plate.

I went to lunch on Saturday with a friend. We mistakenly entered the first floor instead of going to the second floor where Tsuchizakura is located, but it seems to be a related store. We ordered the Gyutan Teishoku and Tan Stew. Since they seemed to be understaffed, it took a little longer than usual. They also had curry on the menu. My friend, who doesn't usually say much, said it was delicious. I might try going to Tsuchizakura on the second floor next time. Thank you for the meal.

I had been wanting to visit this place for a while. The atmosphere is nice with a vintage, cool vibe. We sat at the counter, but the seats were a bit cramped. We had the hamburger for lunch. The texture of the tongue was not quite what I was expecting, but it was still tasty. The oxtail soup made me feel luxurious. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Today's lunch was at the restaurant called Bosette, located about 7-8 minutes from Ogawamachi. It was my first time visiting this place. They offer a grilled beef tongue set meal, but I decided to try the beef tongue curry today. The curry had large pieces of beef tongue that seemed to have been simmered for a long time. It was more like a soup curry, not very spicy, with a slightly tangy roux similar to hashed beef rice. It came with a topping of simmered egg. It was decent, but the curry flavor wasn't exactly to my liking. The tender beef tongue was delicious, but I don't think I'll be visiting again.

■Restaurant Information Feeling like eating meat, I wanted to have a Shiraoi Pin Steak at "Dosakura", but it was fully booked. So, I ended up trying the first-floor restaurant, "Bisan Tei". This place mainly serves tongue dishes, offering dishes like grilled tongue and tongue curry for lunch. This time, I ordered the signature Bisan Tei set meal for 1.5 people. ■Food Ordered - Bisan Tei Set Meal ¥2800 (1 person portion is ¥2000) It arrived in about 10 minutes. The beef tongue is thinly sliced but packed with flavor as you chew. I personally prefer this type of beef tongue. There are about 9 slices, so those with a big appetite might want to go for 1.5 portions. The rice is just the right texture. It's also delicious with grated yam on top. The tail soup has a perfect balance of flavors. It's so comforting. You can enjoy a leisurely meal here, and I personally recommend it. Check out my Instagram account with 70,000 followers, "Nonaru Otoko no Tokyo Lunch Meshi", where I introduce delicious food from all over Japan! Follow me!

I was in Awajimachi and suddenly felt like eating meat. I remembered the delicious shariapin steak at "Nioh" that I haven't been to in a while, so I hurriedly headed there. Upon arrival, I noticed that the second floor was now operating as "Nioh". The first floor used to be "Nioh" as well, but now it has become a beef tongue restaurant called "Botantei". Since I was here, I decided to try dry tongue instead of shariapin steak. I sat at the counter in front of a large iron plate, and since it seemed they offered "tongue curry", the smell of curry filled the restaurant. However, since it was my first time here, I opted to enjoy the grilled tongue in a simple way. I looked at the menu and chose the "Botantei set meal (tax included 2000 yen)" with an additional 800 yen for a large portion of tongue. In return, I asked for less barley rice. The set also came with "tororo" (grated yam), "tail soup", and "oshinko" (pickled cabbage). I could choose between hot or cold tea, and I chose cold tea (barley tea). The tongue was about 8 or 9 slices, I think? I'm not sure... Maybe it was 9 slices for 1.5 servings if a regular serving is 6 slices, which makes sense to me. I convinced myself of that. I sprinkled shichimi pepper and took a bite. Hmm? The meat texture was a bit tough... Well, my teeth are strong, so it's not a problem, but I need to chew a bit harder to cut through it. It's not the thick-cut beef tongue, but rather a slightly thinner one. I took a bite and chewed... Oh, I hit a fairly tender piece of meat... That's nice. I had plenty of pickled cabbage, so I had to consider the distribution while eating. I tried the barley rice as it is, and it was a delicious accent between the beef tongue. I poured tororo over the rice when I had eaten about half of the beef tongue. Ah, I hit a piece that was quite tender... That's a bit satisfying. I slurped up the tororo rice. The balance of the dashi soy sauce in the tororo was also good and delicious! And the tail soup... It was balanced perfectly on the borderline of being too salty, enhancing the overall deliciousness. It also paired well with the beef tongue and barley rice. The overall balance was good. I splurged a bit with 2800 yen for lunch, but it was delicious. Even though I'm an old man, my teeth are still strong, so I'm okay with the toughness of the meat. But in about 10 years, I might lose confidence in being able to chew through this... I'm glad I ate it now while I still can. Positive thinking!

It's been about 6 years since my last visit. I used to visit this place often in the past. I stopped by today because I had some errands nearby. The restaurant has now moved to the same building as Nio Sakura. The management is the same. By the way, Nio Sakura is famous for their Charivian steak. The beef tongue set meal (with grated yam) is a standard menu item, and they also have beef tongue hamburgers and beef tongue curry. I used to think the beef tongue curry was the most delicious, so I ordered that. I believe it was priced at 1750 yen. Since it had been about 6 years since I last had it, the taste I remembered and the taste I had today were slightly different. (1) There was no unpleasant smell, served with a water glass. No issues at all. (2) I'm not sure if the cold tea was houjicha. I'm embarrassed to say, but I couldn't quite figure out what kind of tea it was. It didn't have a strange taste, so no problem. (3) Tail soup doesn't compare to the beef tail soup at Aji Tasuke in Sendai. Maybe the comparison is too good, but it wasn't bad. (4) Beef tongue curry - I used to taste a strong richness of red wine and found it very delicious, but this time I felt the acidity (from tomatoes) was stronger than before. I think it would have been tastier if it was a bit hotter. The meat portion was quite generous, especially considering the current difficult circumstances and the price, so I think it's good value for money. I was reasonably satisfied, but I would have been happier if it was hotter. The taste also seemed more delicious before, but I'm not sure if it's because the chef changed, I changed, or maybe both, the reason is unclear, but I felt the taste had dropped a bit. I also remember the color being more reddish-black. I had the impression that the amount of red wine had decreased, but I didn't confirm with the staff. It's just my personal impression. The watercress on top looked fresh. The taste was decent, but it didn't meet my expectations, so I felt a bit disappointed. Things change over time. Including myself. The number of reviews on Tabelog hasn't increased at all, but there were still plenty of customers, so it seems the popularity is still strong as before. Thank you for the meal.

Botsen-tei [Kanda Curry Street 100 Dishes: Dish 39] 2021 Curry 131 Shops 317 Meals August 25, 2021 ■ Beef Tongue Curry ¥1,500 ▷ Tail Soup, ▷ Pickled Cabbage ▶︎ Simmered Egg ¥1,600 Located right next to the popular Thai restaurant Green Pad Thai in Kanda Surugadai, this narrow alleyway shop operates two stores, Botsen-tei and Dozakura. The design of the shop, including the signboards, reflects the taste of the owner, possibly influenced by the artist Tokuriki Tomikichiro. It is an urban oasis, a comforting place. The Beef Tongue Curry builds anticipation even before tasting it. The smooth reflection of carefully filtered sauce and the generous serving of beef tongue rolling around create high expectations. And true to expectations, the curry was even more delicious than anticipated. It seems to have utilized the French culinary technique of Bouef Bourguignon, where the sauce is meticulously filtered after simmering in plenty of wine, resulting in a concentrated beef flavor. The beef tongue was also incredibly tender and easy to cut with a spoon. Oh, it was so delicious. A happy ending.

The shop has a very nice appearance, and the interior has a calm atmosphere with a touch of nostalgia. The beef tongue burger is coarsely ground with a bit of chewiness. The service and food were both attentive, and I had a great time. I forgot to take photos of the food...

○ ================= Summary ================= ○ - Hidden shop in Surugadai alley - Delicious Tan Stew Rice ♥ - Wait time 5 minutes (May/Tuesday 12:55~) - Total: 1600 yen ○ ================= Today's Menu ================= ○ Beef Tongue Curry Set 1500 yen Soft-boiled Egg 100 yen Total: 1600 yen ○ ================= Introduction ================= ○ Good morning/Good evening! Here is a review from Tabelog 3.22 (2021/05) about a Western-style restaurant in Surugadai. The pronunciation is "Botantei." There are also plants growing abundantly in the alley. There are many high-priced lunch restaurants around here. ○ ================= Visit Experience ================= ○ - Arrived at 12:55, no wait outside, 4 customers already seated - Menu viewing after seating, call for payment after eating, payment at the register - Interior: I-shaped with 2 rows (10 seats), no place for bags, background music: Queen - Seasoning: Seven spices x2 ○ ================= Food Experience ================= ○ - Ordered the "Beef Tongue Curry" at 13:00 - Topped with watercress, similar to when previously eaten at [Tousakura] on the 2nd floor - Served with tail soup and pickles - Looks like a demi-glace Western-style curry ○ ================= Taste Experience ================= ○ - Delicious! Harmony of acidity and umami - The acidity might be balsamic vinegar? - Rich umami from simmering meat and vegetables, starting to feel a slight bitterness - Spooning the beef tongue while enjoying, sautéed onions add flavor - Not very spicy or numbing, more like a Tan Stew Rice than curry - Boiled egg is optional but adds richness when mixed with curry - Hot tail soup with onions and tail meat is great, pickles are also tasty and generous ○ ================= Overall Experience ================= ○ - Almost flawless in all aspects, hardly any flaws - Fast service, feels like high-end fast food - Some room for improvement in soup and sauce, but not a big concern - Great balance between price and quality - Interested in trying other menu items, maybe similar taste to the restaurant on the 2nd floor? - Thank you for the meal, might visit again!

Exploring Tokyo's gourmet scene! Chiyoda Ward, Kanda Surugadai Edition featuring specialties such as beef tongue curry and beef tongue hamburger! Visiting the popular restaurant "Gyutan-tei" for the first time to try their grilled beef tongue. Established in 1980, this restaurant has been operating for 40 years in the same location. The interior has a traditional Japanese style with cherry blossom pillars and a single plank counter adorned with the owner's favorite artwork. They carefully grill the finest beef tongue over charcoal, offering dishes like beef tongue curry and beef tongue hamburger. I decided to try their set meal which includes grilled beef tongue, grated yam, barley rice, and tail soup. The beef tongue was thinly sliced and perfectly grilled over charcoal, with a delicious flavor. The tail soup was light but flavorful, and the combination of beef tongue, grated yam, and barley rice was excellent. Adding some chili pepper to the grilled beef tongue enhanced the flavor even more. Although the prices are a bit high, the quality and taste of the dishes are exceptional. I look forward to trying their beef tongue curry and beef tongue hamburger next time. A must-visit for delicious and unforgettable food!

I felt like eating something powerful, so I remembered there was a beef tongue restaurant nearby and decided to visit after about 5 years. I ordered the beef tongue grilled set meal for 1,500 yen. When it arrived, I was surprised to see that the beef tongue was thin, unlike the thick slices I was used to in Sendai. I slowly started to remember that this was how it was at this restaurant before as well. I had been disappointed before when thin beef tongue was served at another restaurant, but this time, even though it wasn't what I had in mind, the thin slices were grilled to a crispy texture with a savory aroma that made the rice go down smoothly. I prefer my meat medium rare, but for thin slices, I might prefer the grilled salted beef tongue at a yakiniku restaurant. On the other hand, the cabbage pickles were generously served and paired well with the subtle and elegant flavors, making it a joy to eat with rice. The oxtail soup was also delicious, with no off-flavors. The restaurant had a classy and calm atmosphere, making it seem more suitable for an older clientele.

After my regular eye check-up, I decided to stop by a beef tongue restaurant that I had been wanting to try. I ordered the Beef Tongue Teishoku, which was listed at the top of the lunch menu. It had been a while since I had beef tongue and grated yam, but the flavors were subtle yet rich in taste.

After a long time, I decided to visit "Dosakura" and found a sign for a new restaurant called "Gyutantei" in the same location. It seemed like the first floor was now "Gyutantei" and the second floor was still "Dosakura". The restaurant was busy, but they told me to wait as a table would be available soon. Due to the impact of COVID-19, restaurants need to make money during lunchtime, but usually by the second round, customers stop coming in. It was around 12:30 PM and cheaper restaurants started to have empty seats. I was seated at the back. The lunch menu was relatively expensive, and I ordered the "Beef Tongue Curry Set" (1,500 yen) with a half-boiled egg (100 yen). The curry arrived quickly, and the beef tongue was large and looked delicious. The curry sauce seemed more like demi-glace sauce. The half-boiled egg added a nice touch. It also came with pickled cabbage and a soup that resembled oxtail soup. The beef tongue was so tender that it melted in my mouth. The sauce had a strong demi-glace flavor, and when combined with rice, it was a moment of pure bliss. The egg also complemented the dish well. It felt more like a luxurious beef stew than a beef tongue stew. Overall, it was a satisfying and delicious lunch experience.

Upon entering, the first floor is dedicated to gyutan (beef tongue) at our shop, while the second floor is for steak at Dozakura. The gyutan set meal for ¥1,500 including tax consists of 5 thinly sliced gyutan with a satisfying texture. The gyutan is cooked perfectly and delicious, but it feels a bit lacking and leaves rice uneaten. The pickles are light and refreshing, but they don't really complement the rice. Some extra touch to make the rice more enjoyable is desired. The satisfaction level is not quite worth the price. Many customers opt for the gyutan curry for ¥1,500 with an additional soft-boiled egg for ¥100, which looks appetizing. There are only 11 counter seats, with transparent dividers between each seat.

I went to the restaurant "Botantei" that I was curious about. It is a beef tongue specialty shop where "Botan" (button) becomes "Tan" (tongue). There are no table seats inside, only a counter. You can see the beef tongue being grilled. I had the "Botantei set meal for 1,700 yen". There is also a "Grilled beef tongue set meal", but the Botantei set comes with grated yam. As I watched the grilling process, a kebab-like chunk of meat appeared. Upon closer inspection, it was beef tongue. Slices of raw beef tongue were stacked cylindrically. Each slice was peeled off from the cylinder and grilled on the net of the grill. The grilled beef tongue was served on a bed of cabbage with a familiar seasoning. The thinly sliced beef tongue had a crispy texture and was delicious. There was no spicy miso like in Sendai, just a simple salty flavor. But that was enough. The grated yam had a nice flavor. Of course, beef tongue is best enjoyed with barley rice. This is a rare restaurant in Tokyo where you can taste authentic beef tongue.

Yakiniku is incomplete without Tan salt. The street where this restaurant, Bosentei, is located has many appealing and atmospheric establishments. I had been curious about this place for a while! Today, I sat at the counter. The dishes were prepared in front of me at a good pace, and they were served promptly. I received explanations about the dishes and even suggestions for items not on the menu, making the dining experience enjoyable from start to finish. The most delicious dish was, without a doubt, the simple Tan-yaki! The recommended oysters were served raw and seared, each with a different texture and deliciousness. The hamburger had a crunchy texture like eating a coarse meat sausage, which paired well with mustard. I even enjoyed the Tan stew! Of course, the Tan was incredibly tender. I was quite full before eating, so if you can enjoy this much during lunch, it might be worth just savoring this. The non-meat menu items were also delicious, so if you love Tan, be sure to try them.

Botantei (Botantei) @ Kanda Surugadai 3-chome I merged with Tsuchizakura! It's been a while since I visited Tsuchizakura, so I was happily walking down the alley when I saw the sign for Botantei. Wait, where did Tsuchizakura go? Upon closer inspection, I noticed that there were signs for both Botantei and Tsuchizakura at this one shop. Although they share the same management, I wondered what happened. With a mix of curiosity and confusion, I entered the shop. To my surprise, the first floor was Botantei and the second floor was Tsuchizakura. I found myself changing my allegiance (laughs). The layout and kitchen remained the same, and the beautiful high-backed chairs were covered with traditional patterns, creating a slightly Japanese atmosphere. Luckily, I found a seat at the counter and ordered the Botantei set meal. The dish arrived, featuring fragrant grilled beef tongue that immediately whetted my appetite. The perfectly salted beef tongue was absolutely delicious. Occasionally, I've had disappointing experiences with poorly seasoned beef tongue, but this was just right! The quail egg and grated yam mixed into the barley rice was a delightful surprise. I don't usually make grated yam at home, so encountering it here was a pleasant treat. The tail soup, served steaming hot, had a gentle flavor that was comforting. Ah, it was so delicious! The unexpected combination of beef tongue, grated yam, and tail soup made this dining experience enjoyable and exciting. Next time, I'll definitely visit Tsuchizakura!

I have a friend who loves beef tongue, and we have visited this restaurant for lunch several times. I'm actually not a big fan of beef tongue, but I do enjoy their tongue curry here. The interior has a woody atmosphere. However, during lunchtime, it gets crowded and lively. My friend always orders the Beef Tongue Teishoku (beef tongue, grated yam, pickles, and tail soup or miso soup), while I always go for the Beef Tongue Curry Teishoku (1350 yen, with pickles and tail soup or miso soup). The curry tastes more like a demi-glace sauce, and it comes with a big piece of tenderly simmered tongue. The tongue is cooked until it's soft and falls apart easily, making it very delicious. Personally, I feel like the curry teishoku has more tongue than the beef tongue teishoku. Sometimes I can't finish the tongue, so I share it with my friend who loves beef tongue. I haven't been there for dinner, but I think it would be a great lunch option for those who love beef tongue.

It's a 6-minute walk from Ochanomizu Station. I found this place while taking a walk from Jimbocho looking for a place to have dinner. There are many eateries in the back alleys around here, so I thought there might be some good restaurants to discover. The cute Shigaraki pottery gathered at the entrance caught my eye and I decided to go in. It seems to be a specialty restaurant for tongue dishes, offering various dishes such as simply grilled tongue, boiled tongue, and tongue stew in a calm izakaya-style setting. The appetizer was a seasoned boiled egg. The grilled tongue was thinly sliced. The boiled tongue was soft and delicious, cooked until it falls apart. I didn't order it because it was expensive, but according to reviews, the tongue stew is delicious. It seems like you can eat more affordably for lunch than at night.